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9.09.04 Above, from left, Chaplains Waldrop, Gore and Lowe Gore's Iraq duty could be over by January 2005 Erskine Theological Seminary Dean Dr. R.J. Gore is expecting to wind down his tour in war-torn Iraq late this year and could be home in Due West by early 2005. A chaplain for the 172nd Corps Support Group, Gore was mobilized in December and was ordered to active duty in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He arrived at Camp Anaconda, a former Iraqi air force base at Balad, Iraq, on Jan. 25. A little more than two weeks into his service, he assumed responsibilities as group chaplain. Gore said the unit is required to be home by Jan. 19, 2005, since the group is limited to 365 days in Iraq. “We will spend a week at Fort Polk demobilizing,” he said in a recent e-mail. “Some units have been extended, but we do not expect to be extended. There is also a possibility that we may fly sometime in December, but there is nothing in concrete. We are not holding our breath.” Gore said the military’s approach to the Iraqis has been “quite consistent” since its arrival in the country more than a year ago and did not change once the leadership of the country was handed back to the Iraqis in late June. “For example, our headquarters company has been working with the same Iraqi school since we got here,” he said. “The difference you see is tactical — with the Iraqis trying to run their own affairs, we are pulling back and trying to get out of the spotlight. “Still, we continue to engage the anti-Iraqi insurgents as needed, and we continue to do the civil affairs projects that will provide long-term benefits to the Iraqis long after we are gone.” Gore said the main focus right now is on water projects to get clean water to the villages wherever possible. The Iraqi attitude toward the military is somewhat surprising. “In my experience, the average Iraqi does not want us here, but wants us to leave even less,” Gore said. “I have heard repeatedly from Iraqis that our withdrawal would lead to a bloody and extended civil war.” The tour of combat duty for Gore has been filled with memories, both good and bad. For example, he was given a field promotion on March 21, moving from the rank of major to lieutenant colonel, and less than an hour later, a car bomb exploded outside the front gate of Camp Anaconda. Another example came one day after Gore assumed duties as group chaplain, when a sandstorm damaged the post chapel, leaving the chaplains to come up with a new place to worship. “My most memorable experiences have been our visits to the elementary school in the village of Al Sina,” Gore said. “What a joy to see this dilapidated school completely renovated, and to see the kids receive school supplies and gifts from Americans they will never meet.” Gore spearheaded a shoebox campaign earlier this year to collect school supplies for local children and the campaign was such a success that the emphasis of the campaign has been changed to clothing. New or used children's clothing in good condition is being sought for four-year-olds through fairly large 12- or 13-year-olds. Shoes, particularly sneakers, can also be donated, but it is asked that the shoes not be name brand. Gore said there are “a lot of things” that he’d like to forget about his tour of duty, including “the dirt and filth, the heat, the mortar attacks, the wounded, the memorial services, the constant threat to life and limb. “Mostly, though, I want to forget the loneliness that comes from being away from those I love,” he said. People tend to take for granted those close to them in day-to-day living. “When you see your loved ones and hear their voices regularly, they become commonplace and nothing at all extraordinary,” Gore said. “However, when you are so far from home, with the continual possibility of death or serious injury, you learn a new appreciation for your family, your friends (and) your co-workers.” Gore has stayed in touch with the activities at the seminary during his absence and noted this week the record number of new students. “I hope the record enrollment is not directly related to my being in Iraq,” he joked. “If so, (Seminary Vice President) Neely (Gaston) may never let me come back.” Gore has kept in regular contact with home through e-mails with his “unofficial” point of contact at the seminary, Dr. Mary-Ruth Marshall, and e-mails from students and colleagues. “I have been consulted occasionally about issues where I had primary knowledge or where someone wanted another set of eyes on an issue,” he said. “By and large I am quite out of the loop, so I will have a hefty learning curve when I return.”
Iraqi school girls wait in line for aid. |
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