SGT Kitts Steven, U.S. Army (1985-2009)

Deployment to Iraq in 2004-2005 was a time filled with tension, danger, and unpredictability. As a member of the Tennessee National Guard, I found myself attached to a Military Police (MP) unit out of Maine. Our missions often took us along hazardous routes, transporting individuals we referred to as “People of Questionable Actions” (POQA) from our base, Camp Caldwell, to a holding facility in Baghdad. The road was always a risk, a constant game of cat and mouse with insurgents waiting for the right moment to strike. But amidst the tension, there were fleeting moments of unexpected relief.

One particular mission stands out among the countless convoys and operations we conducted. After completing our drop-off in Baghdad, we had to refuel before returning to base. The closest option was an old Air Force base, once a jewel of Saddam Hussein’s military infrastructure. It was a place of stark contrast amidst the dust and decay of war, it still bore the remnants of a once-grand era. The base had a massive movie theater and the largest swimming pool I had ever seen. It was surreal there, in the middle of a war zone, was an oasis of luxury left behind by a dictator.

With time to spare before resuming our journey, we took full advantage of the moment. Stripping off our gear, we dove into the cool water, momentarily washing away the grime and stress of deployment. Laughter echoed off the walls as we let our guard down, if only for a little while. It felt like a dream a brief escape from the reality of IEDs, ambushes, and constant vigilance.

But reality has a way of pulling you back hard. No sooner had we returned to Camp Caldwell than we were ordered back out. A unit was pinned down behind enemy lines, caught in a major firefight, and we were tasked with their recovery. The transition from relaxation to high-stakes combat was jarring, but that was the nature of war one moment you re floating in a pristine pool, and the next, you re fighting to survive.

Looking back, that short reprieve in the heart of a war zone remains one of my most vivid memories of Iraq. It was a rare and unexpected highlight in a time defined by chaos and danger. It reminded me that even in the harshest conditions, soldiers find ways to embrace moments of joy, however fleeting they may be.

Read the Military Memories of our Runner-Ups.