Phantom Embers

"When it was going down, I didn’t know if my platoon was a part of Operation Phantom Phoenix. Hell, even days later, I'm still not certain, and the only reason I'm aware that such an offensive even took place is because I read about it on the internet later. Things like that don’t always make it down the chain to our level; layers upon layers of brass, taskings, and PowerPoint presentations separate LT G from General Petraeus. All I know for sure is that the same day our Army’s massive offensive was said to take place across Iraq in January, 2008, the Gravediggers were perched up on an Iraqi roof, scanning into a neighborhood with binoculars and sights. We were watching the Iraqi Army clear through a neighborhood house-by-house, while some of our sister American troops provided inner security.

“This blows,” said SPC Haitian Sensation, while holding up a pair of binos. “Why can’t we be the ones clearing the houses today, yo?” I arched an eyebrow his way, which caused him to laugh. “I mean, Yo, Sir. Sir.”"
Kaboom