Fallen Heroes of Operation Iraqi Freedom

"We will never forget her. Our Friend and Teammate."
Her Team of Oklahoma, Kansas, Hawaii, Missouri

"For the truth, Myla!
Let us lift the veil,
help them see the truth Myla.
your life did not end in vain!
I found out today that i was able to get an essay i cried through published.

I dedicate it to you, The World must know the truth.

To the Colors

Christmas eve 2005, a mother prays half way around the world in the Philippines for the safety of her American daughter; Alpha company, 1st Battalion 327th Infantry regiment, 1st Brigade 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), conducts a routine mission in the city of Hawijah, Iraq. The mission, often called a presence patrol, consists of driving around the city until a U.S. coalition convoy is engaged by the enemy. One of the platoons in Alpha Company drives down Market Street. As the convoy drove down a street, the first two vehicles crossed the intersection uneventfully. When her vehicle drove through the crossroads, what the U.S. Coalition calls Anti-Iraqi forces; a man fighting for his country, his patriotism, his nationalism, taking the chance that his family may be receiving a folded up red, white, and green flag with the word’s “God is Great” (Alah’u Akbar) in their native tongue, if that was their custom, fired a Russian made RPG-7v at the third humvee in the convoy. The Rocket Propelled grenade ricocheted off the ground, bounced up and penetrated the right rear wheel well. The RPG-7v entered through the wheel well, through the first layers of the vehicle, through her body armor, through her abdomen, through her front body armor, and stayed there where she would freakishly watch this projectile stick out of her body as she helplessly wondered if she would ever see her island again. Myla Maravillosa, 23 years old, lost the fight for her life that Christmas Eve day in route to the hospital, with a rocket still penetrating through her flesh. How did she find herself in that situation?
“Sir/Ma’am, this flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation, as a token of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by your loved one.” “The Secretary of the Army regrets to Inform you that….” These phrases are common for someone who has lost a family member, a relative, or a friend while spreading “Democracy.” Our culture glorifies sacrificing one’s life for their country, it glorifies war. It encourages our youth to bleed for the good of the Flag, the Future. In a way, I feel like everyone walks around with a blindfold, completely oblivious to these issues. The image of the flag and the culture of the United States of America influence a person to be patriotic and nationalistic, which in turn creates an “us vs. them” environment.
My very first memory took place in Guadalajara, Mexico. I heard my mother call for me, and I remember clumsily walking from one room to the other. My second memory involves a toy rifle my father made. It was a replica of an M1 Garand that took down a generation in the Great War. I would lay in the prone, like a hunter, listening to my breath, waiting for someone to walk into my sights, and then Bang! I missed? No ammo! So I butt-stroked my sister with the rifle because I didn’t have a bayonet; I was whipped with an extension cord for that one. I witnessed all of this on television earlier that day. I was a child being molded by society, and the biggest influences in my life were my family and the Social developer that has become “television.”
After watching a movie like Blood Sport, where an American soldier goes AWOL to fight in a secret competition, my friends and I would re-act fight scenes and actually hit each other. I didn’t always enjoy it, but I always ended up playing. We imitated the characters on television, they were our heroes because they were something to fear; they could kill anything, and they were on our side. Once again, through the television I was learning what greatness was and how heroes were.
I never really gave thought to being a Soldier before I joined the Army. I joined to get out of the city, so my father wouldn’t pay for my school, to travel, and for excitement; the glorification of war. Now in retrospect, I see someone who’s blind being guided off a cliff. I spent eight months in training, being molded into the person they wanted me to be. Marching, singing, and saluting is how I spent most of my time, and the flag was always present. We were always being told that we are better than any other country, that we could destroy any other Army. Now it reminds me of Hitler’s National Socialist movement, and the emphasis made on German Pride.
Nationalism and Patriotism has always had a presence in and around every military installation I have ever visited, including when I was on foreign soil. Almost all of the homes of the officers and enlisted families had “the colors” hanging on their front porch. When I lived in Hinesville, Georgia; outside of Ft. Stewart, the biggest training area east of the Mississippi river, U.S. flags were proudly displayed like mail boxes. I have visited at least forty installations around the world and the U.S., all of them drowning in their own pride. Soldiers can’t even think about sympathizing with the enemy because they are always being bombarded with symbols that are designed to segregate the two flags; both peoples.
At the start of every morning, the flag is raised and saluted to the tune of a bugle, and soldiers are constantly being reminded to be proud with those tunes throughout the day. Symbols constantly shadowing and flapping in the wind, always reminding Soldiers that they are better than everyone else; to respect those who have sacrificed their lives under the same flag. But what kind of effect does this have on us, how does it make us feel? I know how it used to make me feel. I felt the lineage and history, the struggles of the past; Goosebumps on my skin, all this crawling up my spine. I felt a strong sense of pride, because I’m on the side with the strongest and most powerful army; and no other country would want to confront us.
I went on my first deployment with these implanted views; the Army needed them in me so I would participate in creating terror. I feared the Iraqi people because of our differences, and because of this fear, I gave them almost no respect. I never saw them unless it was through the iron sights I had been given by my Flag, and everything I said was meant to be intimidating. They were treated worse than the stray dogs on the street, because the dogs were just ignored. If they weren’t killed they were zip-cuffed, blindfolded, stepped on, made fun of, abused, threatened, and treated the way no human would ever want to see a fellow human treated. It never felt like they were human; our flag provides humans, and theirs provides savages. It was war, and we were selfishly concerned with our safety and going home in one piece.
Upon my return to Mesopotamia about a year an a half later, the Army had prepared me for something more (… and I’m going to make them regret it!). They trained me to collect intelligence from people, which caused me to have to understand them. This helped changed my perspective on Iraq; why we were there, their way of life, and their culture. I grew to admire and respect their customs, culture, and language, but this happened over time. The personal friendships I had to develop to collect information made them human again. In reality, they were no different than I. The Flag was used to de-humanize them, and interacting with them forced me to see them as people.
I came to realize that I was a pawn, that freedom is not what we brought. We came to strategically control “our” supply of oil (because we own it right?). We brought Capitalism, and we want to change their Economy. However, our government is not concerned that changing the way people earn their living is tied to their culture; they want profit and the government represents the people right? To change one is to change the other, and why would anyone let someone else make that decision? People interacting with people can bridge the canyon between cultures that is created by governments and societies. Our government’s main tool is Nationalism and Patriotism: they use symbols, peer pressure, and out casting to get our soldiers to pull the trigger.
I can’t speak for Myla, and it’s unfortunate that she is no longer with us to find out how she found herself with an explosive projectile protruding from abdomen while she struggled to stay alive. I don’t remember ever being discouraged from being patriotic and nationalistic when I was in the Army. In fact, it was always encouraged. Had I chosen to be anti-patriotic, I would have been seen as a traitor by that society. Even in the civilian world, when these views are expressed, people accuse me of being un-American. Then get confused when they find out I spent two years in Iraq, and eight and a half as a soldier. They haven’t witnessed death in war.
Myla is dead! She suffered a tragic and traumatizing end, along with fifteen other names I don’t want to write down, and some that I’ve already forgotten. And let’s not forget that millions of people are affected in this “us vs. them” environment that we accept as societies. The Dominant side will always capitalize from these ideals, and eventually society throws atrocities down the memory hole. Who wants to partake in a lifestyle that creates death, hate, and oppression for others? …Americans? I’ve done my part, and I hope to make up for it!
All countries and people are encouraged to have pride in their homeland by their societies. It is important to know your heritage, history, culture, and country regardless of your location on Earth. However, it is crucial that respect, tolerance, curiosity, and acceptance be extended to other regions in our world regardless of our economic interest. Our people, and the worlds’, need to see that images and symbols like the flag alienate people. People are alienated so that our culture dominates theirs! If we fail to see symbols like the flag without questioning its purpose, we may end up like Myla; or worse, like me, because I am NOT resting in peace…


-CPT. Hector"
Cpt. Hector, FOB McHenry of Santa Fe, NM

"December 20, 2008
To the family of Sgt. Myla L. Maravillosa:
Myla gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."
Peggy Childers
"Don't Let The Memory Of Them Drift Away"
www.IraqWarHeroes.org"
Peggy Childers of Carson City, NV

"To Myla, her family and friends-
I wear a bracelet inscribed,
"Sgt Myla Maravillosa USA
KIA 24 December 2005 Hawijah Iraq."
Although I have not met Myla,
I am proud to share her bravery with others. Myla will never be forgotten.
I work with children, and their reverence and prayers for Myla are true.
The blessings of her courage stand proud before God on this anniversary of her death on Dec 24. I will pray for peace in the name of our holy trinity and Myla's sacrifice.
LKP
(for other memory bracelets honoring our military: www.no-mac.com)"
LKP of OH, USA

""To The Family Of Myla MARAVILLOSA"

Often we hear of wars in far off places, but we do not feel the
impact of such wars until it affects someone close to us. To lose Myla
who was only 24, is a family tragedy. My only comfort is knowing that Myla was
undertaking a noble cause of protecting those around her, and has now left
us to go to a better place. Myla, you will always be missed but never forgotten by your love ones. We also lose a love one, SFC Joselito Villanueva in Balad four years ago. God Bless our BAYANI."
Raymond ONAS of Vancouver, B.C; Canada"

"To the family of Sgt. Myla Maravillosa:
Although we never met, I can tell from the comments here that she truly was a hero, and it's because of the brave men and women like her that I've decided to enlist.
Thank you for protecting us all."
Elisa of Riverside Co., CA

"god biyayaan ikaw
god bless you"
Kenley F. of San Juan Capistrano, CA

"SGT M., you trained with us, you went to Iraq with us, and you're with us now for the rest of our lives. The soldiers of the 415th MI Bn considered you one of us then, and we will forever. We miss you, M."
Jeremy White of Lake Charles, LA

"On August 26, 2006, we will dedicate a memorial stone at Punchbowl Cemetery honoring those whose sacrifice gives us the honor of carrying on their legacy of freedom and liberty. Your name will appear on the program. Mahalo from Oahu Chapter 858, Vietnam Veterans of America."
Luis Parker of Ewa Beach, HI

"Thank you, Soldier.

Salamat din po, Nanay."
Julius Mesias of Oceanside, CA

"To the family of:Myla L. Maravillosa I am so sorry for the loss of your love one. My heart cries out for you in your grief and you have my thoughts and prayers. She died a hero defending freedom. May you have the peace and understanding that only comes from God. Prayerfully we will all meet in Heaven one day where we will rest in the arms of Jesus. If you need prayer or need someone to talk to, please call or write my pastor: Rev. John Pearrell 11677 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, GA 30016. (770)787-1015. Your friend in Jesus Christ, Polly Ballew Covington,Ga"

"Myla,
I will never forget your face when you came through Kuwait for RFI. We talked for about 45 minutes, My wife is from the same place as your mother,(Bohol,Pillipines) God does everything for a reason, and only he knows, we don't question it. Much love to your family. I recently got married in Bohol, not far from your grave site. As I stood over your grave I can't help but wonder what you could have been. Never the less, you will always be in my prayers. Mahaliki Ta Myla!"
Kirk V. Sledge SGM (RET.) of Kuwait

"We Will NEVER FORGET !"
Please KNOW so many people share your sadness,
and we are remembering your family in your loss and your deep grief.
Our nations HERO, Myla will be remembered by name.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Pat & Sandi Breckenridge / Montana God Bless you ALWAYS. "

"Thank you Myla Maravillosa, you will not be forgotten. Your bravery goes beyond words. I want to express my deepest gratitude for your sacrifice. To the family and friends, my prayers and deep condolences in your loss. May God strengthen you from knowing that fellow Americans and people around the world care about you and grieve with you in your loss. God bless you all. A very appreciative fellow American,"
Leo Titus of Grayslake, Illinios

"To the family and friends of Sgt. Myla Maravillosa:
May God's grace be with you during your time of grief. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and we feel your loss and share in your sorrow. Bless Myla for the sacrifice she has made to make a better life for the rest of us."
The Ford Family of Wells, Nevada

"To the family and friends of Sgt. Myla Maravillosa:
I am saddened by the loss of your loved one. She will always be remembered as a hero for fighting for freedom. I hope that this website will be a source of comfort and encouragement for you during this difficult time, and in the future as you recall the memories of Myla, who continues to live on in your heart."
Tim Rivera of Powder Springs, Georgia