[September 3, 2026] In eight days, we will be honoring those who died in the most horrific and unprovoked attack on American soil this century. A year and six months after 911, American troops would be attacking Iraq, while I would be there shortly after the initial invasion. My article today is a throwback to that time in honor of the 13th anniversary of my blog that exists, in part, because of the Islamic attacks on America on 911.
I will also be linking to the most popular article published on my blog. On April 5, 2023, I wrote The Face of Ultimate Betrayal where I discuss the betrayal of USAF Lt Col Robert L. Stirm’s (a POW in Vietnam) by his wife Loretta who took his money, filed for divorce, took his kids, house, car, and 40% of his future pension, plus child support. In the comments section, you can read some who still gave excuses for Loretta’s behavior.
I saw similar actions by weak women who had been married to American troops returning from the War on Terror. Shortly after re-deployment from the combat zone in Iraq and Afghanistan, many wives filed for divorce, took their husband’s money, and left with the kids. The betrayal was more than leaving someone they promised to never leave, but a repudiation of societal trust, loyalty, and the sanctity of marriage.
Looking through some of the many photos taken during my first of three combat tours in Iraq, I came across one photo that my wife liked; so I reprinted it here. I’m not sure who took it, but the time would be sometime in early 2004 after I’d been in-country for several months. I want to thank my sister Terri for sending me the SOF combat knife and graphite for lubricating my rifle and pistol (the dust caused problems).
PHOTO: Early 2004 photo of LTC Doug Satterfield in Iraq working for the 353rd Engineer Group attached to the 1st Cavalry Division.
Since my retirement, I’ve dedicated myself to helping all U.S. Veterans and their families. Doing so is one of the keys to being a good Americana Patriot, for me anyway. And it gives me many opportunities to speak with Vets throughout the area where I live.
God bless those lost on 911.
NOTE: For the detail-oriented aficionados reading this post, the HMMWV behind me is an M998 (cargo/troop carrier without a winch) with soft canvas top and “hillbilly” add-on plate armor (that can be barely seen in the back on the left and right). The interceptor body armor (IBA) is in woodland camouflage worn over the DCU uniform. This pattern was common in 2004-06 because desert-pattern vests were still in short supply. The cross-draw leather holster has an issue M9 9mm Beretta pistol. The knife is a SOF with a hard shell. The unit patch is the 1st Cavalry Division, which is correct because I was under the 1st Cav Engineers. And lastly, there are two rifles on the HMMWV hood are an M16A2 with simple optic setup (left) and an M203 with 40mm grenade launcher (right). This setup was typical for field-grade officers and engineers on earlier combat tours.
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Congrats Gen. Satterfield on another successful year.
Thanks for the kind words for Gen. Satterfield on the old photo. I am glad it caught your eye; me too. That picture comes from early 2004 in Iraq. As he has written many times, those days were hot, dusty, and long. His sister even sent him a knife and some graphite so his weapons would work. I personally think about everyone who served over there. God bless for reading and for standing with our veterans.
Gen. Satterfield marks 13 years of his blog and looks ahead to the 9/11 anniversary. He recalls going to Iraq not long after those attacks. He also points to an older post about a Vietnam POW whose wife left him and took his money and family. Many soldiers coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan faced the same kind of betrayal. Since retiring, he works to help other veterans and their families. Like he wrote, “God bless those lost on 911.”
Cool photo of Gen. Doug Satterfield. 🫡
YEP …. COOL