[July 4, 2026] It’s hard to believe now; 22 years ago, my Engineer unit had been deployed in combat just shy of half a year. The city of Baghdad, Iraq, was unlike any Western metropolis I’d ever seen; dusty, hot, smelly, and dangerous. I was there on the 4th of July 2004, and we enjoyed the day, at least as best we could given the circumstances.
We were smart enough by then to know that terrorist and insurgent attacks often fell on days that were sacred or meaningful in some way to Americans. That day was one of those special days. And we celebrated our independence at the Dining Facility, and I talked with some of my Soldiers about their understanding of the Revolutionary War, and how it was different from where we were that day.
I didn’t record the temperature on the 4th, but the day prior had been relatively cool at 108 degrees according to my notes (officially 110). In the shade, it was actually comfortable. In direct sunlight, we wore long-sleeved shirts, pants and gloves to protect us from both the sun’s effects and heated metal surfaces where temperatures could reach 150 degrees. It was hard for us to imagine what it would have been like in America during our war with the British, especially considering that the Colonial army and navy were numerically and materially weak.
We had just returned from my 13th convoy operation from Camp Cooke (Taji). I spotted horses on the way and thought how odd it was, as this would be the first and only time I saw a horse in Iraq. Paul Revere came to mind, fleetingly. More importantly, it was a distraction from my duty as part of the convoy defense; the lesson: never let your attention be drawn away from your duty. Focus!
The day prior, Captain Lopez approached me to say that our unit would be conducting an Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) on the 4th of July at 0500 hours (5:00 AM). There was no escaping the U.S. Army bureaucracy; even in combat, they wanted to ensure we were in good physical shape. Was there an equivalent fitness test for continentals? I can only imagine that 250 years ago, folks were in much better shape than the average American today. I passed. I never failed an APFT.
Inside the Dining Facility, which we called the De Fleury DFAC because our Engineers built it, there was a grand display of food and drink (all non-alcoholic) along with flashy decorations. Behind the serving counter were the usual array of senior officers and enlisted dishing out food and showing that they cared for us. I took my turn. And I enjoyed serving (giving larger portions than the cooks instructed). There were many smiling faces that day. An army does travel on its stomach.
The 1st Cavalry Band played, and they were excellent. I don’t remember any of the music, except that it was enjoyable. Was there something like the Cavalry Band in the Revolutionary War? I don’t think so. America was poor. We enjoyed the entertainment, then it was time to get out and back to work.
Our commander’s driver had a bit of an ironic paradox quote to end the day:
”Always and never are two words you should always remember to never use.” – SGT Gille (and he didn’t tell me he was quoting Wendell Johnson, an American speech pathologist)
Otherwise, the 4th of July was not unlike the Groundhog Day that we would experience over and over in the Iraq War. Fortunately, for us, every member of the 353rd Engineer Group would return to America; several seriously injured but no deaths. And for that, I am thankful every single day.
Happy 4th of July, 2026.
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NOTE: The thumbnail includes an Iraqi woman who had just voted in their first election.
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Please read my books:
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY …. FOREVER. AMERICA FOREVER.
Not a political statement:
Democrats were the slave owners.
Democrats were those who went to war to preserve slavery.
Democrats were those who founded the KKK.
Democrats were those who passed the Jim Crow Laws.
Democrats were and are haters of religion, freedom, and liberty.
Democrats are the Communists of America.
Democrats HATE America.
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Do not be a Democrat.
⭐️ American Girl, sounds like common sense. ⭐️
God Bless America.
250 Things We Love About America
https://freebeacon.com/america/250-things-we-love-about-america/
Good read.
Gen. Satterfield gives us another story from his deployments to Iraq, the first of three I do believe, and where he spent a year as an Engineer Construction Officer (reference his book) where engineers built everything from living quarters to mechanical hardstands to PXs for our troops to use. I do recommend his book, although that is not my point here. We need to tell the stories of heroes and I do believe that Gen. S.is a hero, even if he says otherwise. Anyone who dedicated 40 years of his life to the US army deserves praise, that’s for sure. My message today is enjoy the 4th of July with humility and prayer. That is the true path. And if you can see the true path, get on it and stay on it. For that is how we become good men and women (reference his other book) and teach others how to follow … thus the reason for this website: LEADERSHIP. Get on it. Follow the basic “rules” of a “good life” and be a leader of the good. Let us pray for those who have yet seen the light of freedom and of God. And, by the way, clean up your act and act like an adult, not a 10 year old. Keep on smiling. 🙏 Pray for those who are lost.
Hey Pastor John, I’ll say it. Purchase yourself both his books and enjoy reading them. I bought extra and give them away. And all I get is praise from that gesture. Good!
Just returned from a great parade, exhausted, sun burned, thirsty, but happy.
Thank you sir for the story. I also enjoyed your book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq.”
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/
Highly Recommnended!!!!!!!!!
Getting ready for a day of family and friends and dogs and suds and celebration. Thank you Gen. Satterfield for your story of your celebration of the 4th, now 22 years ago. Now, just to get the electrical power back on in parts of the CIty for my friends in NYC.
Happy July 4th, our nations 250 birthday! And, a shout out to our founding fathers who risked everything so that we could have this Republic and be free and live by a Constitution that lays out our fundamental rights, but also references our obligations to be informed and be good, law abiding citizens, and contribute to our nation as well. And that we have a Bill of Rights, esp the 1st and 2nd Amendments which are just the beginning of greatness as a national will. Thank the Lord for America, the shining light on the hill. ✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️ A Christian nation where we can worship as we please and not have a government dictating how or what we worship.
Hi McStompie, thank you for being here on Gen. Satterfield’s pages. And, happy 4th to you and your family. I think I see what you mean. I’m glad you also see America as a “light on a hill” that draws in others from around the world. But many should not come here because they just want to suck off our country. Thank you also for your service.
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Happy 4th of July …. Celebrate ….. be proud of these United States of America.
sir you kick ass
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY