Army reservists back from Iraq

By Mike Ford, The Delphos Herald
Published:  Tuesday, November 10, 2009 (4 months, 1 week ago)
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DELPHOS  — While the nation’s strategy in Afghanistan hangs in the balance, nearby Iraq remains a high priority in the war on terror. According to two members of the United States Army’s Military Police, the situation on the ground is more stable than it once was.  However, it continues to be a danger zone for America’s military personnel.
Don Stemen, 22, and Zach Knebel, 24, recently returned from a tour in Iraq. Both are reservists who are glad to be home. A reception was held for them Saturday at the Delphos Sportsman’s Club.
Stemen says ground troops are focused on training Iraqi Police to maintain their own country.
“We trained them and helped them in their progress so they can take care of themselves and their people; so they can be more proactive in the community. We took them out and showed them how to be out in the community, rather than sit back and wait for things to happen,” he said.
Knebel said MPs work 12-hour shifts.
“We worked with the Police Transitioning Team; I also did ‘conair’ where we transported detainees to different areas of Iraq. We flew them; I guarded them as they sat on the floor blindfolded,” he said.
Both were there approximately a year and report doing what they could to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people.
“We did patrols out in the community and sometimes, we passed out candy or stuffed animals — stuff like that,” he said.
“We were at Camp Spyker near Tikrit; Iraq isn’t as bad as it was but attacks still happen. We still go out and people still get hurt but it’s not as extreme as it was.”
Knebel said some days were quiet and others weren’t. Veterans who came home during the height of conflict reported reservists have been used in a safer capacity than active duty personnel. Stemen says this is not the case at this point in the operation.
“Reservist duty is the same as active duty; the only difference is they come home and continue to be Army while we go back to being civilians. Over there, we do the exact same things,” he said. “Coming home is like going from one extreme to the other — I love it here; it’s so relaxed and laid back.”
Their loved ones are very relieved to have them home safe. The Internet made quite a difference on both ends of the global connection.
“We were on Skype once a week unless he was going to be out,” said Knebel’s mother, Lou. “Then, I knew not to expect anything. Seeing and talking to him once a week made me feel good because I would watch the news and sometimes see reports from over there and flip out. It’s so good to have him home.”