When I first arrived in
Ramadi, Iraq in September of 2006, I experienced a range of different
emotions. Anxiety. Excitement. Fear. Not fear of death, but fear of
change and the unknown. Being In Iraq for a year changes you; some of
us for the better and some for the worst. It makes you tougher, hardens
you to deal with bullsh*t, and makes you appreciate the smaller things
in life.

In Iraq, each day of your life is precious; it is measured by the
hour and minute, literally. Not only for the military, but for the
people who live here and are just like you and me. The people who wake
up each day and try to make a better living for themselves and their
children. Their hopes for their kids’ future are the same as any
parent. The kids there are a wonderful sight. They’ve endured more
hardship than most people stateside will ever see in their lifetime,
and yet they smile, wave, and ask for candy as if oblivious to the
world they are living in. Their innocence is the bright spot for this
war torn country. Hopefully they will make the changes necessary for a
brighter future to live in, for themselves and future generations.

Over the last twelve months I’ve done my best to keep in touch with
family, friends, and current events. Unfortunately our communication
methods are pretty primitive. Even with the slow internet, I was able
to follow news events, most of which were irrelevant to our current
situation. There were three key events that took place over the last
year that had a big impact on me. The troop surge, mandatory
active-duty extensions, and of course the Unlawful Internet Gaming
Enforcement Act were the most prevailing:

1. The decision to boost the forces was understandable, but seemed
overdue. Time will tell if this decision was the best for the situation
and timing.

2. The active-duty extension from 12 months to 15 months was
agonizing. The Army already serves the longest tours of any military
branch, and that puts strains on the soldiers and their families. The
leaders, however, believe boosting the months will ease that strain,
because the families will know the exact date their loved ones will
return. These decisions look good and sound good on paper, but I doubt
they ever consulted the average military family. I keep my fingers
crossed that one day soon we will find an end to all of this.

3. The UIGEA being passed was a bit unsettling. Everyday as service
members, we’re reminded that we are in Iraq to protect freedoms back
home. The passing of this bill was a direct contradiction. Poker is a
game that has deep roots in America’s past and present culture. It’s a
game in which anyone can pick up the cards and play, regardless of
their level of skill.

On any given night this past year, you could find poker games being
played around our numerous living areas. It’s where life long
friendships were made, where we escaped reality, and for a few hours we
were reminded of life back home. It was our choice to play, a personal
freedom we could enjoy, a decision that was made by us and no one else.
Playing poker should always be a personal choice and a personal
freedom. Without the power to change things on my own, I’ve joined the
PPA in hopes they can make a difference and restore some faith in our
already unstable government.

No matter how the world was changing around us, we had a job to do.
No one ever let decisions made back home affect the overall mission,
myself included. When you’re deployed to a combat zone, you have ONE
goal. That is to make sure to look after the buddy next to you and
bring everyone home safely. Unfortunately, we lost some really good
people this last year. I will always be grateful and appreciative for
the sacrifices they have made.

What I’ve learned overall this past year is that life is short. I
don’t regret the time I spent in Iraq, and I will cherish the
experiences and memories, such as the many nights spent in hundred
degree heat playing poker and talking about life outside Iraq. Everyone
coming home, as well as those who couldn’t make it back, had dreams,
passions, and goals in life. If playing poker is your passion, then
pursue it to the fullest. If your goals and dreams lay elsewhere,
follow them. I made a promise to myself, as well as to those who were
lost this past year and the years before. I would pursue my dreams and
live life each day to the fullest in honor of them. I hope you do the
same for you.

We had a saying we believed in: “It’s not what we are here for, it’s who we are here for,” and that was each other.  Please try to appreciate this about these troops, regardless of your feelings about the war itself.

I would like to thank some people who have been very supportive this
last year. Platinum Entertainment, who donated the chips that we put to
good use, Ari for sharing his knowledge and support, and of course
PocketFives.com and its members, whom I could always count on for a
good morale boost. Last but not least, I want to thank all the fallen
heroes.

Moses Rob

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Author Contact Info: Moses Rob, PocketFives.com