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Fly Like An Eagle: Steve Miller Band

Whenever I hear that song I am instantly transported to the back of my Amtrak in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Just before midnight on February 27, 1995 I was part of an amphibious landing that consisted of 1,800 U.S. Marines and 350 Italian Marines. Our job was to secure the airport as well as the seaport.

I pulled duty in the ship store and was able to buy an old ghetto blaster at a discount rate. I just wanted to create a little levity so I popped in the Steve Miller Band cassette and we all let the music relax us before we hit the beach and our mission began.

When Fly Like An Eagle comes on, I remember the distinct smell that wafted into our vehicles as we approached the shore. Someone said it was the smell of dead bodies in shallow graves. I can feel the sting of the salt water and the taste of it on my lips. The smell of diesel fuel and the roar of a 903 cubic inch Cummins Turbo Diesel. At full throttle it’s more of a high pitched whine then a roar.

I remember thinking at that moment that I would never forget that song. It was like something straight out of a Hollywood movie. I guess that is fitting, as most of us were Hollywood Marines out of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. We were stationed at Camp Pendleton in Southern California. Isn’t that how most civilians view Marines heading into battle? Blasting The Rolling Stones “Sympathy for the Devil” or Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries?”

I happened to be the rear crewman for this operation. I’m glad I played that cassette on that midnight ride to the eastern shores of Africa. A little something to remind us where we came from. A little something to lighten the mood and relax the nerves.

“Feed the babies
Who don’t have enough to eat
Shoe the children
With no shoes on their feet
House the people
Livin’ in the street
Oh, oh, there’s a solution

I want to fly like an eagle
To the sea
Fly like an eagle
Let my spirit carry me
I want to fly like an eagle
Till I’m free
Fly through the revolution”

Operation United Shield’s objective was to safely “assist in the final withdrawal of United Nations peacekeeping troops from Somalia.” These peacekeeping forces were there to try and assist in providing humanitarian efforts. By 1994 the United Nations decided that the situation In Somalia had become to dangerous to stay any longer. We went there to assist them in withdrawing.

The children in Somalia fit the description of those lyrics. They were starved, poor and mistreated. Many of the children carried weapons. I didn’t think about the lyrics when I popped in the cassette, it was just a lucky coincidence that it happened to be this particular song.

Another odd coincidence: Today is the 19 year anniversary of the completion of the successful and final withdrawal of U.N. Forces in Somalia.

My platoon was among the very last off the beach on this day in 1995. The song will always be my soundtrack for this memory. There was a large firefight that night and I ended up on a different ship than I embarked from three days earlier.

Some of the men I served with say that hundreds of Somalians died that night. I honestly don’t remember that. I often wonder to myself if that is something that I saw and blocked out subconsciously or if it was just so dark and hectic that I literally just didn’t see it happening.

The song conjures up all the old memories, the highlights of my life so far. The saddest part is, Somalia isn’t any better now then it was then. Operation United Shield was a success but the United Nations goals of achieving enough stability on the region to administer humanitarian aid was a failure. They won’t let us feed the children.

That’s what I think about when I hear this song.

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tubists filled the square

the lowest bass instruments

play Christmas music

 

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For some reason I always gravitate towards Colfax. I wonder what that means? I come back to it repeatedly and just wander the avenue. It always gives me a sense of exhilaration and nervousness. Maybe I am addicted to the rush you get when you’re in dangerous surroundings. I grew up just a few blocks away from here. My family has all left the state by now, I have some Uncles out here, but my life is far removed from theirs. My real family, the Nuclear Family, mom, dad, and two sisters, this is where we cut our teeth. I’ve lived in many places in my life, but this place just feels like my home. A 26 mile stretch of road in the middle of North America, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. I love this place, it reminds me of myself. Strong, proud, not without its flaws, but inherently good. It’s the one place in Denver that still reminds me of Denver.

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“Look, sir,” answered Sancho Panza,
“those which appear yonder are not giants, but windmills;
and what seem to be arms are the sails,
which whirled about by the wind make the millstone go.”
“It is very evident,” answered Don Quixote,
“that thou art not versed in the business of adventures.”

http://www.quixotes.com/