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Homecoming |
Wells served as a tank mechanic and operator under the Delta Company's 1st Tank Division. He left from his base in Twin Palms, CA, on Jan. 24 and, after a brief stop in Frankfurt, Germany, traveled to LSA7 in Kuwait, the closest camp to the Iraqi border.
While at LSA7, Wells could do little more than wait for the word to move into Iraq.
"All you had to do was work on your tank, go to the tent and lie there or play cards, or walk a quarter mile to the chow hall," Wells said.
Even so, the camp retained a light mood. Wells' platoon was told that they would leave "10 days from tomorrow" every day up until the morning they actually left. They learned they were to prepare to go in about the same time that civilians at home learned, after hearing the President's war address.
Wells and his company crossed Iraq's southern border on March 21, moving north to Baghdad. They endured temperatures that averaged 90-110 degrees with increasing humidity, sleeping in their tanks as they forged ahead. According to Wells, the worst day occurred when a blinding sandstorm blew up in the middle of a road march after they had driven for one and a half days straight.
"It finally got to the point where you couldn't tell who was in front of you," Wells said.
Strangely enough, it rained for two hours after the sandstorm, that Wells calls "a complete downpour."
Wells' division also faced concerns crossing the area's bridges, and whether they "could support their tanks. "Tanks and water don't mix," Wells said. "Four feet of water is enough to stop one.
Natural collapse wasn't the only problem. One bridge they crossed had been loaded with C4 explosives, and was later hit by artillery.
As they approached Baghdad, Wells saw more and more support from the Iraqi people. "The closer we got to Baghdad, the more they'd line the roads," Wells said. "It was like a big parade. The civilians were grateful we were there; they absolutely loved us."
After serving, Wells was told that most of his battalion would "float home" on the USS Boxer. After waiting a week and a half in the Persian Gulf for more units to arrive, he left on a two-and-a-half-month journey home, traveling east with stops in Australia and Hawaii. An illness passed through nearly everyone on the ship, but vanished within two weeks.
During his time abroad, Wells and his family relied on letters for communication. Megan Richter, Wells' girlfriend, wrote a letter to him each day for over four months. But as Wells moved deeper into Iraq, correspondence took longer to connect.
We were proud that he was there, but it was hard between letters," Debbie Wells, Philip's mother, said. "After we assumed he moved into Iraq and had no idea where he was there, we didn't get letters for a long time."
The Wells had much support from others, though. Other family, friends, and people in the community constantly inquired on Philip's status, and Philip himself received letters from school children and others who supported the troops.
"Getting mail was the highlight of my day," Wells said.
Upon returning home, Wells had his name up at both the Legion and Fire Department (he, his father and brother are volunteer firemen), as well as a sign in front of his home - one he modestly wishes his family would let him take down.
Wells missed some of the more everyday conveniences while he was serving, but there was one thing he missed most. "All the guys who were married missed their wives," Wells said. "I missed my truck."
Wells joined the Marines after graduating high school in 2001. He has returned to California for more training, and plans to attend college after his service has ended. About being a veteran, Wells and his family joke about whether he will join the Legion or VFW.
Philip Wells and his family would like to thank everyone who sent him letters and packages, including the Legion and Aldrich Street School. They would also like to remind everyone of those still serving.
"Keep flying your flag because there are still many local service people over there," Debbie Wells said.
One of the soldiers in Wells' division was a professional photographer. To see images of Wells' platoon and the destroyed bridge, among others, go to www.seanfairburn.com.