Belizean in U.S. Marines returns from Iraq

It is no secret that dozens, perhaps hundreds of Belizeans, serve in the United States armed forces. They join for many different reasons and while many become fully assimilated into the U.S. and military ways of life, others retain at least a part of their Belizean identity amidst the pressures of war. Today I travelled to Orange Walk to meet one such man, recently returned from active duty in Iraq.

Ramon Guerra Jr., U.S. Marine
“Yes I do. I see the world differently because we have to act a certain way and behave a certain way because of the things we have to do.”

Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
Twenty-nine year old Orange Walk resident Ramon Guerra, Jr. has not been home for the past nine years. Six years ago he joined the U.S. Marines and for the past eight months he has been deployed in Iraq giving support the American lead military effort.

Ramon Guerra Jr.
“Any kind of support they need like providing security, first protection. Sometimes if we go from point a to point b and we are going to be with them, sometimes they would request if we can take them supplies as well. Since we are going with them, we would take them supplies.”

The journey would always be uncertain because of the high risk of being killed by roadside explosives.

Ramon Guerra Jr.
“One of the major threats right now for us are the I.E.D.’S or roadside explosives which is really dangerous for us. That’s one of the major concerns. I have seen vehicles explode. I have seen vehicles close by me explode like the vehicle in front of me so when you see that I.E.D. go off it just reminds us like wow and just start looking out around for anything to happen. Your heart starts pounding real fast hoping that everybody is okay.”

“Before any mission we usually gather together and give us one more support and we pray together and tell our friends and comrades to be on the alert, be safe, think and just look out for each other and when we get back we usually check to see that everyone is okay.”

Guerra says such an intense and dangerous environment affects them strongly and that’s why it takes military men and women who have been on active duty time to adjust to a civilian way of life. Guerra who has been back home on the short leave duty recalls that at first it was difficult.

Ramon Guerra Jr.
“Well for the first few days I could not sleep at nights. I had a really trouble sleeping at nights and I would sleep like two to three hours and I was good but I could not sleep for the first few days and I would do things, things that were wrong and I would think about it, like what am I doing.”

Guerra says he has heard the negative comments about the war but he believes in the fight for freedom.

Ramon Guerra Jr.
“Personally, I am with the military, I defend the military. I do what I am told to do. I support the U.S Military. I love what we do and we are just trying to help them and let them be a better country and be like free and have the freedom that we have.”

Guerra says he has received only support from the Iraqi families he has met

Ramon Guerra Jr.
“I see a lot of them as like us. They support us because when I was on missions usually I would take candies with me for the kids, they usually would come to us and I would give them candies and the people they support us a lot.”

Guerra leaves Belize on Thursday. His second deployment to Iraq is due next year and prior to that time he will be stationed in the United States.