Soldier returns to Iraq

SMELTERVILLE - For a small valley nestled in the mountains of North Idaho, it is hard to believe that events from across the globe can have such an effect on the day-to-day life of one of its residents.

Staff Sgt. Cory North of the Army National Guard is well aware of the goings-on in the Middle East, and as the last combat troops pack their bags and return to the United States from Iraq he is packing his bags to return to Iraq for what he hopes is the last time.

North, 35, first deployed to Iraq in June 2004, a little over a year after President George W. Bush declared war on Iraq in March 2003. As a wheel vehicle mechanic, he deployed with the 116th engineer battalion and remained in Iraq until November 2005.

Having experienced the beginning of the United States' time in Iraq, he is now anxious to experience the end.

"I'm glad we're going over to close things down and be done," North said.

Since 2004 much has changed for North. Only days before his first deployment to Iraq, North married his wife, Jennifer. Months into his time in Iraq, Jennifer gave birth to his son, Austin, now 5 years old.

A Time of Change

While in Iraq, North aided in the first and second election in Iraq's history, a mission he described as a life-changing experience. He enjoyed dealing with the Kurdish people and residents who wanted the United States presence.

However, being in Iraq during a time of elections was not easy. Mid-October 2005 North was stationed in Kirkuk, Iraq working security for the second election. While the Iraqi police were out keeping the peace on the streets, North and his unit secured the police station rooftop to protect the unoccupied building.

This was the scene for one of his scariest moments for North during his time in Iraq. While covering the police station he was involved in his first drive-by shooting. Unharmed, it was a very different feeling for him to be targeted in another man's sights.

The incident brings up one of his biggest personal dilemmas - when to pull the trigger. He has seen soldiers tried in court because they shot someone, which adds to the hesitation.

"When they tell you you'll know, you'll definitely know," North said.

Hesitation does not always hold a place in a time of dangerous conflict. North described one of the worst aspects of being stationed in Iraq is experiencing first-hand the scope of the death toll of the conflict.

"I don't do funerals anymore."

New Beginnings

Preparing for what he hopes is his last trip to Iraq, North is now in a position of leadership as a supervisor within his unit. His mission while in Iraq has yet to be released, although with images and video of combat troops returning home splashed across the news it is looking to have a clean-up and clear-out objective.

"Not knowing is difficult, not knowing what we're up against," North added.

This clean-up/clear-out objective is carrying on into his professional life as he hopes to wrap up his career in the Army National Guard and become a vocational school teacher. Having joined the Army National Guard in 1993, he is looking forward to pursuing another career path.

After a transmission fell on his leg last year requiring surgery, North had to argue to be allowed to go on this last deployment so he may retire. A metal plate was removed from his ankle so he could wear his combat boots and be medically cleared to deploy.

"I'd rather be out working, making a difference over there," North said of Operation New Dawn, not too keen on the alternative of sitting around on a base in fear of adventuring out, something he had experienced during his first few months in Iraq in 2004.

Packed and Ready

North left Aug. 14 for three weeks of annual training in Boise, and will have a brief respite back home before his deployment to Iraq on Friday, Sept. 17. His final deployment will last 400 days.

Having gone through the process of deployment before, North knows what to expect and is appreciative of his friendly neighbors in Smelterville.

"We have support from the local community, which is nice to have," North said. He is also thankful that his employer, Tom Addis Dodge in Coeur d'Alene, has been understanding and accommodating with the upcoming training and deployment.

North hopes that friends and family will continue on while he is deployed and not spend too much time worrying about him.

"I wouldn't give it up for (anything)," North asserted. "It makes me appreciate family and life because you never know when your time is up."