Caledonia Argus

Caledonia man returns from Iraq

Posted: 5/4/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

Chad Massman, Caledonia, is home now after one year in Baghdad, Iraq, as a specialist in the Army Reserveís 652nd Engineers unit based in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, and Marquette, Michigan.

Massman, 23, joined the reserves in January 2001. He went to Iraq on April 15, 2003, and returned on April 14, 2004. He could have come home a few weeks earlier, but he volunteered to stay and get the unitís vehicles ready for transportation to the United States. He will be in the reserves until 2009.

His plans now are to return to UW-Platteville in the fall, where he is majoring in mechanical engineering. There is a chance that he will have to return to Iraq, although he hopes that is not the case.

Massmanís unit built two bridges across the Tigris River, and ran a weapons disposal compound. Massmanís duties were to guard the compound and other government facilities.

He is a 1999 graduate of Caledonia High School. His parents are Gary and Judy Massman. He talked about his experience with The Argus on April 27.

Argus: What was a typical day like?

Massman: Itís really hard to say because almost every day was different, usually a shift of duty on guard for guarding the compound. Then the rest of it was just different tasks around camp.

What was the weather like?

Very hot in the summer. In the winter it was actually very cold and rainy.

How were you treated by the Iraqi people?

The majority of the population loved us being there. They were happy that we were there.

Have you noticed that that doesnít seem that way when you watch the news?

You have to be there to really understand whatís going on.

Is that a little frustrating, trying to communicate what is going on?

Itís hard to say. The circumstance, things change day by day. Itís really hard to get a feel from here whatís going on over there, because itís so different.

In what ways was your job dangerous?

Like David [Fink] said [in an Argus interview in January], roadside bombs were everywhere. It was just dangerous.

What did you miss from home while you were there?

My family. Security. The general comforts you have at home around friends and family.

It must have been quite a contrast. You probably couldnít take a walk out under the stars.

It was very different. That was our mission, the city. I havenít enjoyed the country so much. I guess I didnít realize how important it was until I didnít have it.

Do you have a lot friends still over there?

No, most of my close friends came home. But I have others who are waiting to go over.

What would you say was the most difficult part of being in Iraq?

Probably just being away. The holidays were pretty rough. I missed a whole year of stuff that went on here. Thatís probably the most difficult part, everything I missed.

What were some of the most enjoyable things about it?

Friendships and the camaraderie formed between soldiers. It gave me a chance to really learn a lot about myself.

It was a once in a lifetime experience.

One of my buddies said, ìWouldnít trade it for a million bucks, wouldnít do it again for two.î

What do you think the future holds for Iraq?

Thatís really hard for me to say. I really donít know. I do believe there is promise there. Itís going to take a lot of work on both sides, both the coalition and Iraq.

The interactions you had with at least some of the Iraqis were positive?

Very. We did a lot of positive training. We were working side by side with the Iraqi civil defense. Theyíre 100 percent behind us and with us, right next to us. Some people get the wrong idea that the whole country is against us, but I donít think thatís the way it is.

Anything else you want to say, Chad?

Good to be home.

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