One would expect 20-year-old Iraqi war veteran Eduardo Rivera to be fazed by his nine-month combat experience in Iraq. But as he speaks about his perspective on life after fighting on the front lines, he sounds optimistic.
"The fact that I'm still alive is very positive," Rivera said. "I like to serve, it's my duty and I take pride in it."
Rivera has been back in his hometown of San Jose for six months and is awaiting deployment to the Mexican border as part of President Bush's plan to secure U.S. borders. Rivera joined the Army National Guard when he was 18 and was sent into combat two months after he completed boot camp. During his tour north of Baghdad, he witnessed scenes few young men have.
On one occasion, his Humvee hit an improvised explosive device and veered into a ditch. The impact shattered one of his fellow soldier's legs and broke another's collarbone. Because Rivera suffered only minor injuries, he was able to provide medical aid to his comrades. The smoke and darkness made it nearly impossible to dodge incoming fire from an enemy he could not see. The concussion he suffered as a result of the crash still gives him headaches.
On another occasion, Rivera's Humvee collided with a suicide bomber's car. The Humvee was blown apart and it burned to the ground. Shrapnel penetrated Rivera's arm, leaving deep scars. He received a Purple Heart for injury in combat, a Global War on Terrorism medal, and an article of commendation for valor, as well as other awards that acknowledge his work in combat.
"We shoot stuff, blow stuff up, get blown up in the process as well," he said. "That's how it works. It's war."
Rivera says people want to know whether he has killed anyone but he said it is a very personal question.
"I have never answered that," he said. "I am not going to brag about it because I value human life. No matter who they are, a life is a life."
In May, Bush called for 6,000 soldiers to be stationed along the U.S.-Mexico border to help the U.S. Border Patrol reduce illegal crossings. Rivera is waiting to be deployed. It may occur within the next three months or he may not have to go at all. The irony is that he is a Mexican immigrant.
"It makes me laugh," he said about his next possible assignment. "I am Mexican, but my loyalty lies with the U.S. It's my job. I am an American soldier fighting for my country. Whether my country is right or wrong is not up to me to discern."