Page 129 - 100 Hours to Destiny

ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF KUWAIT CITY

2/27/1991 @ 0600 hours – 6 am Kuwait time

I put on the NVGs and started to look around when I suddenly
realized, as I glanced east, the NVG view pattern was changing. I looked back
to the west, darkness. I looked south, darkness. Quickly I glanced east again
and there was no doubt, the night was ending, and the sun was beginning to
roll up from the east. The NVGs had given it away. I yanked them off of my
head and looked at my watch. The time was 0615. I knew the sun would be
rising and I wanted to be prepared so out of the mummy bag I came, hastily
rolled it up and tied it off. I stood up and chambered a round into my
M16A2. I walked near Gunny’s hatch and kneeled down. Gunny was awake
and looked at me.
“Gunny, it’s fixing to be daybreak. We need to get ready.”
“I’m coming out, Witch. I need to stretch my legs and take a wiz.”
“I’m coming down right behind you. I want to be on the ground at
daybreak. I have a feeling there are enemy troops in the area. I’ve had that
feeling all night long. I never slept a wink, but I don’t even feel tired. I’m
ready for a fight, Gunns.”
“Me too. I hope we get some.”
I moved to the front of the vehicle and kneeled down. The sun was
breaking over the horizon, Gunny was at the back of the vehicle taking a
moment to himself. My eyes were cast to the north. I was holding my M16A2
at the ready. Moments passed when suddenly no more than a half-mile
away… the truth…all the speculation was gone…. now I could see Kuwait
City. The buildings were brilliantly white, and I shook my head just to make
sure I was seeing what I was seeing.

The hard-fought prize of Kuwait is revealed at sunrise. Kuwait looms in the distance.