After fighting fires from Baghdad to Mosul over the last year, Western Wake Fire Chief Scottie Harris has decided to serve another tour of duty in Iraq, leaving behind his family and friends and his position.
"We enjoy being there. We're all there because we want to be there. We're not doing it for recognition or gratification. We enjoy what we're doing, and being there is an extra challenge," Harris said.
He is among 550 U.S. firefighters working alongside troops in Iraq, and he now runs a fire unit of about 45 members in the middle of the war.
"You don't forget where you are. You don't become too complacent, and you're aware of your surroundings. But you're there to carry out a mission as well and know that we have the protection of the soldiers that are on the base there with us," he said.
Harris works seven days a week -- at a significant pay increase -- fighting the same kinds of fires he would be fighting in the Triangle. His crews also battle the occasional blaze sparked by a mortar round or other explosive device.
He said he feels uneasy about being back home, almost like home is now in Iraq with his men and the U.S. troops. His new tour of duty begins April 5.
"It's a huge joy to see the Iraqi soldiers and civilians that work on the base with us come up to you and say thank you and appreciate and respect us being there," he said.
Copyright 2006 by NBC17.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
