Norfolk Soldier Returns from Iraq

By Lindsey Pizzica Rotolo

Army SPC Stephen Whalen took this photo of himself in Iraq by placing a camera on his Humvee and setting the timer.

Every Memorial Day, several men in uniform march in Norfolk’s annual parade, but rarely do the bystanders know the details of their service. One of the soldiers in this year’s parade is Army Specialist (SPC) Stephen Whalen, who just returned home after a 12-month deployment to Iraq. Whalen, 20, grew up in Norfolk and attended Northwestern Regional Seven High School. He decided to join the Army reserves when he was 17. “I always had the inclination to go into service, even before 9/11. Ever since I was a little kid, I knew it was what I was going to do.” He entered a special program where he was able to complete basic training the summer before his senior year of high school. Upon graduation, Whalen finished the Army’s job training requirements and took part in reserve drills every month. He received news of his deployment a year and a half after joining the army. Prior to arriving in Baghdad last July, Whalen spent three months completing the army’s mobilization requirements at Fort Dix, New Jersey. His unit arrived in Baghdad just in time for the scorching summer heat, where temperatures constantly hovered over the 100 degrees mark. “The toughest part about being over there is the heat,” Whalen said. “It was 125 degrees with all our gear on last summer.” Whalen described the early days of his deployment as anxious ones. “It’s tough when you first get over there, but then it becomes part of your life. It’s just what you do.” What Whalen did was patrol the streets of eastern Baghdad, which was relatively quiet as far as combat zones go. He drove Humvees and Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles throughout eastern Baghdad and occasionally served as a gunner. “Culturally, I learned a lot,” Whalen said. “I learned basic Arabic and found out about Iraqi customs and practices from our interpreter. They’re long days over there, but you get through it. It’s hard knowing you’re always in danger, but the heat is the toughest part.” There was not much down time for Whalen the past year. When not on patrol, his unit was busy on the base doing vehicle and weapons maintenance, taking part in physical fitness exercises and receiving additional training. For fun, they watched movies, played football and talked to their families. “The best part about being home, besides seeing my family and friends, is that New England green-the trees, the grass. It’s real nice here. It’s weird not having much to do, but everyone’s coming home from college now, so it’s getting busier.” Whalen plans on getting a year of college in before being deployed again. One benefit of being a reservist is a 12-month furlough between deployments. He is considering doing officer training while in school and going into active duty. .