US Soldier Home for Holidays Speaks with Scanner Staffer

By Kayla Nastari

Recently home from Baghdad, Iraq, Sergeant Christopher Nastari, a 21-year old former student of CHS, agrees to an interview for Scanner.

KN: How many years have you served in the United States Army?

CN: I believe it’ll be three years in April.

KN: What’s the best part of your job?

CN: The adrenaline rush.

KN: What about the worst?

CN: Losing your friends. And, the uncertainty of it all, leaving the base for duty, not knowing whether I’m going to make it back that day.

KN: You recently returned from Baghdad, what was it like there?

CN: Filthy. The streets are filled with trash. It’s chaos. We don’t belong there anymore.

KN: Why?

CN: In my eyes, a human life is not worth trying to fix their government.

KN: Recently it has been said that conditions in Iraq are improving. Would you agree?

CN: For the most part. The death toll has lowered considerably and we haven’t been losing as many men. Terrorist activity has been much quieter lately.

KN: Do you believe the media accurately portrays the war in Iraq?

CN: No definitely not. It’s sugar-coated. It does not show what actually goes down, the seriousness of the situation over there.

KN: Has personally being involved in this war changed your perspective on things, or your value of life?

CN: Yes, totally. My value of life is completely different. Everyone here lives in comfort, they don’t understand how precious life is or how easily it can be lost. They don’t know what it feels like to lose a friend, to actually be there and watch it happen; personally seeing these things will change anyone.

KN: Do you have any advice for Cumberland High School students?

CN: (Laughs) Don’t be like me. Stay in school and get yourself a good job.