Show notes
At just 18 years old, US Marine Corps veteran Manny De Anda witnessed the unimaginable during his deployment to Fallujah, Iraq. After a devastating explosion involving a 7-ton military truck carrying female Marines, Manny and his fellow Marines were among the first to arrive on scene. What he witnessed during that Iraq War deployment would stay with him for the rest of his life.
In this episode of the Urban Valor Podcast, Manny shares his firsthand experiences serving as an 0311 infantry Marine during two deployments to Iraq, surviving the dangers of IED attacks, losing fellow Marines in combat, and struggling with the lasting psychological effects of war.
But Manny's story goes FAR beyond the battlefield...
Growing up in Orange County, California, as the son of Mexican immigrants, Manny wanted to make something of himself and give back to the country that gave his family opportunity.
So, at just 17 years old, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.
And he had absolutely no idea what he was walking into.
From the chaos of Marine Corps boot camp to the brutal realities of combat in Iraq, Manny takes us through the experiences that shaped him, the Marines who changed his life, and the brothers he would never see again.
One of the most difficult moments came when Manny responded to the aftermath of an explosion involving female Marines.
He was only 18.
He describes the destruction, the recovery of fallen service members, and the memories that still follow him today.
And then there was December 21st.
Just days before Christmas, another devastating IED attack killed Marines he'd served alongside since arriving at his unit.
Imagine surviving one deployment, returning for another, and watching the people you trained with and cared about disappear one by one.
It's hard to comprehend what that does to someone.
But here's what makes Manny's story even more remarkable...
When he returned home and eventually left the Marine Corps, his journey was FAR from over.
He went to college, became a police officer, and encountered an entirely different kind of trauma while responding to emergencies, violence, and death in his own community.
Eventually, he made the difficult decision to leave law enforcement.
And then, in one of the most unexpected turns of his life, he moved to China to teach English.
Yep. From combat in Iraq to teaching kindergarten in China.
Quite the career change, huh?
But it was there that Manny discovered something he'd been searching for since leaving the military.
Purpose.
Today, Manny works in higher education, helping veterans, adult learners, and students navigate their own paths forward.
And through it all, the memory of the Marines he lost has never left him.
Manny's willingness to share these experiences is a powerful reminder that the sacrifices of military service don't necessarily end when someone takes off the uniform.
To Manny, thank you for trusting us with your story, brother. And thank you for your service.
To everyone watching, if this story resonates with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
And if you're a veteran, reach out to a brother or sister you haven't spoken to in a while.
That simple conversation might mean more than you realize.
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Chapters:
00:00 Marine Recalls the Horrors of Iraq
01:33 Growing Up in Orange County
10:06 Troubled Childhood and Finding Discipline
14:55 Why Manny Joined the Marine Corps
19:47 Marine Corps Boot Camp Stories
27:34 Preparing for War and Joining the Infantry
31:14 First Deployment to Fallujah, Iraq
33:50 Losing a Close Friend in Afghanistan
36:55 Responding to the Deadly Attack on Female Marines
41:38 The Emotional Aftermath of Combat
44:56 Preparing for a Second Iraq Deployment
49:32 Second Deployment Near the Syrian Border
53:05 Devastating IED Attack Before Christmas
55:57 Losing More Marines and Deployment Extension
1:00:02 Turning Down $40,000 for Another Deployment
1:01:26 Leaving the Marine Corps
1:03:10 Struggling to Adjust to College
1:08:49 From College Student to Police Recruit
1:13:55 The Reality of Working as a Police Officer
1:18:55 Leaving Law Enforcement Behind
1:21:30 Moving to China to Teach English
1:24:41 Finding Purpose Through Education
1:26:19 Losing a Fellow Marine to Addiction
1:29:33 The Importance of Checking on Veterans
#MarineCorps #IraqWar #CombatVeteran
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