April 4, 2004, also known as 'Black Sunday' was a day meant for peace.
"Going out there we were told that it was a peace-keeping mission, nobody expected this to happen,' Army Veteran, Justin Rowe said.
At that point the day became the deadliest day for Fort Hood's First Cavalry Division since the Vietnam War.
"It was honestly one of the darkest days we have ever had. It was the darkest day that us as a company that we will ever remember," Rowe said.
18 soldiers on a routine patrol escorting sewage trucks ended up getting ambushed in the Baghdad suburb of Sadr City. Eight of them died.
Rowe was one of the first soldiers to rush in to rescue the survivors and they were met with more gunfire.
"When we got in town it sounded like hail was hitting on the side of the LTV and pretty soon we were in heavy contact," Rowe said.
The initial ambush, the rescue efforts, and the pain soldiers' families felt back home on Fort Hood is now captured in the National Geographic Channel mini-series "The Long Road Home".
It debuted Tuesday night and Rowe said it's extremely accurate.
"It's so realistic, I mean even walking the streets whenever we got to go out on film, you're in awe. It takes you back," Rowe said.
Back to memories that Rowe has mixed emotions about.
"I'd say it is the worst day of my military career, but it was also the best because it brings out the better in people. We have all had hard times after, but you find out what time ofperson you are, you find out how strong you are during those dark times," Rowe added.
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