Happy Birthday and Happy Mothers Day!

I would first like to say Thank You to everyone who has recently sent packages or letters to me and my buddies here in Iraq. Next, I would like to give a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY! to Craigie. I can't believe he is going to be six. It seems like only yesterday that I was speeding down the highway to the hospital to have him. He is a GREAT son and I am very proud of him. He is a marvelous boy and I couldn't ask for a kinder, gentler, more caring son. Of course he would not be those things if it weren't for his EXCELLENT mother, Melissa. She is the glue that is holding this family together in all my absences. I am truly blessed to have her as my wife and the mother of our children. I couldn't ask for a better person to spend my life with! I love you!

Well, as you can see from the photo, we keep things safe around here by constantly being on the lookout for possible attackers. I took this photo while performing some guard duty a while ago. This fellow was just watching his cattle. He is sitting next to an irrigation canal. He did come up and ask for "food?" "Pepsi?" "water?" to all his answers I said no. I did tell him to drink from the canal if he's thirsty, and he did! It's against regulations to give them food or water. Kinda like feeding the stray dogs. They always come back and ask for more and that causes distractions from the mission at hand.

Things here are going smooth. No problems and no notice of any extension. I should be back in time for Archery Elk season! Well, everyone have a great day and thanks for your support.

Hoppy Easter!

Hello all! Sorry that I couldn't be there with you for Easter, but I did get to see the Easter bunny while I was here. It was the first rabbit that I have seen here in Iraq. Since my last posting, I have taken another trip to Tallil. I get frequent flier miles on the Sherpa's (C-23) now. Flying in a Sherpa is really not that comfortable. It is better than a helicopter, but not by much. It's loud, hot, then cold, still loud, and the seats are kinda like a square metal frame with fabric sewn over it. I guess it's better than walking.

Anyway, THANK YOU! to Mark E., Matt F., and Lyndsay R. for the wonderful boxes of goodies. In a three day span I recieved a ton of licorice (all gone now), a bunch of CrackerJack, a boat load of Thin Mints (mostly gone), and PopTarts (all gone), gummy things, and a ton of Jerky! You guys are awesome! Thank you all so much!

As you can see from the photo I attached, we have repainted our sign. I think it turned out prettty good. If you are wondering what all that white stuff on the bottom of the barrier is, it's HAIL! yes, it storms pretty good over here sometimes. At least it's not 100 degrees YET.

Have a great day and remember to thank Melissa for all her efforts! It's not only me making sacrifices, she has a much tougher job, believe me! I can never repay her for all she has done for me and our children. I love her!

Don't forget to click on the picture if you want to see it better.

Finally!!!

Sorry for the recent delays in posting to my blog, but the Army has decided to not allow it on my computer. I guess they want people working at work and not blogging.
Well, things here are going just fine. I did get to experience a couple of MEDEVAC flights. That ws pretty cool. No, I was not injured, I just needed a ride. As we flew along over the desert, I was surprised at the number of Iraqi children that would run towards the helicopter and wave at us. I thought, wow, we are making a difference in the lives of these people and they are happier for it. Then I saw the crew cheif dropping the bombs. Litteraly. The crewcheif of the UH-60 blackhawk was bombing the kids, with candy bombs. They take a ziplock bag and fill it with hard candy, small toys and stuffed animals and drop it to them. Now I see why the kids are so happy to see us!
When you think of Iraq, what do you think of? Sand, Desert, barren, right? Wrong! What I have seen is mostly like driving through Eastern Colorado. Farming fields with plenty of irrigation and sometimes lush forests of palm trees and fruit groves. True, there is a large portion of Iraq that mostly desert, but thankfully, I don't have to go there too often. Iraq really is a beautiful place if you can stay out of the dirty cities. There is a ton of history here too. I think in the future that one of the biggest boosts to thier economy will come from tourism. It might be a while before that happens though. I hope they figure it out soon so I can go home to my family.
Have a great day!

Family Time

I am finally home for a brief period. After 18-20 hours on a plane it sure is great to be home with my wife and kids. I may or may not update this blog while I am home. Have a great day!

Baghdad New Years Eve

As you can see, I recently took a trip to Baghdad to check things out. Here is what I found. These swords are freaking huge (you could fly a helicopter under them if it was allowed) and I was actually in Saddam's fist. These arms and fist were modeled after Saddam's. I also stood on the platform where Saddam gave his famous speech and fired his rifle in the air. It was a total dive. Everything of any value was gone and all the glass was broken. Sad really. You could tell that at one time the place was quite spectacular and a show piece of a tyrant.

It was quite interesting really. The parade field was built after the Iran-Iraq war. At the base of the swords is a plaque detailing the success of the Iraqi army and there are hundreds of "Iranian helmuts" litteraly pouring out of a bag and onto the parade field. This is supposed to sybolize the Iranians killed by the valiant Iraqi soldiers. There are also a lot of them acually cast into the concrete of the street and sticking out like speed bumps so that when he held parades, his tanks would drive on the "heads of the Iranians". The IZ (International Zone) is still wild, but lots of security is there. At no time did I feel threatened or scared (ok, maybe a little scared when I had to squeeze my big self up that narrow ladder into the fist above). The IZ is also called "the green zone" to laymen.

Yes, Mom, I recieved my Christmas packages. I must have forgot to mention them.

Let me finish with this thought:

Happy New Year, may it bring peace and togetherness!

Merry Christmas!

Ok, so its a little after Christmas now, but I would just like put it out there anyway. I had a fine Christmas. No snow, but plenty of dust. And Creamer. Thanks to Trinity and all their thoughtfulness, we now have tons of coffee creamer (puts a smile on everyones face). Ya, sure, Army guys are supposed to be tough and macho, but some of us are a little more sensitive and just like their coffee with creamer. (and a couple of sweet-n-lo's).

Well, I know I am sure looking forward to coming home soon. I think DisneyLand is in my future! I had a great time last year and it should be fun again. Look out Splash Mtn, here I come!

You know what is great about people? They really care for the soldiers. People that I have never met, have sent me christmas cards and all kinds of things. For instance, I have never met my step-sister Lindsay, and her daughter's girl scout troop sent a box of stuff for me (including summer sausage!). You could say, "she related." How about the women in Ohio who have sent cards? And, lets not forget all the friends and family who have sent SO MANY packages! I cannot praise them enough.

Everytime I get a package from the states, it feels like Christmas. I especially love the letters from the kids. They say the darndest things! I like the one a friend of mine got that mentioned killing "ragheads". How did that one slip past the teacher? Still pretty funny though!

Overall message: American people rule! Thank you all and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Chuck Norris fact: Chuck Norris did not invent the internet, the computers were scared and banded together for protection from Chuck Norris.

More Packages!

Holy smokes! Trinity really comes through on the promise of packages! I must say that I now have lots of coffee and toiletries. Thank you all very much, your time and donations are much appreciated by all!

I should include a photo of our three Christmas trees next time. I don't have one with me now. Things here are moving right along, as they should be. It's good to be a Soldier, but it sucks to be away from my family. :-(

I got (good english there) some Christmas presents from Dad & Carole today, I am looking forward to opening them. I have a sneeking suspicion there are some hunting video's in there. I hope I can hold out until Christmas.

Sorry about just rambling on this time. I'll try to make it more interesting on the next one. Thanks again to everyone including my work (Pepsi)! They have been great, too.

I hope everyone is working on their Dart skills. I know mine are top notch. But then again, as Tina knows, "I'm good at everything I do." Merry Christmas!