Great News Today!!

Today, KBR travel posts this weeks schedule for who leaves for R&R when , and guess what I am scheduled to check out of here next Sunday and begin flying out Monday. WOOO HOOOO!!! I can actually see the relaxing starting to get closer. I can't wait to get home and have time with my WIFE and kids and all the grand kids. Its going to be fun and anywhere away from the sand for a while will be a great time. I look forward to humidity!! And green grass! And my shower, my bed, steak, real milk, etc. So, this week will be exciting and tough at the same time because its going to be more 14 to 16 hour days and lots of paperwork, but the reward will be AWESOME!! See everyone in a few more days. PS. the picture is the lastest in Al Asad Transportation. Fun to drive but really hot when driving through 110 degree air, like being next to a bondfire and your skin is about to melt. Drink Water!!!!

Now I know Why I'm Tired!

Note the color of the flag. This means its a Red warning flag day and the air temp is between 106 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. It is actually 108.8 at 4 PM today. I think my sweat is sweating!

Our Big Day!

Isn't She Beautiful? This is one of my favorite pictures of Ranel, not because its a great picture, because she said Yes! I love her very much and this is my WIFE!!! Eat your hearts out!

19 Year Annivesary !!

My Wife of 19 years!! Wow, how time flies. We are both looking forward to me coming home in 2 short weeks. I can't wait to just be home and have no pressure this time with work. And I get to spend it with this lovely lady who still occupies my dreams and all of my soul.
"And two shall become one flesh" takes on real meaning after 19 years, I can feel my wife's pain and sadness, her joy and laughter all the way from Ohio to here in Al Asad. Loving anyone is a challenge, but being commited to my wife has always been something that I have never doubted. My parents have been married 50 + years and I intend to be as happy with Ranel as they are with each other. This woman is everything to me, so those of you close to our home wish her Happy Anniversary and give her a hug from me. I will be home soon, my Wife, I love you.

True Heroes

Here is a picture of modern day heroes that so often go unnoticed by those who are in Washington and in the news papers. Everyday they strap on their weapons and body armour, suffer through the desert heat, and follow convoys throughout the country side. These convoys are prime targets for attacks from the insurgents and road side bombs. These young men go out into danger everyday and we should remember them in our prayers. From Left to Right (home state): Martinez (CA), Miranda (CA), Hamm (CA), Johnson (CO), Marquez (VA). Fox Company 2 Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Infantry, from Camp Pendleton, CA. Double Clic on the photo for a larger view.

It is the Soldier

It is the Soldier
By Father Dennis Edward O’Brien United States Marine Corps
“It is the Soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the Soldier, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Soldier, who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the flag.”

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you.
Christ Jesus and the American G.I. . . . .
One died for your Soul, the other died for your freedom.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day 2009

Memorial Day is normally for remembering the fallen servicemen and women who have sacrificed for this great nation we call America. However, this time I would like to remember and recognize the men and women who are in the service today, the young men and women who VOLENTEER to come to Iraq and Afghanistan, and risk their lives for the Americans at home. Sand storms, oppressive heat (its been in the 100’s this week), all insects bite and are generally poisonous, snake and spiders, scorpions and other nasty things crawl into sleeping quarters, patrols at night through dangerous neighborhoods and getting shot at or blown up are just some of the hardships these young people have to deal with. I have the advantage of working for a contractor here in Iraq and can spend time with these kids, (most of them are in there early 20’s) and get to know them. All walks of life, country boys to city boys, many married, some with children of their own, all have families at home. Their rooms are barren at first, but soon walls are soon covered in family photos, births and sonograms, wives and girlfriends, moms and dads. Some have pin up girls others don’t really have anything except a simple photograph by their bed. Dust covers everything constantly, wind blows it into the tiniest cracks, and the sweat from the days work turns the dust into mud on their hairless faces. These great young people have witnessed the world in ways you and I would never dream of; the nightly news doesn’t even come close to the atrocities witnessed on the patrols and missions throughout the country. Danger from unknown road side bombs, suicide bombers, snipers and Taliban forces are the “normal” day. You can see the stress of being here when you look into the eyes of a combat soldier, only those who know can recognize it. I personally have not been mortared or shot at, thanks to the Marines here, but I know the stress of being here and share in it. This Memorial Day is special in that I get to be here where history is made and being a part of it will always remain in my memories and these men and women I meet will always have a place in my heart. So this Memorial Day, thank a Veteran for the freedoms that you have and for the lives they have sacrificed for you and me.