Merry Christmas

Hi everyone, I hope you all had a very merry Christmas! On Christmas Eve I had to go "somewhere" to do "something" (I’m sorry I can’t say more than that, but I promise it is not as exciting as it sounds). Anyway, I was able to film a bit of the countryside over here. It is amazingly green, relatively speaking, here in the winter, and I thought you all might enjoy seeing what it looks like. I also tried to take my own picture, but as you can see the vibrations of the helicopter made it a little difficult.

Unfortunately I didn't have my camera out when we passed over some villages that probably have not changed for a thousand years. The little mud brick buildings, grain fields, and shepherds with their flocks reminded me of the way it must have looked when Christ was born. At first I thought how cool that was, but then it made me sad to think that in a world as rich as ours many people still live in such poverty. I hope that maybe in some small way the work we are doing here will give these folks a chance to change their lives for the better.

Thanks to everyone who has left comments, it is good to hear from home and loved ones! I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas!

Editor's note: I am having some problems uploading the movie. Keep checking back. Rachel

With the help of my little brothers, here is the video.

For the Boys

Last night we were treated to a USO show. I have always thought the USO thing was nice, and have great respect for people like Bob Hope who have done so much for that organization, but I never fully understood the impact that the shows have on the troops. I am here with a bunch of guys who have been slugging it out for the past year 24 hours a day 7 days per week. During the show, I saw guys who I have not seen smile one time since I’ve been here, laughing out loud. You could literally feel peoples spirits rise…it was amazing. Al Franken was the MC….he was fantastic. I forget how funny he is. He really was great….he did not push any kind of political agenda; the show was all about the troops. This is his sixth tour with the USO and the third one in a row in Iraq. It really is good to know that there are people who are willing to give of their time…especially during this time of year…to do something for these kids over here.

Staff Sergeant Williammee

This is Staff Sergeant (SSG) Williammee, you can tell by the patch with the 1 on it that he has seen combat with the Big Red 1 (1st Infantry Division). Technically he works for the officers in the plans shop, but in reality he is more like a baby sitter....he tells us when it is time to eat and when we should sleep. If he didn't do that we would probably go for a few days without eating or sleeping.

A good example of what I mean happened today. (I have to preface this by telling you that we have had some of our ballistic eyeglasses stolen from the gym in the past week) SSG Williammee told us we needed to go do PT (physical fitness training), so Mitch (MAJ Jones) and I changed and headed to the gym. On the way SSG Williammee stopped us and said "hey sir, let me see your ballistic protection glasses." So Mitch and I handed them over to the Staff Sergeant. He put them in his pocket and, "okay, see you when you get back."

He is always looking out for us and never complains.....it makes me proud to know someone like him. His wife is in the hospital today having an operation....I found out from someone else, he would never tell us himself....and yet he is still looking out for us, and never asking a thing for himself.

So anyway, say a prayer for SSG Williammee and his family, and be thankful there are guys like him who quietly serve us all and ask for so little in return.

Hurry Up and Wait

Well after a long flight and endless lines we made it. To give you a taste of life for me for the next little while, I will explain a bit about life in the army. Whenever the Army moves(deploys), one of the most important things that happen is the formation of endless lines. Lines to get a briefing, lines to fill out paperwork,lines to get shots, lines to call home (if your lucky), lines to eat,lines to use the latrine (rest room), lines to get in line to eat or use the latrine.... But the great thing is that after a satisfying day of standing in line you get a really great place to sleep (see picture). I have the added benefit of being a field grade officer, so my living is better than most (as you can tell from the photo). But I digress, I was talking about the lines....the ability to wait in line is why we won World War Two. The German's know nothing about lines, I've lived there, and believe me, lines are not a part of the culture. I've seen little old ladies knock over toddlers in an attempt to be first to buy the "Bock Fish Mac" at Mcdonald's. So I guess what I'm saying is that we have this whole war thing under control.....I know, I've seen the lines.

Starting Out On the Right Ankle

Paul was gone exaclty 24 house before Sara hobbled out of the orthopedics clinic at Darnell Army Community Hospital. Sara chose a red cast because it is Chrismas time. She hurt her ankle on our trampoline on Thanksgiving Day. The Dr. doesn't think it is broken but he said if her ankle is still sore after being in a splint for a week and she has an open growth plate she automaticly earns a cast for two weeks. Yes, this is the same Sara who broke her arm on the same trampoline in July. Let's have a show of hands! Who thinks we should keep the trampoline?