Another Trip to the IZ

Hello everyone. I just got back from another trip to Baghdad and am finally able to rest my head a bit. Thought I better post something on the blog before everyone thinks I’ve abandoned it.

Following the end of our first class, I was summons to the IZ for meetings with my boss (a great guy) and other staff at the HQ. I was told to prepare a briefing on the “Way Ahead” for our school. So, for the past few weeks my team has been working hard to get everything in place and ready for our next group of students while I have been busy organizing my thoughts, crunching numbers and preparing recommendations for the development of the Iraqi Army Combat Arms School. And yesterday I went to Baghdad to brief our CG.

Since the boys had been so good and had worked so hard, I decided to take them with me. Actually, I asked them to come because I know the General is a lot nicer to me when all the guys are present. Anyway, they were glad to get away from Besmaya for a little while and eager to hit the Haji shops (Iraqi vendors).

Our choppers landed in the IZ around noon and after a quick bite of lunch we found a vehicle and headed out to Prosperity FOB, then cross town to Union FOB. Both camps are situated on the grounds of former palaces and are home (right now) to units of the 4th Infantry Division. Both camps have enclaves of Haji shops and the boys were like women in a shoe store. By the way, I HATE to shop. Captain K is the worst. This guy looked at every piece of junk in every store on both camps. I thought I was back home on a shopping trip with my girls. It was even more excruciating because there was no food court to relax in, everything was outside and the heat was around 110. Also, Baghdad stinks. You can’t get away from the smell. Even at 300 ft AGL (above ground level) in the Blackhawk, you can smell Baghdad before you see it.

Good Lord, they wore me out looking at every piece of Chinese junk the Iraqis sell. But, I endured and kept my mouth shut for about four hours of that torment. Finally, I was standing in a rug store waiting on these guys to make up their minds on the same rugs they could get at Wal Mart when I said, “Okay ladies, I’ve had enough, make your selection and lets go!” They didn’t speak to me for over an hour. It was just like home.

We went back to Phoenix Base and had some supper before I went in to brief the old man (who was late). By the time the General arrived, I only had about one hour to give him the pitch and get back to the LZ (landing zone) for my flight back to Besmaya. So, I told him to sit his ass down and listen up, “I’ve got a plane to catch”. (Do you think I really said that?) Actually, he’s so smart, he knows what I’m going to say before I say it. So, we usually just end up having a healthy philosophical debate on the least obvious and most important issues we face. I think that’s why he likes me to come to town, so he’ll have someone to argue with (or preach to).

So, I rushed through our meeting, cutting him off every chance I could in order to make our flight. The boys in the room kept pointing to their watch and rolling their eyes (payback for my cutting short their shopping spree and calling them ladies). But, we wrapped up and sprang out of the office and into an up-armored Suburban for the trip to the LZ. All I heard on the way to the LZ was how much I like to hear myself talk and why can’t you just let the General believe what he wants to believe, etc. etc. Thank God we didn’t miss our flight or I would have had to put up with that crap for a week.

Back to reality….And this morning we learned that some of the commotion we were hearing (as we shopped) was twenty civilians and one Iraqi policeman being killed less than 500 yards from where we were (at Prosperity). Baghdad stinks.

Clarification

I posted a comment a while back about my family in Texas. I say "my" family, though technically they are my in-laws, because I love them so much. Although I make fun of them for being UT (Texas) fans and for listening to that awful country music, they are the best people in the world. My brother-in-law, Terry, got me started in business and has been a great mentor to me. He's the kind of guy that you never get tired of being around. He's a humble and down to earth as Larry The Cable Guy, but in reality, he's one of the smartest and most decisive men I know. His wife, my sister-in-law, also Terry, is one of the sweetest people I've ever met. You won't believe this, but it's true - she NEVER forgets a birthday. I've been married to my wife for 22 years and we dated for four years before we married. Terry Girl has sent me a shirt (or something) for every birthday I've had since January 1981! She does the same for Sharon and our four kids and for Sharon's parents and brother Steve. So, lets see, that's about nine shipments of birthday gifts to Georgia every year. The shipping costs alone would break most people. See, I told you Terry Boy was a great guy!

So.... here's to Terry and Terry. I love you guys and the beautiful example you are to Sharon and me, and probably so many others.

awe

Cheap Sunglasses

I hear some people go all the way down to Key West just to see a spectacular sunset. Well, they ought to come to Besmaya if they want to see a spectacular sunrise.

I happen to be a sunrise sort of guy. Don't get me wrong, when I'm walking with that special someone...and we know who she is...on the beach, a perfect sunset can't be beat. But here at Besmaya, mornings are my time.

And, as you see here, MSG O enjoys a good sun rise too.

But when the big heat tab in the sky turns on the afterburners, it's time to bring out the cheap sunglasses. Here are Ali (the pirate out of the Caribbean), me and Doc Carter striking a pose for the Acme Sunglass Company. Ali and Carter are two of my very good interpreter friends. Nicer guys you'll never meet. I call Carter "Doc" because he is a third year med student.

We even let the students in our cheap sunglass club. Here's the guy we call "Prince", on the right, and one of his "Revolution" in the foreground. For those of you who don't know, "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince" (and once again known as "Prince"), has a band he calls, "The Revolution". Our "Prince" got his name because he's such a NEAT guy. And, he has a couple of very close friends who go with him everywhere. I mean everywhere. But that's not unusual in this culture. Sometimes we see the three of them arms interlocked as they go to and fro. It took us (Americans) a while to get used to that. Almost as long as the Arab greeting with a peck on each cheek (the dreaded "man kiss").

And here's a final "self portrait". Me modeling some not-so-cheap sunglasses. Notice the Starbucks bag on the wall of my hooch. Chic like a freak. Somebody's gonna get lucky with these babies.

Welcome Back

I've been out of town on business the past week or so but I'm back. Nothing significant to report so I thought I'd give you some good info on Iraq from the CIA World Book. I hope they don't sue me for copying their stuff.

HISTORY
Iraq occupies what was once known as Mesopotamia, the territory that historians and anthropologists consider the site of the earliest civilizations. Many believe that Iraq’s history began with the Garden of Eden, which was situated near Al Basrah, where the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers converge. The major civilizations of Mesopotamia include the Sumerians, Babylonians, Assyrians, and then later, Arabs.

Iraq became part of the Turkish Ottoman empire in the 16th century until that empire disintegrated after World War I. In the peace settlement following the war, the Allies divided the Ottoman lands among them. Britain gained control of the territory that became Iraq. Britain retained control of the country until 1958, when a group of army officers killed the British-imposed king and proclaimed a republic. The 1958 Coup was followed by another in 1968, when President Ahmad Hasan al Bakr led the Ba’athist coup. Saddam Hussein, a key Ba’ath party leader behind the scenes, was a Tikriti and a relative of al Bakr.

CULTURES
There are five major ethnic groups in the country: Arab, Kurd, Turkoman, Chaldean, and Assyrian. The Chaldean and Assyrian groups are Christian. There are other smaller Christian sects living in Iraq, such as the Armenians, and a group that are followers of John the Baptist. The followers of John the Baptizer observe major life events (such as weddings) in the river. They wear very colorful traditional clothing and live in close knit villages.

Today, Chaldeans claim to be the largest group of Christians in Iraq, and they are most numerous in and around Baghdad and other large cities. Although Chaldea, the last ancient Mesopotamian state, collapsed more than 2,500 years ago, Chaldeans have remained a cohesive group. They have maintained linguistic and geographical continuity for as much as four millennia and religious continuity since at least the 5th century when they widely accepted Christianity.

Assyrians believe they are the descendants of the ancient civilization of Assyria, with its principal capital in Ninevah, a city located in northern Iraq and mentioned in the biblical story of Jonah. Although the ancient Assyrian empire collapsed more than 2,500 years ago, Assyrians have remained a remarkably cohesive group. They have maintained linguistic and geographical continuity for as much as four millennia and religious continuity since at least the 5th century when they accepted Christianity.

The Assyrians suffered persecution under Saddam Hussein, having their churches and schools closed. Assyrians resist attempts by the Iraqi government to label them as “ancient Iraqis” and “Iraqi Christians.”

Sweet Somethings

Sometimes people do such nice things for me. I am amazed that they even think of me, surprised that I was even on their mind. Then I realize it has little to do with me and everything to do with THEM. Point being, I was on their mind not because I am special, but because THEY are special – always considering others - like me. Such are my good friends Marie Piper and her daughter, Deanne Elliott, as well as some people I’ve never met but who have supplied me with some really great care packages: Kim Treat, Ally Treat, TJ Treat, a little boy named Dan (who lives in Georgia) and Melissa Trebuchon (I hope I spelled that correctly). You can not know how these folks and others like them have lifted my spirits. Peter Gabriel sings: “I love to be loved”. I guess I do too.

Marie and Deanne: You have touched my heart. Your most recent card (Marie) with the beautiful photograph and the letter from Deanne with “Our Daily Bread” came today, at a time when I was so distressed. It was a perfect answer to somebody’s prayer. Thank You. It is only fitting that I share with you something special that somebody else wrote to friends (just like you) a long time ago. Please forgive me for paraphrasing.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done well that you shared in my distress (even though you did not know my distress)……Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds IN YOU. Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received the things sent from you, a sweet smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

And I’m sure: My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

I love you all.
AWE