Home Fires

Being deployed, we are all focused on the mission, staying alive and doing a good job. Each member of our team depends on the other members to be at the top of his game, all the time. We get so tied up in what we are doing that we forget (or try not to think about) the tremendous stress on our families back home, especially our wives. Occasionally, the stress of a family crisis, a sick loved one or tragic event back home totally consumes us. When something major happens back home, it is unreasonable to expect a man to keep his focus and to perform at the same high level this mission requires.

Captain Killion has valiantly kept pace with the mission here although his heart and mind have been fixed on home and family. For back home his wife has been in a real fight of her own which, in the last couple of weeks, has become so intense that I could not justify keeping him here one minute longer. So, yesterday, with the Red Cross letter in hand, we said farewell to our little brother and sent him home to take care of his beautiful family. The team just won’t be the same without Captain Kangaroo (a.k.a. Bruce almighty), but that’s okay because he has a more important mission to tend to back in Texas.

Here are some pics of the good captain. Please keep him and his family in your prayers. I know he’ll appreciate it.

awe

He's a tanker....so he just had to have his picture made in front of these T55s.

Posing with our Iraqi Non-Commissioned Officers. They don't really like Bruce, they just like being in the picture.

Here he is posing with Major Nouri. Major Nouri don't care much for Bruce either.

Bruce has been a great advisor to 2LT Osama and 1LT Osama. These guys are not related to each other or the other Osama.... (Bin Laden). Actually, I'd go to war with these two guys. I wish they were in the U.S. Army!

Farewell buddy. I'll see you in Dallas.

Another Week Done

Hello everyone. Today was a good day. We got the students through another week of training and I got promoted! Yes, I’m now a Colonel. Actually, I have been since 18 January but I put off pinning on the eagle until my Iraqi friends were all back from their leave. I’ll post pictures on the next blog entry.

Well, we had a busy week here at Lake Besmaya. I say lake because it rained about a half inch over night. Doesn’t sound like much, but it’s flat here and the desert soil does not absorb the water. So, the landscape looks like a giant 2” deep lake. It will stay that way until the sun and the wind dry things out again. Rather than go into a lot of detail, I’ll just show you some pictures.

Here I am before I went home on leave. This is the Presidential Palace, where I hang out when I’m in the IZ. It’s now part of the US Embassy complex, but they allow us to hang out in the presidential ball room (where Saddam used to entertain guests). It has a neat coffee bar and internet café. Those are Girl Scout cookies in my hand.

I’m glad I’m not in the British Army. They endure endless tormenting about the feathers (their plumage). This has led to more than one fight that I know of.

My staff and the Iraqi cadre greeting the new students.
Me sharing words of western wisdom. Notice they all seem to be staring off in the distance…..in the direction of the clock. Gee whiz, will this guy ever shut up?

Major Tony Ratliff teaching students to use sand tables as part of their planning process.

Students doing land navigation. Notice the smoke stacks in the background. This is a massive brick factory complex about ten miles to our north. The Iraqis fuel the ovens with anything that burns, like pure petroleum, coal and roadside rubbish. This is an excellent example of why the U.S.A. will not sign the Kyoto treaty….because it will never stop the world polluters from polluting. Here, it’s pollution or starvation. Pick your poison.

A couple of examples of Iraqi driving…..Hey, this looks like a good place to run off the road.

“You stupid truck.”

But all’s well and another week ends at Besmaya.

Recovering

I wish I sounded like Karl Haas. I’d say, “Hello everyone”, then I’d introduce today’s topic in the elegant way he always started his radio broadcast. The music world has a little less class (pardon the pun) since Mr. Haas passed away.

Anyway, I have not posted anything in a while because we have not had time to turn around AND, of course, there was the scare with Michael. Nothing has ever shaken me like that. Neurological anything in a child will scare a parent to death. Thank you to everyone who prayed Michael (me and Sharon too) through the last few weeks. God has heard our prayers and has extended his love and mercy to us. Michael will get better.

Below are a few pictures I’ve decided to post to keep you interested in the blog. We started a new class of the Infantry Officer’s Basic Course here. These students recently graduated from one of the three military academies here in Iraq. They came to us fresh out of school but assured me that they already knew everything I intend to teach them. Umm Hmm. I’m so glad because that will make my job so much easier.

Also, my good friend, Major General J came to see me today. He’s head of all the Iraqi Army schools. He is a very fine gentleman and has a wonderfully refreshing take on officer education. He speaks perfect English and I always enjoy our time together. Please forgive the photo, I need to protect identities. Here he is speaking to the students as Colonel Abbas looks at his watch (how long will this guy go on?).

And...having a few words with me before his farewell.

I’ll do my best to be more true to the blog. I miss it but other duties come first. Thanks again for praying for Michael.

awe