STRIKING AN ENTIRE COUNTRY FROM MY CHRISTMAS LIST

CPT Patti called at 6:00 a.m. (It is now 9:15a.m. in Germany).

Says they now predict her flight will touchdown in Germany at 6:00 p.m. tonight.

Says they were in the air...had actually left a little bit early (charter flight, you know...) and were headed home when - get this - Turkey denied them entry into Turkish airspace.

Now lets be clear about this. This was not a big green war bird...this is a commercial jetliner from a charter service (Omni World, or some such...) and the flippin Turks for reasons unknown would not let them enter the air space.

This would be Turkey, the erstwhile ally. The same Turkey that caused the 4th ID to drill holes in the ocean as it's equipment shipments floated in circles while awaiting permission to use Turkish bases while we kicked Saddam's butt (permission was ultimately granted only to defensive capabilities...ie, protecting their Turkish butts...the tanks and tubes had to float clean around the Arabian peninsula and darn near missed the war.)

And it isn't just me! That plane was full of GI's who have spent 223 days in a war zone, headed home for Christmas...some going on to Baltimore...with connecting flights that no longer connect.

And so I am seriously considering altering my Christmas menu to Ham.

And I am resolved...and you can check me on this to ensure I am as good as my word.

Not one single solitary Turkish person from that huge vascillating flea-bag country is getting a Christmas gift from me this year.

Not one.

You can take that to the bank.