WHAT KINDA MICKEY MOUSE OUTFIT ARE YOU RUNNING HERE?
Actually, a pretty cool one.
I wonder if this applies to the Disney park near Paris as well?
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
TUESDAY MAY 13TH. Day two of CPT Patti's Deployment. She is currently in Kuwait City.
Monday, May 12, 2003
SAFE ARRIVAL
CPT Patti called about 1:00 pm east coast time. Very quick phone call.
They arrived safely and when she called they were on the bus headed from the plane to the terminal.
Said its HOT.
And, just so you know the time in Kuwait/Iraq is east coast plus 7 hours. At least for now...that will change when we shift off of daylight savings time.
Thanks for all your "safe flying" prayers. If its not too much to ask we now could use some safe ship unloading, safe firing range and safe convoy to Baghdad prayers.
CPT Patti called about 1:00 pm east coast time. Very quick phone call.
They arrived safely and when she called they were on the bus headed from the plane to the terminal.
Said its HOT.
And, just so you know the time in Kuwait/Iraq is east coast plus 7 hours. At least for now...that will change when we shift off of daylight savings time.
Thanks for all your "safe flying" prayers. If its not too much to ask we now could use some safe ship unloading, safe firing range and safe convoy to Baghdad prayers.
TRUCKS AT SEA...
Yikes.
One 5-ton truck with a trailer attached lost its brakes, rolled from a ship and plunged into the harbor, said Maj. Glen Cunningham, 41, of Daphne, Ala., an Army reservist from the 1184th Transportation Terminal Battalion.
“There was no driver,” Cunningham said. “We fished the truck out later.”
Yikes.
1st AD UNLOADING SHIPS IN KUWAIT
The entire story is here
Troops from the Baumholder-based 2nd Brigade and Hanau-based 4th Brigade arrived last week. The division’s 3rd Brigade, normally based in Fort Riley, Kan., also has arrived in Kuwait.
Soldiers from the division’s Friedberg, Germany-based 1st Brigade are the last troops to leave Europe. They should be arriving this week, Gercken said.
The entire story is here
1ST ARMOR DIVISION NOT TO RETURN TO GERMANY FOLLOWING IRAQ?
According to this no one seems to know.
UPDATE: This story offers a more reasonable tone.
According to this no one seems to know.
UPDATE: This story offers a more reasonable tone.
BY THE WAY
As big as the duffle bags and ruck sacks are...we found out they aren't big enough to hold $1000 worth of new stuff.
I am now on a first name basis with the guy at the post office if you catch my meaning...
As big as the duffle bags and ruck sacks are...we found out they aren't big enough to hold $1000 worth of new stuff.
I am now on a first name basis with the guy at the post office if you catch my meaning...
WHY GATORSIX?
Those who have served in the Army already know.
Each unit has a mascot - a nickname if you will by which they refer to themselves. There are such nicknames out there as Spartans, Diamonds and Providers.
CPT Patti's company mascot/nickname is Gators.
All the leaders in the company also have numbers which identify them by position over the radio. Tradition in the Army says that the commander is always "six". The first sergeant is "seven".
Well, on any given day there may be many units on the same radio net and therefore many sixes and sevens all trying to talk. In order to identify themselves as the commander of such and such a unit (without giving the unit designation which is a big no no over the air waves) they use their combined unit nickname and position number.
Hence, CPT Patti is Gator Six.
And occasionally someone refers to me as Household Six.
Those who have served in the Army already know.
Each unit has a mascot - a nickname if you will by which they refer to themselves. There are such nicknames out there as Spartans, Diamonds and Providers.
CPT Patti's company mascot/nickname is Gators.
All the leaders in the company also have numbers which identify them by position over the radio. Tradition in the Army says that the commander is always "six". The first sergeant is "seven".
Well, on any given day there may be many units on the same radio net and therefore many sixes and sevens all trying to talk. In order to identify themselves as the commander of such and such a unit (without giving the unit designation which is a big no no over the air waves) they use their combined unit nickname and position number.
Hence, CPT Patti is Gator Six.
And occasionally someone refers to me as Household Six.
THE DYNAMICS OF FAMILY
It was an interesting scene as the soldiers and family members gathered at the company last night. In front of the barracks is a grassy quadrangle where benches had been placed for folks to sit during the hours we would be there.
The soldiers were intermittently busy drawing their weapons from the arms room, and conducting equipment checks. In between these activities they were of course free to spend these hours with their loved ones.
And I noticed that the families tended to cluster as families...and not in larger groups as friends, although many of these families are good and close friends.
The groupings indicated that these were family moments. As well they should be.
Later, in the wee hours of the morning as the soldiers were finally aboard the busses and the busses pulled away, I like so many others in the same circumstance of worry and longing and pride and fear stood on tiptoes to wave goodbye one more time. And when the busses were no longer in sight, I looked around. For the first time all night we the families were standing in one large group.
I suppose family may have many definitions.
It was an interesting scene as the soldiers and family members gathered at the company last night. In front of the barracks is a grassy quadrangle where benches had been placed for folks to sit during the hours we would be there.
The soldiers were intermittently busy drawing their weapons from the arms room, and conducting equipment checks. In between these activities they were of course free to spend these hours with their loved ones.
And I noticed that the families tended to cluster as families...and not in larger groups as friends, although many of these families are good and close friends.
The groupings indicated that these were family moments. As well they should be.
Later, in the wee hours of the morning as the soldiers were finally aboard the busses and the busses pulled away, I like so many others in the same circumstance of worry and longing and pride and fear stood on tiptoes to wave goodbye one more time. And when the busses were no longer in sight, I looked around. For the first time all night we the families were standing in one large group.
I suppose family may have many definitions.
BIGGER BAGS OR SMALLER SERGEANTS?
Oh the things one sees just by keeping the eyes open.
Let me describe briefly the Army's duffle bag. A cavernous green (naturally) nylon bag shaped like a squat sausage link. A little over three feet long with a diameter around which a grown man might just be able to get his fingers to touch if he were hugging it. The bag has two straps along its side by which one can wear/carry the bag as if it were a back pack.
It holds a lot. And I can assure you GIs never leave extra space in their duffle bags, especially for uncertain deployments such as this.
About midnight last night CPT Patti and her company (The Gators!) had transferred their duffle bags, ruck sacks and carry-on back packs to a huge maintenance bay the size of an aircraft hanger. Awaiting the busses to take them away many of the troops were lying on the duffle bags, trying to catch a nap.
Family members were lingering there as well, spending every available moment with their soldiers.
And then suddenly the First Sergeant stepped in and announced the arrival of the first bus.
The company executive officer ordered the soldiers designated for the first bus to move their duffle bags to the bus. I watched as the supply sergeant, a slight woman, perhaps five-foot-two and maybe 95 pounds struggled to don her duffle bag upon her back. Someone stepped in to assist her by lifting and supporting the bag until she had the straps around both shoulders and the bag on her back.
As the supply sergeant said "OK, I got it" and the assistant released the bag there was a cinematic moment in which the sergeants eyes grew huge with a nascent understanding of her predicament and her mouth opened but it was clear she didn't know what to say. And then, slowly, she began to topple backwards, the weight of the duffle just that required to overcome her slight body weight and straining muscles. But it was an incredibly slow toppling. And in a flash CPT Patti who was standing nearby grabbed the duffle in a bear hug and prevented the sergeant from completing her fall.
Later, while the soldiers were boarding the bus, I overheard another sergeant refer to the pack and bag laden troops as "Weeble Wobbles"
An apt appelation, if ever I heard one.
Oh the things one sees just by keeping the eyes open.
Let me describe briefly the Army's duffle bag. A cavernous green (naturally) nylon bag shaped like a squat sausage link. A little over three feet long with a diameter around which a grown man might just be able to get his fingers to touch if he were hugging it. The bag has two straps along its side by which one can wear/carry the bag as if it were a back pack.
It holds a lot. And I can assure you GIs never leave extra space in their duffle bags, especially for uncertain deployments such as this.
About midnight last night CPT Patti and her company (The Gators!) had transferred their duffle bags, ruck sacks and carry-on back packs to a huge maintenance bay the size of an aircraft hanger. Awaiting the busses to take them away many of the troops were lying on the duffle bags, trying to catch a nap.
Family members were lingering there as well, spending every available moment with their soldiers.
And then suddenly the First Sergeant stepped in and announced the arrival of the first bus.
The company executive officer ordered the soldiers designated for the first bus to move their duffle bags to the bus. I watched as the supply sergeant, a slight woman, perhaps five-foot-two and maybe 95 pounds struggled to don her duffle bag upon her back. Someone stepped in to assist her by lifting and supporting the bag until she had the straps around both shoulders and the bag on her back.
As the supply sergeant said "OK, I got it" and the assistant released the bag there was a cinematic moment in which the sergeants eyes grew huge with a nascent understanding of her predicament and her mouth opened but it was clear she didn't know what to say. And then, slowly, she began to topple backwards, the weight of the duffle just that required to overcome her slight body weight and straining muscles. But it was an incredibly slow toppling. And in a flash CPT Patti who was standing nearby grabbed the duffle in a bear hug and prevented the sergeant from completing her fall.
Later, while the soldiers were boarding the bus, I overheard another sergeant refer to the pack and bag laden troops as "Weeble Wobbles"
An apt appelation, if ever I heard one.
ONE CARD TOUCHES TWO HEARTS
As CPT Patti was doing her final packing yesterday she handed to me a card in an envelope.
On the envelope was written in pink magic marker "Female Military Officer". CPT Patti said it had been passed to her by the battalion Chaplain. The author doesn't know CPT Patti - indeed, doesn't know where her card ended up.
Inside was a homemade card with stars and the words "Thank You" written across the front.
Within the card were these words.
Well Heather, CPT Patti was touched. I don't know if you actually know any female military officers or what you imagine they are like. But ff you knew her you would be amazed at her gentle and giving spirit. I've been married to her for two years and I am more amazed every day.
Heather, CPT Patti sends her thanks.
So do I.
As CPT Patti was doing her final packing yesterday she handed to me a card in an envelope.
On the envelope was written in pink magic marker "Female Military Officer". CPT Patti said it had been passed to her by the battalion Chaplain. The author doesn't know CPT Patti - indeed, doesn't know where her card ended up.
Inside was a homemade card with stars and the words "Thank You" written across the front.
Within the card were these words.
Dear Madam
Thank you for your service to our country. Stay strong and be encouraged. We appreciate what you are doing!
Just wanted to brighten your day and keep hope alive!!
Praying for your safety!!
Heather Goasdone
(Rhode Island)
Well Heather, CPT Patti was touched. I don't know if you actually know any female military officers or what you imagine they are like. But ff you knew her you would be amazed at her gentle and giving spirit. I've been married to her for two years and I am more amazed every day.
Heather, CPT Patti sends her thanks.
So do I.
PHONE CALL FROM THE TARMAC
CPT Patti called using her cell phone about 1045 this morning. Said she was calling from the tarmac at Ramstein Air Base as they were about to board a United Airlines jet bound for Kuwait City.
She sounded great...said the overnight bus ride and processing for the flight went smoothly for her company.
Said that seat assignments on the plane were made by rank. So CPT Patti is flying 1st Class to Kuwait City. Whoo Hoo!!
I'm glad for that little blessing - because there will be much discomfort for her over the next many days.
Flight is about 7 hours...they should be landing sometime about 1:00 pm east coast time.
CPT Patti called using her cell phone about 1045 this morning. Said she was calling from the tarmac at Ramstein Air Base as they were about to board a United Airlines jet bound for Kuwait City.
She sounded great...said the overnight bus ride and processing for the flight went smoothly for her company.
Said that seat assignments on the plane were made by rank. So CPT Patti is flying 1st Class to Kuwait City. Whoo Hoo!!
I'm glad for that little blessing - because there will be much discomfort for her over the next many days.
Flight is about 7 hours...they should be landing sometime about 1:00 pm east coast time.
IS THERE A SCALE FOR THIS?
Has anyone ever developed a scale for measuring how much one loves another?
If not, may I suggest using how much one aches with missing another upon the occasion of an unpredictable separation such as this deployment. It is real, it is palpable, but is it quantifiable?
I knew I love my wife. By the measure above I didn't know how much.
I'm astonished at how I ache. And weep.
Does it get better?
Has anyone ever developed a scale for measuring how much one loves another?
If not, may I suggest using how much one aches with missing another upon the occasion of an unpredictable separation such as this deployment. It is real, it is palpable, but is it quantifiable?
I knew I love my wife. By the measure above I didn't know how much.
I'm astonished at how I ache. And weep.
Does it get better?
THE BUS PULLED AWAY carrying CPT Patti and her soldiers at 1:42 am.
My heart hurts.
My heart hurts.
Sunday, May 11, 2003
ITS G-DAY
G for "goodbye".
In about an hour we will leave for CPT Patti's office, with a stop at a nearby hospital on the way to visit one of CPT Patti's soldiers who is fighting an infection. I have said before how remarkably CPT Patti loves her soldiers.
In this final hour at home we are baking cookies and banana bread for the soldiers and family members who will all gather together tonight to say farewell.
About midnight CPT Patti and crew will board the bus...and begin the journey that will take them to Ramstein Air Base. About 11:00 am on Monday our time (5 am on the east coast) the plane is scheduled to depart.
Its about a 7 hour flight from here.
Please send up a prayer for our girl as she and her soldiers head out to make a little history.
G for "goodbye".
In about an hour we will leave for CPT Patti's office, with a stop at a nearby hospital on the way to visit one of CPT Patti's soldiers who is fighting an infection. I have said before how remarkably CPT Patti loves her soldiers.
In this final hour at home we are baking cookies and banana bread for the soldiers and family members who will all gather together tonight to say farewell.
About midnight CPT Patti and crew will board the bus...and begin the journey that will take them to Ramstein Air Base. About 11:00 am on Monday our time (5 am on the east coast) the plane is scheduled to depart.
Its about a 7 hour flight from here.
Please send up a prayer for our girl as she and her soldiers head out to make a little history.
BECAUSE OF COURSE THEY ARE EXPERTS
This is rich. Especially in light of this.
They don't seem to understand they are their own parody.
This is rich. Especially in light of this.
They don't seem to understand they are their own parody.
FRANKLY, IT IS STILL A DANGEROUS PLACE
Read the whole thing.
Security was required because Baghdad, like the rest of Iraq, remains an unsteady place without a functioning police force and without enough American troops to keep the streets safe. General McKiernan admitted, in one of the frankest comments yet by a senior American in Baghdad, that he did not have enough soldiers to secure the entire country. Fewer than 150,000 troops are in Iraq, which, he noted, is the size of California.
Read the whole thing.
ARAB MEDIA'S CONDUCT INDICATIVE OF A DEEPER MALAISE
'The Arab Media Succeeded in Deceiving the People' says this article.
Gee...ya think?
'The Arab Media Succeeded in Deceiving the People' says this article.
Gee...ya think?