I've missed the family terribly this week. COL Abati is getting ready to go home, and all his conversations are getting focused on seeing his family again.
So, I'm doing well. Still working long hours, still spending every day with the Iraqis and still living in the same place. I haven't weighed myself lately, but I'm still losing weight. My pants look like I should be in a Subway commercial, I can pull them out about 3 inches from my waist. Damon thinks that I should take a picture and send it back home. I've really noticed in my face, it's looking leaner.
Damon and I were sitting with the Iraqi gate guards last night, enjoying some chai (arabic for tea) and conversation. They asked what rank we were, and were shocked when we told them Ra'aid (Major). They couldn't comprehend the fact that American officers respect and value the enlisted man. I think that they are all envious of the fact that we can feel comfortable sitting and talking with them, when their own leaders treat them no better than tools.
A word on the chai. For those who don't know, the Iraqis drink chai with a TON of sugar. The cups we drink from are SMALL (espresso sized), and they fill the cup halfway with sugar before adding the extremely hot tea. Literally three scoops for a three ounce cup. Diabetes is a rampant disease here...
So, we move on, doing what we can to affect positive change. I love and miss you. Our phones have been down for a while, so I can't call, and FOB Shield doesn't have a phone center that we can get to. But, they should be up soon, hopefully.
Love,
Ross
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Greetings from Baghdad!
Greetings from Baghdad!
Well, the election surges are over, and the votes are in. All in all, the hard work that the Iraqis and Americans put in was well worth it.
What exactly happened and why was it so great? FIrst, there was no violence(or very very little). The insurgents just couldn't do anything. Second, the Iraqis planned and executed the whole thing by themselves. They took care of 90% of the security, all of the voting, and did so in an organized manner. This is truly a viable democracy, the first in the middle east. The Brits have met all conditions for withdrawal, and will do so by the summer. Sooner, rather than later, I think that the US will follow suit, maybe in a year or so. We still have a long way to go, but the future looks bright.
I'm working much harder than I did in 2004. Building a nation is much harder than running patrols and raids. In fact, I'm working so hard that I find myself in danger of burning out. Our team is having problems with personality issues and folks not getting along. It's disenhartening, but I'm still optimistic that we can get through all this. I just keep looking forward to leave in about four and a half months. I really don't care what we do, just that I get to spend every waking moment with the wife and kids.
After that, its a short hop of time and I will be home!
Love,
Ross
Well, the election surges are over, and the votes are in. All in all, the hard work that the Iraqis and Americans put in was well worth it.
What exactly happened and why was it so great? FIrst, there was no violence(or very very little). The insurgents just couldn't do anything. Second, the Iraqis planned and executed the whole thing by themselves. They took care of 90% of the security, all of the voting, and did so in an organized manner. This is truly a viable democracy, the first in the middle east. The Brits have met all conditions for withdrawal, and will do so by the summer. Sooner, rather than later, I think that the US will follow suit, maybe in a year or so. We still have a long way to go, but the future looks bright.
I'm working much harder than I did in 2004. Building a nation is much harder than running patrols and raids. In fact, I'm working so hard that I find myself in danger of burning out. Our team is having problems with personality issues and folks not getting along. It's disenhartening, but I'm still optimistic that we can get through all this. I just keep looking forward to leave in about four and a half months. I really don't care what we do, just that I get to spend every waking moment with the wife and kids.
After that, its a short hop of time and I will be home!
Love,
Ross
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