HELLO FROM KUWAIT!!!!
Well, I have arrived safe and sound here, and let me tell ya, it is HOT!!! But, this is a tolerable heat, so to speak. There are also a lot of breezes here, so there is a lot more air movement and NO HUMIDITY!!! You can actually have the wind blow on you and cool you off. SO off to the beginning of my adventure.

My dad came down and saw me off. We hung out and turned in equipment and a bunch of other things until I was ready to take off. I had to leave early, but my dad caught up with me at the airport. We said our goodbyes and I boarded and headed to Indy where we picked up a couple of other units. Next, we landed in Bangor, where we were met by at least 50 vets and citizens who showed up to give their appreciation. We shook hands and were patted on the back and invited to call home for free. This, by far, was the coolest thing I have ever seen. Some of them travel a couple of hours to see soldiers departing for overseas. We hung out and took some pix and then boarded for Iceland. We landed and there was absolutely no other people at the airport for a long time. That being the first time I have been out of the country, it was a little weird being there. It was raining pretty hard and blowing, which I guess is common for the island. We then reboarded and landed in Romania, which was realy bizarre. We had to stay on board since there was a surcharge to exit the plane. Again, really different in regards to another country. I told anyone if they left to make sure that they wore garlic since Dracula's castle was not too far away.

We finally landed in Kuwait and was met by a blast furnace as we left the plane, probably around 120 degrees here. After rounding everyone up, we left for an interim camp where I am now. During the ride, it was surreal: flaming oilwells, abondoned buildings, vehicles and garbage all over. The locals drive like they are attempting to qualify and have no regard for traffic rules. Security was stepped up little our ride to camp so now we know we are in a warzone. Arrived at camp and in processed, got our gear and went to chow. Not too bad and much better than Shelby. ( I hope I never go through there, other than to outprocess, again...) We retreated to our temporary digs and set up camp. The tent is huge, you can play football in there and is about 70 degrees at all times. Now I wait for word to move to my permanent digs and just watch alot of movies...

On the home front, I got to see some true warriors while I was home. I stopped briefly to give Bob Dudley his retirement gift. After serving the public for nearly 25 and a half years, Bob hung up his gun fighter belt and is now enjoying the benefits of sleeping late. I also ran into Gary Spatz, a true old school street fighter who held the line between civilization and chaos. He has sent severla letters and packages and morale remains high here. Thanks to the 2 of them for the overwhelming support.

I saw several coppers from Wausau that I didnt have the time to say high to due to the family time needed. Big Marky Klein, I saw ya, but was running late. To the others I saw sorry I didnt stop to say high, but my time with the family was precious. I hope ya understand. Nathaniel and Melinda, thanks for the call. I made it out (finally). I miss each and everyone of you...

Finally, although the creature comforts of home are gone, we are well cared for here. Water abounds, as well as the dust, but they are keeping us fed and sheltered. Its hot and dusty, but our mission has now started and we now have 363 days and a wake up. Please put it back if ya catch it so I have a chance, and also if ya bag a big northwoods bruiser, send pix. we have nothing but wild dogs and asps up here, along with scorpions and camel spiders. We are well, the mission has started, and we are actually one day closer to home.

Sl'ainte