going on a big adventure

2005-10-12T01:47:00.000-05:00

I just got back from seeing the medic and I have to take 800mg of motrin every 4-6 hours for my back. Why? Because I threw my back out trying to LIFT THE CARE PACKAGE I GOT FROM MY DEPARTMENT!!! Holy shit. I about died when I opened it. Let's see, where shall I start. Well, for openers, the baked goods are gone, Alicia and Nate. I squirreled away enough for me and then the others tore apart the remains, because I get the lions share. Awesome banana and cranberry bread, and my motor sergeant from another group pretty much announced that the snicker doodles were his. Peanut butter cookies? Gone. Those delicious oyster crackers? Never had a chance. The bakery items look like Walmart after a hurricane-nothing left. Thanks Alicia, those were delicious! Nate, make sure momma takes care of that ankle of yours.

I also got 2 tickets to the Halloween Monster Mash which said "No Rain Checks". Any chance I can use a "No Dust Check" on that? I had to laugh when I saw that because I know you were when you put those in their, Luke and Mark. Nice.

Marcus Tyrone Abdullah Save the People of the World Mohammad Pankow, Ted Nugent was played all last night and this morning. I just kicked back and dreamt of sitting in my stand whilst Great White Buffalo and Hibernation was playing. Nate, when I get a chance to enjoy an NA Clausthaler, I will throw in some DKM and some Molly, so I can at least imagine Im having a session w/out the hangover...

Mel and Nano, great pic. Mel, that was a beautiful dress you were in. Im sure you chose that because:

a) it looks great,

2) Nano liked it, and

d) it hides the size of your feet.

Again, Im truly sorry to hear about hound dog. He's watching over you and I know he will make himself known every time you guys hit an ice cream stand. Congrats on getting married, you guys really look great.

Lynda, I cant say thanks enough for this package. I have it only half unpacked and I can actually set up a defense in my room and outlast any attacker since I have huge food supply to live on. Again, I cant thank you enough for this package. Thanks.

Bob, thanks for getting it to me. Did Radies have to rent a van to get it to the post office? It took a week, which surprised me. I appreciate it.

If I forgot anyone, I am truly sorry ahead of time. I have so much stuff in there I was awestruck...

By the way, I am officially licensed by the Army to drive an ATV. Hopefully Ill be able to send pics soon...

Here's a quick story from last night. We were talking about Bigfoot ( of course...) and I had a couple of guys from my team reading from the website (bfro.net...mel, youve seen it) Well these guys started to really get into it. After awhile, near closing time, I had to really take a piss so I headed outside. it is pitch black and I figured I wasnt gonna go the full distance, so I scurried into the shadows so I wouldnt have to explain to anyone, no, I'm not trolling for cubscouts out here, Im actually taking a piss. As I am in the shadows, and constantly aware of my surroundings (because thats the type of cop I am...) I just happen to see one of my soldiers come out behind me, but he doesnt see me. He starts walking out of my view and I finish up my business. I am still lingering in the shadows and I here this BANG! then footsteps running as I walk into some light. Here comes this guy running down the road. I say to him, "What are doing?" and he's like, " Im scaring someone." And he's pretty happy about the fact that he hit the shitter with a rock in near pitch blackness and was able to get away scott free. I said, "Well, who are you scaring?" and he looks at me and recognizes me, his shoulders sag and has this totally defeated look on his face and says, " aw shit, sir....you." I look at him and I say, "Nice job, I think I wet myself..." We both laughed pretty hard at that point. Of course the rest of the guys inside thought it was even funnier...

I will be on and off this site do to my workload, so if it appears that you are neglected, you are not. Just have my hands full right now. Everyone, stay safe, no matter where you are, because I sure as hell am. Got things to do when I get back...

Dont be afraid to hit me up with hunting stories. Ed, Lynda told me ya had to change your shorts when ya got that bear...

See ya in the funny papers

Sl'ainte

me

2005-09-30T13:27:00.000-05:00

Well, I havent written for awhile, but based on recent events, you know why...

So, back to business. Have had some great stories come my way from guys who have metIraqi kids and have wanted to talk to them and see how they are. You would think that there would be alot of questions asked about different cultures and what life is like in the US and what life is like in Iraq. US culture is here, but in a funny way. One of my buddies came back and said he was in a marketplace when one of the kids came up to him and said, and this is no shit, "Hello brother from another mother!" My buddy was like," Um, what?" And the kid repeated himself,"Hello brother from another mother." He was like WTF? Then to press matters further, another chucklehead walks up and says, in excellent milspeak," What the f$%k, over?" Which is a term we use in varying degrees around the Army. So he says hey, keep it down you dont say that there are women around here. Of course, the kid repeats himself. Its just like being in the US, at times, and some times the only thing you can do is laugh...

Well, my commo sarge is having the running argument with his computer again. Must be sausage fingering it, because he is arguing with the computer and this appears to be a losing battle...

I would venture to say that given the chance of harboring grown men, at least physically, in an environment like this, there is a certain type of regression mentally. That being said, it is the proverbial locker room here. Toilet humor, shower humor, or locker room humor is the norm rather than the exception here. Anybody who walks in is a prime target, regardless of who you are. Sometimes you are able to get a fire for effect cut in on someone, sometimes you are the recipient of steel on steel. But because of my rapier wit and childish humor, I usually emerge the victor, of which nobody can respond. Im trying to think of a case in point where I was on the losing end, but those have been so few and far between I cant remember. I KNOW there are a few who have smoked me, I just cant think of any right off the top of my head. But in regards to the humor, you have to expect it goes down to dick jokes and poop jokes and whatever other bodily functions we are discussing at the moment. Alot of times prison sex is used, which of course, is the still the standard reference to anything. Because, well, ya know ...

My oldest son's honesty and lack of corruption made me realize what is important to me. Mom told him I was having a bad day the other day and he asked why. I told him I was just having a bad day. He then asked if I had an owie and I said yeah. He then asked if it was a bad owie and I said yeah, daddy has a bad owie. He asked, "well, how did you get it? Did you trip?" I said yeah I tripped. "Daddy, did you bruise your knee?" So rather than tell him the truth and have him worrying about me, I said yes, I bruised my knee. He then asked if it had turned black, and I said yes daddy bruised his knee. Then, knowing his father, he asks," Daddy, did you spill your coffee?" I burst out laughing and the phone center looked at me like I was crazy. Sometimes it takes a four year old to put things in perspective...

Speaking of the phone center, I was calling the wife the other night. I was on an old office chair like, well, that is used in an office. It had 5 plastic legs which were supposed to have rollers on them but they are since long gone. So I am talking to the wife and I start leaning back to get more comfortable, with my intention of leaning against the wall. Im still talking and leaning and then SNAP! I land on my back feet over my head, but still talking on the phone. The chair leg skitters across the floor and stops at some one elses feet. Everyone, yes everyone is looking at me and some are moving to see if I am alright. I wave them off, signaling I am fine. I raise myself off of the floor and dust myself off and readjust the chair and sit back down. The wife asks what happened and I tell her I was leaning back and the chair broke. There is the pregnant pause, and then she asks," Arent you supposed to be on a diet?" It never fails...

See ya in the funny papers.

Sla'inte

2005-09-16T20:14:00.000-05:00

I like to eat. No really, I love food. Since we were busy tonight I stayed behind and made sure everyone got chow before I did, so I had my Ops sergeant grab me a plate. Lemme back track. I have been getting back into shape and hitting the weights as I have said before and I have turned my diet around. Well, at least its no more cop food and soda, but chicken and vegetables and the occasional Baskin Robbins. I gotta cheat somewhere here...get off me. But I have been recovering from a really terrible accident. An accident which was easily preventable but I was careless and now it cost me dearly. An accident which knows no horror...

I accidently got fat.

I have been working on getting back to my fighting weight, not my original weight ( 8 lbs, 11 oz ) and that would only happen if I got cremated. So my ops sergeant brings back BBQ chicken and macaroni. Now mind you, I have realized I am in a third world country and I should do as much as the sailors did during the glory years of the masted schooners and eat at night so you could not really see what you are eating. I...made...the mistake... of looking at my chicken. Lemme preface this by I am still used to KFC and huge plump white breast that cannot be beat. This was dry so I started to peel it apart. As I did this, I noticed black spots in the breast. But this is only after I am half way through the breast. Anyone ever have bluegill or crappie? Its much the same look, yet I dont know why this has bothered me. Not that I didnt technicolor yawn right there, but then I began to think: since I am trying to get away from youth-extra husky size and have increased the protein supplements and intake into my diet, could this be the reason I have been shitting through cheescloth the last week? Im assuming I wont get trichnosis or some time of spongeoform type CWD, but they were little black spots all over the breast. Crap I tell myself, why did I look? I finished the mac and cheese and then threw the rest out...

Went to a bigger base to get checked out today. Apparently I had some "problems" with my hydraulics, and was causing me a lot of discomfort. I thought maybe I had a torsion pull or even more, a hernia, so I had to have the judge and jury looked at. Had to. Cant be running around looking like a ken doll, can I? Still want people to think when I am walking behind them I have flip flops on. Of course, as I walk into the clinic, they are like ,"Oh sir, we have been waiting for you." And she is female. Ya know, I am like great, the whole damn clinic is gonna see big Sid and the twins in all their non-glory, cold water shrinkage, not ready for prime time playing. But luckily, I was ushered off to the side where the short arm inspection takes place. Nothing upon first inspection, so I have to get an ultrasound. Can I be any more humiliated? Just wait. As I get semi undressed, and positioned and the table, the ultrasound tech comes in and says OK sir , your gonna have to lift this ( ok use 2 hands...) and then move this ( no both hands again sir) I have to slide a towel under and pull up something else. Perfect, right there. The proverbial, "this is gonna be cold" comment is uttered and sure enough it is. The next comment out of his mouth, and this is no shit, is, "So how is your day going?" Im like I'm on my back, junk in one hand, junk in the other, feeling like I am posing for a Paul Reubans (of Pee Wee Herman fame) family portrait, and he asks me that. I'm like, " Umm, good, I think. Youre kidding right?" If there were to be any sort of malfunction, such as the exam light breaking off its mount and hitting me in the head or a surge in the generators to cut me in half with the ultrasound, why couldnt it have happened now, this very minute? God has a sense of humor, and I know now someone is out to get me. Definitely not a Kodak moment...

Everything turned out fine, I just have a problem with one of the fittings in there and some antibiotics will clear it up and motrin will dull the pain. Every single soldier I saw when I got back was like, " Sir, uh, you, uh...is everything...ummm, well ya know, he he, um, your not in any kind of trouble down there, are you, sir?" I was like oh hell no, and I explained what had happened. If you could see the look of relief on everyones face, it was priceless, not because the problem is uniquely mine, but because every male HAS THEM and any type of injury or damage TO THEM is shared and understood by the kindred spirit of all males...

Yep. And then the jokes started...

See ya in the funny papers,

Sl'ainte

2005-09-13T20:03:00.000-05:00

OK, nights gets a little mundane and boring if and when it ever gets quiet here. All sorts of things going, but there is one thing I can count: the recurring war between my commo NCO and his computer. It never fails that when things need to be taken care of, the computer routinely decides to take its time, much to the chagrin of my NCO. It seems that, literally, every 3 minutes there is an outburst of somesorts, usually condemning the computer and the marital status of the computer's mother. Its pretty good. And then, after the intitial out burst, he usually insinuates that there is now a relationship between the computer and the computer's mother. Which, of course, brings guffaws from us. Like just now, since he is complaining about it operating by itself, and has referred to male prison relationships at San Quentin. He has to ask,"You're not using my name, are you?" And I said no, all the good porn names have neen used, so your SOL. he has since told me, refering to the old adage of your pet's first name and the first street you have lived on, it would be Butch G. Mine would be Gus Curlew, my Ops NCO would be Buddha Briar, and there is a Corky McKeon, Blue Park, Lucifer Jarvis. Yes, sometimes we do have to kill some time, and like the old saying goes, idle hands are the devil's playground.

Got my hooch officially set up. And it is darker than a well diggers a-hole in their, but I have it screened off so I have about 1/3 of the tent. Hold on, I swear half tis shift has Turrette's and ADD. Its a madhouse, and it is so easy to get people off subject. Take, for example, last night. We have the best coffee now ( thanks dad, I have Dix and Annie sending more. We gotta have an addicition since there is no alcohol allowed in theater. A BIG NO NO!!!) So we switch to the legal stuff. Any how, I grind up a pot last night and am patiently waiting for it to brew. We are burning the old one out so we can use the new one. So I sit my big behind down and I am doing whatever it is I do here. So I hear my coms guy go, "Hey sir, where do you keep thgrinder at?" And Im like why? He says, "Because I need to make coffee." Im like dude, I just made some. He says no ya didnt, sir. Im like look, goofy, I just finished and it should be brewing. He looks at me and says, "Sir, the pot is empty and the grounds are wet." Trying to keep from killing this fine NCO that he is, I walk over and show him how the water reservoir is FULL on the coffee pot. "But, sir. There is no water in the pot and the coffe grounds are wet." Im like noshit, ya think maybe it was starting? So he throws his hands up. " Thats it. I'm done. i'm banishing myself from the coffee pot." I said good cuz Im tired of drinking that bilge water anyhow. SO now he is up to speed on how make coffee with out messing it up. Trust me. Its the little things that keep you going...

Sl'ainte

2005-09-07T20:58:00.000-05:00

I dont know if any of you have been over here, but in the mornings, well 5 times a day, you can hear the mosques belching out their call to prayer. Its really eerie at first hearing this voice singing, if I can call it that, and calling the faithful to prayer. Especially when you are walking through the camp at night. For whatever reason, it just kinda freaks ya out. Sometimes I tell myself they are watching me and everytime I walk they're singing, " Take the big ugly one! Take the big ugly one!" Sometimes I have alot of time on my hands to think about nothing that matters...

Its like a ghost town here. The unit we have replaced has bugged out, heading home for good in a few days. Its been 3 weeks here, and the time flies. There is NO ONE around. When they started loading up, you would think that a damn bomb went off, there was so much stuff around. Chairs, rugs, boxes, hangers, food, you name it, it was all over the place. ANd stacked a mile high. My predecessors who fought in WWII and Korea were gone for anywhere from 1 to 4 years. We are gone 14 months and its like they headed to busses like gang busters, 2 lines, no waiting. I worked out and then crashed, there was silence. They were gone. Which kinda sucks because as they taught us the ropes here, we've had some time to learn about them and what they did in the civilian world. There are some characters here, or were. The best is their operations officer, who made it implicitly clear that when Sherman marched to the sea, as he was going through South Carolina, THERE WAS A WISCONSIN UNIT LEADING THE WAY!!! I said you are a bitter man. I told him hey, at least I know not to call it the Civil War, but the war of Northern Aggression. We were instant friends after that. I started to ask what they were fixin to do all the time, and then I would talk real fast around them. They'd say what? So I would say damn, I forgot, youre from the South so I gotta talk slower. Then I said, " I know y'all dont read real well down south, so I will write real slow, OK?" I think they took a liking to me after awhile. You almost have too...

They still can't believe we will drill through 3 feet of ice to fish. They are in complete awe of the seasonal shanty towns that show up on lakes all over Wisconsin during the winter.

I bought a PS2 today, and the reason was twofold. Yes, I know I am 37 years old and buying a video game, but it also has DVD capabilities, so I am set and actually saved money. Besides, the enlisted talk smack all the time about how good they are, so the old man is gonna have a class on video games. Which leads me to my childhood. The first video game I ever had was an Atari 2600. Tank, Donkey Kong, and Galaga were the big names back then. I got this used when I was 15. Before that, I explored all the time. When I lived in Green Bay, we had a golf course behind us. I met my first "superstars" back then, 3 Dog Night. That was pretty cool. Then they sold the golf course and put in houses. We used to crawl through houses all the time. Of course, that wasn't good enough so we had to start unplugging the saws that the carpenters were using, pissing them off. This usually resulted in getting chased, sometimes by a bucket loader. There was always the throwing apples at cars, which lead to some really big foot chases. Thank god we knew the neighborhood. the most fun we had was Road Hog. We would get equal number of kids, half on bikes the other on foot, and the bikes had to run the kids on foot over, and then we would switch. Nobody really got hurt. Really. This was also the time when Evel Knievel was big, which lead to jumping garbage cans on our bikes. That usually resulted in ALOT of bruises and some pretty good cuts. Im assuming that eventually lead my foray into BMX and subsequently motocross...

Enough for tonight...

Sl'ainte

2005-09-04T15:15:00.000-05:00

OK, life is really strange sometimes. Got to see my first scorpion last night, probably about 5" long. I WAS NOT IMPRESSED!!!! I hate spiders and now these damn things. UGH! Thank god my bunk is about 5 feet in the air. I would freak if I ever saw one of those in my tent. Anyhow, I get done working out after shift. A pretty good work out, I must say, but of course the tendonitis flares up again. So I figure I got some time to kill and head over to the MWR (Morale,Welfare, and Recreation) tent to see if I can catch a movie before I crash. I walk in and a former solider of mine says, "Hey, sir, did you see Vince Vaughn?" So I am looking at the big creen TV to see if he is on or not and I ask what movie is on. He says, "No right over there." Of course, like any body who is used to thousands of lines of BS, especially here, I say, " shut the ef up." And they say, "GD sir, look right over there." So there is this very tall gentleman standing there shaking hands, and I walk up, and, holy shit, Vince Vaughn of Wedding Crashers, Old School, and Dodge Ball (my favorite is an older movie, Clay Pidgeons) is 2 feet away from me. I'm like, alright I gotta be seeing things, maybe I need an IV bag. But, sure as shit, there he is. Apparently there was a line, which I didnt see, so I walked up and said hey, my name is dave, you here to run a mission with us? Vince is like, nah, Id probably get in the way. Im like well you could work the radio and he started laughing. We talked for like 5-10 minutes and then I asked if I could get my picture with him. I said I had to get my camera, so I left and came back. My camera of course didnt work, but a friend of mine had his available so I had my picture taken with him. I'll send it out here in a minute. Vince, if I can call him that, came over, unannounced and by himself and wanted to say thanks to the troops. This guy is way laid back and very personable. I talked a little bit more with him and asked him if he liked fishing and he said yes. I told him we got some monsters in northern wisconsin and he said he'd love to go. So I said, hey, Ill get word to your people and we can go when I get back. The chances of that happening are slim to none, but I wasnt gonna pass on the chance to ask someone fishing. So Mark, get them hooks sharpened for next year, we got a third when we go.

I know Hollywood has really been down on this whole deal over here, but it makes me feel good that there are certain people who in very, how would you say, public positions that are over here thanking us. It is people like yourselves who make this time away from my family very endurable. Thanks for the kind words, packages, and letters I have been getting. Its nice to hear from home evry know and again.

Dad, got the T's and another gift. There is an organization called a Knife for a Soldier. When I opened my box, there was a nice folding Ka Bar inside that had been donated from Allen and Debbie Rodgers of Birmingham, Alabama, and now its attached to my pocket for easy access. This was developed through a company in cooperation with Brigade Quartermasters. Very nice knife and alot of thoughts and prayers from Allen and Debbie. I emailed them a pic and they said they has recieved several e mails, but no pics so I am the first to give them one.

Additionally, I have been on Ted Nugents website, and there is a family from East Peoria, IL who have made me a part of theirs. Bob, Aime and Kodi Mc Mullen had placed a picture of a beagle puppy on the site to be named. I didnt know they were Irish ( faith and begorrah to them)at first, but immediately thought of the name Duffy, for a golden retriever puppy we saw in Door County. I mentioned it to them and it shot to the top of the list, and low and behold, his new name is Captain Duffy McMullen. I am thrilled!!! He is just the cutest little pup and the rabbits have been given proper notice. Also, Kodi, their daughter, scored her first "tree rat" which looked to be as large as a cat! Kodi's nickname should be Annie Oakley now, or Carlos Hathcock, the famed Marine sniper. Great shot, I think they will think twice about raiding any birdfeeders in the area. they have since said I am a part of the family and I do appreciate the "adoption"...

thats all from the desert...

Sl'ainte

2005-08-31T20:10:00.000-05:00

Had a bit of an experience yesterday. I had a computer class after my shift which lasted until noon. After I crawled into bed, I figured out I had to go to the bathroom, so I was kinda restless. All of a sudden BOOM!!! My bed shook. I was like what the @#$% was that??? It was pretty quiet, and I wasn't sure exactly what happened. I woke my roommate up and said, hey man, I think there was an explosion. He, of course is like, man, you'd better not be @#$%in with me, I said no Im serious. So we ventured out of the tent, albeit cautiously. There were others standing around wondering the same thing. Nothing really else came of it at that point. So we went back to bed. When I came in for my shift, they're like oh yeah, there was an old shell found in a farmers field from either world war one or world war two that was safely detonated. Im like like ya think they coulda called. They called it a controlled detonation. I almost called it an uncontrolled discharge in pants, it surprised me that bad. But that is still very common in Europe. They still have ordinance that they find in the farm fields and farmers will find old hand grenades. There was a French farmer that found one, brought it inside his house and put it on his fireplace mantle. Well, needless to say when he was building a fire one night, it fell off and, well, he aint farming no more....

2005-08-30T14:41:00.000-05:00

Camp

First I need to publish a few corrections. Tim Case is the state director for Ted Nugent United Sportsmen of America and Chris Raines works for Cabela's. Stacey is the Handicapped Coordinator for Florida. I do apologize for any slights which may have occurred. You have been beyond helpful in getting this up and running. When we meet, my wife has the first round...

Camp here is nice. We have air in the tents and it provides great sleeping during the day, since I have the night shift. I just adjust the vent and it is on me and I am out. With the shamals, though, its like the tent is taking a beating constantly. Man, it gets pounded and sometimes wakes you up, but just like anything you get used to it. Since we hydrate or die all the time here, inevitably you have to use the potty. Here is where the first challenge is. Leaving from a nearly pitch black tent inside to the blinding light is a very painful experience. Even wearing wrap around sunglasses causes severe pain for the first few minutes, much like being pepper sprayed. Or another analogy is from, if I can remember, Kill Bill II, where Darryl Hannah has here remaining eye ripped out by Uma Thurman and is thrashing around in the trailer. Yep, thats me trying to cover the 50 meters from my tent to the hopper from the pain of not being able to see. The good thing is they are cleaned daily. The bad thing is you have to make sure which one you go into. We have "east" and "west" porta hoppers here. The west is your traditional, injection molded hopper complete with throne, wipe, air freshener, etc. The east designed hopper, on the other hand, is much like being in a track meet. The platform is tilted towards the door and there are 2 foot rests. Thats it. You kinda have to pretend, if you are doing a class one download, that the flack is thick over Schweinfurt and you have to Nordan bombsight your load into a hole about 10" around. Not to mention tucking the judge out of the way and balancing against the wall with your other hand. God forbid your aim is off and you are in flip flops. Not a real easy explanation to your roommates.

Compared to where I was just at, everything is real close. Chow is a 5 minute walk, my office 10 for now. When the host unit leaves, we will assume their tents. Thank god for night shift because no one is around other than my shiftmate so we get some pretty good sleep. The good bathrooms are like a 1 minute walk. They are pretty nice. Hot and hot running water. The cold water isnt so we just turn that on and shower in that, which is more than enough for us. They get cleaned every day by the locals, but you always have in the back of your mind, is this my last flush???

We have pool tournanments, ping pong tournaments, playstation, movies, computer access, phone access, etc, so we are real taken care of here. the PX has alot for us, almost as much as much as stateside. But we can always use stuff from home: cookies, pretzels, peanuts etc. But wait until it cools down here for that, at least for the cookies. I can guarantee that they will melt. Everything else will make it.

Take care. Fight the good fight and keep tuning in. makes the temporary stay here worth while.

Sl'ainte

2005-08-28T17:32:00.000-05:00

I am no longer a virgin. I went up north for the first time and have sent pix out. There's a bunch of stuff I will hit on tonight, so hopa ya got a cup of coffee or have gone potty already.

I went north for the first time yesterday and I must say, I am completely and utterly in awe and yet humbled by my mere existence on this earth. As we crossed the border, I immediately noticed that there is alot of garbage, I mean alot. It just blows all over the place here, and the shamals certainly dont help. It collects against everything and just sits until a shamal from another direction sends it elsewhere. Additionally, you can see where the previous border has been. Anyway, there was a certain tightness in my stomach, I guess it was from not knowing what I was literally driving into. We were of course locked and loaded and I had the Annie B right above my head and I knew she would look after me and allow no harm to lay its deadly hand on me. We continued and the one thing that really struck me was the sheer dismal living conditions that the Iraqis live under. But there are strong contradictions here. They live in literal mudbrick huts, that are made probably by themselves, but everyone has power and, ironically, satellite TV. Damn near every hut had a dish on top, yet it looks like with a good rain that their homes would simply dissolve.

A very heartbreaking sight is the children that line the roads as we pass through. They look, beg and plead for handouts, yet we do not and cannot stop. When they look into your eyes, it takes everything you have not to grab one or all of them and bring them back to where we have it so well. Very adorable girls and boys asking for sustinance in order to live, but they have satellite in their homes. What a topsy turvey way of life. You see older Iraqis watching, and those who are in their mid teens start to wear the man-dresses that is common and the females start wearing the burkas, yet still show their faces. I have seen very very beautiful teen age women here and handsome men, who watch us as we pass by and I wonder what they think as the American military might roles by. like I said, I would to stop and show them, help them find a better life, but in the back of my mind I tell myself, this person may be trying to kill you...

The drive was hot, but not uncomfortable. The gunner, of course, needs to be basted every 15 minutes to keep him from drying out because he is right under the sun, but we are able to get breeze through the cab. We got a cooler full of water packed with ice, which melts by the time we return, but it keeps the thirst at bay. I probably drink 3-4 liters, and piss once. We cant stop, so I have to fill a water bottle manually and store it until we get to our destination. Note self, that bottle aint filled with Gatorade. You can see herds of sheep that must cover a 300 meter by 300 meter space and a lone Iraqi woman, dressed in black, tending the heard. The husband, at least I am assuming he is, is doing other chores. As we pass by, their kids run towards us in what seems to be the dash of their lives, looking for handouts. Again the same response. Not because we are not a giving people, but for their safety. They cant understand we cant stop and we dont want any accidents. Some wave at us, others flash the peace and thumbs up, and others, Im sure, look on with contempt. Goats, sheep, and camels are all over the place. As we were passing by, goats sort of magically appeared, just popping up, and then you realize they are coming up out of a little cut in the earth. Kinda funny, but even more funny and eerie is that I have heard of others stopping for what ever reason, in the middle of no where, and its like Whack a Mole starts. People just pop up. I suppose, for the varmint hunters, its like prairie dog hunting. Little heads just appear, magically. One person even had Viagra for sale. When I was told that, Im like where in the hell would you even have a place to use it????

Remnants of the move northward are every where. Old fighting positions and bunkers litter the landscape, along with demolished buildings. Powerlines destroyed have been replaced with even bigger powerlines, the old towers a reminder of the destruction that was wrought from previous battles. Junk yards with burned out hulls of military vehicles and civilian vehicles dot the terrain. Along the way, fuel carriers that had been destroyed for whatever reason are simply dragged off the road and left, yet the scars of the flames tattoo the roadway. Bizarre.

We pass other country's military troops and they wave, each executing their assigned missions for their little area of operations. People say we bear the brunt of this, yet we still have the most dominating force in the world, so I, in my humble opinion, can only say we obviously will have the most troops here. Duh. Other countries are pulling their parts...

As we near our destination, I am told of a ziggurat that is near by and we can see it in the distance. It is about 4000 years old, and was built by what are considered pagans here. Which is odd, since we are in the cradle of civilization and the basis of 3 religions, that it is here. Christianity is dwarfed, being a mere 2005 years old. Abraham's birthplace is nearby, and it is overwhelming to think I am on the same ground he once walked. I am humbled to be in this land...

Our arrival is anti-climactic. Weapons are cleared and we go to eat. I must say the civilian or military engineer who designed this should have been shot at dawn. The chow hall and cess pool are one in the same! I would have said it was an appetite killer, except they had some pretty good mexican so I chowed. Couldnt help myself. Of course, I had a bowl of baskin robbins mint chocolate chip right after. There's always room for ice cream. After a brief stay, I relieved the gunner and took my position behind the Annie B. She was glad to see me, as I was her, just like when I cam home earlier this month. We collected or mission and set forth for the journey home. Damn, the strap I sit on was developed by someone straight out of the Inquisition, as we big ass was painfully aware of its presence. We start home and again we pass other countries checking the highways, making sure travel is safe. Its nice out, temperatures in the mid 90's, and the breeze blows right over me. Always tactically aware, I adjust my throat armor, just in case. By now its dark out ( it gets dark around 645 my time) and the sky is pretty much clear, other than the ever present dust cloud that smothers the country because of the shamals. I see lights speeding towards me. I caress Annie B and she knows my intent, her task and purpose is to keep us alive. I advise my driver, and says its the Iraqi police letting us know they coming up behind us. They pass, waving and beeping. They are proud to do their part for their country. Whatever attack happens, they keep volunteering because it is their country and they want to assume control. God bless them. Travel continues, and of course the sky lines are eerily lit, oil wells belching Satan's finger skywards. I am told this is common in the oil industry to burn off oil and the sludge pools. Its bright, bright enough to light my cupola that I am in. I am pretty well protected up here. I try and make my 6 foot four frame as small as possible, but that would take an act of god or something similar to happen. I rotate around, training Annie B's gaze on what she must destroy if need be. Man I love her and all her power she possesses.

As we near home, I get with an awfull stench. Turns out there is a dead ass on the side of the road, not yet, probably nor will it be, removed by humans. I started thinking about heading north from Wausau and seeing the carcasses of dead deer on the side of the road and telling myself to roll up the window to stop the smell. After a mile or so it passess. By now, my ass is screaming for relief so I stand and enjoy the breeze. Im up briefly, not wanting to be the stopper for incoming rounds or an IED blast, and adjust this big fanny to minimize the pain. Turns out Im bruised when I looked today. I already have a plan to supply the battalion w/ ass gaskets to help out on the long haul. Very uncomfortable, but this will be tended to. We arrive back home with out much fanfare, clear weapons, mission successfully completed.

Now, other business, and it reverts to recreation and welfare, of which I have been justly assigned. Since I am not home for bow season, fellow bowhunters and I started talking a few days ago. We are coming up on bow season and how much we will miss it. I said what if we could get a range going over here, something we could shoot at? Everyone agreed and I, of course, was nominated to head up this project. So I set out to contact anyone and everyone I could about donating 3-D targets for a range. I went to Mathews bow, gander mountain, cabelas, Rib Mountain Bowmen, and, low and behold, Ted Nugent's webpage. Ted's webpage responded with succes!!! Stacey, the president of Ted Nugent USA in Florida put out the word and we have targets inbound!!! Tim Case from Cabela's responded and said we will be taken care of and thanked us for our service to our country and said it was the least he could do, and he would help us out with whatever we needed. This is the reason I'm proud to serve, among other things. They should be here next week. Pix of that will definitely follow.

I was also on Muskyhunter, and responded to a column in regards to the price of gas. I stated my point and a few said I was the only one who had the right to bitch about it, which I guess I do. Well, after some conversation, myself and other soldiers have been invited on a couple of fishing trips, both to Canada and Georgia. I dont care what the liberal media says, the majority of this country is behind us. Cant wait to take them up on the offer, although I gotta get permission from Momma.

Well, this is a big one so I am done. Thanks for reading and stay tuned. Definitely more to come...

Sl'ainte

2005-08-21T00:27:00.000-05:00

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

2005-08-02T11:08:00.000-05:00

Ever been just sitting there and suddenly realize something? That just happened to me. I realized that I have only one day left of trainign befire we go to our ARTEP, which is kind of like our final test. So we have that and then equipment pack up and then the big jump over the pond. As I am sitting here packing Im like, holy crap I got alot of stuff, most of which is headed over, but I got a bag and box that will be coming home with me. The weather is actually tollerable here, overcast and a little less hot. Unlike what I am seeing you guys dealing with up there. Trust me its still worse down here. Come on down and see if you would like. We are being over run here with ants, millions of them. If you even leave somthing out for 15 minutes, they're on the way. You can sit there and watch, literally. Orkin would make a killing down here...

We are all in the throws down here of getting ready for leave, some leaving earlier than others, but going home none the less. I was able to put together a pretty big picnic down here for our ceremony on the 10th, with a live band. looks like we have about 750-1000 peaolpe here so it will be a nice send off from here...

This is a 3 stage blog. As you can see. But what helps is to pop in a little DKM and its funny how your mind relaxes and you are able to blog. SUCCESS! I can still blog, the commander said it was cool, as long as I did not violate operational security or critical events which have occurred. I'll explain this in my book when I get back and begin to write. The way I see it, I'll have to put my list of demands for my book tour in my contract. You know, firetucks, bagpipes, midget hookers, candy bars, and stuff like that in the "green room" at Barnes and Noble, B Dalton. Nothing but first class for me.

Well, we came out of the field Sunday night and the madness began. Before I begin on that, I will encapsulate my 4 day field problem. Very different from being a company commander, but a learning experience none the less. its amazing how you get thrown into something and be like holy crap, how do you do this? But Ive got terrific NCO's who weren't afraid to help out a captain and set him straight. Basically I did battle tracking and ensured that units were where they were supposed to be. We also had a little bit of COB (civilians on the battlefield) which was different. So we had to deal with real world issues, such as no work, limited electricity available, insurgent activities. Day shift was alot more busier than night, so it seems the mopes have a regular rest plan also.

We also had to a chance to get air support from a couple of AH 64 Apache's. Now that was cool. I can see how those videos of that have circulated through out the internet world have come to be. On video they look mean, but to see one hovering 100 meters from you with an incredible amount of fire support is awe inspiring. I tried to get some pix, but the operator headspace and timing didnt allow it. I got a picture of my face and another of the ground. Good thing Im not in adult films, I can only imagine what would be the end product. Needless to say I wont quit my day job.

I have less than 48 hours left of Shelby and it feels like the weigth of the world has been lifted off us. No more training, ranges, death by powerpoint, and most of all, humidity. No kidding. If you want to experience this, there is no need to come down here. Simply turn on the shower at your house and the heater at the same time, and shut the door. Make sure it is only hot water, because even the cold water down here is about public pool temperature, minus the kid piss in the water. Further, if you want to see how bad you can smell, follow my instructions. First of all, shower before you leave. That is the basis for this. There is no doubt in my simple mind that you will be soaked by the time you have formation. This will continue until you pop your armor at bedtime. Once its bedtime, try and sleep in air that literlly does not move unless someone walks by you. Stripping naked and laying out in the middle of the FOB could be a solution, but then there is the explanation to the commander. Wake up the next morning, put on a blouse that is still wet from the night before and armor up. By the time you leave the tent you are soaked anyhow so it doesnt matter. Day 2 is the same as day one, only at bedtime there is slight smell of chicken noodle soup coming from your body. Night 2 same as night 1. By night 2, there is a significant smell of ass about your body, which you can explain, but nobody cares by now. Showers are not even thought of due to lack of efficiency. Why shower when your wet by the time you are back to your tent. By day 3, there is significant decomposition of your body. As you cool, the filth builds on layers. So much so that you can scrape it out from your finger nails. Additionally, the ammonia build up is so intense you smell like cat piss. This is the final stage of stench and about the normal limit. You dont kneel to explain on operation or give a brief order because the waft of ass that comes up will suck the oxygen from your lungs. You can taste it. But noibody cares because everyone else is in the same boat. Taking a whores bath only delays the effects, in fact, magnifies the effect. It is so wet down here that after leaving my socks on for 2 days, my feet fell apart, staged about a day apart. Big blisters developed in between my toes and spread along each and every toe jamb. If anyone has ever smelled a dead body it was very nearly to the first stages of decomposition. It smelled like you broke through the toilet paper, and didnt realize it until you started eating your sandwich and could smell it on your fingers. That bad. It took a ton of gold bond (triple medicated) to help dry them out. I probably sloughed off skin for a month and it has just finished. Now about gold bond.

This is the greatest thing sliced bread. If you liberally douse your crotch with it after you shower, it is like riding an icicle pony. Your pores are wide open and the triple menthol treatment is like having a portable ice pack down there. I learned quick while I was in Idaho in 2000 that if you powder and and wade out into the breeze with your pants around your ankles, hence the term dropping trow, you can stay cool for 3-4 hours. Here, your lucky if you get an hour out of it because of the sweat effect. You will be so covered in sweat and nastiness that people will look behind them to see if someone is wearing flip flops, and its because, those of us go commando, of your "junk" sticking to your legs. Its that bad...

And it doesnt help to get your smallpox shot down here either. You get it, itch like a mofo for 10 days, and then it heals. But, you are so wet that it is impossible to keep the site dry. Some first timers down here look like they have leprosy from the innoculation. Big angry red sores that have a cess pool of small pox in the middle of them. Luckily mine was like a big zit and healed after 11 days so I can wrestle with the boys when I get home. The typhoid innoculation left me wiped out, but Im back to cruising speed.

i havent been able run in the last month, so I dreaded the run this morning. Surprisingly, 2 miles went very fast and I really wasnt hurting. My plan, for now, is to be in the weight room everyday. Mark my word, 6 foot 4 of twisted steel and sex appeal will be back with a venegence, maybe a little rusty, but back none the less. Murph Dog just got back from school in San Antonio and brought me the new DKM. Incredibly impressive. Pick it up, you wnt be disappointed. I highly recommend that anyone and everyone spend St Paddy's Day in Boston and get into the DKM show if possible. More than likely it will be sold out.

Got word from the boss that we can have a little schnoot tonight so me and the fellas are gonna have a little session after all is said and done.

To wrap up Shelby, this has been a marathon down here and not a sprint. Some good things and some bad, but together I think it is wash. We are all waiting to get overseas. New uniforms were issued and we are pretty stylin'. Gone is the desert and woodland design and now we have gone to the digital type, same thing as the Corps. All around consensus is its a good looking uniform. Soldier wise, people's real attitudes and demeanor have come out so it will be an interesting year. Well, I will be home seeing my family and enjoying them one last time before we jump the pond. I would like to thank all for reading and I hope you have gotten some type of insight into trials and tribulations of a soldier asked to leave his family and friends and train to go to a foreign land and help those who can't help themselves. Its been said that freedom isnt free. Sometimes the public forgets what am investment is needed to ensure others can have the same type of lifestyle we have. its been over 229 years since we set the standard for freedom, France following 13 years later. Since then, we have been invaded twice and gobbled up as much land as we could IOT ensure our borders were established. Its odd to see that people complain about rights in this country, when they are automatically stripped of us as soon as we leave the United States. No where are allowed to have the freedom that we have anywhere in the world. The way I see it, I will in a country who is starting off from day one after the elections this December and be having a little personal history for my self. I will miss several things: deer hunting, fishing, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, my sons' birthdays, watching them explore their world, the companionship of my patient and understanding wife, who really has a tougher job than I do and is executing it better than any woman I know ( thanks for keeping the boys safe, honey. I sleep fitfully at night knowing they are in the best hands possible. )

Well, Im off to enjoy my first beer in 61 days. Of course, its Guinness, the only true mother's milk out there. Just like eating a loaf of bread. Next time you hear from me will be from Kuwait. Take care and keep reading, my friends...

Sl'ainte

Big Dave

2005-07-31T21:28:00.000-05:00

Another thing, too. I will probably be changing blogsites here and getting a secure site. The army is looking down on some of these for various reasons, but I am required to register my blogsite w/ my commander. I will let him make the decision, although I will not necessarily be in Iraq, where it is required by the theater commander, but Im not gonna do anything to irritate my command. So it may be a little bit, but hopefully I will have an answer soon...

2005-07-28T19:39:00.000-05:00

its been a long time since I have written but we have been very buzy here. We are gearing up for our final test, or lane, or whatever you want to call it. But either way, we are down to less than a week of training before we go to the Big Show. Lemme go back a little bit and recap what has happened. OVer the last week we have been doing training from trhe FOB, where I had to maintain a battalion presence since that is my position in the operation section of the staf. I manned the radio and watched ALOT of movies. Finally saw Team America: World Police again, along with about a dozen movies. That is one of the greatest movies made, and sure to become a cult hit. Here is some irony; my step mom sent me the book Hostage ( very good reading, in fact I finished it in 3 nights ) and low and behold, there is a movie w/ Bruce Willis in it. Read the book. The movie does it no justice. We then completed combatives, which was pretty cool and I learned some new things to use as a cop, and still be covered under incident resolution, the copper's use of force umbrella...

So back to land navigation. Me and my buddy took off to find our points after we plotted them. On our very first point we hit waist deep mud, and Im not kidding. Based on the way it has been down here, I very nearly stripped down and wanted to act like a big ole' hog and just take my uniform off and cover myself and just take a nap, but we had points to find. Our first point caused us fits and we were unable to find it, and not for a lack of looking. We kicked up a water moccasin, that really wasnt that big and we kept going, still looking for this damned point. Snakes do not bother me. Spiders, on the other hand, make me wet myself. Ask my sister. And there happens to spiders down here, called garden spiders, that are as big as an old 45 record. No kidding. The first one stopped me in my tracks, and of course, I wet myself. We bypassed that and then we kicked up the first snake. No luck in finding the point. We actually stumbled upon our fourth point, and worked our way around. While in this swamp bottom, I had a copperhead crawl across my foot. It was about 18 inches long and really pretty for a snake. I walked a few more feet and kicked up a big pine snake, about 2 and ahalf feet long. So Im like great, Im really gambling here. How long til I take one in the leg and have to get a ride on the helicopter? But, we persevered and found 6 out of seven points ( yes we back tracked and found the first point and blew off the 5th. There was no way the 1st point was going to win...)

So you have to take into account soldier's humor when they are in a strange place and have nothing better to do but knuckle under and ride the storm. WHich brings me to my next story: I was on the range the other day and had to use the porta john. I think every one at one point or another has had some type of intimate meeting with one. They are either ghastly, or they are pretty nice, such as the ones they have here on post. Remarkably clean. But you have to realize that certain comedians, who wind up with a pen or marker in their hand, seem to have a sense of humor; case in point. As I was attempting to "pass" the time, I had a chance to read some humor, and this has got to be one of the funniest things I have ever read. In great big letters was," Due to OSHA regulations, any turd over 8 inches long or weighing more than 3/4 of a pound must be hand lowered to prevent chemical splash." Hilarious. Soldiers ( and cops, for that matter) have got to be busy, otherwise they find ways of keeping busy, and it usually ends in pretty messed up situations. Trust me. I have had to explain numerous times, usually to my wife, on why I did something. Like, for instance, when I bounced a check to Pizza Pit and screwed up my credit. A 12 dollar pizza costing me 35 bucks, plus wayyyyy below the 616 or whatever is needed to be considered legit. Annie still laughs when I bring that up. At one point if it took my a quarter to go around the world, I couldnt get out of sight, but thats another blog...

2005-07-19T08:59:00.000-05:00

this is for my wife...yes I know these are lyrics from my favorite band, but these pretty much hit home for...

I once met a young girl filled with fire, that saw through my front to this shell of a man
She knew Id be a handfull from the start, this strong willed woman had an angels heart
The holes in these wings dont allow me to fly, so you'd better brace yourself for a life of pain
And if fate is the path to this better life, somehow I feel youll never see the faces of change

Through thick and thin she stood by you
she held the key to my broken heart

I look back and wonder sit and ponder how I could have ever neglected you
From the blood soaked soil on the old ball field I gambled on a hand I wasnt ready to lose
But if the tables were turned and I faced the troubles tough times and struggles I put you through
Id of been there as you were through hardship and horror
My life and my love are pledged to you

Through thick and thin she stood by you
she held the key to my broken heart

Remember the nights she waited and wondered fused to a myth that had taken its toll
But this Godless man has mended his ways, never again will she be alone

I remember it well still I always knew that she was destined to be my bride
This woman had pride she was full of lifeI could see the passion in her eyes
She thought she found a man but fell for the devil
An evil monster in disguise. Now I'll honor and obey forever stay
true to you my Irish rose

I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder. Ill write more later..

Sl'ainte

2005-07-08T12:10:00.000-05:00

Im sure everyone else's blood is boiling the same way mine is about the terrorist attacks in London. I will hate to be on the recieving end of what the brits are about to bring on the cowards who executed over 50 noncombatants on their way to work. This is why I look forward to my mission over there. We will not rest until they are free and Al Zarquoi, the murderer he is, I would like to have his head on a pole. I truly think we must do what they did in the old days: each terrorist we kill should have their heads on poles 100 meters apart. I also think we should do what Roosevelt did to the terrorist in the Phiilipines. That can be someones homework for this blog. Over 50 people killed, heading to work on bussess and trains, not expecting a thing. I hope Tony Blair has balls as big as the Iron Lady when she was in power. You did not mess with England or Great Britain, or whatever you would like to call them. You may not like George Bush for whatever reason, but thank God he has balls, balls enough to go after murderers and the sorts of them. I have never really been political until recent years, and I have had great conversations with my dad and step mom about the war. I have received e mails from people I havent heard from in years( Hi again, Mollie, great to hear from you and Im glad you have seen the light :) ) but appeasment and the united nations will not work. Well, the united nations are nothing but crooks looking to line their own pockets and are about as effective as a 90 year old man on cialis. IT AINT GONNA WORK NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO!!!!

Good lord, Im done with that. On to better things. Last night was like Christmas, we gou our new equipment. I got my new body armor last week and love it. Fits like a glove and yet allows me to breath out there in the heat. I got new boots, gloves t shirts, etc and love em. We are supposed to be getting the new Army ACU's ( Army Combat Uniform ) which is the digital stuff. Pretty sharp. We have hit the half way point here in Camp Shelby, the 5th ring of Dante's Inferno. This place sucks. It would be nice here, minus the heat, but I have to wait to give my thoughts on that. I just want to get incountry where the days count and I can get home.

Family update. John is doing fabulous at T Ball and charges the ball, dives and throws to first. He is a full foot shorter than his 'mates but has more energy and drive and wants to be out there, unlike the kids he plays with. Annies has been out practicing with John as well as Granpa has been, too , and it looks like it is paying off. John is getting really good at playing.

Adam is keeping mom's hands full. Annie was "in tow " the whole time they were at T Ball and kept her moving. God, to have Adam and John's energy would be something.

Take care. I will be out of the loop for awhile, at least until Monday. We are heading to the FOB (Forward Operating Base) to run ops out of there. No hardline phone, no connectivity, nothing. My cell barely reaches so I will stay in touch with family...

Sl'ainte

2005-07-05T12:19:00.000-05:00

Since "moving" down south I have experienced repeated things: cockrocoaches the size of a dog, humidity that would straighten out a felon, and now: tropical storms. Yes I am sitting at the top of Cindy as she makes her way north. She should hit tonight and tomorrow and they are expecting 3 inches of rain between today and tomorrow. Never fails. plus there is one right behind her. Maybe I should buil;d an ark and grow gills.

Speaking of which, I was able to get to Biloxi yesterday and spen my one and only day doing, you guessed it: sitting in the air conditioning and watching TV. We had breakfast at McElroys and then headed over to Beau Rivage, a local casino. Some of our group went shark fishing on the Gulf. They nailed 25 sharks and kept 18, which we filleted and now have 72 of them. The chow hall gave us some worcestshire sauce and soy sauce for a marinade. I think we are grilling them out tonight. The casino was gorgeous and if I get some off time at the end of Purgatory, I wiil spend it w/ Annie, my beautiful and tolerant wife.

Any how, I only lost 30 bucks, but got to see some really nice boats down there, the smallest being 35 feet, the biggest about 90. really, really nice. Didnt see any fireworks, had to be back by 10 PM, so we missed everything. But oh well, so did my oldest, John. Annie wore him out up at the lake and he didnt make it past 7 pm. Fell asleep on granpas chest. Must have been a sight.

training continues. I am trying to zero a new scope and was up on the line and started to get bit by the heat. Pulled myself off before i had to be dragged off and flown to the hospital. I have been heat casualty before, when I went to my officer basic course at Benning. I ended up sucking up 4 and a half liters of Ringer's lactate solution. Spent the night in the hospital and have hated the heat ever since. It takes forever for you to recover from that and I have crashed one other time where I needed it. So of course I dread going over seas, but at least there is no humidity. So they say. Looks there is a baskin robbins on Navistar too. I started lifting again so I can get down to my fighting weight, but it will be a struggle.

We have started few different things down here: Road march stress fire, convoy ops, to name a few. Im pretty good with the 50 cal, but I have yet to get in the hatch and start hitting targets. I look forward to that. Everybody pull their weight over there and if there is a vacant seat on a platform going out, its gotta be filled. I plan on boning up on the 240B and the Mk 19, so I can jump behind them too if need be. We head out to out FOB this weeke so contact may be limited fo a little bit after Thursday, but I will catch up with everything.

Couple of side notes. My oldest starts T Ball tonight and his daddy cant be there. My heart is broken, but momma will make an outstanding fill in. Granpa and momma helped him with his hitting this weekend and he did out standing. Of course, I told him when he slides into home, he needs to go high with his cleats. Hey, there's no penalty box, right? Nah, I just said make sure you stop at first unless it goes over there heads, then run until ya make it home. he told me he wants me to be his coach for everything. I broke down when I got off the phone...

I received an e mail from one of my best friends. He and I were enlisted together and literally tore up DC with a few other friends. He went to Alaska and then Hawaii, and ended up in Louisiana. I talked him into going into OCS, and upon completion I swore him in as an officer in the United States Army. I have been bestowed no greater honor than that. He left for Armor basic and wound up with the 2nd ACR ( Armored Cav Regiment) out of FT Polk. I hadnt heard from him in nearly 2 years and I got an email prior to me deploying. He was deployed to Iraq and fought for the bridge in Al Kut last April. He got hit twice by shrapnel and was slammed off the center mount for the radios and Blue Force Tracker. Luckily his vest saved him on all 3 counts. He got out in August of last year and has been in degree completion at LSU so he can get his captain when it rolls around. He started to have hearing problems and went in and got checked to see what it was. No tumor, but Doc found a blood clot in his head. He was tested for and was not considered a candidtae for a stroke, but they looked at his heart. Turns out he tore some tendons in his mitral valve and just had surgery last week. Unfortunately, the valve was damaged beyond repair and had to be replaced. He is now considered non-deployable and will end up taking meds for the rest of his life. My own personal opinion, he is a warrior and always has been. I love him more than a brother and he is one of the greatest people I know. We have shared alot, most things that are not fit for this venue and should be regaled under the hypnotic effects of a favorite beverage, but he is a true warrior and will always be. A proven combat leader, he will find something else and excell at that. I have met his parents, and they are the most wonderful people I know and I am truly honored to have that privilidge. Hang in there buddy. Maybe we can open that tavern like we talked about and mesmerize everyone when I get back...

Sl'ainte

2005-06-28T18:50:00.000-05:00

Again, another hot, day and there doesnt seem to be any relief in sight. The locals say that this will continue through September, but finally breaks around then. I found out about my future digs in Iraq and they appear to be plush. Theres a Pizza Inn, Subway, and a coffee shop, all are open 24/7. It looks like the chow hall has tables full of food for like 15 20 yards and thats open 24 hours too. Which is cool, since I plan on coming back as my original 6 foot 4 of twisted steel and sex appeal, reserved only for my wife, right honey?

I guess traffic over there is crazy, as in there are no laws. It is complete mayhem and they drive wherever they want, with traffic, against traffic, and across traffic. Traffic comes to a standstill for goats and donkeys and whatever else crosses the road. There is also a constant wind, which I think is called a chamal, that makes you feel like you have a hair dryer in your face constantly. The good news is that there is no humidity, and I am assuming it is considerably cooler than being drenched by humidity. I'll take the dry heat anytime over the humidity. I know I talk alot about it, but it is CONSTANT here.

Here's some of the experiences I have had since being in this uniform since I have been on active duty. I have never had my hand shook more often than ever. Case in point, I am at the local supermarket in Wausau, standing in line with some sundry items for the home, and the gentleman in front of me turned and shook my hand, thanking me serving my country. the lady behind me, in part, did the same thing. I kinda laughed and thanked them, and then said," I dont ever think you would do that if I were in my other uniform," I which time I told them what I did in the civilian world. Well, there was a huge pause of uneasiness, and then I started laughing. Kinda funny. They said they would and I then said,"even if I pulled you over and had my lights on?" Then they started laughing. 'Nother case in point. We were shopping at another supermarket, and Annie, my beautiful wife, told the gal behind the deli counter that I was heading over seas. She came from around the counter and gave Annies a huge hug and said it was for me. No kidding. I think I was reading the latest Musky Hunter Magazine.

We went to Door County over Memorial Day weekend and stayed at the C and C Club with 2 very good friends of ours and I hope you have a chance to read this. That was one of the best weekends I have ever had and it was my priviledge to spend it with such close friends and to enjoy your company. I have my hat here with me and wear it all the time... Needless to say, we drank alot that first night, and I wrestled with a bottle of Jamison and lost badly, of which Annie can attest to. The bartenders at the Club were some of the nicest I have ever met and we held the bar as our court that night. Everyone's eyes were on us and we gave them a good time. We showed up the next night, a little worse for the wear, and they cheered and lined up another shot of Jamison, which I put down. Felt a little better after that. They stated that they would be waiting for us next fall upon my return. Its nice to have people that worried about our Wisconsin native sons.

Thers a difference between active duty and the Guard. I would say we are way more educated and thus smarter than active duty. We are required to accomplish more in a given weekend than active duty. And finally, we are tight with our community. We are police officers, laborers, lawyers, farmers, businessmen, you name it. We are your community and it shows in the support that was present at the airfield when we left. Thanks again for your continued support.

Todd, I got your message. How I missed you in Milwaukee is beyond me, but I am so glad to see you are alive. Please email and gimme an update on your life as I would like to catch up. Its been nearly 20 years my friend and I looked forward to talking to ya.

Well I have bent enough ears. Take care and keep reading...

Sl'ainte

2005-06-25T22:19:00.000-05:00

Man, this has been a long day. The good thing is I was able to get a refresher course on the 9mm and it was nice to have some training from another cop. He's from the Atlanta suburbs and we meshed pretty well together. After that, I have done nothing but worked on an order all day to help us load our gear for Iraq. Its been interesting in watching the news and the female marines that have been hit outside Fallujah. I suppose we could arm chair quarter back this, but it appears that they were at check points for entry exit into the city. Males cannot touch females over there, for it means ultimate disrespect to the family and the father of the female has the right to kill, and it happens. It is a really different culture as they make the women eat in other rooms while the ment eat together, are served by the women, and the younger family eat in a different room. We also have to worry about making the OK sign and the thumbs up sign is considered offensive. Plus you cant touch or accept something with your left hand. Its the hand they wipe with over there, and is considered very offensive. So we learn a little about the culture everyday.

I actually had a day to myself since I have been here. CPT Carlisle and myself had to pick up another captain who was finishing school @ FT Benning, located in Georgia. Since today was an actual down day for us, we kinda shot the breeze on the way back and caught up in his absence. Good to have him back on the team.

I also have ben contacted by a few of my high school classmates ( New Berlin Eisenhower, 1986 ) and it is so great to have their support while ramping up for the jump to Iraq. I have my 20th reunion coming up, and of course I will probably be somewhere between Mosul and Kuwait, or wherever I may be. I missed my 10th and more than likely the 20th, so I have decided to try and put together a powerpoint slide show for the reunion. I would like to tell the soldiers story, not what the media is portraying. I sense that my class mates truly support my effort, and I would say that we, as a class, have accomplished alot. Did anyone ever think we would be where we are while we were in Valley View, or Sobottas house, or my basement? Makes me laugh thinking about all the parties and close calls we have had, and those that didnt make it this far. We are a very lucky bunch, and although we havent talked in a long time, its been great to here from Joe Gibson, Kelly Johnson, Steve Davey, and Mike Dugan ( I got it right this time...) Thanks for the support and I look forward to hoisting a few with you all when I get a chance...

We continue to get new equipment, and it amazes me how far we have come in technology. I ahve been trying to get pix of my new girlfriend, "Ma Deuce", (affectionately known as the 'Annie B', honey , you know why) but I think I will wait to get in country and get behind her so you get the full effect. I have seen it second hand on Marine Corps video of snipers in Afghanistan, and trust me, it is a devastating weapon. The last thing they ever here is the boom and its all over. Victor, contrary to our previous conversation, yes, I can use it against "soft" targets. Well, this week I get to qualify w/ the 9mm. Should be easy, I hope. Now we start moving into our collective tasks and the team work will start building.

So, putting it in a nutshell, not much happening today, other than the unyielding support of everyone involved in this. My family and I truly appreciate it...

Sl'ainte

2005-06-23T14:38:00.000-05:00

Today I finally got some trigger time in wich I am very happy for. It took 9 shots to set and confirm my zero and then I went to the qualification range. In between, I probably lost a gallon of water from the heat, which was really miserable at the beginning, but a breeze picked up and I popped my body armor off and my Under Armour (thanks, dad) cooled me off immediately. This was after I qualified though. I started out at a great pace and then I couldnt hit the 300 meter targets if I tried. Funny enough, while I was shooting, a bird landed about 40 meters in front of me and started to to move on my position. It zigzagged all the way up until it was 10 meters from me and then started back. While I was watching this, I didnt realize that the targets were still coming up so I missed one or two. So now im pissed because I want expert so I can talk a little smack to every one (40/40 is a perfect score) but that went down the tubes as I watched this damn bird moving on me. So I start contemplating how this bird, with my high powered bullets cracking over its head, is going to pay for my failure to get a perfect score. He starts moving in front of my 50 meter target and I can now rationalize vaporizing this ichtheological pain in the ass and explaining that "I must have aimed low, sergeant" and end the source of my failure. So I set my my front sight post right on his little feathered body and squeezed the trigger. POW! I dropped the 50 meter target and the target dropping finally got him to get out of my lane as he flew away and to stop tormenting me in this heat. Now I cant talk smack, although I did score perfect in my NBC ( nuclear, biological, chemical) part of my qualification 20/20 but that was a little more easier than hitting the 300 meter targets.

I can tell I am tired here. I looked at my watch at wahet I thought was 0430 am. So I get up and grab my shaving gear and head to the bathroom. I find very little activity so I look at my watch. 0330 am. Crap. I still have an hour before I get up. Well, I have to pee anyhow so I may as well make it worth my while. As I walk in the latrine, which is French for " letting my countrymen crap on me" I have another visitor-a nice 3" cockroach who now becomes my tormentor as he non-chalantly crawls down the wall. I immediately curse the legitimacy of his birth and grab the broom and begin my morning stalk. As he moves onto the floor I am spotted; I have no choice but to strike first. Its amazing how fast those things move when a broom is looking to do what a nuclear explosion can't- but my aim was off and he gave me the Heisman and was off into the stalls. Wasnt much interested in chasing this thing. So I finish my duty and head back to my room. My roommate, Josh Carlisle, who is also a captain and in my section, wakes up and stumbles out of bed, looks at the clock, realizes I am an idiot, and stumbles back into bed. I kinda giggle myself back to sleep since who whole look was of bewilderment. And the day goes on..

Sl'ainte

2005-06-21T17:03:00.000-05:00

just hanging w/ the SGM and my former company prior to going wheels up to Mississippi

2005-06-21T11:27:00.000-05:00

Hello from the south. Well, our cool spell is broken and we are getting hot again. Yesterday looks like it will be the coolest part of the week at 92 after spending some time in the high 80's. I nearly had to put my coat on it was so cold. Got word from friends overseas. Its really hot over there, hovering in the mid to high 115-120 already, and this is not even their hot season over there yet. Remarkably my friends manage to stay cool. Hydration is key for anyone over there IOT stay combat effective.

We have been in a whirlwind this week, our requirements changing daily and what we need to accomplish changing even quicker. As I siad before, we are doing in 2 months what most units get 6 months to accomplish. That being said, my days are filled with assisting in the decision making for the battalion and ensuring our training requirements are met, as well as keeping the company commanders informed of what needs to happen based on changes. Luckily, I have been able to meet what is required so I can continue my mission. I have met some great people down here, most notably the operators of the "gut trucks" which come by with hotdogs and such. My insides get a relief from the MRE lunch we get, which have rapidly improved in the 20 years they have had them. Some are outright palatable, with enough Tobasco sauce. Some of my trainers are from down south and they coudln wait to come back home. Seems they were not one for the Frozen Tundra. I keep telling them to order snow for us to train in and the laugh and say that paybacks are hell. I tell them they have done real well for only having a third grade education...

So my training has picked up even more. We now have our vehicles to train on and we are going through marksmanship stuff this week. Seems my tactical training has helped since I get asked about my weapons sling and why I bought the version I have rather than another version. Went through computer simulations this morning and faired well on both. We have ANOTHER IED class today for us which will go more in depth. This is taking place of my familiarization on the M2 .50 caliber machine gun. When you absolutely, positively have to wipe everything out in the village, the "Ma Deuce" is the way to go. It can punch through over an inch of steel at 800 meters and can reach out effectively to 2400 meters, and has the maximum range of over 7,000 meters. Nice weapon. Especially if you need to shoot through one house and it goes the whole block. Much more effective than the Mk 19 grenade launcher, which will cause more collateral damge due to the explosion of the rounds. Plus it doesnt go as far. I will be a primary gunner for the 50, which I am looking forward to should I get out of the base.

As much as I hate the New York Times, they have a great article on the insurgency over there. It seems they are fighting each other over the insurgency along the Syrian border. The nationalist Iraqiis want an agreement with the US and want the Jihadist's out. Seems th marines can tell what village favors who by the technology there. Cell phones and guns are the Iraqi nationalists, while the foreigners take away the civilians phones and weapons. ( In Iraq you are allowed one weapon and one magazine to protect your family. Seems a little different here, doesnt it?) SOme marines couldnt figure out where mortar rounds were coming from when there were mortars going over their heads and not landing near them. They politely called in an air strike and took out both sides...

We start picking up the pace even more this week before the 4th of July. Yes, we have 60 days or so down here and 59 is spent training. I had the worst night of my life Sunday when I missed Drop Kick Murphies. If anybody saw the show, please tell me about. I would have payed top dollar and kept the kids out of school to go see them. Also, I have yet to watch more than 3 minutes of TV since I have been here. Thats how busy we are. I get radio once in a while and was fortunate to listen Michael Savage for about 15 minutes the other day but that was it. I do some reading, but I just dont have the time right now to read alot.

I have heard from so many people who are supportive of my family. You truly are a godsend and I know it makes the time passing a little earlier. John, my oldest, is really missing daddy and that is the hard part. I miss playing the sock game with him and power rangers and hockey in the backyard and finding out how smart he really is. I miss Adam's great big hugs and the funny faces and the laughing he does when I chase him through the house. Seems he now aggrevates John into wrestling with him and I really really miss watching those 2 play. But, soon enough, I will be home. The 2 weeks down here are flying. We just want to get trained up and over there so we can come home safe...

Thanks for letting me bend your ear..

Sl'ainte

2005-06-17T21:32:00.000-05:00

well, another day has passed and it has been interesting. I ran about 2 and a half miles this morning which is the longest I have run since my basic course. If you remember the scene in "Old School" where will ferrel shoots him self in the neck with the animal tranquilizer, that spretty much me running. I would like to believe that I am beginning to lose weight down here and I really think I am. But of course, after nearly killing myself on the run and waving the ambulance off, I had to get my new drug of choice, sausage gravy and biscuits. It is terribly delicious and I just have them pile it on and wash it down with grits and powerade. Its to die for. I went and chased down the planner for airlifts and have the right name for when we make the jump. We then went and attended an IED class and a radio class, at which time the rest of the evening was filled with meetings. These will never end, I suspect. Once that was done I was able to look at my pictures from recent days. I will have to wait until I get my computer to put them on, but I have 2 pictures of my bed that are filled with orbs. Again some say they are spirits, and there sure are alot of them in these photos. The rest will be of my Forward Operating Base and my roach motel. I got to talk to annie and john tonight and it was a relief to hear their voices. I can tell john really misses me, and the same here. I could hear adam in the background and it was just great to hear them. The next couple of days are for battle staff training and I am looking forward to getting to know my job a little better. Well thats all for now. Talk to you soon...

Sl'ainte

on the way

2005-06-16T22:57:00.000-05:00

well, as you can see I am coming out of the stone age. My informal call sign, Knuckle Dragger 66, has caught on from a former battalion commander, who was my boss while in the Guard. I helped set up a recruit sustainment program for soldiers who had enlisted in the guard and we needed to ensure that they stayed. I literally helped stand up a battalion of soldiers in 6 months. I say I, but it was actually 5 oustanding sergeants and their staffs. There is no way this could have been done with out the expertise and drive. This program will save the recruits in the state. Any how, I digress, I had to get that out of my system because it has been a long time coming.

So back to my situation. I found out I was leaving for Iraq about a month ago and my life, as well as my families has been in utter turmoil since. Emotions ranged from hope and bravado to oh my god what have I gotten myself into????? But after the dust and many nights of tears settled, we figured I was leaving and it had only been a matter of time before it happened. I spent money like a drunken sailor trying to get the proper equipment for the desert. I suppose it didnt help that Annie, my beautiful wife who has supported me and been my rock and my barometer and ground, when I have thought up some crazy things, told me I could get what I want. Thats like letting a kid loose in Toys R Us w/ a blank check and saying come out when you are done. Needless to say, I did show some restraint and wound up with some pretty cool equipment to carry gear over there. My dad just squared me away with Under Armour, god bless him, so I can keep cool. Great stuff. I wear it as a cop and it keeps me warm and cool at the same time. I've been hearing from friends I have not heard from in nearly 20 years for this deployment and it is a huge plus.

And more than enough, I cant thank my mom and sister for being there and just listening. You have been really great and I know I can call you anytime and you will listen to me and whatever I need to talk about.

OK. Back to the adventure. The heat down here is murder and they say it will get worse. It has been at least a 100 degree heat index everyday, but we as a battalion, have yet to lose a soldier to heat exhaustion or stroke. We drink so much water its silly. I put down about 3 to 4 gallons of water a day just to stay upright. I make sure I eat for fear of washing the electrolights out of my body. I have been eating great: breakfast is sausage gravy and biscuits, oatmeal, bananas, and powerade. I have not had a dip and have only had 1 diet coke since I have been here. Which is really rough because they have sweet tea down here and I love it, but caffeine is such a dehydrator that I keep it at arms length. We are running around going 8 different directions, but we get stuff done as the day to leaving the country draws closer.

I suppose I am a little apprehensive and have been in a lack of news tunnel lately, but I do try and keep up with what is happening. looks like they finally put a man on the moon. Just kidding. I keep tabs in Iraq and what is happening and tell myself it will be over soon. I will have pix available soon here. Got some good ones and a little story for one of them.

Well, this is all for tonight. I will try and make this daily, but sometimes mission dictates otherwise. Take care and we'll see ya soon.

Dave