Catching Up

Okay, I know that it has been a very long time since my last post. For that, I am sorry. Things have been a little busy over here and today, I will try my best to make up for some lost time.

First, on 30 June, I took a little trip out to one of our most remote places, FOB Hammer. It began as a very nice day, with a flight in a Blackhawk
Some sights from the window seat: Here we have Al Faw Palace. I have talked about this before. This is a old hunting lodge and it is nice to see from above.

Another view -

And although not mine, this is where and how we live. The CHUs (Containerized Housing Units) are just lined up. It all works quite well.

Well, once we got to Hammer, the weather quickly turned bad and we ended up being stuck there for a week. Every day, we would call back to the office and see if anything was flying, with no luck. The team at Hammer did take very good care of us and we had all of the normal luxuries; bed, shower, food, but the problem was that none of us were prepard to live there for a week. I was repared to stay one night, not six. But we all managed and survivied. Here are some pictures of Hammer;

This is just a funny picture, FOO is how we buy local items for the office.

This is part of the team; the man in the center is the Division Engineer and was the team lead. At this moment, I am sure he is giving out some words of wisdom.

While we were there, we saw some Iraqi tanks. Regardless of who got to the intersection frst, they always have the right of way.

While we ewre there, we all celebrated Independence Day. Even in the middle of nowhere, and in the middle of some very bad weather, the American spirit shows through. This is a cake of all of the services -

The Liberty Bell made out of cereal -

Happy Independence Day -

We have to have one of the flag -

and although not a ery good picture, this is the Declaration of Independence -

While we were stuck there at Hammer, there we about three places that we went;

The MWR House, this is where I watched a lot of movies and caught up on the news. Did everybody hear that Michael Jackson died??

I would call home to tell Household 6 that I was still stuck -

Gym, walked by it, but I did not pack any gym clothes -

and of course the DFAC. Food here was actually very good.

Okay, that is the story of me being stuck at Hammer. I am never going back there again.

Happy Fathers Day

Okay, now that I have recovered from my calendar mistake and I am back on track, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of the fathers around the world "Happy Fathers Day!!" I woke up this morning and outside my door was a flyer wishing me a good day. Every day is a good day to be a father and on this one day, we get some recognition. If I were home, I suppose that I would try to squeeze in time with the family, time for a ride on the bike and time for grilling. What a special day.

Various Celebrations and a mistake

Well, today is Sunday, 15 June and there are various events that we celebrate today. First, let me say "Happy Father's Day to all of the fathers out there. I want to give a big shout out to my kids, whom I love very much, that make me proud to be a father.

Okay, I realize that this was a mistake, although the thought still counts. As I ahve said before, I have the best kids and they always make me happy! :)

Also today is the Army's birthday. We celebrate 234 years of lineage today and I heard that over the years, there have been 30 million people that have been a part of this organization. "Happy Birthday." During dinner, the 1CD band was playing and there was this cake. I obviously get there a little late and they had already cut into it, but you should get the idea.

Finally, I had the opportunity to chat with the Division Commander (two star General) and he took me and two peers inside his office for a school lesson. We learned some Iraqi history and he even had a picture of himself with a relative of the real Lawernce of Arabia. All quite interesting.

We also had a Farewell for one of our own. My fellow Major left today 24 hours after returning from her vacation, she was sitting on a heliocopter heading north. There was some drama on the flightline as we realized that she had the keys to our truck and she was sitting in the bird. With asssitance, we ran out to the flightline, found the correct bird, found her, and then found the keys. It is always something. This is the cake we ordered for her farewell.

Well, time continues and we are now half way through June and barring something unforeseen, I will home enjoying vacation in about 60 days. Happy days.

Household 6 and the rest of the family; thank you for making me proud and thank you for everything that you do each and every day.

Graciousness, Goodness and Love

Wellif there was any doubt, let me put it to rest; I have the very best family in the world!! Father's Day is in a few days and I just got my box. There was more goodness and love in that box than I have ever received, although there was one really good one from Mom while I was in Ranger School many years ago......... back to reality.

This box had some of everything good; car magazines, motorcycle magazines, yummy jelly beans, some of the kid's homework to keep me connected and some Father's Day cards and some funky powered drink mixes. My daughter's card even had a tissue just on case I became overwhelmed with tears, not that I have ever done that.

I am very proud to have the best family in the world. Thanks for everything, you guys rock!!

Stephen Colbert

well as you may or may not have heard, we had another visitor this week. Actually he is still here. Stephen Colbert arrived here Friday and will taping his show from here. His first show was taped Sunday which will air Monday night back in the US. I had the opportunity to sit in on the Monday evening taping, which will air Tuesday night.

The show was AWESOME!!! He was very interactive and it was fun to see how they put it together. Here is a shot of the crowd waiting for the show to begin.

A shot of the set.

Me, anxiously waiting for the beginning of the festivities.

This is his desk, which is a stack of sandbags painted to look like an American flag; a very cool idea.

and the man of the hour, Stephen Colbert. I know it is a little blurry, but there was only a brief opportunity to take photos before the show while he was doing a it of a warmup and he just did not stand still.

So, since I have been here, I have seen The Gap Band, the President, Mack Brown and now Stephen Colbert. So far, the USO is doing quite well.

Happy Birthday

So, today is June 5 and I want to take thisopportunity to say "Happy Birthday" to my brother, Dean. I will not share how old he is, just that he is now much older than I am.

Happy Birthday, Dean!!!

Visitors and Gifts

Well today is 1 June and it is hard to believe time is flying by. Next month, our tour will be half over. Yippee. From time to time, US companies will send over items and some will be more useful than others. For example; a beer maker wants to send over some beer to help us celebrate July 4th. Although, it is great to see support from corporate America, I am not sure that beer is the best idea. One of the leading pizza makers will be sending some pizza for us adn that will be fun. During our memorial Day celebration, Vermont sent over some syrup to add some real yumminess to breakfast.

Today, we got a visit from some college football coaches. Now I did not go to a big school and I certainly do not favor one team over another, but it is always good to see people taking time out of their schedule and visit the troops. I am not sure who this guy was and I am not even sure I got hi name right, Mack something; Mack Black, White, some color is all I know. During all of the pictures, he was throwing some kind of gang sign and I am not sure what that was all about either.

Anyway, just another day at the office.

For those that don't know; Mack Brown from Texas.