Today was a pretty long day in Iraq, with lots of lows and very few highs(other than the temperature!)
A sandstorm kicked up this morning right about the time we rolled out and it hasn't stopped yet. It's not the worst one we've been through, by any means, but a sandstorm is crappy regardless of the intensity! Especially when you're on the gun. I'd compare it to standing in a room that's in the process of being sandblasted. You feel it everywhere, and you can never ever ever get rid of the sand that just builds up on everything. Especially weapons.
After our missions this morning (there were 3) I had to come back and pull tower guard, oh yeah!!
I had guard duty with Watts, who's really cool. He's a mechanic, but he's been doing a Scout's job ever since he showed up to 6/8 Cavalry, so he knows his stuff! The dude also loves to read, and we have alot in common which makes six hours in a jail cell go by a lot faster.
We noticed something tonight that only soldiers in Iraq would notice, or even appreciate. Over here we don't have refrigerators, we have coolers with ice. We stock these coolers with water, Gatorade, Coke, Rip-its, whatever. Tonight, I reached into the cooler in the guard tower and grabbed a Gatorade, then did what I always do. I squeezed the crap out of it to get the water out from behind the label. Watts started laughing when I did this, which kinda caught me off guard. Then he said, "Dude, only a Joe would understand what you just did." You see, what happens to Gatorade bottles when left in a cooler with water, is several ounces of water get trapped between the label and the ergonomic grips which provide a secure grip for the electrolitic explosion you're about to enjoy. This water usually drips out at random periods throughout your drinking experience convincing you that you just spilled all over your lap, but no.....it was just the water. To prevent these little surprises, Joe came up with a solution: squeeze the crap out of the bottle before you pull it out of the cooler, shake it, bang it on the cooler, then take off the label and then VOILA!! -- no water on your lap!
Funny how things like this seem so natural to us, but in the states I never would have thought to do that. Nor would I ever have had the problem, because I would take my cold Gatorade from a refrigerator!! It was funny.
26 May 2008
21 May 2008
I Hate Turkey
Have you ever talked to a Vet from Korea?
Everyone I've met said they'll never eat cabbage again. Lots from Vietnam say they'll never eat rice again. It seems like every war has its taboo food.
Welcome to Iraq. Our food is turkey.
Every. Single. Day. I haven't had fresh food in weeks. And every night for dinner our cooks, who are more like sadists than chefs, fix us turkey.
I could understand having turkey a couple times a week. I can see how it is difficult to provide a big variety of food. But every night? Turkey cutlets, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, gravy. Sounds good even. 'Cept everything looks so scary I only get turkey and mashed potatoes.
The process for cooking Army food is so easy, a caveman could do it;
Step 1: Bring water in 5 gallon pot to boil.
Step 2: Go to freezer, grab bag of turkey cutlets.
Step 3: Throw bag (yes, the plastic) into boiling water.
Step 4: Precooked turkey in plastic bag is now thawed, remove bag from water.
Step 5: Cut open bag, pour into serving pan.
Step 6: Laugh when Joe asks if it is turkey for dinner again.
Every. Single. Night.
I never ever want to eat turkey again. I don't want to smell it or see it.
This is my manifesto. I am taking a stance against giant birds for food. Thanksgiving will no longer be a turkey and stuffing meal. Not at my house. We're eating pasta. Christmas turkey? No, thank you. I am never going to eat turkey as long as I live.
Don't try to convince me that your turkey recipe is the best and it doesn't taste like "that stuff you had in Iraq." I don't care. I'm not eating it!
In fact, my driver said it best, "if someone brings turkey to my house, or even mentions the bird, they're getting two to the chest and one to the head." Yes, he's talking about bullets.
For those of you who have ever had an MRE, you know it's not the best thing in the world. It's not even that great. And if you have hot food, you'd much rather have that. Well, I say nay! We fight over MREs here on the patrol base. Because an MRE means you have enough calories to skip dinner. And the turkey!
Seriously. I hate turkey!!
Everyone I've met said they'll never eat cabbage again. Lots from Vietnam say they'll never eat rice again. It seems like every war has its taboo food.
Welcome to Iraq. Our food is turkey.
Every. Single. Day. I haven't had fresh food in weeks. And every night for dinner our cooks, who are more like sadists than chefs, fix us turkey.
I could understand having turkey a couple times a week. I can see how it is difficult to provide a big variety of food. But every night? Turkey cutlets, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, gravy. Sounds good even. 'Cept everything looks so scary I only get turkey and mashed potatoes.
The process for cooking Army food is so easy, a caveman could do it;
Step 1: Bring water in 5 gallon pot to boil.
Step 2: Go to freezer, grab bag of turkey cutlets.
Step 3: Throw bag (yes, the plastic) into boiling water.
Step 4: Precooked turkey in plastic bag is now thawed, remove bag from water.
Step 5: Cut open bag, pour into serving pan.
Step 6: Laugh when Joe asks if it is turkey for dinner again.
Every. Single. Night.
I never ever want to eat turkey again. I don't want to smell it or see it.
This is my manifesto. I am taking a stance against giant birds for food. Thanksgiving will no longer be a turkey and stuffing meal. Not at my house. We're eating pasta. Christmas turkey? No, thank you. I am never going to eat turkey as long as I live.
Don't try to convince me that your turkey recipe is the best and it doesn't taste like "that stuff you had in Iraq." I don't care. I'm not eating it!
In fact, my driver said it best, "if someone brings turkey to my house, or even mentions the bird, they're getting two to the chest and one to the head." Yes, he's talking about bullets.
For those of you who have ever had an MRE, you know it's not the best thing in the world. It's not even that great. And if you have hot food, you'd much rather have that. Well, I say nay! We fight over MREs here on the patrol base. Because an MRE means you have enough calories to skip dinner. And the turkey!
Seriously. I hate turkey!!
12 May 2008
Update From Caleb and his Mom
Caleb was able to send me an e-mail yesterday on Mother's Day and that was a wonderful thing!! Even more special coming from a child in a war zone! We finally figured out a way for him to communicate with everyone. Now that he is so limited on internet time, he is forwarding an update to his blog, and then I am posting it for him!! We hope this will work better so everyone can hear from Caleb himself every once in a while!! So here goes Caleb's latest update:
I GUESS IT'S BEEN A WHILE. IT'S KINDA HARD TO UPDATE THIS FROM MY NEW LOCATION, BUT I THINK I FIGURED OUT A WAY TO DO IT, THANKS TO MY MOMMA. SO, YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING LATELY? I GUESS I'LL TELL YOU GUYS.
IMAGINE THIS......
YOU'RE THE GUNNER ON AN MRAP (THE NEW VEHICLE TO REPLACE THE HUMVEE, STANDS FOR MINE RESISTANT AMBUSH PROTECTED) AND YOU'RE OUT ON PATROL. IT'S THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE BEEN IN YOUR TRUCK FOR A FEW DAYS BECAUSE YOU KEEP GETTING STUCK ON GUARD DUTY (AND DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THAT), APPARENTLY, WHILE YOU WERE IN THE GUARD TOWER SOMEONE ELSE RODE IN YOUR TRUCK AND ON YOUR GUN. THEY ALSO HAPPENED TO BREAK THE METAL RING THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT TO THE TRUCK. HOW? I DON'T KNOW. BUT IT'S VERY BROKEN!
SINCE YOU DON'T HAVE A SEAT, YOU HAVE TO TURN YOUR TURRET A LITTLE BIT AND SIT ON THE FRAME FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING. WHICH IS A 1 INCH SQUARE ROD. NOW LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT THE MRAP. IT MIGHT AS WELL HAVE NO SUSPENSION AT ALL. IT IS BY FAR THE BUMPIEST RIDE I'VE EVER BEEN ON. AND IT'S NOT JUST BUMPING UP AND DOWN. IT'S BEING THROWN INTO THE AIR AND THEN AS YOU COME DOWN THE TRUCK COMES BACK UP TO MEET YOU, SHATTERING YOUR BODY AND ROCKING YOU TO THE CORE. OR THROWING YOU FACE FIRST INTO A .50 CALIBER MACHINE GUN THEN RIGHT BACK INTO THE TRUCK, WHILE KNOCKING THE WIND OUT OF YOU. IT'S BRUTAL. AND NOW, YOU'RE HITTING ALL THESE 'BUMPS' WHILE RESTING ON A METAL BAR. THAT'S SQUARE.
SO, THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT YOU'RE BACK ON MISSION. YOU'RE WILLING TO PUT UP WITH THE ANNOYING BUMPS AND ROCKING, BECAUSE ANYTHING IS BETTER THAT THE GUARD TOWER. EXCEPT THAT YOU'VE HAD FOOD POISONING FOR THE LAST DAY OR TWO. YOU KNEW THAT THE IRAQI CUCUMBER WAS A BAD IDEA....BUT TOTALLY WORTH IT! SO, NOW YOU'RE TRYING TO RECOVER, YOU'RE STOMACH IS SCREAMING IN PROTEST AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU HOPE AND PRAY YOU CAN'T SEEM TO FIND A SMOOTH PATCH OF ROAD.
OH, BUT I'M NOT DONE! WHILE ON THE MISSION, A LOW HANGING WIRE SNAGS YOUR BIRDCAGE AND TEARS IT OFF YOUR TURRET. SUDDENLY, YOU HAVE NO SHADE. AND SHADE IN IRAQ IS A 20 DEGREE TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE. SO NOW YOU'RE SICK, GETTING BEAT TO DEATH, AND ROASTING! BUT AT LEAST THE AIR CONDITIONING IS WORKING, SO MOST OF YOUR BODY IS RELATIVELY COOL. AND, YOU'RE ON MISSION, SO THAT'S GOOD.
AFTER ABOUT FIVE HOURS OF ROUTINE RECON, YOU GET AN EOD MISSION, WHILE ON THE EOD MISSION YOU ARE PULLING SECURITY. BUT GUESS WHAT, THE GODS OF WAR ARE NOT DONE MESSING WITH YOU, OH NO......YOUR AC JUST STOPPED WORKING! SUDDENLY, IT'S HOTTER IN THE TRUCK THAN OUTSIDE, WHICH ISPRETTY BAD, CAUSE IT'S PUSHING 130 OUTSIDE. AT LEAST THE MEDICINE THE DOC GAVE YOU IS WORKING. FOR NOW. AND A CAR JUST BLEW UP. THAT WAS SWEET. OH CRAP! NOW THE CAR IS COMING BACK DOWN. WELL, NOW YOU'VE GOT A SOUVENIR LICENSE PLATE. GOOD NEWS, YOU GET TO GO BACK TO THE FOB (FORWARD OPERATING BASE) WHICH MEANS GETTING THE AC FIXED, AND GOOD FOOD, AND THE PX.
SO YOU GO TO THE FOB, DROP OFF YOUR TRUCK AT THE MECHANICS, AND GO TO THE PX, BUY ALL KINDS OF JUNK. RED BULL, CANDY, A GERBER, MAGAZINES, STUFF TO MAKE LIFE EASIER AT THE PATROL BASE. AT LEAST OUR AC DIED ON THE WAY BACK TO THE FOB.
OH, APPARENTLY SQUADRON NEEDS YOU TO LEAVE THE FOB IMMEDIATELY! NO QUESTIONS ASKED. BUT YOUR TRUCK IS STILL BEING WORKED ON. TOO BAD, YOU HAVE TO LEAVE WITHOUT AC. THIS IS GOING TO SUCK. HARD!
AFTER A RIDICULOUSLY LONG AND SWEATY DRIVE BACK, YOU FINALLY MAKE IT TO THE PATROL BASE. THE LONGEST DAY THAT YOU CAN REMEMBER, SINCE THAT ONE DAY A FEW DAYS AGO, IS FINALLY OVER. ON THE WAY BACK TO YOUR TENT YOU WALK PAST THE CHOW TENT. THEY HAVE TWO COOLERS OF ORANGE JUICE SITTING OUT, AND ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN WATER. YOU DRINK A CUP, THINKING TO YOURSELF, CONCENTRATE IS TERRIBLE, BUT AT LEAST IT'S NOT WATER.
AS YOU'RE FINALLY GETTING READY TO GO TO BED YOU REALIZE THAT THE OJ MIGHT HAVE BEEN A BAD IDEA. DEFINITELY A BAD IDEA. YOU RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN OUT OF THE TENT. AND GUESS WHAT? CONCENTRATE OJ TASTES THE SAME COMING OUT AS IT DOES GOING IN!!
OH LORD, TOMORROW IS GOING TO BE A LONG DAY. AT LEAST YOU DON'T HAVE TOWER GUARD. OH WAIT, YOU DO! AFTER YOUR MISSION. AWESOME.
I GUESS IT'S BEEN A WHILE. IT'S KINDA HARD TO UPDATE THIS FROM MY NEW LOCATION, BUT I THINK I FIGURED OUT A WAY TO DO IT, THANKS TO MY MOMMA. SO, YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING LATELY? I GUESS I'LL TELL YOU GUYS.
IMAGINE THIS......
YOU'RE THE GUNNER ON AN MRAP (THE NEW VEHICLE TO REPLACE THE HUMVEE, STANDS FOR MINE RESISTANT AMBUSH PROTECTED) AND YOU'RE OUT ON PATROL. IT'S THE FIRST TIME YOU'VE BEEN IN YOUR TRUCK FOR A FEW DAYS BECAUSE YOU KEEP GETTING STUCK ON GUARD DUTY (AND DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THAT), APPARENTLY, WHILE YOU WERE IN THE GUARD TOWER SOMEONE ELSE RODE IN YOUR TRUCK AND ON YOUR GUN. THEY ALSO HAPPENED TO BREAK THE METAL RING THAT ATTACHES THE SEAT TO THE TRUCK. HOW? I DON'T KNOW. BUT IT'S VERY BROKEN!
SINCE YOU DON'T HAVE A SEAT, YOU HAVE TO TURN YOUR TURRET A LITTLE BIT AND SIT ON THE FRAME FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING. WHICH IS A 1 INCH SQUARE ROD. NOW LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING ABOUT THE MRAP. IT MIGHT AS WELL HAVE NO SUSPENSION AT ALL. IT IS BY FAR THE BUMPIEST RIDE I'VE EVER BEEN ON. AND IT'S NOT JUST BUMPING UP AND DOWN. IT'S BEING THROWN INTO THE AIR AND THEN AS YOU COME DOWN THE TRUCK COMES BACK UP TO MEET YOU, SHATTERING YOUR BODY AND ROCKING YOU TO THE CORE. OR THROWING YOU FACE FIRST INTO A .50 CALIBER MACHINE GUN THEN RIGHT BACK INTO THE TRUCK, WHILE KNOCKING THE WIND OUT OF YOU. IT'S BRUTAL. AND NOW, YOU'RE HITTING ALL THESE 'BUMPS' WHILE RESTING ON A METAL BAR. THAT'S SQUARE.
SO, THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT YOU'RE BACK ON MISSION. YOU'RE WILLING TO PUT UP WITH THE ANNOYING BUMPS AND ROCKING, BECAUSE ANYTHING IS BETTER THAT THE GUARD TOWER. EXCEPT THAT YOU'VE HAD FOOD POISONING FOR THE LAST DAY OR TWO. YOU KNEW THAT THE IRAQI CUCUMBER WAS A BAD IDEA....BUT TOTALLY WORTH IT! SO, NOW YOU'RE TRYING TO RECOVER, YOU'RE STOMACH IS SCREAMING IN PROTEST AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU HOPE AND PRAY YOU CAN'T SEEM TO FIND A SMOOTH PATCH OF ROAD.
OH, BUT I'M NOT DONE! WHILE ON THE MISSION, A LOW HANGING WIRE SNAGS YOUR BIRDCAGE AND TEARS IT OFF YOUR TURRET. SUDDENLY, YOU HAVE NO SHADE. AND SHADE IN IRAQ IS A 20 DEGREE TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE. SO NOW YOU'RE SICK, GETTING BEAT TO DEATH, AND ROASTING! BUT AT LEAST THE AIR CONDITIONING IS WORKING, SO MOST OF YOUR BODY IS RELATIVELY COOL. AND, YOU'RE ON MISSION, SO THAT'S GOOD.
AFTER ABOUT FIVE HOURS OF ROUTINE RECON, YOU GET AN EOD MISSION, WHILE ON THE EOD MISSION YOU ARE PULLING SECURITY. BUT GUESS WHAT, THE GODS OF WAR ARE NOT DONE MESSING WITH YOU, OH NO......YOUR AC JUST STOPPED WORKING! SUDDENLY, IT'S HOTTER IN THE TRUCK THAN OUTSIDE, WHICH ISPRETTY BAD, CAUSE IT'S PUSHING 130 OUTSIDE. AT LEAST THE MEDICINE THE DOC GAVE YOU IS WORKING. FOR NOW. AND A CAR JUST BLEW UP. THAT WAS SWEET. OH CRAP! NOW THE CAR IS COMING BACK DOWN. WELL, NOW YOU'VE GOT A SOUVENIR LICENSE PLATE. GOOD NEWS, YOU GET TO GO BACK TO THE FOB (FORWARD OPERATING BASE) WHICH MEANS GETTING THE AC FIXED, AND GOOD FOOD, AND THE PX.
SO YOU GO TO THE FOB, DROP OFF YOUR TRUCK AT THE MECHANICS, AND GO TO THE PX, BUY ALL KINDS OF JUNK. RED BULL, CANDY, A GERBER, MAGAZINES, STUFF TO MAKE LIFE EASIER AT THE PATROL BASE. AT LEAST OUR AC DIED ON THE WAY BACK TO THE FOB.
OH, APPARENTLY SQUADRON NEEDS YOU TO LEAVE THE FOB IMMEDIATELY! NO QUESTIONS ASKED. BUT YOUR TRUCK IS STILL BEING WORKED ON. TOO BAD, YOU HAVE TO LEAVE WITHOUT AC. THIS IS GOING TO SUCK. HARD!
AFTER A RIDICULOUSLY LONG AND SWEATY DRIVE BACK, YOU FINALLY MAKE IT TO THE PATROL BASE. THE LONGEST DAY THAT YOU CAN REMEMBER, SINCE THAT ONE DAY A FEW DAYS AGO, IS FINALLY OVER. ON THE WAY BACK TO YOUR TENT YOU WALK PAST THE CHOW TENT. THEY HAVE TWO COOLERS OF ORANGE JUICE SITTING OUT, AND ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN WATER. YOU DRINK A CUP, THINKING TO YOURSELF, CONCENTRATE IS TERRIBLE, BUT AT LEAST IT'S NOT WATER.
AS YOU'RE FINALLY GETTING READY TO GO TO BED YOU REALIZE THAT THE OJ MIGHT HAVE BEEN A BAD IDEA. DEFINITELY A BAD IDEA. YOU RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN OUT OF THE TENT. AND GUESS WHAT? CONCENTRATE OJ TASTES THE SAME COMING OUT AS IT DOES GOING IN!!
OH LORD, TOMORROW IS GOING TO BE A LONG DAY. AT LEAST YOU DON'T HAVE TOWER GUARD. OH WAIT, YOU DO! AFTER YOUR MISSION. AWESOME.
03 May 2008
Update From the Middle Eastern Front
Caleb made the move over the last 2 weeks to the tent city. He is now living in a tent with about 20 other soldiers. They have electricity and AC, but have to stand in line for internet access. So, this makes our communication more limited. After standing in line, Caleb only has 30 minutes on the computer, and if he wants more time, he has to stand in line again!! So, needless to say, we don't hear from him as often as before! He said the days are getting much hotter and they have been dealing with sand storms lately. The sand is very fine, like powder, in Iraq, so much time is spent keeping weapons and personal items clean!
Thankfully, hostilities have been less over the last couple of weeks and we are grateful for that!
Keep praying for Caleb's safety, strength and emotional health while living in a war zone and being separated from family and friends. Your prayers and concern are a constant source of encouragement for Caleb and our family!
I'll report again soon, Proud Soldier Mom, Betsy
Thankfully, hostilities have been less over the last couple of weeks and we are grateful for that!
Keep praying for Caleb's safety, strength and emotional health while living in a war zone and being separated from family and friends. Your prayers and concern are a constant source of encouragement for Caleb and our family!
I'll report again soon, Proud Soldier Mom, Betsy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
