Home Front

I want to show a small portion of the support I receive from all of you while I'm over here. I say a small portion because this doesn't include the e-mail, passed on well wishes during phone calls, and care packages I've received from home. Among these letters (and I apologize in advance if I miss someone) are postcards from my mom, cards from my dad, birthday cards from my children, a note my wife tucked into my sea bag as I departed (she has always done that when I've deployed and I never catch her slipping her note into my things), letters from my Commanding Officer and Admiral back home, a Thanksgiving card from a former co-worker and her church group, notes from folks at my church, and a letter from a total stranger who got my address and wanted me to know how much she appreciated what I was doing.

With the possible exception of World War II, I can't imagine a time when people in the military had such tangible evidence of the wide-ranging support from folks back home.

Thank you all so very, very much. Your support really does mean a lot to those of us over here and deployed world wide.

Cheers, Pearl

Bowl Bound

Looks like my Tigers are headed to the New Orleans Bowl! After a terrible start to the year, Memphis managed to win five of their last six games to complete a 7-5 season and garner an invitation to the Big Easy. In many ways, this is the perfect bowl bid for me as the New Orleans Bowl is the only bowl tie in for the Sun Belt Conference where my other team, Troy University, is likely to win the conference. It is a no lose proposition for me! The real bummer is, I won't be able to see the game.

In 2003, when Memphis went to their first bowl after a 32 year drought, it was the New Orleans Bowl. My dad, Tim (a family friend), and I drove down to enjoy the Tigers' victory over North Texas. It was an absolutely wonderful time and I sure wish I could do it this year as well. Unfortunately, I likely won't be able to see it on TV either. I have R&R leave approved and will be headed back to see my family for 15 glorious days over Christmas and I will almost certainly be spending December 21 waiting on a flight out of Kuwait back to the States. If all goes well, I should be back home sometime on the 23rd or 24th - just in time for Santa! So, while I'll miss the game, it's all for a good cause!

Go Tigers! Good luck in New Orleans!

Cheers, Pearl

Happy Thanksgiving!

It occurred to me as I was walking back from a wonderful Thanksgiving meal at the DFAC that I've come full circle. As a brand new Lieutenant (Junior Grade) I began my first deployment right after finishing training in the A-6E Intruder. I met my squadron on November 9th, a few weeks after they'd departed Norfolk . That was in 1991. My first holiday deployed away from home was Thanksgiving onboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower right here in the Arabian Gulf. And here I am, in 2007, enjoying another Thanksgiving in the Gulf region, but this time, on the ground with an Army unit.

Would I have rather been at home with my family today and all of the Thanksgivings spent apart? Absolutely! There's not a Soldier (or Sailor) on the ground here that doesn't have that wish. But today was a special day, spent among friends, and was still a day full of thanks. I am thankful that I have had an enjoyable career that could never be called dull or boring. I am thankful that I have a loving family at home, celebrating their last Thanksgiving without me there. I am thankful to work among such professionals as the men and women fighting here in Iraq today. Finally, I am especially thankful for all of God's blessings on everyone in uniform.



Cheers, Pearl

VIP Parade

It's as inevitable as taxes in April and mosquitoes in summer. The Holiday season begins Thursday and so does the VIP Parade. What, you ask, is the VIP parade? It is the steady stream of Senators, Congresspeople, Generals, and high-level Executive Branch dignitaries that arrive in country for a whirlwind tour to bolster the troops' morale and show people back home that they really care for the average Soldier. What does the average Soldier actually think of all this attention? Well, as stated very well in a letter to the editor of Stars and Stripes, one SGT summed it up with, "Please stay home."

I know all of these VIPs mean well (well, mostly they mean well, some are here for the photo op I'm sure) but I wonder if they understand the impact their visit has on the military population at large. The VIPs show up on a special flight, have to be cared for and guarded during a carefully choreographed schedule, and will get to meet and greet selected Soldiers under the watchful eye of their NCOs' gaze. Often, I'm not making this up, questions are planted with "average Soldiers" so the VIP will feel like he/she really engaged on a personal level and got the ground truth of the average fighting man/woman.

Here's the thing. Their visit is a distraction and an annoyance. I have heard many say they just want to be able to enjoy a meal with their buddies and not have to deal with the hubbub of these visitors. If these VIPs want to experience Iraq - great! Instead of spending a day or two away from home on a pampered visit, come on over for six, nine, twelve, fifteen months. Move into a tent or share a CHU with a few of your friends. Squeeze yourself into a Humvee for a patrol or even better, walk through a real Iraqi neighborhood, minding of course the ever-present threat of snipers and IEDs.

Well, perhaps that last part was a little harsh. I'm not trying to be disrespectful of our leadership - like I said, I know they mean well. But I for one am looking forward to Thanksgiving dinner with a few Specialists, Sergeants, and senior NCOs that I've come to know as professional colleagues and friends. We've really shared this place together and I wouldn't give up my seat at that table of "VIPs" for any other table in the world.

Cheers, Pearl

Coffee is for old people

I love coffee, even more than ever after discovering flavored creamer! Mmmm, mmmm, good! I usually drink a couple of cups every morning and one of my most favorite things to do is have a nice, warm cup of coffee in a mug my daughter made years ago while sitting on my deck on a slightly cool Saturday morning. There's nothing about coffee I don't completely enjoy: the smell of fresh grounds, the warmth as it goes down smoothly, even the little bitter bite if I overload the coffee maker. But that's all just nostalgia to the young Soldiers here.

Coffee is simply passé. It doesn't have enough kick, flavor, whatever. The new drinks are all about the buzz. Every morning, heck all throughout the day, Soldiers are drinking all manner of energy drinks. Red Bull was the first one to make it to the mainstream, packed with sugar and caffeine it was how partiers continued all night long. Now there are whole new sensations with names like "Rip It!" and "Monster Energy Drink." These are the new get-up-and-go drinks for today. At morning meetings many are drinking Rip It Citrus flavor and for missions Monster drinks are a staple just like Gatorade and water.

There are a few of us still doing it the old way in the mornings, beloved coffee mug in hand. But almost without exception, those with a mug instead of an aluminum can are the few of us who were making deployments when some of these Defenders of Freedom were in grade school or still in diapers.

So, if you've lived in a time when Iraq didn't take center stage in the news, raise your coffee mug high!

Cheers, Pearl

P.S.

This is a P.S. to my previous post. I just read this in "Stars and Stripes". Enjoy, Pearl

U.S. - INDIRECT FIRE ATTACKS AT LOWEST LEVEL IN MONTHS
Stars and Stripes - Mideast edition, Tuesday, November 13, 2007

In the latest in a string of announcements touting successes tied to the U.S. troop “surge,” military officials said Monday that indirect-fire attacks in Iraq dropped to their lowest level in more than 21 months.

According to the figures released by the U.S. military command, the number of mortar and rocket attacks reported in October 2007 throughout the country was half the number reported in October 2006. The overall figure was the lowest since February 2006, just before the bombing of a Shiite shrine unleashed a wave of sectarian violence throughout Iraq.

Location Joke

I'm sure you all know what a "Location Joke" is - it's a joke where you had to be there to find the humor. I'm afraid this post is going to be a location joke, but perhaps you'll indulge me.

Today is my birthday. All in all, a good day by most measures even though I wasn't at home hearing Happy Birthday being sung intentionally off key (one of our family traditions). The day was pleasantly cool and clear, I received lots of packages and mail from home, and the folks around the headquarters even got me a card. During my run this afternoon I set my best time over my 3.5 mile course since being in Baghdad. Finally, even though I normally only eat desserts on Friday I had a slice of cheese cake after lunch and took two white chocolate chip cookies to go after dinner.

During the walk home, just after we'd (my Chief, my Army captain, and I - the EWOs for my unit) left the DFAC we heard the hated sound, "GONG, GONG, GONG - INCOMING! INCOMING! INCOMING!" That is the alert system that warns of an indirect fire attack (mortars or rockets). Well, we weren't near a concrete bunker so we found the closest shelter available - the big DFAC trash dumpsters and squatted down between them, listening for the booms. I had about half a cookie left to eat, and as I was taking a bite I said, "It sure would suck to get blown up on my birthday squatting down by the trash cans." My Chief looked over at me, I looked at him, and we simultaneously started laughing. The captain is relatively new to Iraq and she certainly didn't find anything humorous, but Chief and I just laughed and laughed. Perhaps you had to be there or even if you were there, perhaps you just need to find something to laugh about whenever you can over here. Or perhaps Chief and I have a warped sense of humor. Take your pick.

A minute or so later, after nothing but silence, the "All Clear" sounded and we walked back home. We didn't hear any explosions so I hope it was just a false alarm, but regardless, I certainly found a unique way to celebrate my big day!

That's all for today from the Garden of Eden.

Cheers, Pearl

Veterans Day

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, World War I, the "Great War," "the War to end all wars" ended. (I certainly wish that last bit were true.) In many countries, today is Remembrance Day where those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in wartime are remembered. In the United States, we have a separate day for our war dead: Memorial Day. Today, Veterans Day, is the day we honor ALL of those who have served in uniform, in peace or war, anyone who for whatever reason has answered the call to duty. I like our system better.

I think it is important to remember all those who have fought and died for their country, but I am glad to honor everyone, especially in today's all-volunteer force, who has served a higher calling. I know the reasons men and women enter the military are varied and not always based on the highest civic virtue. But regardless, they showed up. I think that is worth honoring. Being in the military requires sacrifices great and small. Some make the ultimate sacrifice. Some spend time away from family and friends for significant parts of their career. Some stay just a few years. Some make it their life's work. But I am happy to count, and be counted with, them all, everyone who has worn a uniform and stood for defense of freedom.

I sure wish I were home, enjoying the three-day Federal holiday we get for Veterans Day and unfortunately, this is not my first Veterans Day away from home. But being here in Baghdad on this day, serving with many thousands of my brothers and sisters, will make all future Veterans Days all the more special for me.

For those who have come before, you are relieved; we have the watch. For those who will join us in the future, I hope you are ready to serve with well-deserved pride among the finest warriors in the world.

Cheers, Pearl

Happy Birthdays!

Wow, I almost went a week without a post! Time seems to be flying by on my end, which is a good thing! I don't think I've been particularly busy but apparently busy enough to miss some posts. As a matter of fact, I've been thinking of some blog subjects but thinking doesn't equal action so I promise to get some of those written down about life here in the Cradle of Civilization. Anyway, on to the week of birthdays.

First, I forgot to post a Happy Birthday to my dad. I didn't forget his birthday (I did call and all that stuff - give me some credit) but I did forget to make a public big deal about it. Well, happy (late) birthday, Pop.

Second, I did remember to post a Happy Birthday wish to my mom, who's birthday is TODAY! Happy Birthday mom! I suppose it is just like on sports events. The camera zooms in, the player smiles and waves at the camera, and always says, "Hi Mom!" Kinda hard to forget mom birthdays (plus, she sent me an e-mail hinting that there hadn't been a post for a while - she wasn't trolling for a birthday post, but she's good about keeping me on track if I don't post in a while!)

Finally, today is the U.S. Marine Corps birthday. Happy birthday to all you Devil Dogs in our sister sea service.

I lied, one more paragraph so this one is really finally. It is interesting to see how perspective is truly relative. My brother had to evacuate his house during the fires out in California. He and my sister-in-law are fine and are back home but the fire did get pretty close. Anyway, I wrote him while he was moving from his office into a hotel, expressing concern and told him I was thinking and praying for him. His response was, "Well, at least I'm not getting shot at!" Even with a massive conflagration moving toward his neighborhood, his thoughts were of me while I was thinking about him. I guess that's brothers for you! Glad you're safe Bro!

Still looking for the mythical rain I've heard about. Cheers, Pearl

Football

This is a companion post to the previous one about dust here in Iraq. This weekend, HDTVs all over America are broadcasting countless football games played on beautifully manicured fields, all nice and verdant grass or high-end artificial turf (except Boise State's horrid blue field).

Not so much here!

Cheers, Pearl

PS - Congratulations to Navy for their victory over Notre Dame breaking a 43 year losing streak to the Irish.

Dust

I've mentioned in quite a few of my posts that Iraq is dusty. That's about as descriptive as saying Antarctica is cold. So, I thought I would quantify "dusty" so y'all would know exactly what I mean.

First, few things grow here without careful tending so a blank area of ground, rather than going to weed like back home, goes to dirt - plain, ole, brown dirt. Vast expanses of dirt are everywhere around this place. But that's just the beginning. On top of this dirt, which is often hard packed and sun baked, is sandy, gravel-like dirt. This is what I'd describe as ordinary dirt like we have back in the States. Mixed in still is a more refined sandy dirt, like beach sand without the pretty view. Last, there's the dust.

This is no ordinary dust, mind you. We refer to it as "Moon Dust." This is the ultra-fine dust that makes talcum powder look like coarse landscaping gravel. The moon dust makes little puffs when you walk through it so everyone looks like the Peanuts' character Pigpen. It easily blows up into a fine powder with the slightest breeze or the passing of any vehicle. And, it gets everywhere. There is a certain monochromatic quality to the landscape here because everything, every building, vehicle, barrier, tree, bush, sign, everything has a light coating of light-tan dust.

There is an urban legend that over 90% of household dust is actually sloughed off dead skin. I disagree. I've seen where all the dust comes from...here!

Cheers, Pearl