My (very first) Pastor's son graduated from West Point this year and is now stationed in Iraq. Amazingly enough, with technology these days, he's able to IM his Mom and Dad every now and then. They forwarded Mike's email to me... I'm sure they won't mind me sharing this.
<b><i>Hi everyone,
How's it going? Things here are swell considering I just had my first shower in 10 days! Just got back to base from the inner city where we've been staying in an old schoolhouse. The purpose of this is so we can live in and among the people and hopefully have a more lasting effect on the area. Our days mostly consist of patrolling the streets and figuring out the major problems that need to be dealt with, i.e. water, electricity and so on. Not much action in our part of the city, which has been a bit disappointing to the men. Personally, I'm glad no one's been hurt yet. We've been shot at once, but fortunately for us, these guys over here couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from 20 feet.
Life in the COP (combat outpost) has been a little monotonous, but the guys keep it interesting. The explosions and sporadic gunfire keep us on our toes just enough to keep from getting complacent. To pass the time my platoon set up a "gym" on our floor complete with a pull-up bar, dip bar, and a couple other contraptions made out of various poles and sandbags. Personally, I pass the time seeing how many flies I can kill in my room. I think I killed like 30 in one afternoon!
Patrolling has been not exactly how I expected it. All the Iraqi's come out of their homes, smiling and waving. They carry their children out to us so they can say hi. They thank us for keeping out the terrorists and ask us to come in their homes and drink Chai- which is delicious. We're doing everything we can to rebuild their neighborhood and I can tell they are grateful.
I just want to say thanks for all your support and prayers. They mean a lot to me. I have to run now- it's a chance for a rare hot meal and I can't miss this one. God bless and thanks again.
</b></i>
Maybe its me, but from all of the stuff you hear on the news you'd think every Iraqi there hates us. I've even seen websites where they call pictures like the one below "staged". Well, I know that soldier since he was a little kid running around church with his brothers
Keep him and the family in prayer...
[attachment 7157 msiraq.jpg]
<b><i>Hi everyone,
How's it going? Things here are swell considering I just had my first shower in 10 days! Just got back to base from the inner city where we've been staying in an old schoolhouse. The purpose of this is so we can live in and among the people and hopefully have a more lasting effect on the area. Our days mostly consist of patrolling the streets and figuring out the major problems that need to be dealt with, i.e. water, electricity and so on. Not much action in our part of the city, which has been a bit disappointing to the men. Personally, I'm glad no one's been hurt yet. We've been shot at once, but fortunately for us, these guys over here couldn't hit the broad side of a barn from 20 feet.
Life in the COP (combat outpost) has been a little monotonous, but the guys keep it interesting. The explosions and sporadic gunfire keep us on our toes just enough to keep from getting complacent. To pass the time my platoon set up a "gym" on our floor complete with a pull-up bar, dip bar, and a couple other contraptions made out of various poles and sandbags. Personally, I pass the time seeing how many flies I can kill in my room. I think I killed like 30 in one afternoon!
Patrolling has been not exactly how I expected it. All the Iraqi's come out of their homes, smiling and waving. They carry their children out to us so they can say hi. They thank us for keeping out the terrorists and ask us to come in their homes and drink Chai- which is delicious. We're doing everything we can to rebuild their neighborhood and I can tell they are grateful.
I just want to say thanks for all your support and prayers. They mean a lot to me. I have to run now- it's a chance for a rare hot meal and I can't miss this one. God bless and thanks again.
</b></i>
Maybe its me, but from all of the stuff you hear on the news you'd think every Iraqi there hates us. I've even seen websites where they call pictures like the one below "staged". Well, I know that soldier since he was a little kid running around church with his brothers
Keep him and the family in prayer... [attachment 7157 msiraq.jpg]
