The turn of Iraq is pretty amazing.....

Well, we are on track to close this month as the lowest month for coalition casualties since the war begun. The last few months have seen a downward trend and if things continue to go as they are now....I would say most of the combat here in Iraq is done. Overall, most, if not 99% of our time here, has been involved in reconstruction efforts, weapons cache sweeps, detaining possible insurgents and partnered patrols with the Iraqi Army, Police and Provincial Security Forces. What Iraq is now compared to just a few years ago is pretty amazing. Those of us who know that anything worth something huge takes time and patience. It is sad that there is a small majority of Americans that are so LOUD that they cloud the majority and cause them to forget what we, Americans, are truly about. The future of Iraq is still fragile and probably will be for quite awhile. There will be those upticks in violence or sporadic events around the country. But the Iraqi's will and desire to be free and live in peace will keep the momentum moving forward. There have been a lot of "new openings" these past few weeks...to name a few, the reopening of an oil refinery in the Al Anbar province that will bring oil to all the residents of that province, with that is a new power plant that is scheduled to open for the first time in that province within the next year or so. The oil refinery producing oil for the generators will make electricity and help the Al Anbar province head back to a normalcy for them. Another "new opening" is the Najaf international airport. A prime way of bringing residents to spend money in their economy and spark tourism. Ten of eighteen provinces are turned over to the Iraqis, that's over half!! Oh, and the fact that more parks in Baghdad are seeing activity....the good kind, kids playing, families enjoying is a testament of the return of life back to Iraq. These are just a few examples of the good Iraq is finally seeing. Who knows what the future will hold for these people. It has been a long hard tough road for them and for us. Cautious but optimistic, there is a light somewhere down the end of that tunnel. As for me....as I have said before, I am proud to have served here and my country. It may not have been as "glorious" as some of us maybe wanted to experience, but that's probably for the better in the long run. At least I didn't have to send any of my guys home wrapped up!! Ten years from now we will be able to really see how this all turns out. Nothing is as it seems at the moment it is going on. Looking at the big picture, being patient, persevering and sticking to strong beliefs and values is what makes it to the end. Soon we will be heading home...soon life will be back to "normal".

Doc

I finally earned my FMF pin......

I finally did it!! After months of intense training, when we could get it in, a brutal written test, and even more brutal oral board where you are sitting in front of two board members them firing off questions and a pretty easy prac ap.....I finally have been awarded the Fleet Marine Force pin. Almost all of my corpsman have gotten it. Three more we are working with so we should have 100% by the end of the tour. The FMF pin basically is a symbol to Marines that we are not only corpsman, but that we took that extra step to learn all there is about being a Marine. Everything from history to communications, to land navigation, all the weapons systems, anything involving the ground combat weapons and units to basic formations, how to lead....etc. The wearing of the pin signifies to most Marines that we are capable of not only taking care of their wounds, but if needed to be able to "be a Marine" if the time came. It is our show of respect towards them. That guy standing next to the Marine may be a corpsman....but in the eyes of most Marines we are Marines. To be pinned is a proud moment. To wear it is milestone.
Semper Fi
Doc

We are almost there!!

Well, as you can see I haven't been here in awhile. The last three weeks have been pretty brutal both physically and mentally. We moved to a new location about three weeks ago and are now literally in the middle of the desert. A huge ass dust bowl with almost daily sandstorms and at least 10-15 degrees hotter than by the lake. The days of waking up before a mission and looking out from our JSS to a beautiful blue lake and palm trees are over. Being in Iraq has been difficult at times, but the buffer of our view back then made it all better. So, after moving to our new spot I ended up getting sick, coming close to going down for heat a couple times during the first week. Miserable to say the least. Then on top of that I ended up having to take on a huge ass preventive medicine work load because the person who was supposed to do it here didn't. One more task I didn't want to assume. Oh, and I forgot, due to my handiness in diesel engines I became the FOB generator mech for 19 generators. And of course they were pretty much all FUBARed when I got here. Now, three weeks later, I am back to my healthy self, all the prev med stuff is straightened out and none of the generators are going down now. Whew!! Can't believe we are coming to the end. When we arrived in country I remember it being cold, raining, dark and muddy thinking....this is going to be awhile. Now, close to the end it's all good. So now the last couple weeks here we are winding down. Soon to be transferring to our reliefs. I am now back from doing missions due to my responsibility to wrap up my company medically. Occasionally I get a mission here or there, but mostly now back behind a desk, no more HUMV office. Now it's getting my company ready for the return. This week my corpsman and I will be testing for our FMF qualifications. Basically it is a designator that signifies that we are serving with the Marines. Covers all the basic history, fundamentals of the USMC to infantry basics, land navigation, comms, all the weapon systems and any element within the Marine Division. Our oral board is tomorrow and it will be the last chapter for us here. Anyway all is well. Doc

Some work pictures.....

Nearing the end of this tour!! Finally got a couple good crew pictures the other day while we were out on patrol. The picture of us is front of the MRAP. Those are the million dollar tactical vehicles that are designed to take the imapact of an IED explosion and protect the occupants. They are beasts. The vehicle wins all five stars in the protection department, but as far as comfort they are terrible. You have to literally strap yourself into the seats to keep from hitting your head on the roof when going over bumps and rough terrain. I guess that is the sacrifice they had to make to design a safer vehicle for us. No firm date yet on when we are returning. The dates continue to slide. We are almost there. The word is we are supposed to have a big homecoming either in the Rosemont Horzion or Solider Field. As soon as we know it will be pushed out to everyone. Next month is supposed to be the peak for temperatures. Into the 120's and 130's. You do get used to it. It's still hot no matter what, but your body does acclimate and it becomes easier to deal with. Was on the range yesterday and got to fire the big guns. I actually have a bruised face right under my eye and on the bridge of my nose from the gun hitting my sunglasses. The feeling of a machine gun in your hands is true power. That adrenaline feeling is the best. All is well in Al Anbar, Iraq. Doc

Busy week....

Well in the last week or so we have gone from temps of lower 90's to daily temps of over 100. And it's only June. By the time I get back I think the temps in Chicago will be cold to me. After a day of missions in this hot weather we get back and are completely drenched in sweat wearing all our gear. The last couple weeks have been pretty eventful. One day we found 20 RPG's and igniters all carefully wrapped in rice bags buried in a field. The next day we did a Combined Medical Exercise for the nearby village providing free medical care. Then to the incoming sirens to my BAS once again treating Iraqi casualties blown up by an IED, we think they were planting. Then to removing a cyst from the shoulder of one of my Marines to the everyday maintenance of the camp. I must say I stay very busy and the days are very diverse. The joke around here is "Doc" can fix your diesel, recharge your A/C, put stitches in you and treat trauma victims. Bring it to "Doc" I'm sure he can fix it. All is well here on the other side of the world. This deployment has really been a huge experience for me in a lot of ways. I have learned volumes in field medicine. I have seen first hand what it is like here. I have touched lives and taught things to the locals that hopefully one day can be used to save their own. I have laughed and played with the village kids. I have made new friends and experiences that one day I will be able to share with my kids. Overall, I have to say I am glad to have raised my hand once again for my country. Soon we will be home and back to the normal routine of the great free life in the U.S., complaining about traffic or gas prices or why the hell is my cable out again, to having the opportunity to go down to Best Buy or Starbucks whenever we want, drop in on a friend or just get on the Harley and ride. All within the safety of being able to go wherever we want whenever we want and have anything we want. Life will be good again, just with a different perspective. That of once again truly appreciating what a great country we live in.

Doc

A quick update on......

Okay, so I have had many questions on our donkey Trisha and dog Roxy. Well with Trisha, we only had her a few days. She was apparently running through the main base back like a month ago. Some guys from our company roped her in and our CO decided that we should keep her and find an Iraqi family to give her to. So, we here at our FOB became foster parents for a short time. Trisha ended up with this nice old Iraqi couple who was more than ecstatic to recieve her. They had a farm and I'm sure the work Trisha can do will more than relieve the old man of daily heavy duties. Now Roxy on the other hand has not been around lately. The Navy has just set up not to far from us and I have heard she is now staying down with them. I guess they must have better food or something for her. Anyway, she did stop by one day last week to dig up a piece of chicken she had buried a few days before, but other than that have not seen her much. All is well in our little world over here. Missions every other day which keep us pretty busy.

Doc

The Military Promoted me........

Once again I had to stand in front of the man. This time to receive the privilege of getting pinned and putting on the next rank. I never thought I would ever be an HM1.
Even being called "HM1 Rimkus" is foreign to me. When I marched up to Captain to receive my warrant, I immediately got nervous and instead of saying "Good Evening Sir", since it was sunset, I said "Good Morning Sir." I was like what the hell am I saying? He laughed and corrected me. Then the Platoon Sgt. read my warrant, removed the old rank and pinned the new rank on my collar. Being an E-6 changes a lot of things. Now am I not only the oldest guy on the camp, I am one of the only E-6's running around, so my duties change somewhat. Kind of above a lot of the nonsense now. It's all good.
Other than that going on missions every other day and time continues to fly by. We are now tasked with the opening of a new Iraqi police station. Another step in the process of total turn over. These guys have blue shirts and jeans for uniforms. A bunch of weapons and a few new huts we built for them. They are anxious to start, so the next few months will be interesting. We are all doing well here.

Doc

Never thought I would be eating smoke over here...

Just a couple days ago a new generator was brought to our camp. They hooked it up and while I was on the other side of the camp I noticed black smoke rolling out of the iso container where our cook lives. Of course being a fireman I dropped what I was doing and darted across the camp. When I got to the container I dropped to my knees and went in to look for our Marine. Fortunately, he was at the gym while this occured. In the iso was that old familar friend I haven't seen in a long time. She was beautiful and majestic just like I remembered her. Hot, smoky taking her time to get to know me. The mattress was going and part of the wall, I called for a bucket brigade and within a few minutes all was under control. I ended up being the only one in the room because the tough old Marines that were helping me couldn't take the smoke. I guess not everyone is cut out to be a fireman. After it was all out and vented, we pulled out all the plywood and mattress and found out that the power strip had shorted out due to the generator malfunctioning. Now, I walk around and that old nickname of "firemanjoe" has once again come to life. All is well here in Iraq. Less than three months and should be headed your way once again.

Doc

It has come full circle for me now.....

I remember just over six years ago after that fateful day in New York. Hundreds of fireman from Chicago and all over the country answered the call for New York. We traveled hours by car and caravan to go to a city that had just been struck by the worst possible thing imaginable. None of us knew what to expect or if we could even help, but deep down somewhere in our souls we knew that it was our time to help our brothers and our fellow citizens. Arriving that early Friday morning I remember the images of coming into Manhattan. Just across the river you could see in between the bldgs., smoke, tons of lights and this huge pile of debris. It definitely was surreal. As we came into Manhattan and found a place to park our suburban, it was a ghost town. Looked like a war zone. Cars turned upside down and burned, debris everywhere, empty, desolate with this fine white dust spread on everything you could see. We got our gear and walked down to "the pile". What I saw that night I will never forget. At that moment my life changed. I grew up in a matter of ways by years. I realized how precious life is and how lucky we are to live the way we do. I experienced every emotion within that initial sight. I was sad and wanted to cry, I was pissed and was ready to kill anyone that I could find that did this to our people and my brothers, I was sick and wanted to vomit, I wanted to go home and hug my girlfriend, sisters, Dad, Mom, cousins, family and friends. Most of all I was proud to be an American and chose at that moment that I would do anything asked of me by my country.

Just six months after returning from that experience, I enlisted back into our nations military to do my part in whatever was needed. I didn't know where I would go or what I would do. Didn't even know if they would use me. Historically, the use of the Reserve forces have never been used to this extent they have been used today. All other wars were by draft. Today our services are a completely volunteer organization. The weight of conflicts are beared on the shoulders of reservists and our active duty counterparts. I believe that we should do what other countries like England do and require that all military age males serve at least two years in our military. Well, I ended up in Iraq, wasn't sure if I was even going to come here. I came to be a part in something that will effect life for generations. Now at the end of my enlistment, it was once again time to make another choice.

Yesterday I rose my hand once again. Earlier in the morning when I was reviewing my oath it didn't seem like anything more than just words on a page. But the moment I was standing in front of my Commanding Officer, raising my hand and repeating his words, the emotions definitely came through. Of course I kept my bearing, but saying those words I had to choke down the memories of that fateful day.

I, Joseph Rimkus, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

So today I start a new contract and another chapter. Not knowing what the future will hold or where we may end up, my promise to all of you is I will be there for our country. As we say in the Marines....it's time to press on!!

Doc

Class is done.....

Well, as you can see in the pictures, my class of combat medics for the PSF is now complete. All the guys did a lot better than I had originally expected. Like any class you always have the few that do really well and those who just sit back and wait for class to be over. I have to say though the majority did really well. By the end of the week all were asking questions, interested in knowing more and really started taking on how to care for their own. We taught IV's on one of the last days and it was pretty interesting how they all were ready to stick each other and learn just one more skill that they could take with them. The last day most of the guys were taking pictures with me and the other Doc, telling us about their families and asking about ours. They all seem to be a part of the good fight here, a couple you wonder about but as long as we hit the masses hopefully the tipping point will one day be reached. All in all our mission here continues, train and relinquish control so that we can all go home.

Doc

The Reality of What We Have Chosen to Do......

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Families and Friends of TF Mayhem,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this message to you. Yesterday, we had 2 Marines from Fox Company Killed as the result of enemy action. The vehicle they were operating struck an IED resulting in the deaths of Corporal Richard J. Nelson and Lance Corporal Dean D. Opicka. Lance Corporal David Doyle was injured in the attack and is recovering at a local Coalition Forces Hospital . Their families have been officially notified. I am not at liberty to discuss the details of this incident at this moment or in this forum.

My thoughts and prayers are with Corporal Nelson¢s wife Kristen, and his parents Leonard and Susan. My thoughts and prayers are also with Lance Corporal Opicka¢s parents David and Donna. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. The loss of these fine, fine Marines will certainly be felt by all. The Marines will continue to do the great work that they have been doing for the past several months and I ask as we work through these difficult days to keep supporting the Marines as you have been doing all along. A memorial service for Corporal Nelson and Lance Corporal Opicka has been scheduled.

The Marines will continue their mission. We will pay our respects to our fallen brothers and like Marines have done in the past, we will complete our mission. We would dishonor the memory of these two warriors if we did not.

The Sergeant Major and I, visited the Marines from Fox Company last night, they are doing as well as can be expected. Additionally, we visited with Lance Corporal Doyle this morning and he is doing well, his injuries will take some time to heal but, we expect him to return to full duty soon.

God Bless and Semper Fidelis

Lt. Col. F.W. Charlonis
Commanding Officer, TF 2/24
Habbaniyah, Iraq

Some recent work our Battalion has done.....

Significant caches found North of Habbaniyah
Friday, 11 April 2008
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20080411-15
April 11, 2008
Significant caches found North of Habbaniyah
Multi National Force – West PAO
Habbaniyah, Iraq – Marines of 2nd Battalion 24th Marines, Regimental Combat team 1 discovered nine caches north of Habbaniyah, Iraq April 8, 2008.
The nine caches included more than 29,000 small arms rounds, 170 mortar rounds and assorted fuses, 104 artillery rounds, 47 grenades, 86 rocket propelled launchers, 15 anti-personnel and tank mines and two SA-7 surface-to-air missiles.
Also found at the sites were several compressed gas cylinders, 10 pounds of high explosives and an assortment of detonation cords, triggering devices, electrical blasting caps, fuses, primers and several cell phones.
The sites also included more than 35 rockets, rocket launchers, igniters, propellants and several AK-47s with magazines and 50cal machine gun.
"2nd Battalion 24th Marines brings a unique skill set to the fight, being reservists they apply knowledge from their civilian jobs to today's battlefield.
Numerous Marines in the battalion are law enforcement officials, they know how to work the streets.
They know how to work with the local citizens, finding this cache is an example of a well trained battalion working with the locals to accomplish the mission,” said Maj. Matthew Reid, current operations officer, Regimental Combat Team 1.
An EOD team collected the weapons cache for disposal.
-30-
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR FOR HIGH-RES PHOTOS, CONTACT THE MULTINATIONAL
FORCE – WEST PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER BY E-MAIL AT:
CE_PAO_WATCH_OFFICER@MNF-WIRAQ.USMC.MIL This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

New picture of me just before the mission.....and

Two new pictures for you all to know I am live, well and healthy. We are well over the halfway point now.
The first picture is of me in the HUMV yesterday. We went out following some good leads on possible weapons caches and scored. We spent about six hours combing the desert with metal detectors and E-tools used to dig holes. As we were out there on line combing the desert I was quickly reminded of that scene from Spaceballs where Mel Brooks told his troops to "comb the desert", and they pan down to his crews and you see a scene with a bunch of guys with a comb, combing the desert. Yeah, that was us.
The second picture is of me today doing my job as a corpsman. Had to take care of three Iraqis that were brought in emergent today. They unfortunately found an IED the hard way. Felt good to make a difference for them and get them packaged for transport to the hospital.
Oh, and then in the afternoon me and the other corpsman had to build a temporary stall for our donkey, Trisha. Yep, I said donkey.

All is well

Doc

A little flag history for you on Iraq....

I'm not sure if you have noticed, but the Iraqi flag has recently changed. The original flag, which is above on the left, had three green stars in the white section and arabic wording. During the Saddam era, the Baath party recreated this flag. The three stars represented the Baath party's three tenents. Unity, Socialism and Freedom. The script was believed to be in Saddam's writing saying Allaahu Akbar. That is arabic for "God is Great." In Feburary of this year, the Iraqi parliment voted to change the flag temporarily due to the Kurds from the north refusing to fly the Baath party era flag. Of course from history we know that Saadam gassed over thousands of Kurds, so their showing of hate towards him and the Baath party was represented by them refusing to fly this flag, even though Saadam was executed. So, in a movement to try and bring the three groups together, Sunni, Shia and Kurds, the parliment voted on the new flag, which is on the right. This new flag has no stars and the script has been changed to a generic script. The new flag is contriversial though and many still refuse to accept even this flag. This kind of shows the underlying continuing separation of the three tribes.

Doc

A Couple Pics...

I thought I would post a couple pics. Still haven't had the time to figure out how to post a slide show on here. So for now, here are three pictures. The first is of my rifle during weapons cleaning, pretty cool shot all disassembled. The second is a picture of the trauma/BAS that we built at our new Joint Security Station. The last is of me with a PSF soilder down by the canal. All is well here. Soon to be teaching a full fledged Combat Trauma Course to the PSF. They are going to designate something like 25-30 as their "medics" and I will be doing a seven day course for them. Will be an interesting experience. Two months down and something like four and a little more to go.

Doc

Teaching the Iraqis.....

Starting this coming Saturday, I will begin basic first aid classes for the units we are partnered with, the PSF or Provincial Security Forces. When we came aboard our new base, or JSS, called a Joint Securtiy Station I wanted to somehow contribute to our mission. Our primary mission here is to teach the PSF how to provide their own security, do searches of houses, look for weapons caches and handle detaniees. One piece I thought we needed to add was combat lifesaving classes so that they could save their own. I have been given the green light to develop a basic course of instruction that I will teach this coming Saturday. I will be doing that probably every four days on a rotational basis. I am also beginning to learn basic Arabic, so this will be a great opportunity for me to learn more of how to speak the language and interact with our locals. The good thing is that I will have an interpreter with me, we call them a terp, to help with the class. Looking foward to the new challenge.

Doc

Finally Settled in to our new home....

Well, once again Weapons Company has moved. We are split up between a couple locations, I'd have to say that this has to be the best move yet. We are actually located at a historic site. The place we are occupying used to be a resort that was used by Saddam's Baath party. It is beautiful here. We are next to the largest lake in Iraq and never thought I would see blue here in the sand box. Looking out at the lake everyday kind of reminds me of Lake Michigan, yet with palm trees. Down by the damn that leads to one of the big rivers is an area where there used to be cottages. They are all bombed down now, but you can see that this area was amazing at one time. There is even a huge boat launch and buildings that are still standing by the waterfront that have huge patios overlooking the water and what used to be big picture glass windows. We are walking in a place that Saddam and his high ups once walked.

What is our purpose here you ask? Well, we are partnered with the Iraqi Security Forces basically providing overwatch as they do their own missions. And these guys are very good. Were trained by Marines prior to us, so their tactics are good. They love what they are doing and hate Al Queda and any insurgency taking away their way of life. Historically we are supposedly the first platoon size element to hold an AO, or area of operations. So once again 2/24 is making history.

Other than that have been working long days. I am the senior Doc on board this site. I took over an Army Aide Station and of course it didn't match my requirements. So, me and two of my Docs that are here with me, took over one of the buildings. We constructed walls, a floor and set up a basic trauma room with our quarters in the back. Pretty impressive from what the Army had before us. In addition to those duties, I have been doing maintenance on the generators on camp, adding wiring to some of the houses and just doing things to help improve our way of life here. Not too bad living for now. The Marines are healthy, I'm good and we are just over our half way point.

That is all.

Doc

Pretty Awesome PT run the other day....

I have finally been able to get into a PT routine for the last couple of weeks. I try and get a good 3-4 mile run four to five days a week. Well yesterday, I had just finished doing runs up and down the bunkers and began running down the side of the air strip. I had Bob Seger playing "Against the Wind" in my ear and overhead just behind me was approaching two CH-53's. They are the dual rotor USMC helos. As I was running and listening to Bob they were coming in to land and drop off personnel. What a rush it was to be running down that air strip, listening to some good music with my heart pumping and the feeling the thumping of the rotors overhead as they were literally maybe a couple hundred feet above me flying ahead to land. In the distance the sun was just setting. That had to be the best run I have had yet.

Doc

A Day in the Life......

Hello all,

Been along time since I have updated, I know. Our company has finally all moved back to a central location so I have been pretty busy trying to get all the medical things in order. We are soon to be splitting the company up again so I have been spending time getting our medical SOP's revised and current for our operations, briefing the commanding officer on medical issues, getting all the necessary supplies for our trucks, getting study material out for my corpsman for their upcoming advancement exams and many of the other admin issues I have to deal with as the chief of the medical department for our company.

This last week I have made airway kits, IV start kits, barbicide for the barbers in the company, changed and revised where things go on the trucks, put stitches in one of my Marines for a small accident getting out of his MRAP, made many runs to our Battalion Aide Station to get supplies and get dates for evaluations, awards,reenlistment packages and advancement. Put submissions in to my 1st Sgt. for docs worthy of awards, taught, counseled my junior docs, got the program up and running for my docs to get certified with the Marines, which is called the Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Qualification.

On the lighter side, for those of you who know MASH as well as I do, have joy rided in a soft top ambulance with my derlict roommate in places on the base we probably shouldn't have been, stolen, or let's just say acquired meds and drugs from places that will not be posted on here, to wheel chair races, watching the Marines that are from Oklahoma practice roping a fake cow to just the everyday humor that we must have to get through the times like these.

Overall, days are short and quick. No real action going on anywhere in our province. Mostly country building at this time, not what the Marines are trained for by the way, we are warriors. I am very interested in what the next few months hold. I really hope that the Iraqis can hold their own when we go. Our next fight will be Afghanistan. We won't make it there, we will stay our time here and come home. Looks like we have come in at the end of this party. But the good thing is just the other day the Shia and Sunni had a huge meeting for the first time with all the big wigs on security of the country. They finally realize, we think, that the only way for us to exit, as we have planned to do since day 1, is to take control for themselves so we can leave their country.

I hope all is well back home. We got word the other day, rumor of course but pretty good one, that we may be RIPPING in July, that is a term for relieving in place, and then heading back to the states in August. As with the military though, as I have seen time and time again, don't bank on any rumor until your feet are on the ground. So, with that I am off to mark off yet another task complete on my dry erase board.

Doc

Stopped at a couple schools today....

Hello all!! Superbowl Sunday and I'm going to miss it. The game is supposed to be on at like 2:30am our time, not sure if we are going to be able to see it here, but they say we will. Have a few beers for me today and some good food!!

We visited two schools today and had lunch at a Shieks house. All a great experience. The unit we are relieving donated soccer uniforms to one of the local schools, so we went by to provide security and watch the game. What is amazing to me is how much these kids want anything you have. I forgot how third world children are, so appreciative of anything. My last visit was many years ago to the Philippines I had similar experiences. The children come up to you saying "Mista, mista, chocolate?" Something as simple as a pencil makes their day. A lot of the kids know a few English words, and they were showing me their books and actually are being taught English here. We spent a couple hours there. They are so fascinated with cameras and being able to see themselves as soon as you take the picture.

From there we visited a second school where they were having some kind of ceremony. All the kids were sitting on the deck outside while the higher ups, Shieks and our staff was sitting sharing food and chai. The kids were handed out rulers, folders and pencils, all of which they couldn't get enough of. Overall, kids are kids. Even with the huge language barrier, you can still communicate enough with hand gestures. We probably spent more time talking with them then their own parents do. Kind of reminded me of the south side of Chicago. Discipline is kind of like the old Catholic schools here. One of the teachers was walking around with a little stickthey would use to keep the kids in line.

Next we went down the road to a Shieks house. Our staff had lunch with them while we provided security outside. The Iraqi Police were with us and I spent about at hour with my Arabic language book having the Iraqis teach me the proper pronuciation of words. They brought a table outside and had all kinds of food for us too. I stayed away from the meat, but the veggies and flat bread with whatever sauce they had was very tasty. I hope I don't get the runs on the way out. It was good.

Other than that...all is good here. The big picture is we are trying to handover as soon as we can to the Iraqis. Not to sure what the media is saying these days back home, but there is a plan. It does take time though to do it right and leave this country stable enough for them to take over for themselves.

Until next post.......

Doc

We are here....well most of the way.

Just a quick Hello from a different time zone. We are nine hours ahead of Chicago time. We arrived here in Kuwait late last night after about a fourteen hour flight and two stops. We stopped in Maine and then Germany prior to arrving. I actually slept pretty well on the plane. Temp here is low 50's and raining. All is well, lots of uncomfortable moving and trying to get situated. One more move and we will be at our final stop for the duration.

I will try and keep this updated or at least say hello everyonce in awhile so that you all know we are okay. Don't panic if there is a big delay of a couple weeks or so. Schedule may dictate how much I can get on the internet and also what the big bosses say.

Otherwise....the next leg has begun. Keep the comments coming. It is so nice get the support. Home doesn't seem as far away.

The Next Leg of Our Journey.....

is yet to come. Tomorrow is the day. We will be headed out about 3am tomorrow morning and headed to the airport for our 15 or so hour plane ride. Been many years since I have traveled to that part of the world. Last time I was there I got into Bahrain International Airport with 120 degree temps in the middle of August. This time we will be going with around 50-60 degree temps.

Well, these last couple weeks have been so packed with us getting ready I just have not had much time to catch up with family and friends. By the end of the long days I just want to go to bed plus the time difference from here to Chicago/Michigan makes it really late to call home. With that I just want you all to know that I apologize for not being able to talk one last time before I depart. Just know you are all on my mind and thank you for being at home to support me.

The next week or so is going to be very long, uncomfortable and unpredictable. A lot of moving parts to get our unit embedded to our final destination. We probably will not be in place for about a week or so. The first month we will be moving a lot and I am unsure at this point how communication will be contacting home.

I do want to say thank you to all of my friends, family and firehouse family that showed up within sometimes 24hrs time notice to see me off at the different little parties when I was home on leave. I was very overwhelmed, but just so thankful I have all of you in my life. Seven months will come and go, I will be home before we really realize it all. The word is our work is paying off finally!! Iraq is very quite so we may not being doing much at all at this point other than transitioning the country and rebuilding. I really hope their people keep the momentum that has begun.

I have no idea how this page will look as the days go on. I obviously will have to be pretty vague on a lot of details and what we are doing. I will probably just drone on about the weather or some mundane detail so that all of you will at least know I am okay. I know that all will be monitored once we are on networks in country.

I am leaving my address if you would like to write, send packages, cookies or any other fun thing you can think of. At this point I don't know what we will need. The services where we will be stationed has some good and bad to it so I will let you know.

HM2 Rimkus, Joseph E
2/24 WPNS Co.
Unit 43515
FPO AP 96426-3515

Other than that.....see you all in Sept/Oct time frame. I miss you already!!

J

I miss you brothers....and will be home soon!!