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