Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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
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5 comments:
Hi Joe,
Glad to hear from you. Kept looking at the last date and was kinda worried.
Sorry to hear about you being sick. That heat is just un-believable. I hope they keep you well hydrated.
It is a wonderful thing to look at the clock and see that things are winding down.I hope you get out of the place real soon.
How long before you arrive here will you be pulling out of there? I swear you guys spend more time moving then anything. I don't quite understand why they do that. It seems like you just get settled and it is time to pack up and move to another location.
Is your return date still around the clock date?
I was really hoping to get to see you when you arrived for a welcome home celebration. But, the way things are looking Danialle will be back in school, and it won't be so easy to pull her out to come there (to Chicago.. She really was looking forward to it.
I think most of outr family was planning to attend. That is Kathy,Connie, Holly and us. If you get any ups on it will you let us know?
Just got back from Florida yesterday. Grandpa was pretty good until the night before we left. He was in to doing dinner every night if we went out. He kind of had a spell and ended up in bed. His heart is pretty weak and getting weaker. But he sure did keep up with us if we wanted to go out and eat.
Well Joe, I send you my Love and I sure do hope that you stay safe for just a few more days. Be careful in that heat.
See you soon.
Love Cindy
Hi Joe
I guess we've all called Mel and ask her about the date. And she has no clue about it. So I guess we will have to wait till she gets the info.Getting really excited for you. Probably not like you are.
Glad I talked to you the other day online.Must be I was at the right place at the right time.
You probably are pretty busy at this time. Getting everything back in order to head back. The paperwork is the worst. And the flight back to the U.S will seem like a life time. But, before you know it will be the end of your tour. It would be nice if the world could settle down and have some sort of unity and peace. To think of you having to do this again is just not something that I even gat imagine.
Has the weather cooled down any? It has taken a little break here.By the time you get home it will be almost winter again. You actually will probably look forward to that after the heat there.
Well for now Joe I send my love and prayers. Continue to stay safe.
Love Cindy
Joe,
Hi there, wow, I hope you are feeling better and the weather breaks for yall! You are doing such an amazing job and yall are heroes to me!
So, your counter says 55 days, that is so close! I wanted to say send over some love to your and your men!
Thank you, thank you so much for everything yall are doing over there!
Well, have a blessed day and hurry up and come home .
Lauren
that's not all you earned. transfer orders out, you're going to district 5 relief as a lieutenant. effective aug 1. group 6's 1st.
Thanks Mark!! Can't believe it. I'll be at E116 one of these days and I will be keeping my eye on you. You better wear black socks!!!
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