Post by Update 6 on Mar 29, 2008 9:25:52 GMT -5
Back again for the standard update, but this one is a little special because as you might have seen from the posts on the forum, there was a birthday this week. Actually two, but there were three celebrations.
Cpl Mia turned 21 on the 27th. It’s hard to truly have a celebration out here being that he started the day by standing post at midnight and then went on mission, but I think he enjoyed it. Of Course, turning 21 and not being able to have a beer is a shame, but that time will come soon enough.
The second birthday was my own on the 26th. The team some how got the idea that my birthday was on the 24th, so after the morning brief, they started to sing happy birthday only to stop half way through. I assume this is because of the look I had on my face showing that I was confused. It was a great gesture though and I still ate the muffin with a candle in it even though my birthday wasn’t for another 2 days.
We had triple digit heat this week with the temperature reaching 102 degrees. Usually when we stop for a prolonged period of time, the team will get out and talk to the children or whoever is standing around, but for some reason, on this day no one left the truck. Temperatures have since dropped off, but they are sure to rise even higher in the coming months.
From past updates you know that Cpl. Cruz is outstanding in the office, but I didn’t realize how much he’s been working out lately. We were looking over the weapons this week and noticed that the Cpl. had broken the buttstock of his machine gun nearly clear off. We were able to get it fixed, but maybe someone needs to teach him the idea of being strong but gentle.
On the CA front, Fuel is a huge issue here as it is at home. Currently most of the supplies come from black market sources but it looks like that might change soon. I don’t want to jinx it but due to some changes in the supply system, fuel supplies could increase here by 400%, which is great news.
LCpl. Ray managed to get in a fight with an Iraqi child at one of the Sheiks houses. I thought this would make the Sheik angry, but after seeing that LCpl. Ray was the one crying, he just laughed. Okay, so he wasn’t crying but he definitely lost because when I got to the scene, the mirror on the truck was broken out. All LCpl. Ray could say for himself as, “ the kid with the sucker did it”.
SSgt. Lee isn’t one to talk all that much, but he loves to play jokes on people. His new thing is to use a comically large paper clip with any paperwork that he is doing with the Iraqis. They just look at it, and then at him and just shake their head. We all get a kick out of SSgt.’s antics.
Thank you to those back home who continue to read these updates and support their friends and family members here in Iraq. With out your support our job would be much, much harder.
Cpl Mia turned 21 on the 27th. It’s hard to truly have a celebration out here being that he started the day by standing post at midnight and then went on mission, but I think he enjoyed it. Of Course, turning 21 and not being able to have a beer is a shame, but that time will come soon enough.
The second birthday was my own on the 26th. The team some how got the idea that my birthday was on the 24th, so after the morning brief, they started to sing happy birthday only to stop half way through. I assume this is because of the look I had on my face showing that I was confused. It was a great gesture though and I still ate the muffin with a candle in it even though my birthday wasn’t for another 2 days.
We had triple digit heat this week with the temperature reaching 102 degrees. Usually when we stop for a prolonged period of time, the team will get out and talk to the children or whoever is standing around, but for some reason, on this day no one left the truck. Temperatures have since dropped off, but they are sure to rise even higher in the coming months.
From past updates you know that Cpl. Cruz is outstanding in the office, but I didn’t realize how much he’s been working out lately. We were looking over the weapons this week and noticed that the Cpl. had broken the buttstock of his machine gun nearly clear off. We were able to get it fixed, but maybe someone needs to teach him the idea of being strong but gentle.
On the CA front, Fuel is a huge issue here as it is at home. Currently most of the supplies come from black market sources but it looks like that might change soon. I don’t want to jinx it but due to some changes in the supply system, fuel supplies could increase here by 400%, which is great news.
LCpl. Ray managed to get in a fight with an Iraqi child at one of the Sheiks houses. I thought this would make the Sheik angry, but after seeing that LCpl. Ray was the one crying, he just laughed. Okay, so he wasn’t crying but he definitely lost because when I got to the scene, the mirror on the truck was broken out. All LCpl. Ray could say for himself as, “ the kid with the sucker did it”.
SSgt. Lee isn’t one to talk all that much, but he loves to play jokes on people. His new thing is to use a comically large paper clip with any paperwork that he is doing with the Iraqis. They just look at it, and then at him and just shake their head. We all get a kick out of SSgt.’s antics.
Thank you to those back home who continue to read these updates and support their friends and family members here in Iraq. With out your support our job would be much, much harder.