Post by Update 8 on Apr 27, 2008 13:18:10 GMT -5
Well, it has definitely been a long time coming and I do apologize for the lack of updates over the past few weeks. As you all know we moved to Camp Ramadi a few weeks ago and haven't had internet since the move. I hope the missing updates haven't caused any undue worrying back home. We are all doing well.
So what was the hold up with the internet? Well we pointed the satellite to the sky and prayed but nothing happened. After two weeks of throwing LCpl. Oliveras on the roof to tinker with it and Cpl. Mia spending hours pulling out his hair in frustration, it finally started to work. I tried to help where I could, but, as Cpl. Mia's mother must know, once you set him on a mission it is better to just get out of the way and let him go. Besides he just confused me with all of the technical terms about IP addresses and subnet masks.
Sgt. Vee has stepped in to the shoes of being a Sgt. very well. He always was the senior Corporal, so it wasn't much of a change for him. He continues to excel with "Herding the Cats" that are team 3 and getting everything set up correctly for when we leave on mission. Also being motor-T has helped out because our trucks keep breaking and he knows how to fix them. I haven't seen him break out any tools and replace an engine yet, but that might be the next step with how our trucks are running these days.
Speaking of truck problems, our lead truck has had some issues with power and acceleration, which are now fixed. I always just thought it was LCpl. Ray driving like an old man, but he swears it is the truck. Not so sure if that is the case, but the running joke is that he's 20 going on 65, because he drives like an old man. I better be careful with what I write, because I'm sure if he reads this, I'll have Jeff Gordon as my driver the next day.
Cpl. Johnson is doing what he always does. Not sure exactly what that is, but it makes everyone laugh and gets the job done so I'm fine with it.
Cpl. Cruz has been enjoying that fact that he is a closet 02 (intelligence) Marine. He'll go to the BN and ask intelligence questions, already knowing the answer, but waiting to see what he is told. Then when he gets a bogus answer, he pulls out the punk card and sets them straight. Maybe I should try and keep him a little more busy.
Doc Laranang has been studying for various tests he has to advance in rank and to get his FMF (Fleet Marine Force) pin. Mostly information about the Marines history and weapons. He's done a good job with it and is so impressed by the Marines he wants to change services...Well not quite. Actually he's been a little grumpy lately and cursing the Corps for having so many weapons and battles that he has to learn. Just kidding...but only a little.
LCpl. Ebeling has been staying out of the spotlight recently which is sometimes the best thing you can ask from a Marine. Simply work hard and get the job done.
SSgt. Lee recently got an AFN (Armed Forces Network) TV in his room and hasn't left his room in days. Not really, but he has been able to watch some TV from back home. It's the same shows just on a delay. Usually if you see it at noon on Friday, he'll see it at noon on Saturday. Just don't try and talk to him about the ending for the recent episode of "Lost" for at least 24hrs after it aired.
The next few weeks should be good ones for the team. It has gotten hot, with Temps in the 110 F range, but we take coolers with ice out on mission. There was a sand storm today, which is always an interesting experience and makes you feel like you are on Mars. We will be renovating some schools as well as doing some projects with water pipes in our area, so the area is getting better and better.
As always you should realize that your Marines (and I always include Doc in this title) are over here helping people who are unable to help themselves. I'd like to thank the parents back home for making them the Men that they are today, because it makes my job much easier. Continue your support and I'll try to keep the next update from being to far away.
So what was the hold up with the internet? Well we pointed the satellite to the sky and prayed but nothing happened. After two weeks of throwing LCpl. Oliveras on the roof to tinker with it and Cpl. Mia spending hours pulling out his hair in frustration, it finally started to work. I tried to help where I could, but, as Cpl. Mia's mother must know, once you set him on a mission it is better to just get out of the way and let him go. Besides he just confused me with all of the technical terms about IP addresses and subnet masks.
Sgt. Vee has stepped in to the shoes of being a Sgt. very well. He always was the senior Corporal, so it wasn't much of a change for him. He continues to excel with "Herding the Cats" that are team 3 and getting everything set up correctly for when we leave on mission. Also being motor-T has helped out because our trucks keep breaking and he knows how to fix them. I haven't seen him break out any tools and replace an engine yet, but that might be the next step with how our trucks are running these days.
Speaking of truck problems, our lead truck has had some issues with power and acceleration, which are now fixed. I always just thought it was LCpl. Ray driving like an old man, but he swears it is the truck. Not so sure if that is the case, but the running joke is that he's 20 going on 65, because he drives like an old man. I better be careful with what I write, because I'm sure if he reads this, I'll have Jeff Gordon as my driver the next day.
Cpl. Johnson is doing what he always does. Not sure exactly what that is, but it makes everyone laugh and gets the job done so I'm fine with it.
Cpl. Cruz has been enjoying that fact that he is a closet 02 (intelligence) Marine. He'll go to the BN and ask intelligence questions, already knowing the answer, but waiting to see what he is told. Then when he gets a bogus answer, he pulls out the punk card and sets them straight. Maybe I should try and keep him a little more busy.
Doc Laranang has been studying for various tests he has to advance in rank and to get his FMF (Fleet Marine Force) pin. Mostly information about the Marines history and weapons. He's done a good job with it and is so impressed by the Marines he wants to change services...Well not quite. Actually he's been a little grumpy lately and cursing the Corps for having so many weapons and battles that he has to learn. Just kidding...but only a little.
LCpl. Ebeling has been staying out of the spotlight recently which is sometimes the best thing you can ask from a Marine. Simply work hard and get the job done.
SSgt. Lee recently got an AFN (Armed Forces Network) TV in his room and hasn't left his room in days. Not really, but he has been able to watch some TV from back home. It's the same shows just on a delay. Usually if you see it at noon on Friday, he'll see it at noon on Saturday. Just don't try and talk to him about the ending for the recent episode of "Lost" for at least 24hrs after it aired.
The next few weeks should be good ones for the team. It has gotten hot, with Temps in the 110 F range, but we take coolers with ice out on mission. There was a sand storm today, which is always an interesting experience and makes you feel like you are on Mars. We will be renovating some schools as well as doing some projects with water pipes in our area, so the area is getting better and better.
As always you should realize that your Marines (and I always include Doc in this title) are over here helping people who are unable to help themselves. I'd like to thank the parents back home for making them the Men that they are today, because it makes my job much easier. Continue your support and I'll try to keep the next update from being to far away.