|
Subject: Learning to Say Good Bye |
|
Dear Family and Friends,
You know how I am…always trying to pick up some of the local language whenever I travel internationally, so courtesy of Uncle Sam, here it goes: Mar Haba! Shloun-Kum? How’d I do? In case you’re not up on your Arabic, it means, “Hello! How are you?” (in plural!) I’ll keep working on it. Don’t worry. One of the “terps” (interpreters) is helping and teaching me. I am not sure he is too impressed right now. He shakes his head a lot and his most frequent Arabic words with me are gha-laT (wrong) and la (no). It’s pretty comical actually. Sometimes, I screw up on purpose just to watch his exasperation. Oh, for the little pleasures of life…
Pleasure, however, is not something we see much of here and the Muslims won’t be seeing too much for a few weeks either. This month is Ramadan. It is the ninth month of the lunar calendar year. This is the time when Muslims believe the prophet Mohammed first received the words of the Quran from the arch angel Gabriel. It is the holiest time of the year for them. For thirty days they are to fast and abstain from sexual relations from sunrise until sunset. They are to spend more time in prayer and reflection. They are to attend services at the mosque more frequently, read the entire Quran in these thirty days and give greater attention to the plight of the poor. Militarily speaking, it is the most dangerous time of the year. Historically and statistically attacks against western forces spike during Ramadan. This was true even for the Soviets in Afghanistan during the 1980s. Personally, I think the reason for the escalation in violence is twofold. First, there are several nights during this month, according to Islamic belief, tradition and custom, when prayers, good deeds or acts of martyrdom are rewarded many times over the normal “rewards”. Secondly, since they are supposed to identify with the poor and helpless more closely during this time, the terrorists rationalize they are defending the poor and those who can not defend themselves. They (incorrectly) perceive us to be invaders, crusaders and/or occupiers (never mind that most of the Iraqis want to work with us and create a democratic nation). They believe that anyone who cooperates with us, anyone who embraces freedom or anyone does not see life through their myopic vision is a heretic and worthy of death. A short time ago, for example, they beat a woman simply for talking with some of our troops! We are not even sure if she did talk with them or if she survived the beating. And to think, they have the audacity to call us the infidels, the ones with out faith! |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Subject: Shifts in the Sand |
|
Dear Family and Friends,
Hello! How is everyone? Happy Belated Birthday to Linda and Bob! I hope their days were good ones. What kind of cake did Linda request for mom to bake or did you all just go out? I’m not sure what I will do to celebrate my Bday next week…probably go on a patrol! Some people may think that is rather odd, but it would mean a lot to me personally…to be out, to be as far forward as possible, on the most hostile ground in Iraq, humping my load with the men, standing between those who wish to kill us and you my family and friends. Honestly, I can’t think of a better way to spend my birthday. There’s nothing I would rather do right now. I don’t have many chances to do things just for myself here. Dave and I spend our days and nights taking care of others, pouring ourselves into them, comforting them, counseling them and challenging them. I haven’t had a day off in more than four months. Maybe I should do something for myself on my birthday and if I get my choice, it will be, being out in sector with the men, the American soldiers who are helping to secure Iraq’s safety and freedom. |
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Dear Family and Friends,
Hello! Hello! Hello! Thanks for the many birthday cards and gifts. I am
afraid I will not have the time to write thank yous to everyone since we are
in the middle of Ramadan and our OPTEMPO (operations tempo i.e. the speed
and volume of our missions) is high but I still want you to know your gifts
were received and are much appreciated. It never ceases to amaze me how
little things (good and bad) take on so much significance here. A funny
card, a favorite snack, a quick smile, a firm handshake.they all seem to
mean more than they do at home. We no longer take anything for granted.
Therefore for your gifts and cards, but more so for the encouragement,
support and love they represent, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and
not just for myself, but for all the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines
who live, work and fight in Habbaniyah. |
|
Read more...
|
|
| | << Start < Prev 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next > End >>
| | Results 17 - 20 of 25 |
|
 |
|
TWO THOUSAND ONE, NINE ELEVEN (2001-911) | Close |
|
Two thousand one, nine eleven
Three thousand plus arrive in heaven
As they pass through the gate,
Thousands more appear in wait
A bearded man with stovepipe hat
Steps forward saying, "Lets sit, lets chat"
They settle down in seats of clouds
A man named Martin shouts out proud
"I have a dream!" and once he did
The Newcomer said, "Your dream still lives."
Groups of soldiers in blue and gray
Others in khaki, and green then say
"We're from Bull Run, Yorktown, the
Maine"
The Newcomer said, "You died not in vain."
From a man on sticks one could hear
"The only thing we have to fear.
The Newcomer said, "We know the rest,
Trust us sir, we've passed that test."
"Courage doesn't hide in caves
You can't bury freedom, in a grave,"
The Newcomers had heard this voice before
A distinct Yankees twang from Hyannisport shores
A silence fell within the mist
Somehow the Newcomer knew that this
Meant time had come for her to say
What was in the hearts of the five thousand
plus that day
"Back on Earth, we wrote reports,
Watched our children play in sports
Worked our gardens, sang our songs
Went to church and clipped coupons
We smiled, we laughed,
! we cried, we fought
Unlike you, great we're not"
The tall man in the stovepipe hat
Stood and said, "Don't talk like that!
Look at your country, look and see
You died for freedom, just like me"
Then, before them all appeared a scene
Of rubbled streets and twisted beams
Death, destruction, smoke and dust
And people working just 'cause they must
Hauling ash, lifting stones,
Knee deep in hell, but not alone
"Look! Blackman, Whiteman, Brownman, Yellowman
Side by side helping their fellow man!"
So said Martin, as he watched the scene
"Even from nightmares, can be born a dream."
Down below three firemen raised
The colors high into ashen haze
The soldiers above had seen it before
On
Iwo Jima back in '45
The man on sticks studied everything closely
Then shared his perceptions on what he saw mostly
"I see pain, I see tears,
I see sorrow -- but I don't see fear."
"You left behind husbands and wives
Daughters and sons and so many lives
Are suffering now because of this wrong
But look very closely. You're not really gone.
All of those people, even those who've never met you
All of their lives, they'll never forget you
Don't you see what has happened?
Don't you see what you've done?
You've brought them together, together as one.
With that the man in the stovepipe hat said
"Take my hand," and from there he led
Three thousand plus heroes, Newcomers to heaven
On this day, two thousand one, nine eleven
Author UNKNOWN |
|
