I was kind of down in the dumps these last few weeks over being away for the holidays. Nothing says Christmas like burgers in Iraq, but as Dad always says cey lla ve!
I want to thank everyone, from the bottom of my heart. Your gifts and letters have helped me stay positive thruought the holidays.
Last night I sat back and just thought about how lucky I am. I am grateful to have all of you in my life.
I am in love with the most amazing woman in the world, and she loves me too ;) I want you to know that you are and will forever be the apple of my eye. I love you more than anything.
Where would I be without my family and friends back home? About 10 lbs lighter, that's for sure! I don't have the words to express how much you all mean to me.
I know you will all be there when I get back, but I just wanted to thank you. You sent me Christmas trees, and cookies, and everything else imaginable to make this Christmas a little brighter. I will never forget how lucky I am to have such a special bunch of friends and family.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years
Love Always
Kyle
25 December 2008
13 December 2008
Another Brick in the Wall
I have officially hit the wall. The first two months were chaotic. Everyday presented a new challenge that I was seeing for the first time. Now, monotony has set in. I just wish it happened a bit later in the deployment.
I am not as busy anymore because higher finally gave us some assets to help take the weight off of us. We are no longer the new unit, so people aren't waiting at the gate with presents to greet us. The cold weather (low 40's at night) has kept the insurgents at bay. They generally don't like to attack when its so cold.
And then there's Christmas. I despise the idea of being away from Maria for christmas. Given that last year was the best Christmas I have ever had makes it that much more difficult. Now I know what Im missing.
My last post shed a little light on the difficulties we now face with the SOFA agreement. Don't get me wrong, it's a great accomplishment for the future of Iraq. On one hand, it lets the country take back control of their own future. That's a big deal. What sucks is that it really chastices our ability and keeps us in a constant state of frustration. It is what it is I suppose.
Well Im not writing this blog for you all to feel sorry for me! haha you already do given the amount of junk food that arrives in the mail everyday. Everyone here is safe and counting the days till we can come home. I owe all of you pictures of the Charlie Brown Christmas Trees that we have put up.
Love always
Kyle
I am not as busy anymore because higher finally gave us some assets to help take the weight off of us. We are no longer the new unit, so people aren't waiting at the gate with presents to greet us. The cold weather (low 40's at night) has kept the insurgents at bay. They generally don't like to attack when its so cold.
And then there's Christmas. I despise the idea of being away from Maria for christmas. Given that last year was the best Christmas I have ever had makes it that much more difficult. Now I know what Im missing.
My last post shed a little light on the difficulties we now face with the SOFA agreement. Don't get me wrong, it's a great accomplishment for the future of Iraq. On one hand, it lets the country take back control of their own future. That's a big deal. What sucks is that it really chastices our ability and keeps us in a constant state of frustration. It is what it is I suppose.
Well Im not writing this blog for you all to feel sorry for me! haha you already do given the amount of junk food that arrives in the mail everyday. Everyone here is safe and counting the days till we can come home. I owe all of you pictures of the Charlie Brown Christmas Trees that we have put up.
Love always
Kyle
10 December 2008
Dear Mr. President
Two weeks ago, we detained a real bad dude. This wasn't the village idiot who can't make it as a farmer. Oh no, this one was special. This one just loved to kill Americans. He only bought the high end weapons which increased his chances of shooting down helicopters. This one had followers too.
This man was so bad that his followers planned to kill us in retailiation. Homeboy was so bad that I was unable send all of my reports on him in an e-mail because the "File was too Large." This guy was one for the books.
So why then, Mr. President, is this man back in our little detainment cell tonight? Why am I looking at his ugly mug again? Why have we been ordered to release him tomorrow. Because of some contingency in the SOFA Agreement? You have got to be kidding me. You're going to tell me that some Iraqi judge didn't think we had enough evidence to put him in a cold dark place for life? Really? He must not be too concerned with our new friend walking on his streets. Why should I give a fuck? I'll tell you why. This dude is going to attack us again just like he said he would. He will attack us until he can't do it anymore, just like he promised.
It's time to go home.
This man was so bad that his followers planned to kill us in retailiation. Homeboy was so bad that I was unable send all of my reports on him in an e-mail because the "File was too Large." This guy was one for the books.
So why then, Mr. President, is this man back in our little detainment cell tonight? Why am I looking at his ugly mug again? Why have we been ordered to release him tomorrow. Because of some contingency in the SOFA Agreement? You have got to be kidding me. You're going to tell me that some Iraqi judge didn't think we had enough evidence to put him in a cold dark place for life? Really? He must not be too concerned with our new friend walking on his streets. Why should I give a fuck? I'll tell you why. This dude is going to attack us again just like he said he would. He will attack us until he can't do it anymore, just like he promised.
It's time to go home.
04 December 2008
Our Future
Dear Miss. S’s Classes,
I was so excited to receive your letters! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I hung them all up in my office as well as the hallway so that all of the soldiers can appreciate your wonderful letters. The pictures were great, too!
Everything is going well here. We are stationed at a very small base and we are all packed in like sardines. It’s really funny though, because we act like one big family. There is always someone complaining, or people arguing like brothers do. Come to think of it, it reminds me of the stories that Miss S used to bring home each night regarding all of you! Ha!
I want you to know how incredible it is to see the children in Iraq. They are just like all of you. They go crazy for candy and have a way of always finding trouble. I will try to send some pictures next time we drive thru the villages.
I want to tell you about the dogs. They are everywhere, and their so ugly! No one wants to claim the darn things either. Sometimes they sneak thru our base’s fence and make a mess. It drives us crazy! I miss my ugly dog. I think most of you have seen the pictures of him. He is so ugly that he is cute, if that makes any sense at all. The army has some working dogs. I have fun playing with them because they are so strong. Once they get a hold of their chew toy it takes a long time to pull it from their mouth. The things we do for entertainment around here!
I know many of you play football, how are your teams doing this year? Did anyone see the new James Bond movie? Was it good? What other movies are out that you would recommend. I certainly miss parking my lazy bum on the couch and watching them.
OK, I have to run! Again, thank you for the letters. They really did put a smile on the faces of my soldiers! Mine too! Please do not give Miss S a hard time, because then I will have to hear it on the phone when I call. Tell her that I said you need a non-homework day too.
Keep up the great work; I hear you are all doing great in school! It’s very important that you work hard now, so that you can all be rich and take care of me when I am an old man.
Love
Kyle
I was so excited to receive your letters! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I hung them all up in my office as well as the hallway so that all of the soldiers can appreciate your wonderful letters. The pictures were great, too!
Everything is going well here. We are stationed at a very small base and we are all packed in like sardines. It’s really funny though, because we act like one big family. There is always someone complaining, or people arguing like brothers do. Come to think of it, it reminds me of the stories that Miss S used to bring home each night regarding all of you! Ha!
I want you to know how incredible it is to see the children in Iraq. They are just like all of you. They go crazy for candy and have a way of always finding trouble. I will try to send some pictures next time we drive thru the villages.
I want to tell you about the dogs. They are everywhere, and their so ugly! No one wants to claim the darn things either. Sometimes they sneak thru our base’s fence and make a mess. It drives us crazy! I miss my ugly dog. I think most of you have seen the pictures of him. He is so ugly that he is cute, if that makes any sense at all. The army has some working dogs. I have fun playing with them because they are so strong. Once they get a hold of their chew toy it takes a long time to pull it from their mouth. The things we do for entertainment around here!
I know many of you play football, how are your teams doing this year? Did anyone see the new James Bond movie? Was it good? What other movies are out that you would recommend. I certainly miss parking my lazy bum on the couch and watching them.
OK, I have to run! Again, thank you for the letters. They really did put a smile on the faces of my soldiers! Mine too! Please do not give Miss S a hard time, because then I will have to hear it on the phone when I call. Tell her that I said you need a non-homework day too.
Keep up the great work; I hear you are all doing great in school! It’s very important that you work hard now, so that you can all be rich and take care of me when I am an old man.
Love
Kyle
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