25 Jul 09 – Am I getting older or are you?

Good morning from IRAQ. The happenings of last week were hard for all of us here. I felt so old when I noticed that those that died were the same age as my own children. I thank my lucky stars that my family for the most part is safe and secure not having to live here in this place. Although Jacki’s presence is a godsend on an emotional level, her being here gives me cause for concern. I sleep well knowing she is working nights inside our fortified office/bunker complex. Jacki is truly a soldier at heart although she still marches to a little different beat.

The lady I deal with here that lives on the outside relayed to me her life. I asked her if she has noticed a difference now that the US is here and she said not really. The local I deal with is about thirty years old and her country has been at war most of her life. The first ten years of her life were spent with her country at war with Iran, and then it was the gulf war, and now this. She is thankful for our help and dreams of going to America. She spent some time in Michigan and was amazed by the weather, the people and the green grass and trees. She was amazed that people can live their life without fear. Even now on the base she wears her traditional face covering for fear that one of the locals working here will report her. She fears for the safety of her family and hopes that they can all go to America.

Lesson for us all is that we live the life that so many others only dream of. It just goes to show if life deals you lemons you need to make lemonade.

On a lighter side I can so relate to the story I’m sharing below. I received this E Mail from a friend of mine and I wanted to share it with you. I changed it just a bit to make this closer to how I feel:


Subject: CONSPIRACY THEORY

BEWARE OF THIS CONSPIRACY!

THIS IS HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN THE ARMY!

Have you noticed that the walk home through the gravel is getting harder and at times seems uphill? All the food tastes the same. And, everything is farther away including the bathroom. Yesterday I walked to the mess hall through the heat and was dumbfounded to discover how long our street had become!

And, you know, young soldiers are less considerate now, especially the ones just coming fresh into country. They speak in whispers all the time! If you ask them to speak up they just keep repeating themselves, endlessly mouthing the same silent message until they're red in the face! Why can’t they be as loud as their walkmans? What do they think I am a lip reader?

I also think they are much younger than I was at the same age. I remember the old guys that stood in the back of the formation. I’m there in the back of the formation now looking for them, and I can’t find them. On the other hand, soldiers my own age here are so much older than I am. I ran into an old friend the other day and he has aged so much that he didn't even recognize me.

I got to thinking about the poor guy while I was combing my hair (or lack of) this morning, and in doing so, I glanced at my own reflection well, REALLY NOW - even mirrors are not made the way they used to be!

Another thing, everyone here drives so fast! You're risking life and limb if you happen to pull onto the Motorway in front of the locals. All I can say is, their brakes must wear out awfully fast, the way I see them screech and swerve in my rear view mirror.

Army clothing manufacturers are less civilized these days. Why else would they suddenly start labeling a size small or medium as a large or extra large? Do they think no one notices? The people who make gym scales are pulling the same prank. Do they think I actually 'believe' the number I see on that dial? HA! I would never let myself weigh that much!

Just who do these people think they're fooling?

I'd like to call up someone in authority to report what's going on -- but the telephone company is in on the conspiracy too: they've printed the phone books in such small type that no one could ever find a number in there! Not to mention the number pads are smaller! I can hardly read the numbers without glancing over the top of my glasses!

All I can do is pass along this warning:

WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!

Unless something drastic happens, pretty soon everyone will have to suffer these awful indignities.

Last week aged me some but going home to my wife, family and grandbaby may help revive the child trapped inside. I ask that those reading this keep our soldiers and their families in your thoughts and prayers. What we do here isn’t easy and would not be possible without the support of our family and friends.
That is all,
Dave