Deployment Update

Cheryl on her R&R in October 2009 - very content but anxious to get home to America!

Baghdad Bulletin
Holiday Issue - Part I
December 19, 2009
Issue 16

Dear Ones,

As of today, there are exactly 4 months remaining on my orders. My main regret on this tour is that I cannot communicate with you more frequently than I do. There is so much to write about and describe to you. It's just not possible. That said, here are some photos that you might enjoy. They are from November and part of December. I'll send more Christmas photos in the next issue in early January.

The decorations for Christmas have already gone up and continue to build daily in the Dining Facility. The photos show the culmination for Thanksgiving. There were two main seatings for the Thanksgiving meal. I volunteered to serve and it's something I will never forget. For two hours during the dinner meal, I served the two potato dishes. There were also two types of dressing, green beans and corn, roast and smoke turkey, steamship round and so on and so on. (The Christmas meal will be very similar.)

I tried to say "Happy Thanksgiving" to each military and civilian member who came through the line. It was unbelievable. Most of them seemed so young to me. I'm old enough to be their Mom or grandmother. Guess what dish had to be replenished the most? The one food on the line that I didn't think was Thanksgiving food... ...Macaroni and cheese! It was Unbelievable! Oh and I only dropped one plate. It was so hot and steamy behind the counter - at one point, my glasses were fogged. In the second hour, a civilian handed his plate over the counter to me and asked for mashed potatoes. He had a full plate already and after I plopped an ice cream scooper of potatoes on his plate, I didn't quite clear the plastic cover when I raised the plate back up to him. The plate tumbled straight down. I was amazed it didn't end up all over me or in the rest of the food on the line. The poor man had to go back and start all over again - new plate and servings. When he got back to me, he didn't ask for potatoes. ...I wonder why? I saw hundreds of people that I would not have been able to see otherwise. I'm not sure if the Christmas meal will be served the same way. I haven't seen anything about it yet. I'm also not sure I'll volunteer. I had to work hard to keep my emotions in check and not sure I'll succeed a second time. So many soldiers - obviously thinking about their own families, some away from home for the first time, etc. I thought of the many wonderful Thanksgiving meals I've had with John over the years.

The Dining Facility was transformed for Thanksgiving.

This wooden replica of the Mayflower was stunning.

Ice carvings and desserts too beautiful to eat!

Carved fruit, color, and history appeared in every corner of the room.

Mashed potatoes or Sweet?

There are a couple of things I wanted to point out to you. I've only played Scrabble twice so far. At least the game made it out of the box! I'll bring it with me when we visit you in 2010. There is a "speed version" using 9 tiles instead of 7. It does keep it moving along!

I had to document the first time the Scrabble board was used!

Truvy is the first "Therapy Dog" I've met. The soldier is a Chaplain's Assistant.

While they were only assigned to Prosperity for a few short weeks, we all grew attached to Truvy.

On Veterans Day (to back up in time a bit) I arranged to have a flag flown over the Embassy. I was able to ship it home to my mother in time for her 75th Birthday this month. (She had a wonderful day/week/year by the way!)

A flag was flown over the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad in honor of my mother's 75th Birthday.

The first week of December, I was motivated to decorate my office door. So far, the paper has held up under two heavy rainstorms! And by the way, it sure gets cold at night! Something you don't hear about!

I decided to brighten up my front door. One roll of wrapping paper fit perfectly!

Lots of decorations are making it feel a little more holidayish around here. While I couldn't do as many cards as usual, I did get some finished that will hopefully arrive in time. The Chaplain has scheduled a Christmas Eve service at 8pm and a Christmas morning service at 8am. Both will be memorable, I'm sure.

These little Christmas ducks were precious.

People have been so thoughtful.

I did manage to get some cards written!

There was a pizza party that included some of the South American guards (the Ugandans are gone) and some local Iraqis joined us too. They enjoyed the lit tree and festive desserts. I hope that the woman and her daughter that I see frequently will come to America. I would love to send you photos of them, but I do not want to endanger them in any way if they are seen on this website by chance. Just know that last night they hugged me and wished me a Merry Christmas. They know this is a very special holiday for Christians.

The company had a little Christmas party with funny gift exchange.

I do wish each of you a very Blessed Christmas and New Year. Please continue to pray for the Iraqis and their government. More soldiers are arriving to replace others who are leaving. I recognize fewer faces and it's a bit lonelier. But I'm still very busy with work, and have scheduled a large conference for the inbound military who will be involved in the linguist program in 2010. I use the gym almost daily now. I've lost 12 pounds since I got back from our vacation. I want to leave that "fat lady" who was in our trip photos back here in the gym when I leave! I still have more work to do in that regard.

Thank you for your lovely cards and gifts. It's amazing how close I feel to you all these miles away in a very special place. I was in a helicopter one night last week and realized how close Christmas Eve was. I thought of the Wise Men looking at these stars. It was overwhelming and the feeling is impossible to describe adequately.

Fond regards to all,

Cheryl