Baghdad Bulletin
January 9, 2010
Issue 18
Happy 2010!
You'll see by the current Circle of Freedom that my days are truly numbered. We (the FELADY support team) are transitioning to 75% of the days complete. You'll see yesterday's and how today's CoF changes to double digits!
My Wisconsin Guard friends left this week and were replaced by good folks from the Texas Guard. I haven't mentioned that Alabama beat Texas the other night. No need to bring that up!
The weather has turned "bitter" cold for here; we're in the low 40's. It feels like 25-30 degrees to me but it's not.
There is still so very much to do and so little time to write. I've arranged for a conference on Friday 22 Jan. and it should help some of the new arrivals succeed in their mission if they are managing linguists. It's been interesting, and as I put my introductory comments together for them yesterday, I see how many varied issues we've tackled since my arrival.
As you know, every day here is different. No two are alike. In addition, I am determined not to come home as heavy as I was and have been making it to the gym almost daily. I've also skipped most dinner meals. It helps, but the scale isn't moving at the moment!
I've met some potential lifetime friends here and am thankful to be here at this particular time of Iraq's history.
There is a new Chaplain, who is Southern Baptist, and another who is Presbyterian. This morning, I had the great pleasure of meeting an Orthodox Christian Chaplain who came here to do an Epiphany service and a "Blessing of the Waters." He's an Air Force Chaplain based out of San Antonio and he's been in Iraq for Christmas at several locations and will remain until Easter. I did not know if he was going to bless the pools around the chapel or something else. At the end of the service, he blessed bottles of water for us to take with us. So I have my own. The service was beautiful (although the incense gave me a slight headache) but the entire liturgy is sung in chanting fashion. It was a beautiful blend of Greek and Jewish notes somehow. And to be here so close to the Tigris River, well, it was a very rich experience for me. What a pity that only one Orthodox person attended. I was a visitor, but the other guy knew all the responses to sing back. It was really special. I'll send a photo we took after the service. There won't be photos this issue, however. There is just no time to pull it all together!!!!!!!
Something else wonderful happened a few days ago. I happened to learn about the Iraqi War College this week and asked to meet two of the people who are involved with it. They both came to Carlisle Barracks as Resident students of the U.S. Army War College – the first Iraqi officers to do so. I remember that the class after mine was getting the first one. I never got to meet him, but I will soon! I am arranging a gathering of U.S. officers who also graduated from Carlisle to meet them and have a photo taken with them. The two Iraqis will be among the instructors for the first class that will be started here in Baghdad.
There is simply so much happening. John said he had snow in Alabama in the last couple of days. My brother is getting married later this month. Wish I could be there! I'm preparing to receive some new colleagues at my location to start orienting and training them to be the next team who will be in place after my team departs. (I had no turnover whatsoever and will see that whoever comes behind me will be set up for success!)
It's truly a time in my life that I will never forget. I have no regrets. I'm glad I will be here for the March elections in Iraq. Just around the time of my birthday. I've decided to have an Iraqi made birthday cake as some of you know, and it will be a nice way to celebrate. If you are thinking ahead about sending presents, (I don't want to assume of course) I was extremely grateful for the Christmas presents that you sent here for me. I’m asking you not to send packages for my birthday – a card is more than welcome, but certainly not expected or required!!!!! I'll simply have to mail the gifts back home and I'm not eating so many sweets these days.
It does feel somewhat like winding down, but I'm not going to lessen my pace until the day I leave. I appreciate all of you. This has been a long haul for you too. Those soldiers who come with units have already been training for weeks, and their year here is only going to be less than 10 months. Nonetheless, they were away from home on Christmas too, and for some, they've deployed in the past. The U.S. military members I've met in Iraq have been quite inspiring. They continue to warm my heart and I feel good about the quality of our Armed Forces in the future. I look forward to seeing many of you again in 2010!
