Deployment Update

Coming home soon.

I've been piecing this issue together as I can steal a few minutes before going to work and going to bed. You'll see a couple of Post-Christmas photos first, followed by some happy memories I had this month.

Last night, Thursday the 28th, was a full moon. While there were clouds, the moon was all that much prettier when it shone through. I will only see one more full moon in Iraq. The next full moon after that will be in March and I should be in Kuwait on my way home….(!!!!)

The weather has become "bitter" cold (40s and 50s!) and we all just keep encouraging each other as we are bundled. It's still better than the oppressive heat – when it was like standing in front of a pizza oven with the door open!!!!

The Haitian news is so very sad and I'm sure you are keeping those families in your prayers. I also learned of a sad loss this week. Someone that I served with in Djibouti (2004) lost his wife to cancer a couple of weeks ago. I heard back from him last night after writing my condolences to him. His note is so uplifting that I want to share some of it:

"She lived and fought well, living about 4 times longer than Drs had given her as she was diagnosed in stage 4. When it was time to go, she went quickly and, with the support of some absolutely amazing Hospice nurses, without pain. We have a lot to be grateful for despite the pain of the loss. I'm blessed with 2 wonderful children who both rose to the occasion and took great care of Mom, like they always have, as she enjoyed the last weeks of her life.

Clearly, this wasn't the script I would have written but, given that we didn't get a vote in it, we continue to execute raising the bar higher. Hope this finds you well."

As another friend wrote to me some months ago, there are people fighting for their lives off the battlefield too.

Here is another kind of "old friend" story. It's about one of my dear friends that I met in the mid-80's in a Guard unit, and have remained in touch over the years. He arrived in Baghdad last weekend for a short tour. We had lunch on Monday and it was a thrill to see him again. You know, friends are worth more than all the money in the world. I am a zillionaire when I think of the quality friendships in my life. I treasure each of you.

You'll see Photo 10 below. This day was one of the highlights of my tour. I finally got to meet some Iraqi officers, and it was in a setting that I will never forget. I learned that the two Iraqi Officers who were sent to the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, PA, are working right here in the International Zone. I asked to meet them and now I have two more "brothers" who spent a year in Carlisle Barracks. Before this particular day, I tried to find out who else (Americans) graduated from there and organized a mini-reunion. This first turnout was better than even I had dreamed. We will meet again in February and I hope to find some more graduates before then! The Iraqi War College will commence with its first class later this year. Currently, the instructors are completing their training. They are using materials from our U.S. Army War College ("to preserve the peace, not to promote war….") and the interaction was very inspiring!

Dr. Cassady Craft, University of GA, is in the blue shirt. He's a brilliant instructor who has been here for three years providing courses to the senior military so they can discuss and think about Iraq's National Security Strategy, International Relations, and such. It was an honor to meet him. As it turns out, he also loves American History and we shared a moment with the Iraqis discussing one of my favorite quotations "In Great Deeds" that I included a few issues back. At the end of his lecture, Dr. Craft talked about the healing that our country went through after our own four years of war. We all hope that Iraq will be able to heal soon. Please keep praying for the Iraqi people that they and their government officials will be able to live in a secure environment. I'm including the quotation again here:

"In great deeds, something abides. On great fields, something stays. Forms change and pass; bodies disappear; but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision-place of souls. And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field to ponder and dream, and lo! The shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls."

Joshua L. Chamberlain
October 3, 1889

Some of you know that I was also conducting an all-day Off Site last week. My intent was to share the latest information available (how to manage linguists in Iraq) to the new soldiers who have arrived, so that they are postured for success. They become "linguist managers" as an additional duty. It's not their only job. I want them to understand what resources they have – to include each other – so they have fewer challenges. It's not an easy job. I also shared some of my recurring issues with them and it gave them an appreciation of the bigger picture. Several speakers came in and gave them updates that helped answer their questions. There is SO MUCH information to impart.

My boss flew in a day earlier for the Iraqi War College event (he's Class of 2006) and stayed for the IZ Linguist Manager Off Site the next day. At the close of the event, he told the group (over 60 people attended) that this was a model that should be conducted throughout Iraq (!) They even applauded. Funny story, with all of the arrangements and planning before hand, we had a challenge with the projector and then the power in the building went off. Somehow, we got through it and I learned that I don't want to be an Oprah - moving the microphone around to all the attendees and getting everyone involved. I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would, but it's really hard work on top of being the hostess, emcee, presenter, facilitator, and "traffic cop" moving people in and out from the breaks and keeping speakers (one in particular) on track with the schedule on the agenda! My voice gave out by 2pm.

My colleagues in other areas have already started planning their own conferences. I've made the slides and notes available to them so they don't have to recreate the wheel. We want the units to succeed. Accurate translations, both verbal and written, are imperative to the future of the Government of Iraq.

I will close with yet another story that was a "high" this week. You'll see the rose photo below. Imagine the most wonderful fragrance that you can, and you have the rose that I've enjoyed. After a site visit, the parking lot was tight and after getting the vehicle turned around, I noticed a small garden. There were two roses and I hurried over to take a closer look. When I bent over to smell the rose, two young Iraqis came up to me. One reached over with his snippers and gave me the rose. I still have it. The fragrance is a cross between gardenia, jasmine, and tea olive. I've carried the rose between my living quarters and my office so I can enjoy it, and so others can too. I've tried to memorize the fragrance……..

I wish all of you well. I know that some of you are dealing with health challenges, job searches, family communication struggles, new births, cold weather issues, and small business challenges. Know that I continue to keep you all in my prayers. We lost John's Uncle Robert, my mother-in-law's younger brother, just before New Year's Eve. He's missed very much by his family and friends.

I hope you enjoy the Superbowl, Valentine's Day, and all the birthdays and anniversaries you have coming up. I wish I could be with you. Know that I will "see you again in 2010"! It will be sooner than you think.

The Circle of Freedom is approaching 80%. That's the time between now and mid-April. However, I will depart here sooner than that to take my other 2 weeks of leave that I've earned, and the out-processing time is added to that also. I haven't counted the days between now and end of March, and don't want to! I just know I'll be home soon. I will share with you that I've had some sadness about leaving. While I will leave Iraq, Iraq will never leave me. I want to finish this work, but am accepting that I will not get to see how it ends, and that no matter how hard I will continue to work, it will never be finished.

Till next time!

Cheryl