Deployment Update

Just about every other morning, I’ve been in the office for at least an hour or so by now. I’ve started a new routine though. My colleague asked to work 7-7, so I’m doing 9-9 when we are both working at this location (Victory Base). It extends our coverage in case we have to reach our DC office in VA too. We are 8 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

Most folks take a half day sometime during the week. Twelve hour shifts are normal. I’m going to start taking mine on Sunday evenings. Chapel starts at 1600 (4pm), then dinner and unless there’s a very good reason, I’ll stay out of the office. Tonight will be the first one that doesn’t require meeting someone at the airport or taking them back or preparing for a meeting! I’ve had no half days off in 5 weeks. My first couple of weeks averaged 18 hour days. I hope I’ve seen the end of those.

We’ve had great weather this week – no sand storms. The heat has reached 99 degrees. With the uniforms, it’s more challenging. With the body armor, even more so. That’s required for certain travel and I’ve had that experience. The other day, I had my first Blackhawk ride. It was wonderful! I saw the Tigris River out the window. Lots of agriculture and green instead of the dust and concrete of my “home” here.

People I’ve met:
-Linguists working at detention facilities. These are civilians who live and work on the bases with the military members. This week I toured a prison and saw detainees for the first time. I looked into the eyes of those who hate us so very much. Our linguists are interpreting for them in the hospitals, with the doctors, and prison guards.

We happened to be at this particular facility on a special day. At lunch, I learned that there was a graduation that afternoon and I asked if we could observe. The graduation was for approximately 75 detainees who had completed an adult continuing education course. There is a staff of teachers who were in the audience applauding their students. No family members were present. The ceremony began with the inmates singing the Iraqi National Anthem, and one man read a poem he’d written. He was overcome with emotion and everyone applauded. It had to do with his never having left Iraq, his homeland, and how through hard work, he will be able to go home. There were a couple of sheiks in the class. One older man in particular brought the “house” down with applause and excitement. Our interpreter told us he’s a “very bad man.” It’s helpful to keep everything in perspective. (I wonder if there is a men’s chorus – they sounded pretty good….) Each graduate was called by name and they came forward to accept their certificate. It was quite something to see. No hands were shaken, everyone was civil, but these people have earned some positive recognition that will help them leave the facility before others.  Our linguists are heroes. The SGM made a short speech and I copied down a line she read: “We cannot erase the past, but we can change the future.” I asked to meet her and we talked for a moment. I’m looking forward to working with her over the coming months.

Funny story:
-My boss had to fly here for a meeting early this week. I was driving him to the meeting place and we heard a squeak from the back. Then I saw the back windshield wiper moving. I couldn’t find the button to turn it off.  Suddenly, the front windshield got a spray of water and was “clean” but I couldn’t turn off the back. It was funny. When I let him out, I parked and was determined to find the “on” button. It turned out to be right next to the air conditioner button. I‘d pressed it accidentally. Now I know!

Quality of life:
I broke down and bought a computer to use here at my chu. (Happy B-day John!) There are computers at the Education Center but I cannot use Outlook. My bellsouth webmail comes through, but they disappear after I read them. The new computer has been a source of frustration. I can receive emails on the Outlook but not send them. Fortunately, they’ve been captured now on my personal computer and I will begin responding to them. I appreciate hearing from you VERY much. I will try to budget my time to do a better job of staying in touch. The internet service here is $75 per month and it’s subject to the  busy evening times when most people are using it. So by using it in the morning, I should have better luck communicating with you. This morning I downloaded the photo software. John mailed it to me and I’ll be able to include photos now. (Stay tuned!)

It is also Armed Forces Weekend. Here is a quote that we found in the Ft. Benning Chapel back in March: “There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and people armed in the holy cause of liberty in a country such as ours, are invisible.” – Patrick Henry

Lastly, there is another anniversary to celebrate. Our CD is one year old now. Sadly, the sales have declined the past months. I cannot promote it here (although there are tons of Army War College Graduates in these offices!) I hope that with the 2009 Army War College graduation next month, that students will buy it as a remembrance of a very special place and their year. Please consider purchasing a CD and donating it to a Veterans’ Home or high school band or JROTC program. Father’s Day and Flag Day are coming up too! If you go to a museum that sells CDs, please ask them to carry it. I’m particularly interested in the new Gettysburg Visitors Center (who was VERY interested in the CD back in November) and other museum gift stores. Thanks…we got to see it in the giftstore at Mount Vernon, VA. That was very exciting!

Till next time,
Cheryl