Last night was one of those nights.  We went out to do a recon patrol, interview an informant that is tired of the Wahabbi bullies in his neighborhood, and stopped in to a couple of houses to say hello and see who was staring at us from their windows.  We drove and walked by mansions and mud-brick hovels in the same block.   At one point drove through a 400m stretch of neighborhood that was still flooded with water and sewage over a foot deep and wall to wall.  There are no curbs in most places.  The smell was so oppressive I thought that I was going to lose my lunch for awhile.  Ironically, I snapped a picture of a banner hanging nearby thinking it was propaganda from the mujahedin.  After I had the text translated by one of our interpreters, I found out that it read: “The Ministry of Health is going to open a medical clinic for the treatment of chronic diseases in <this neighborhood>.”  I honestly wonder if the person who hung that banner knew that it was going to less than a block from a massive cesspool.  Of the houses that we entered that night, we greeted either casually or warmly.  A couple of times, the reception we received was a sort of giddy excitement that US Soldiers were coming in to talk to them.   It was the first time that I was the one that was the recipient of candy as opposed to the provider.  We spread some goodwill, chased away a few guys with AK-47’s that we could not catch, got more familiar with our area and headed for home(the FOB).  The drive home ruined the night when a lead-footed soldier in our group crashed the HUMMWV into the concrete barriers in front of an Iraqi Army checkpoint.  He was driving too fast with no lights and no night vision goggles on.  (We frequently drive with our lights off to make us harder to target, but the soldier was not wearing the night vision goggles that he had been issued.  We were lucky the Iraqi’s did not mistake him for a VBIED and shoot at the HMMWV.  We spent the next several hours shivering in the cold night air guarding the gun-truck while the wrecker was dispatched to recover it.  I kept joking with the driver and the Platoon Leader that they had wrecked the car and “boy, is Dad gonna be pissed!  We’re gonna get grounded for sure!”  It provoked a laugh as I had hoped, and we were just glad that no one had really been hurt.  Accidents happen, and we were lucky that only the gun-truck was messed up.  I got back to do some paperwork and into bed by about 4am to grab a few hours before going out again the next morning.  Another day done.  I have good news to share tomorrow....

Comments

[Wallace-Midland Texas]

Looks like you visited some Bloggers....appears that they have their pajamas on!

[JNALLY]

You on lead-footed drivers...

That's comedy.

Glad you're ok!

[Some Soldier's Mom]

Yeah, we joke in our house that we don't let our son drive our new car when he's home, but he's driving a several hundred thou in our tax $$ all over Iraq!! Except that I know our son likes the NVGs (and 1SG tells me he's his best night driver) I'd say the "going too fast" sure sounded like him!!

Glad all were ok!

[Esther]

Thanks for your awesome updates about life over there. You do us all proud.

[Suthy]

Yes, I too must echo the comment of my Galic friend. Oh Greg, how you forget "Rhonda-the Honda" and the curves she sped down the 'ol Sacred Heart Hill!!!!! Speaking of that I am well reminded of the power o ffriendship, and its healing powers, as Mr Brian Lueken will attest. I am also glad to know that just sometimes you receive a little candy, instead of give it!! Finally, in the midst of an accident in the darkness.....everyone has a sense of hummor! ....and yes, had that been the family car......Joan would have killed me!!!!!!!!!!! Oh wait, it was.....and yes she did!!!!!! :)

Be safe!!!! You are in my prayers.......as is my little blood brother next to you!

Suthy

[David Mullins]

I am retired spec ops and am damn proud our all our troops and want to do all we can back here in the US to support you. I have had four tours in the middle east and the last being in Mosel for several months.
I will help get life saving gear TO ANYONE NEEDING IT OR DOES NOT HAVE IT. Soldiers have to have the vests and armor and level 4 plates as well as the add on kevlar for the back of the helmet and side plates for added protection for the sides of their upper torso. I wish all soldiers well, be safe and we the AMERICAN support you. God Bless us all. David

[Max]

I think we should ditch the hummers and start putting machine guns on top of F-250s! Then you'd have to dispatch a wrecker to clean up the pieces of concrete barrier...

In all seriousness though, I am glad that the Iraqi army didn't shoot at you. Especially if you were giving an Italian commie journalist a ride. Dan Rather would have to come out of retirement to 'expose' the scandal...

God bless you major

[devildog6771]

The young can be so trying can't they. They think they are invinble. You handled him well.

I too thank you for sharing what your life is like over there and what it's like for the Iraqi too. Tahnk you!

[Wild Thing]

Sooo glad you are OK.
Thank you so much for this site to come to and read how things are going for you and the troops with you. You all ROCK!

"Freedom! No Word Was Ever Spoken
That Held Out Greater Hope,
Demanded Greater Sacrifice,
Needed More To Be Nurtured,
Blessed More The Giver,
Cursed More Its Destroyer,
Or Came Closer To Being
God"s Will On Earth.
And I Think Thats Worth Fighting For."

OMAR BRADLEY

[soma]

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