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Dear All,
It is Sunday afternoon and this morning I made my way to one of the church services here on base. It was out in the Tuskegee Airman's building where I attended the Change of Command Ceremony when I first got here. Once again it was one of those divine appointments that keep you encouraged and moving forward. What fun to see Colonel's, and Majors and Privates together worshiping our Lord. God made us to worship him and part of his plan is that we do so corporately!I was certainly blessed by my time there.
The Mayor of Balad who has been such a help with the USO leads the music. I was blessed again and again and reminded that God was going to take care of all my needs and even needs I didn't know I had as I serve him here.
Kevin will return tomorrow and hopefully we will be able to move forward with plans for the center.
I will write more later. I am going to catch up on ironing today. Yes ironing still is a part of my life even here in Iraq.
Each of you have a great day and again thank you for you support and encouragement!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Saturday, October 13, 2007
It's been a Month!
Dear All,
Hard to believe I left Texas a month ago. Time has flown. I woke up yesterday a bit overwhelmed and anxious. We have been here almost four weeks and it didn't feel like we were any closer to having a center than the day we arrived. Before the day was over that all melted away as I saw God open doors and give me opportunities with our troops to talk and encourage and just be there that made me glad for the extra time I have right now!
I went to lunch and sat next to a young man who was getting ready to head home on R&R and will meet his family in Dallas. Well of course that excited me to think he will see all your glorious faces when he arrives. Knowing the honor that is ahead of him thrilled my heart. I was able to give him the correct information for his family. AS we were visiting another young man sat down. I have found most do not initiate conversation. I never know if they want to talk or be left alone so I am careful as I engage with them.
This young man readily talked but seemed so down. The first soldier left and the other ask me how I made my marriage last 33 years. We talked and he shared that he needed help. His wife had announced the day before he left that she did not love him anymore. He is broken hearted as he said he thought he had everything the world had to offer in his wife and 15 month old son. He is trying so hard and doing everything he can to talk to her and begin to rekindle things. Before it was over he ask if I could meet with him occasionally to help him talk through some things. Of course that was right down my alley. His chaplain is letting us use his office. What a wonderful opportunity. I will certainly find time for that!
I left there emotional and so grateful for that little divine appointment. I came to the hospital toting all my Uniting Through Reading stuff and sat up the room. It was to start at 4 but by 3:15 I had a darling LtCol there ready to read. He was the sweet daddy I heard that evening in the computer room talking to his children, his little princess. From then until almost nine that night I had a steady flow of men and women there to read books to their children. What a blessing! Sherri Allen, you better hang on tight to you UTR position because girlfriend I'll be all about that when I get back. That was so fun!
For those of you who are not familiar with United Through Reading. it is a program that the USO has partnered with the Family Literacy Foundation to connect families through reading. I have new children's books that I set out. The troops pick out a book and I do a DVD of them reading the book to their child. Then we send the book and the DVD to the child. Many of the troops told their children all about their uniform and the stuff on it and the Helicopter Pad soldier started out with his headphones on and eye protection. It was all so cute and I had a blast talking to them or in my case crying with them. A couple had to start over as they got so emotional. What a precious program. I will be here every Friday to record them.
We had a big encouragement on our center today and so hopefully I will have good news for you soon.
To all of you, thank you for your support and encouragement. It means the world. It is amazing to me how every time I get a Little discouraged God opens an unexpected door that gives me even greater purpose and enthusiasm to be here. He is good!
I love and miss you all so much!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
Hard to believe I left Texas a month ago. Time has flown. I woke up yesterday a bit overwhelmed and anxious. We have been here almost four weeks and it didn't feel like we were any closer to having a center than the day we arrived. Before the day was over that all melted away as I saw God open doors and give me opportunities with our troops to talk and encourage and just be there that made me glad for the extra time I have right now!
I went to lunch and sat next to a young man who was getting ready to head home on R&R and will meet his family in Dallas. Well of course that excited me to think he will see all your glorious faces when he arrives. Knowing the honor that is ahead of him thrilled my heart. I was able to give him the correct information for his family. AS we were visiting another young man sat down. I have found most do not initiate conversation. I never know if they want to talk or be left alone so I am careful as I engage with them.
This young man readily talked but seemed so down. The first soldier left and the other ask me how I made my marriage last 33 years. We talked and he shared that he needed help. His wife had announced the day before he left that she did not love him anymore. He is broken hearted as he said he thought he had everything the world had to offer in his wife and 15 month old son. He is trying so hard and doing everything he can to talk to her and begin to rekindle things. Before it was over he ask if I could meet with him occasionally to help him talk through some things. Of course that was right down my alley. His chaplain is letting us use his office. What a wonderful opportunity. I will certainly find time for that!
I left there emotional and so grateful for that little divine appointment. I came to the hospital toting all my Uniting Through Reading stuff and sat up the room. It was to start at 4 but by 3:15 I had a darling LtCol there ready to read. He was the sweet daddy I heard that evening in the computer room talking to his children, his little princess. From then until almost nine that night I had a steady flow of men and women there to read books to their children. What a blessing! Sherri Allen, you better hang on tight to you UTR position because girlfriend I'll be all about that when I get back. That was so fun!
For those of you who are not familiar with United Through Reading. it is a program that the USO has partnered with the Family Literacy Foundation to connect families through reading. I have new children's books that I set out. The troops pick out a book and I do a DVD of them reading the book to their child. Then we send the book and the DVD to the child. Many of the troops told their children all about their uniform and the stuff on it and the Helicopter Pad soldier started out with his headphones on and eye protection. It was all so cute and I had a blast talking to them or in my case crying with them. A couple had to start over as they got so emotional. What a precious program. I will be here every Friday to record them.
We had a big encouragement on our center today and so hopefully I will have good news for you soon.
To all of you, thank you for your support and encouragement. It means the world. It is amazing to me how every time I get a Little discouraged God opens an unexpected door that gives me even greater purpose and enthusiasm to be here. He is good!
I love and miss you all so much!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Reality of War
Dear All,
I have so much I want to share tonight! It has been a busy couple of days. I have been meeting with different ones to get places to film the United Through Reading Program. It has gone really well and I will actually start taping some tomorrow! I am starting here at the hospital first and then have several units that I will go to and the PAX Terminal. It will be great to begin to get more involved with the troops! Boy do I wish Sherri was here! It will be slow as I only have one camera. I will ask headquarters if I can have another. Many of the MWR's have similar programs but none of which actually send the books and the troops have to send the DVD's themselves, so the troops are thrilled and can't believe there is no cost!
I thought of something you moms will be interested to here. At each of the DFAC/Dining Facilities as you go in the first room you go to is lined with sinks. You are required to wash your hands. Pretty good don't you think!The food is okay but not home and very high in carbs!
My room is in a pod of trailers. Two trailer face each other and each trailer has three rooms. In the A pod where I am there are around a hundred rooms. The trailers are all close together and since the base runs twenty four seven there are people sleeping day and night. I have not learned exactly the hours of all those around me but there are some who sleep during the day. When I am in my room I live in silence so I won't wake those who are sleeping. The walls are very thin. I moved my bed to the other side of the room so the air conditioner didn't blow right on me and the first night I did it I was startled when the gentleman in the room next to me coughed. His bed must be against the same wall as mine and I thought someone was in the room.
This morning I had a very early, 6:30 a.m. meeting, when I got back in my room I listen to my Selah music on my Ipod and it made me think of the movie The Hiding Place. There was a scene in there where all the people in the concentration camp gathered and sang in total silence Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. It was so moving and a powerful display of worship. I have thought of that so many times lately as I sing at the top of my lungs in absolute silence. This morning my heart was full and it was such a sweet time of worship. I was so tired but full of enthusiasm and excitement for the work that is ahead.
Why such excitement.....Last night I stayed at the hospital and was trained and worked at the helicopter pad where they bring the wounded in. Oh my...what an awesome experience. No sooner had they showed me how it all worked and four helo came in with wounded and to work I went. What precious cargo to lift out of the helicopters. They have it down and the process is amazing. During the four hours I was here eight helicopters came in. One that came in was a detainee! IT is amazing to me to watch the Medical staff slip into action. They are all about saving lives. Troops or detainees or insurgents or innocent Iraqi women and children all are cared for with the most incredible care and respect.
I saw a big area of need. On the helicopters were ambulatory and non ambulatory troops. Some have not been wounded but are sick and needing some kind of medical care. They bring them off the helicopters and they wait in a room that is about 15 by 12. It desperately needs a touch of love and medical staff would love that but need help. They desperately need a flat screen TV. What they have is old and small! I watched them eat the peppermint candy that was there so this evening I brought over the candy that Laurie sent me. They were thrilled. They would like two big bulletin boards. One for notes that people send from the States and the other for notes from the troops! The staff does over and above to try an make these troops comfortable. I loved so much being there and helping and hope to do so regularly. Until the center opens I will have a little more time and can help but I hope even after the center opens to be able to help at least one night a week. I plan to renew my CPR certification so I can help in other areas.
Well I have got to get to bed! It has been a long day and tomorrow I will be busy with United Through Reading will travel.
Thank you so much for your support! I love so much receiving your emails and hearing what is going on there. I may not email you right back but it is great to hear! I have a new found appreciation for emails, cards and care packages. It is just a touch of home. It really doesn't matter what they say or what is in the boxes it is that someone cares and loves and supports you. So never grow weary sending our troops cards and care packages. I guarantee it means the world to them. Donna you are doing a great thing with Defenders OF Freedom. You will probably not know this side of glory what a powerful impact you are having and the difference you are making. Press on my dear friend!
A friend gave me a card before I left Texas and it speaks my heart today. Too many of us live life thinking we are making no difference in this world. You may feel you are just one person in this world but keep doing what your heart is passionate about because you may be the world to just one person. I find that to be so true. Serve each other just one person at a time. I sat with a soldier today at breakfast and our lives could not have been any more different. He was so intrigued that I had been married 33 years and was happy about that. We had a great talk and when I left he said to me "thanks for being nice to me, most good people like you don't really want to talk to me." I will probably never see that young man again. He was headed out today for a different camp up north but I was so glad I had that few minutes with him and to let him know how proud I was of him and for his sacrifice to our country.
Again, I love each of you dearly and miss you so much!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
I have so much I want to share tonight! It has been a busy couple of days. I have been meeting with different ones to get places to film the United Through Reading Program. It has gone really well and I will actually start taping some tomorrow! I am starting here at the hospital first and then have several units that I will go to and the PAX Terminal. It will be great to begin to get more involved with the troops! Boy do I wish Sherri was here! It will be slow as I only have one camera. I will ask headquarters if I can have another. Many of the MWR's have similar programs but none of which actually send the books and the troops have to send the DVD's themselves, so the troops are thrilled and can't believe there is no cost!
I thought of something you moms will be interested to here. At each of the DFAC/Dining Facilities as you go in the first room you go to is lined with sinks. You are required to wash your hands. Pretty good don't you think!The food is okay but not home and very high in carbs!
My room is in a pod of trailers. Two trailer face each other and each trailer has three rooms. In the A pod where I am there are around a hundred rooms. The trailers are all close together and since the base runs twenty four seven there are people sleeping day and night. I have not learned exactly the hours of all those around me but there are some who sleep during the day. When I am in my room I live in silence so I won't wake those who are sleeping. The walls are very thin. I moved my bed to the other side of the room so the air conditioner didn't blow right on me and the first night I did it I was startled when the gentleman in the room next to me coughed. His bed must be against the same wall as mine and I thought someone was in the room.
This morning I had a very early, 6:30 a.m. meeting, when I got back in my room I listen to my Selah music on my Ipod and it made me think of the movie The Hiding Place. There was a scene in there where all the people in the concentration camp gathered and sang in total silence Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. It was so moving and a powerful display of worship. I have thought of that so many times lately as I sing at the top of my lungs in absolute silence. This morning my heart was full and it was such a sweet time of worship. I was so tired but full of enthusiasm and excitement for the work that is ahead.
Why such excitement.....Last night I stayed at the hospital and was trained and worked at the helicopter pad where they bring the wounded in. Oh my...what an awesome experience. No sooner had they showed me how it all worked and four helo came in with wounded and to work I went. What precious cargo to lift out of the helicopters. They have it down and the process is amazing. During the four hours I was here eight helicopters came in. One that came in was a detainee! IT is amazing to me to watch the Medical staff slip into action. They are all about saving lives. Troops or detainees or insurgents or innocent Iraqi women and children all are cared for with the most incredible care and respect.
I saw a big area of need. On the helicopters were ambulatory and non ambulatory troops. Some have not been wounded but are sick and needing some kind of medical care. They bring them off the helicopters and they wait in a room that is about 15 by 12. It desperately needs a touch of love and medical staff would love that but need help. They desperately need a flat screen TV. What they have is old and small! I watched them eat the peppermint candy that was there so this evening I brought over the candy that Laurie sent me. They were thrilled. They would like two big bulletin boards. One for notes that people send from the States and the other for notes from the troops! The staff does over and above to try an make these troops comfortable. I loved so much being there and helping and hope to do so regularly. Until the center opens I will have a little more time and can help but I hope even after the center opens to be able to help at least one night a week. I plan to renew my CPR certification so I can help in other areas.
Well I have got to get to bed! It has been a long day and tomorrow I will be busy with United Through Reading will travel.
Thank you so much for your support! I love so much receiving your emails and hearing what is going on there. I may not email you right back but it is great to hear! I have a new found appreciation for emails, cards and care packages. It is just a touch of home. It really doesn't matter what they say or what is in the boxes it is that someone cares and loves and supports you. So never grow weary sending our troops cards and care packages. I guarantee it means the world to them. Donna you are doing a great thing with Defenders OF Freedom. You will probably not know this side of glory what a powerful impact you are having and the difference you are making. Press on my dear friend!
A friend gave me a card before I left Texas and it speaks my heart today. Too many of us live life thinking we are making no difference in this world. You may feel you are just one person in this world but keep doing what your heart is passionate about because you may be the world to just one person. I find that to be so true. Serve each other just one person at a time. I sat with a soldier today at breakfast and our lives could not have been any more different. He was so intrigued that I had been married 33 years and was happy about that. We had a great talk and when I left he said to me "thanks for being nice to me, most good people like you don't really want to talk to me." I will probably never see that young man again. He was headed out today for a different camp up north but I was so glad I had that few minutes with him and to let him know how proud I was of him and for his sacrifice to our country.
Again, I love each of you dearly and miss you so much!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Making Progress!
Dear All,
It has been a busy couple of days! We have had Kevin and Charlotte from Dubai and Shari from Qatar here. We have met with many as we move forward getting this center up and running. I think we are very close to having a plan and action to follow! I can't wait!
Now for all you Poison fans...yes Bret Michael's was here! What fun it was watching the troops have SO much fun. We met him when he arrived here at the DV quarters and got pictures. The concert was great! Many of his songs and many just oldies that we love. The concert was in the theater and it was rockin. Nothing like watching the troops dance and rock out with their M16 strapped across their shoulder. They all really enjoyed themselves. They had the USO people come up front so I was right there in touching distance. We visited with this one married couple and were able to get them up front also. She was a huge fan and had made this big poster and everything. It was delightful to me to watch her husband work hard to get her the best seat in the house and how thrilled he was that she was having such a good time. About half way through I went back stage and stood on the stage where I could watch the troops. You all know me...I was just a crying as I watched them have so much fun! Just can't believe I am here! Standing there it was hard to believe there was a war going on right outside this area and thrilling to think these troops had a moment away from it all. A much needed thing for them.
IT has been overcast the past three days. I wasn't sure if it was overcast or so much dust in the air it looked overcast. At times there is so much dust in the air that it feels hard to breath. The temperature is dropping. Yesterday got only up to 95, which actually feels cool. The mornings and evenings are wonderful and so pleasant to be out in. We are stepping into a new season that I was not really aware started this soon. The Rainy season! Yes Rain! Picture that! It rained day before yesterday, not much but I understand it will pick up here soon. It rained only enough to stir the dust up more. Imagine that! The sand is so fine that it makes a paste and they say it goes everywhere and I will be dust it off of everything. Now that gets me excited!
I am getting to know some people that live around me which makes it so nice and certainly I feel much more at ease in my environment. Last night when I got back to the room the electricity was out and three of my neighbors were sitting outside. We sat out for quite a while until the electricity came back on. Two of my neighbors are interpreters at the hospital and they are fascinating. Noz has been here almost four years and has so many stories to tell. IT was interesting last night hearing what it was like in the beginning of the war. Mom, you would not have wanted me here then! There were not the fences and barriers that protect us now! HE said you could watch the bad guys. They didn't have the missiles and things that they have now but would through whatever they could at the troops and people here!
We have another walk through with the Air Force Engineers here in an hour and maybe after that we will have the answers we need and can start to move forward.
I am excited as I will start the United Through Reading this week even if I have to record they out of the back of my car. We should be able to do some here at the hospital and hopefully in several locations here on base. I will talk to some of the different commanders tomorrow and get that all going. Yeah.....time with the troops!
Well I need to go get ready for the next meeting! I love you all dearly and miss you so much!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
It has been a busy couple of days! We have had Kevin and Charlotte from Dubai and Shari from Qatar here. We have met with many as we move forward getting this center up and running. I think we are very close to having a plan and action to follow! I can't wait!
Now for all you Poison fans...yes Bret Michael's was here! What fun it was watching the troops have SO much fun. We met him when he arrived here at the DV quarters and got pictures. The concert was great! Many of his songs and many just oldies that we love. The concert was in the theater and it was rockin. Nothing like watching the troops dance and rock out with their M16 strapped across their shoulder. They all really enjoyed themselves. They had the USO people come up front so I was right there in touching distance. We visited with this one married couple and were able to get them up front also. She was a huge fan and had made this big poster and everything. It was delightful to me to watch her husband work hard to get her the best seat in the house and how thrilled he was that she was having such a good time. About half way through I went back stage and stood on the stage where I could watch the troops. You all know me...I was just a crying as I watched them have so much fun! Just can't believe I am here! Standing there it was hard to believe there was a war going on right outside this area and thrilling to think these troops had a moment away from it all. A much needed thing for them.
IT has been overcast the past three days. I wasn't sure if it was overcast or so much dust in the air it looked overcast. At times there is so much dust in the air that it feels hard to breath. The temperature is dropping. Yesterday got only up to 95, which actually feels cool. The mornings and evenings are wonderful and so pleasant to be out in. We are stepping into a new season that I was not really aware started this soon. The Rainy season! Yes Rain! Picture that! It rained day before yesterday, not much but I understand it will pick up here soon. It rained only enough to stir the dust up more. Imagine that! The sand is so fine that it makes a paste and they say it goes everywhere and I will be dust it off of everything. Now that gets me excited!
I am getting to know some people that live around me which makes it so nice and certainly I feel much more at ease in my environment. Last night when I got back to the room the electricity was out and three of my neighbors were sitting outside. We sat out for quite a while until the electricity came back on. Two of my neighbors are interpreters at the hospital and they are fascinating. Noz has been here almost four years and has so many stories to tell. IT was interesting last night hearing what it was like in the beginning of the war. Mom, you would not have wanted me here then! There were not the fences and barriers that protect us now! HE said you could watch the bad guys. They didn't have the missiles and things that they have now but would through whatever they could at the troops and people here!
We have another walk through with the Air Force Engineers here in an hour and maybe after that we will have the answers we need and can start to move forward.
I am excited as I will start the United Through Reading this week even if I have to record they out of the back of my car. We should be able to do some here at the hospital and hopefully in several locations here on base. I will talk to some of the different commanders tomorrow and get that all going. Yeah.....time with the troops!
Well I need to go get ready for the next meeting! I love you all dearly and miss you so much!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
The Rest of Dubai
Dear All,
The rest of my time in Dubai was busy, busy and full of new adventures. We worked all day Sunday and half of Monday at the USO in Dubai. That USO there was nothing I had ever seen before. It is out in the docking area in the bay and is kind of a big open area with all sorts of vendors and fast food places. The USO had a main office building, a phone building, a TV lounge/library building, Kasbar or Internet/Media/Gaming Building and a large laundry facility building. They all kind of open on to a large courtyard area that has a big awning with lots and lots of tables and chairs. When the ship come in they arrange with the USO to have all these things available to them. The ship also connect with a vendor and beer is sold also to the troops. (USO has no part of that)
On a normal time the troops come in and are there for a couple of days for R&R and the troops arrange through the USO tours and things like the sand safari that We went on. The can even arrange hotels if they want to stay in town. Because of Ramadan the city is close for all that. No eating, drinking, smoking,at all from sun up to sundown. Things like live entertainment and all sorts of other stuff are not permitted at all. There was a DJ [laying music and keeping the crowd going. So for this visit the troops were contained within the USO area....so picture 4,000 plus marines (that are heading home from there tour in Iraq) and Navy troops who have been out on these ships for months, all in this area letting their hair down. Of course you can imagine where they all went first. The beer area! By midnight you can just imagine the shape of the majority of the troops. Unbelievable!
We worked long and hard that day and were back at the USO by 8 the next morning. The troops had to be back on the ship by noon. The morning was much, much quieter. Lots doing laundry and buying souvenirs to take home. Many in the phone building. There are 100 cell phones for the troops to use! IT is quite an operation.
We have a little more training that afternoon then that evening were taken out to this wonderful hotel on the bay for a luau. A luau in Dubai....interesting! It was quite fun and fun for all of us to just let our hair done and enjoy. Many of the Dubai staff had their wife and babies and that was fun.
We were back at the hotel by 11 and I enjoyed my nice big bathtub one more time. Oh the things we miss being away from home. The next morning we did not have to be at the airport until 2:30 so we had the morning. There was a mini mall there in the hotel and I found a salon and got my hair cut. That felt great and who know how long it will be before I get that opportunity again.
We got back into Kuwait around 6 in the evening and Angela, myself, Kevin our VP of our region, Charlotte his assistant and Shari another staff personnel went to the PAX terminal to begin working on getting a flight back into Iraq. Angela and I were Space Blocked on a flight first thing in the morning. We were to report at o500. As it goes....we ended up staying there all night. We did go over to the USO for a little bit to do a few things but for the most part we were in the PAX terminal with all the other troops trying to get out. We ended up boarding our C130 at 8 am. IT was a good flight. My name was called before the ones with me so I sat with a unit of troops headed into Iraq for their third tour in since the war. They were so fun and it was a great ride in. I was able to give them phone cards, tell them about the USO and give them Defendersoffreedom.us information. I was able to get just a couple of pictures. They have to be taken very discretely. I am not sure is it is forbidden or permitted so I take with real caution and ask all around if they are okay with me taking it.
Back in Iraq, I knew I have come along way as I felt like I was coming home as I walked into my little room. We were exhausted after days of a busy full schedule and being up all night. We slept a couple hours them met for dinner. I came here to do a little emailing and will head to bed early. Oh by the way...the time here changed while we were gone. We don't know why and many don't even know. It is an hour earlier. I am now 8 hours ahead of you.
I had care packages and cards here in the mail when I got here and that was so fun. Thanks Laurie and Vicki and of course my Johnny, who has had a card for me in the mail almost everyday. I have them on my wall in my room.
I love you all and miss you greatly. This will be a big week getting things narrowed down for where exactly the center will be located here. Hopefully in the next couple of days we can really have a plan of action and maybe even a target date for opening. I can't wait. I the meantime I shake a lot of hands and thank a lot of troops and connect with them with whatever time I have. They are all so amazing and making such huge sacrifices for you and me!
Thank you for your support of our troops and for supporting me in this adventure!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
The rest of my time in Dubai was busy, busy and full of new adventures. We worked all day Sunday and half of Monday at the USO in Dubai. That USO there was nothing I had ever seen before. It is out in the docking area in the bay and is kind of a big open area with all sorts of vendors and fast food places. The USO had a main office building, a phone building, a TV lounge/library building, Kasbar or Internet/Media/Gaming Building and a large laundry facility building. They all kind of open on to a large courtyard area that has a big awning with lots and lots of tables and chairs. When the ship come in they arrange with the USO to have all these things available to them. The ship also connect with a vendor and beer is sold also to the troops. (USO has no part of that)
On a normal time the troops come in and are there for a couple of days for R&R and the troops arrange through the USO tours and things like the sand safari that We went on. The can even arrange hotels if they want to stay in town. Because of Ramadan the city is close for all that. No eating, drinking, smoking,at all from sun up to sundown. Things like live entertainment and all sorts of other stuff are not permitted at all. There was a DJ [laying music and keeping the crowd going. So for this visit the troops were contained within the USO area....so picture 4,000 plus marines (that are heading home from there tour in Iraq) and Navy troops who have been out on these ships for months, all in this area letting their hair down. Of course you can imagine where they all went first. The beer area! By midnight you can just imagine the shape of the majority of the troops. Unbelievable!
We worked long and hard that day and were back at the USO by 8 the next morning. The troops had to be back on the ship by noon. The morning was much, much quieter. Lots doing laundry and buying souvenirs to take home. Many in the phone building. There are 100 cell phones for the troops to use! IT is quite an operation.
We have a little more training that afternoon then that evening were taken out to this wonderful hotel on the bay for a luau. A luau in Dubai....interesting! It was quite fun and fun for all of us to just let our hair done and enjoy. Many of the Dubai staff had their wife and babies and that was fun.
We were back at the hotel by 11 and I enjoyed my nice big bathtub one more time. Oh the things we miss being away from home. The next morning we did not have to be at the airport until 2:30 so we had the morning. There was a mini mall there in the hotel and I found a salon and got my hair cut. That felt great and who know how long it will be before I get that opportunity again.
We got back into Kuwait around 6 in the evening and Angela, myself, Kevin our VP of our region, Charlotte his assistant and Shari another staff personnel went to the PAX terminal to begin working on getting a flight back into Iraq. Angela and I were Space Blocked on a flight first thing in the morning. We were to report at o500. As it goes....we ended up staying there all night. We did go over to the USO for a little bit to do a few things but for the most part we were in the PAX terminal with all the other troops trying to get out. We ended up boarding our C130 at 8 am. IT was a good flight. My name was called before the ones with me so I sat with a unit of troops headed into Iraq for their third tour in since the war. They were so fun and it was a great ride in. I was able to give them phone cards, tell them about the USO and give them Defendersoffreedom.us information. I was able to get just a couple of pictures. They have to be taken very discretely. I am not sure is it is forbidden or permitted so I take with real caution and ask all around if they are okay with me taking it.
Back in Iraq, I knew I have come along way as I felt like I was coming home as I walked into my little room. We were exhausted after days of a busy full schedule and being up all night. We slept a couple hours them met for dinner. I came here to do a little emailing and will head to bed early. Oh by the way...the time here changed while we were gone. We don't know why and many don't even know. It is an hour earlier. I am now 8 hours ahead of you.
I had care packages and cards here in the mail when I got here and that was so fun. Thanks Laurie and Vicki and of course my Johnny, who has had a card for me in the mail almost everyday. I have them on my wall in my room.
I love you all and miss you greatly. This will be a big week getting things narrowed down for where exactly the center will be located here. Hopefully in the next couple of days we can really have a plan of action and maybe even a target date for opening. I can't wait. I the meantime I shake a lot of hands and thank a lot of troops and connect with them with whatever time I have. They are all so amazing and making such huge sacrifices for you and me!
Thank you for your support of our troops and for supporting me in this adventure!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Exciting Adventures in Dubai
Dear All,
We didn't get out of Balad until Thursday. Our manifest time was 12:30 pm which didn't finish up until 2. Angela's husband was with her so right after manifest she took off to take him back to his side of base. She had no longer left and they called for us to take our luggage out to the pallets. I got both of our suitcases there and went in to the computer room there to sent and email. When I came back 15 minutes later all the people from our flight were gone. I asked and they said they had boarded the plane. They couldn't run me out to the plane because my flack jacket and helmet were in the car. I paced outside and Angela got there around 3:15. We ran in and they ran us out to the plane that was waiting for us. They took Angela up to sit with the pilots and I was put on the back of the plane with the luggage pallet up against my shoulder. Oh to be young and cute ..... and get to sit with the pilots.
There were some Iraqi workers on the flight and one got sick...that was a long hour and a half flight. Once in Kuwait we missed the bus to the airport by about 10 minutes so we had to wait a couple hours for the next one. That turned out to be fun for me. One I got to call Johnny (my cell phone works there) and John Micah and that was fun. But what where we waited was where the R&R troops are briefed, pick up there SATO itineraries and wait to board there plane. I wanted so bad to take the mic from the Sgt that was briefing them and tell that you all would be waiting for them to greet them in Dallas. I visited with one who was headed home for the birth of his fourth child. A little girl who has three older brothers. I loved seeing that whole process. It is unbelieveable what all the troops go through to get home. It is no easy task. I did go talk to the Commander of the unit who remembered me from Dallas. Great news....when i do take R&R I will be able to come on the R&R flight. That tickled me to pieces.
Our bus ride into Dubai was unreal WHEW!!!!! We had an escort car and I couldn't figure out why so once we arrived at the airport I asked the Sgt that brought us there. The escort car was our protection. In case of hijacking or anything they are armed. Well no one told me I needed to worry about that! All was good and I had a great visit with a Delta Force soldier on the way in. Fascinating!
We stayed in a hotel and left out with ten other USO staff people from the Kuwait USO early the next morning. That was a commeriacl flight and very nice at that. It is about and hour and a half flight from Kuwait to Dubai.
We checked in our hotel and I called Maureen's friend Melanie. Well I tried to call but coldn't figure out how to dial the number. Finally we met up and she took me all over Dubai sightseeing and shopping. She was absolutely wonderful. While I was with her Maureen called and the tears just started to flow. A voice from home. It was a great day and a touch of home being with someone who know Maureen. I just picked up food and ate in my room. I was tired.
Saturday we all met, probably about 30 USO staff people from all the Southwest Asia USO's and were in training all day. At four they took us out on a Sand Safari. What fun was that!!! Oh my goodness! There are six to a car and we went up and down the sand dunes. The car is sliding everywhere and spraying sand up like it were water. Fun, fun, fun! We stopped several times to take pictures! We did that for about 45 minutes then they took us to this secluded area for dinner. It was like a little vilage. I rode a camel! I am surprised you couldn't hear me squealing there! They also had sandboarding down the cliffs and four wheeling. Most of us got Henna tatoos! (Don't worry mom it wears off in about 10 days) There was a man there making these sand art in bottles. Incredible to watch. He did one for me with a camel and my name in it. The music was cranked up and they cooked our dinner out there. Because of Ramadon(and i am sure I spelled that wrong) we could not have live misic or belly dancers so I will have to come back to see that. All and all it was such a fun evening. I laughed and did and saw things I never dreamed in my life I would see. If was fun to just enjoy the USO staff and get to know them a little better.
I hope a have a minute before I leave here to download pictures and try to figure out how to put them on here.
I am excited about tomorrow. We are going early in the morning to the USO Dubai which is out on the wharf (I understand) to work. There are three ships coming in with close to 5,000 Marines. Now that excites me! They say we won't get back till very late so it may be Monday before I can write you about it. It should be so fun!
I have got to get to bed. I am exhausted. I love you all dearly and wish so much you could be here experiencing this with me!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
We didn't get out of Balad until Thursday. Our manifest time was 12:30 pm which didn't finish up until 2. Angela's husband was with her so right after manifest she took off to take him back to his side of base. She had no longer left and they called for us to take our luggage out to the pallets. I got both of our suitcases there and went in to the computer room there to sent and email. When I came back 15 minutes later all the people from our flight were gone. I asked and they said they had boarded the plane. They couldn't run me out to the plane because my flack jacket and helmet were in the car. I paced outside and Angela got there around 3:15. We ran in and they ran us out to the plane that was waiting for us. They took Angela up to sit with the pilots and I was put on the back of the plane with the luggage pallet up against my shoulder. Oh to be young and cute ..... and get to sit with the pilots.
There were some Iraqi workers on the flight and one got sick...that was a long hour and a half flight. Once in Kuwait we missed the bus to the airport by about 10 minutes so we had to wait a couple hours for the next one. That turned out to be fun for me. One I got to call Johnny (my cell phone works there) and John Micah and that was fun. But what where we waited was where the R&R troops are briefed, pick up there SATO itineraries and wait to board there plane. I wanted so bad to take the mic from the Sgt that was briefing them and tell that you all would be waiting for them to greet them in Dallas. I visited with one who was headed home for the birth of his fourth child. A little girl who has three older brothers. I loved seeing that whole process. It is unbelieveable what all the troops go through to get home. It is no easy task. I did go talk to the Commander of the unit who remembered me from Dallas. Great news....when i do take R&R I will be able to come on the R&R flight. That tickled me to pieces.
Our bus ride into Dubai was unreal WHEW!!!!! We had an escort car and I couldn't figure out why so once we arrived at the airport I asked the Sgt that brought us there. The escort car was our protection. In case of hijacking or anything they are armed. Well no one told me I needed to worry about that! All was good and I had a great visit with a Delta Force soldier on the way in. Fascinating!
We stayed in a hotel and left out with ten other USO staff people from the Kuwait USO early the next morning. That was a commeriacl flight and very nice at that. It is about and hour and a half flight from Kuwait to Dubai.
We checked in our hotel and I called Maureen's friend Melanie. Well I tried to call but coldn't figure out how to dial the number. Finally we met up and she took me all over Dubai sightseeing and shopping. She was absolutely wonderful. While I was with her Maureen called and the tears just started to flow. A voice from home. It was a great day and a touch of home being with someone who know Maureen. I just picked up food and ate in my room. I was tired.
Saturday we all met, probably about 30 USO staff people from all the Southwest Asia USO's and were in training all day. At four they took us out on a Sand Safari. What fun was that!!! Oh my goodness! There are six to a car and we went up and down the sand dunes. The car is sliding everywhere and spraying sand up like it were water. Fun, fun, fun! We stopped several times to take pictures! We did that for about 45 minutes then they took us to this secluded area for dinner. It was like a little vilage. I rode a camel! I am surprised you couldn't hear me squealing there! They also had sandboarding down the cliffs and four wheeling. Most of us got Henna tatoos! (Don't worry mom it wears off in about 10 days) There was a man there making these sand art in bottles. Incredible to watch. He did one for me with a camel and my name in it. The music was cranked up and they cooked our dinner out there. Because of Ramadon(and i am sure I spelled that wrong) we could not have live misic or belly dancers so I will have to come back to see that. All and all it was such a fun evening. I laughed and did and saw things I never dreamed in my life I would see. If was fun to just enjoy the USO staff and get to know them a little better.
I hope a have a minute before I leave here to download pictures and try to figure out how to put them on here.
I am excited about tomorrow. We are going early in the morning to the USO Dubai which is out on the wharf (I understand) to work. There are three ships coming in with close to 5,000 Marines. Now that excites me! They say we won't get back till very late so it may be Monday before I can write you about it. It should be so fun!
I have got to get to bed. I am exhausted. I love you all dearly and wish so much you could be here experiencing this with me!
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Going On A Field Trip
Dear All,
It has been a busy couple of days and many possible changes. At this point we are not real sure where the USO Center is going to be. We will continue to work on that and maybe by the time we get back from our little field trip we will have some answers.
We are headed to the airport here around 11:30 to see when we can get a flight out to Kuwait. The one they have us on right now makes three stops all over Iraq and we would rather not do that if we don't have to. Really don't want to see Iraq from the back of a C130. Hopefully they will have something else.
We will go from Kuwait to Dubai and will be there until the second. We won't know what to do in a fancy hotel with a bathroom in my room. It will be great to meet the rest of the Directors and Program Managers from all the South West Region. I am looking forward to the training.
AS for Balad. The weather in the mornings and evenings is wonderful. I don't have my temperature gage thing up yet but I would say it is in the mid 80's and then jumps up over hundred in the afternoons. It is so dusty that it is unbelievable. I was over at the IT building and saw them open up the side of a computer and sand just fell out of it. It is a very fine powdery sand. Everything is covered with it. All the trees and buildings and cars...everything is covered with sand.
We had a meeting with the Mayor of Balad Monday. He was funny. There are signs everywhere that said don't do this or that by the order of the mayor. He was funny pointing those out as he did exactly what the signs said not to do. He is helping us look for the appropriate building for the USO Center. He is also trying to get us wet trailers. Wouldn't that be cool....a bathroom in my room shared with the person next door. Who would think I would think that as a luxury!
I do not have Internet in my room and probably won't as it is $3000 for the dish and $500 a month to maintain it. That is a little out of my price range. I can't hook my laptop up here at the hospital as these are military lines and I did not have my computer imagined. They say it is not good to do that so that has made it a little hard to communicate. I did finely get to download my pictures and am going to try and add some on here tonight. We shall see. Well I just tried and it appears that I can't do it from these computers. I should be able to email from my computer in Dubai and will add pictures then.
I am doing to get to work one day in Dubai at the USO, which is the USO that Maureen Foley worked at for a long time. I am also going to get to met her friend Melanie. I am excited about that. Almost feels like family!
Well no big news just another day with troops, troops, troops! I love it and love this opportunity to serve our heroes.
I love each of you and miss you greatly.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
It has been a busy couple of days and many possible changes. At this point we are not real sure where the USO Center is going to be. We will continue to work on that and maybe by the time we get back from our little field trip we will have some answers.
We are headed to the airport here around 11:30 to see when we can get a flight out to Kuwait. The one they have us on right now makes three stops all over Iraq and we would rather not do that if we don't have to. Really don't want to see Iraq from the back of a C130. Hopefully they will have something else.
We will go from Kuwait to Dubai and will be there until the second. We won't know what to do in a fancy hotel with a bathroom in my room. It will be great to meet the rest of the Directors and Program Managers from all the South West Region. I am looking forward to the training.
AS for Balad. The weather in the mornings and evenings is wonderful. I don't have my temperature gage thing up yet but I would say it is in the mid 80's and then jumps up over hundred in the afternoons. It is so dusty that it is unbelievable. I was over at the IT building and saw them open up the side of a computer and sand just fell out of it. It is a very fine powdery sand. Everything is covered with it. All the trees and buildings and cars...everything is covered with sand.
We had a meeting with the Mayor of Balad Monday. He was funny. There are signs everywhere that said don't do this or that by the order of the mayor. He was funny pointing those out as he did exactly what the signs said not to do. He is helping us look for the appropriate building for the USO Center. He is also trying to get us wet trailers. Wouldn't that be cool....a bathroom in my room shared with the person next door. Who would think I would think that as a luxury!
I do not have Internet in my room and probably won't as it is $3000 for the dish and $500 a month to maintain it. That is a little out of my price range. I can't hook my laptop up here at the hospital as these are military lines and I did not have my computer imagined. They say it is not good to do that so that has made it a little hard to communicate. I did finely get to download my pictures and am going to try and add some on here tonight. We shall see. Well I just tried and it appears that I can't do it from these computers. I should be able to email from my computer in Dubai and will add pictures then.
I am doing to get to work one day in Dubai at the USO, which is the USO that Maureen Foley worked at for a long time. I am also going to get to met her friend Melanie. I am excited about that. Almost feels like family!
Well no big news just another day with troops, troops, troops! I love it and love this opportunity to serve our heroes.
I love each of you and miss you greatly.
In His Mighty Grip,
Linda
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