Fun Times in Iraq

This has been one of those weeks where you just sit at the end of each day and say to yourself, what did I do to deserve that. I hate that most of the things that go on around here has to be filtered by me when I write this stuff because it would affect the security of our missions here but I can say that I'm keeping good notes and I expect someday to let you guys live a few days in my life here.

I went to a Combat Memorial Service Weds and was incredibly moved by the whole experience. I had a reserved seat up on the front row at our base theater for the service. Now I've been to military memorial services before, in fact in my F-16 days, I had to go to at least one a year for guys I knew. But to be in this huge theater that is packed with mostly army guys and girls and to not hear a sound is quite impressive. As the Memorial Service began the Army Band played music. Some soldiers got up to say a few words about their fallen buddy. The soldiers that got up to talk were this guy's friends from home that were servicing with him here, they were his Commanders and of course from other squad mates. At the end of the ceremony the Squad Leader gave a roll call to his troops. As he called out each name in his squad, each person yelled out from the silence, "Here Sergeant". As he called out this soldier's name, of course, there was no answer. He called out his full name....no answer. He called out his name one more time...no answer. Then there was a 3 gun shot salute, followed by taps. At the front of the stage was this fallen soldier's boots, with an M-16 sticking up from the boots. Then they placed his helmet on the M-16 gun and wrapped the dog-tags so that they dangled down. Then one by one the front row slowly walk up to the boots, and give a slow salute. The whole theater did this. I hope to never witness this ever again.

This week also has me traveling around this country. I got back from Kirkuk late last night. I was in Kirkuk for some strategy meetings and I have to say that the pictures I took were the type that someday I'll look back at say, now that's a great shot. If you know what I mean. Whew, that is that.