6/20/10 - Father's Day in Afghanistan

Being deployed certainly comes with a price.  We have talked about this previously, however!  Being apart from your family on holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, special events, etc. is still a bummer!  I've been at work since about 6:00am on this Sunday/Fathers Day and it's now 6:00pm.  All day as I'm working through the endless pile of things to do, I'm thinking of each one of my kids, their faces, expressions, laughter, angry moments and reflect on how I miss them.  We're all grown up and doing what we do and if home, it would probably be me and my wonderful wife out and about doing something.  The kids calling and saying "Happy Fathers Day".  Kids, you don't know how much that means to me and how much it means to your Mom when you tell her "Happy Mothers Day" or just a simple out of the blue "I Love You"!

Mom and I truly blessed with each one of you!  Yes, even though we have our moments, you are loved beyond measure.  I'm proud of each one of you for the choices you have made and the choices you will make.  Each one of you will continue to do great things and conquer the world or at least your piece of it!  I love you and thank you each for all the joy you bring me each day!  You are my strength each and every day!

Just as a side note and a general update. 

The last couple of weeks are of course busy for me at work.  The local Taliban have not launched rockets our way for several days.  This of course is a good thing.  However, it makes everyone a little nervous as though they are saving up!  In the upcoming weeks Kandahar City, which is outside our base, will have some increased activity.  We have troops rolling in everyday and occupying several locations near the city.  We anticipate activities to increase.  All will be good as our base is strongly fortified and difficult to penetrate.  I look at these young soldiers, some that barely look old enough to drive and they are faced with some serious challenges.  In charge of other soldiers, equipment, the security of their missions and the safety of the friendly local Afghan people.  All in the name of freedom.  I say this because many of the young men (and older ones too) are fathers.  I just hope they are thought of as my kids think of me!  For those that are not, I ask that
everyone simply say a "Happy Fathers Day" in their honor. 

The living conditions out in the field where most of these units are positioned remind me of the day back in Desert  Shield/Storm.  I did my time in a GP medium with 16 other soldiers, eating MRE's, showering bird-style with bottles of water, washing clothes by hand in buckets for over ten months.  My time here at Kandahar is an office, a sheltered building with a bed and access to dining facilities.  In the scheme of things, comparably, it's not so bad!  I just hope that what I am doing to get these soldiers the things they need in the field improve their situation in some way!

There is more work to be done and plenty of it!  I'll try to get another update out soon!  In the meantime, I hope everyone stays well!  

With mounds and mounds of love! 

R2

6/6/2010 - A few hours off!

Who would of thought a few hours off would be so good?  I managed to take about 6 hours off for myself this afternoon.  No I didn't just lay around, that's not me!  I did some laundry, dusted my little space off, walked to the PX, bought some M&M's, copied some music from the laptop to the iTouch and thought what the heck?  Might as well publish a post.  Nothing fancy, nothing real exciting on this side of the world.  We did have our usual rocket attacks and yes, they scored a hit in front of one of the living quarters.  Women's quarters at that!  Minor injuries from what we know.  Oh yeah!  Back to a few hours off.  Did I mention after working roughly 16 hours per day consecutively over a two week span how nice it feels to get a few hours to yourself?  It feels good!  Better if I had my wife on the back of my bike headed somewhere, anywhere! 

Renee spent a few days with the kids in California.  Sounds like the birthdays went well, the cakes turned out great and life was good!  Next year we go together! 

Time continues to pass fairly quickly due to the long demanding hours and workload.  We are over the 10% mark and R&R is scheduled for Christmas and New Years.  Can't wait to see my wife and family.

Did I mention?  Ricky was a young boy, he had a heart of stone...no, no that's the song playing on my itouch.  Sorry, got lost there for a moment.

I really don't have much to report.  The views, smell, dirt and heat are all bout the same!  Just doing time on a work release.  At least that's what it feels like at times.

Anyway, I hope everyone is fine and doing well.  I miss everyone and think of the laughter and good times often.

I'll sign off for now.  Until next time, take care! Later

R2