Well....
I'm overseas now!
All I'm going to say is HOLY CRAP is it HOT!!!!
Here's the perfect example. Preheat your oven, then put your face down by it and open the door, that's exactly what it feels like when the wind blows. It was 130 degrees yesterday. I haven't heard the forcast for today, but it can't be much better. It's 100 degrees in our AIR CONDITIONED TENT!!!! It's weird though because it's so dry that it doesn't feel that horribly hot.
We're at a In-processing camp right now, an hour or so away from Kuwait City. Later this week we'll move to where we'll be for the next year. I can't wait to get into a set schedule.
Everything is pretty good though, motivation is high...all the medics are just happy that we've finally started this year long mission!
Well, everyone take care!
Jake
posted by USArmy.Jake @ 7:25 AM
11 comments
11 Comments:
I have been refreshing your blog about every five minutes for the last day. :) I am so glad to hear from you, and know that you are safe. I am sure that the flight was sooo long, and you are glad to be on the ground again. Faith told me about the drama of the first take off. Woah!
Anyway, please let me know if this is the best way to email or if you would like me to use another address.
Love you lots, lots of faith,
Darcey
You think that's hot?
Did I ever tell you about the time I was on the surface of the sun??
Glad to hear from you. Please keep us updated.
Sefton
Glad to hear you are safe. Stay in touch.
Ray
Hay I just read this and wanted to say thank you to you and all of your fellow serviceman. I know it is long but reading this today and knowing you have started your missions made me want to Post this. All I can say is Thank you all very much from my family and I
> A WIFES REQUEST
> >
> >
> >
> >I was sitting alone in one of those loud, casual steak houses that
> >you find all over the country.
> >
> >
> >You know the type--a bucket of peanuts on every table, shells
> >littering the floor, and a bunch of perky college kids racing around
> >with long neck beers and sizzling platters.
> >
> >
> >Taking a sip of my iced tea, I studied the crowd over the rim of my
> >glass. My gaze lingered on a group enjoying their meal.
> >
> >
> >They wore no uniform to identify their branch of service, but they
> >were definitely "military:" clean shaven, cropped haircut, and that
> >"squared away" look that comes with pride.
> >
> >Smiling sadly, I glanced across my table to the empty seat where my
> >husband usually sat.
> >
> >
> >It had only been a few months since we sat in this very booth,
> >talking about his upcoming deployment to the Middle East.
> >
> >
> >That was when he made me promise to get a sitter for the kids, come
> >back to this restaurant once a month and treat myself to a nice steak.
> >
> >
> >In turn he would treasure the thought of me being here, thinking
> >about him until he returned home
> >
> >
> >I fingered the little flag pin I constantly wear and wondered where
> >he was at this very moment.
> >
> >
> >Was he safe and warm? Was his cold any better? Were my letters
> >getting through to him?
> >
> >
> >As I pondered these thoughts, high pitched female voices from the
> >next booth broke into my thoughts.
> >
> >
> >"I don't know what Bush is thinking about. Invading Iraq. You'd think
> >that man would learn from his old man's mistakes. Good lord.
> >
> >
> >What an idiot! I can't believe he is even in office. You do know, he
> >stole the election."
> >
> >
> >I cut into my steak and tried to ignore them, as they began an
> >endless tirade running down our president.
> >
> >
> >I thought about the last night I spent with my husband, as he
> >prepared to deploy. He had just returned from getting his smallpox
> >and anthrax shots.
> >
> >The image of him standing in our kitchen packing his gas mask still
> >gives me chills.
> >
> >
> >Once again the women's voices invaded my thoughts.
> >
> >
> >"It is all about oil, you know. Our soldiers will go in and rape and
> >steal all the oil they can in the name of 'freedom'.
> >
> >Hmmm! I wonder how many innocent people they'll kill without giving
> >it a thought? It's pure greed, you know."
> >
> >
> >My chest tightened as I stared at my wedding ring. I could still see
> >how handsome my husband looked in his "mess dress" the day he slipped
> >it on my finger.
> >
> >I wondered what he was wearing now. Probably his desert uniform,
> >affectionately dubbed "coffee stains" with a heavy bulletproof vest
> >over it.
> >
> >
> >"You know, we should just leave Iraq alone. I don't think they are
> >hiding any weapons. In fact, I bet it's all a big act just to
> >increase the president's popularity.
> >
> >
> >That's all it is, padding the military budget at the expense of our
> >social security and education.
> >
> >And, you know what else?
> >
> >
> >We're just asking for another 9-11. I can't say when it happens again
> >that we didn't deserve it."
> >Their words brought to mind the war protesters I had watched
> >gathering outside our base.
> >Did no one appreciate the sacrifice of brave men and women, who leave
> >their homes and family to ensure our freedom?
> >
> >Do they even know what "freedom" is?
> >
> >I glanced at the table where the young men were sitting, and saw
> >their courageous faces change.
> >
> >They had stopped eating and looked at each other dejectedly,
> >listening to the women talking.
> >
> >
> >"Well, I, for one, think it's just deplorable to invade Iraq, and I
> >am certainly sick of our tax dollars going to train professional
> >baby-killers we call a military."
> >
> >
> >Professional baby-killers? I thought about what a wonderful father my
> >husband is, and of how long it would be before he would see our
> >children again.
> >
> >
> >That's it! Indignation rose up inside me. Normally reserved, pride in
> >my husband gave me a brassy boldness I never realized I had.
> >
> >Tonight one voice will answer on behalf of our military, and let her
> >pride in our troops be known.
> >
> >
> >Sliding out of my booth, I walked around to the adjoining booth and
> >placed my hands flat on their table.
> >
> >Lowering myself to eye level with them, smilingly said, "I couldn't
> >help overhearing your conversation.
> >
> >You see, I'm sitting here trying to enjoy my dinner alone.
> >
> >And, do you know why?
> >
> >Because my husband, whom I love with all my heart, is halfway around
> >the world defending your right to say rotten things about him."
> >
> >
> >"Yes, you have the right to your opinion, and what you think is none
> >of my business.
> >
> >However, what you say in public is something else, and I will not sit
> >by and listen to you ridicule MY country, MY president, MY husband,
> >and all the other fine American men and women who put their lives on
> >the line, just so you can have the "freedom" to complain. Freedom is
> >an expensive commodity, ladies.
> >
> >Don't let your actions cheapen it."
> >
> >I must have been louder that I meant to be, because the manager came
> >over to inquire if everything was all right.
> >
> >"Yes, thank you," I replied.
> >
> >Then, turning back to the women, I said,
> >
> >"Enjoy the rest of your meal."
> >
> >
> >As I returned to my booth applause broke out. I was embarrassed for
> >making a scene, and went back to my half eaten steak.
> >
> >The women picked up their check and scurried away.
> >
> >After finishing my meal, and while waiting for my check, the manager
> >returned with a huge apple cobbler ala mode.
> >
> >"Compliments of those soldiers," he said. He also smiled and said the
> >ladies tried to pay for my dinner, but that another couple had beaten
> >them to it.
> >
> >When I asked who, the manager said they had already left, but that
> >the gentleman was a veteran, and wanted to take care of the wife of
> >"one of our boys."
> >
> >With a lump in my throat, I gratefully turned to the soldiers and
> >thanked them for the cobbler.
> >
> >Grinning from ear to ear, they came over and surrounded the booth.
> >
> >"We just wanted to thank you, ma'am. You know we can't get into
> >confrontations with civilians, so we appreciate what you did."
> >
> >As I drove home, for the first time since my husband's deployment, I
> >didn't feel quite so alone.
> >
> >My heart was filled with the warmth of the other diners who stopped
> >by my table, to relate how they, too, were proud of my husband, and
> >would keep him in their prayers.
> >
> >I knew their flags would fly a little higher the next day.
> >
> >Perhaps they would look for more tangible ways to show their pride in
> >our country, and the military who protect her.
> >
> >And maybe, just maybe, the two women who were railing against our
> >country, would pause for a minute to appreciate all the freedom
> >America offers, and the price it pays to maintain it's freedom.
> >
> >As for me, I have learned that one voice CAN make a difference.
> >
> >Maybe the next time protesters gather outside the gates of the base
> >where I live, I will proudly stand on the opposite side with a sign
> >of my own. It will simply say, "Thank You!"
> >
> >To those who fought for our Nation: Freedom has a flavor the
> >protected will never know.
> >
> > GOD BLESS AMERICA!
> >
> >Please pray for God's protection of our troops and HIS wisdom for
> >their commanders.
> >
> >"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they
> >protect us.
> >
> >
> >Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for
> >us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and
> >Savior."
> >
> >
> >When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for
> >our ground, air and navy personnel in every area of the middle east.
Ray
Hey Jake
Sorry I missed your phone call this a.m. but I was at work. Thursdays are my work day this summer. Glad to hear you made it and wish I could have talked to you! Please take care of yourself and try to "not boil" I am working on the neck cooling things.
Love you,
Mom
Thinking of you every day. Would you believe I went out and played twice today - once for me and once for you :).
Uncle Jr
Hi Jake, was just talking with aunt Marge and aunt Tup about when you we're suppose to get to Iraq. Well now I know your there and made it safe. This blog is great. Hope you have time to update. Keep your head down and we'll be praying for your safety.
Love aunt Lori
hey jake,
glad to hear you both got there safely. pls take care of yourself and keep safe. you and tiny both have my love, prayers, and wishes.
I am so excited to know you landed safe, just means you will be home that much sooner! Not sure if I ever said this...but THANK YOU..that is to you and everyone around you! Take care of you...let us know if you need anything :)
Lorraine
DAMN you must be TAN!!!! What up Dude? Glad to hear your mission has started! Take care of the troops! They're lucky to have you! You're the STAR! We all miss you and hope for a speedy year! Talk to you soon...
Tina Crichton
Jake,
Krist and I are thinking about you often. We're glad you made it there safely. You are a strong, dedicated person - we're so proud of you for what you and your fellow soldiers are doing.
We look foward to your next blog.
Love,
Kate and Krist
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