The Ground Perspective

Editors note: a thank you note for a holiday package was received on January 8, 2004, from a 23-year-old soldier stationed in Iraq with the 1st AD. Along with his note, he included a reprint of a detailed report written last
November. His note and his November, 2003 observations follow.

Letter dated: 21 December 03
Received: 8 January 2004

I wanted to personally thank you for your kind package. I received it roughly a week ago and I couldn't write back till just now. Just so ya'll know, your package was awesome. As most soldiers have probably told you, getting mail is the highlight of my (and any other soldier's) day. Being so far from home during this time of year is tough on a lot of soldiers and mail can really make a difference.

Time is tight so I must get going. I’ve attached two emails I wrote to friends and family explaining my perspective here. Take care and continue doing these great things that you do.

Kind regards...

* * * *

14 November 2003

Fellas--

Well today is my 200th day in Iraq but who’s counting? I apologize that it’s been a few months since I’ve written, but things are getting progressively busier and more hectic. It’s actually ironic that things are tougher now because the prevailing thought in the May/June timeframe was that we couldn’t wait till Oct/Nov/Dec because that’s when things would be stable and easy. If we had only known then what we know now.

One More Month

Editor's Note: This letter comes from Major Pain and was originally published on Magic in the Baghdad Cafe blog.

Janurary 13, 2004, Baghdad, Iraq

Hey Guys, Hope this letter finds you all well and happy.

A lot of things have changed since I've been here. The camp now generally employs a lot of Iraqis for various jobs - its a good way to start an economy boost - including hiring out someone to empty and clean our portapottys. Of course the company's idea of clean and ours differ. Basically, they suck the stuff, then spray the bottom half with water - and, they're done! Anything IN the portapotty gets soaked - including the toilet paper - which doesn't have any holders anyway to keep it off the slanted seat platform, so it tends to roll onto the floor. Or get placed on the only flat area right beside the urinal. Now I tell you, would YOU use that toilet paper then, knowing how well men tend to aim and miss the urinal? I ask you, what is it with them? Here they have a urinal that is below waist level, they're using an instrument that they can AIM, for God's sake, and they STILL can't hit the damn thing! These are the guys who would be the first to tell you how skilled they are at snow writing!! I just hope they can shoot their weapons better! *sigh* I did suggest several ways of keeping the toilet paper dry - like putting the new rolls in the pottys AFTER the "cleaners" have gone through, or bending a hanger to hang off the vet s to the top - and putting the rolls on the hanger, but nothing changed. I DID discover they if you wedge the TP high behind the vent stack it stays dry and off the ground. Still it's better to bring your own. Dad sent me some Charmin in his last shipment - mmmmmmm soft....

So THAT'S the Tigris!

Editor's Note: This letter comes from Major Pain and was originally published on Magic in the Baghdad Cafe blog.

Janurary 3, 2004, Baghdad, Iraq

Hi Guys! Just a short note to show I'm still alive and kicking.

The holidays are over, thank goodness! Santa has been deflated and is now sitting in a sad little bundle at the side of the tent. Our Christmas decorations are down, and the taller members of our hospital no longer live in fear of banging their heads on candy canes. The weather continues cold and moist and the heaters in my part of the hospital are still not working well; so here I sit with an army green wool blanket over my shoulders. I guess I should be thankful for the cold - such a contrast over the heat of August where I would have sold at least three members of my immediate family - and my cats - to get just a hint of this temperature. BUT, I find myself selfishly wanting the perfect temperature. Or at least a heater that works to Army specifications. Uhhhhhhhhh, let's make that Air Force specifications - THEY get pampered.

A Christmas Reflection

Editor's Note: This letter comes from Major Pain and was originally published on Magic in the Baghdad Cafe blog.

24 December 2003, Balad, Iraq

I wish to thank the people of this great nation for the generous and loving support showered upon me, and my fellow soldiers, during this time of service. We have left our wives and husbands, parents and children, family and friends to face uncertain life in a distant country; distant both in miles and ideology. Perhaps this separation was not of our own choosing, but is one which we honorably bear because we have given our oath, our promise, to keep our people and children safe from the tyranny of a lost people, a people which does not have the courage to face us, but must rely on acts of terror and deliberate deaths of innocents to further their aims and desires.

Baghdad Holidays

Editor's Note: This letter comes from Major Pain and was originally published on Magic in the Baghdad Cafe blog.

Written 10 Dec - 20 Dec

Hi everyone, sorry it took so long to write, It's hard to write letters at this time of year; must admit it's kinda depressing to be here in Iraq for Christmas.

Not much is going on, same ol’ same ol’. The attacks against us have decreased tremendously. We haven’t had a mortar attack for about a month after we took out the little hamlet outside our gate that the bad guys were using as a launching point. Our worst problems right now are MVAs (moving vehicle accidents-ed.); brand new Stryker vehicle force got into country and one of the first things that happened was a rollover into a canal. While the new Strykers are supposed to float, they don't do too well up-side-down. Unfortunately, we lost 3 soldiers to that accident - but managed to save one young man - eager to rejoin his friends in the Stryker force. More power to him - it's hard when you are a survivor of an accident. Especially this time of year. But he wanted to go back.