The more they stay the same. For starters after a semi-heated email discussion with our last Public Affairs representative I decided to change the blog format to something less military. As a result I've defaulted back to the template I like best: Scribe. Unfortunately Blogger doesn't yet offer a font (or at least one I can figure out how to use) that resembles hand writing. So there's now a difference between the title font and the actual content font...sorry about that.For those who haven't guessed the picture is of our plane from El Paso to Kuwait. We were originally scheduled to leave at O'dark-thirty but due to maintenance issues on an engine didn't leave until normal hours of the morning. The flight was uneventful but I finally got to see all of "Kung Fu Panda". Maine was cold, only 9* F, Germany was warmer (37* F), and Kuwait hasn't been too bad.
We are currently stationed at Camp Arifjan and a few things have changed over the years since the majority of us were last here. For starters it has expanded ALOT!!! However, the main areas are still relatively untouched and even I could find my way around while out and about today. We are still in the land of upper military management (Officers) and this morning I was awakened to the lovely sound of Reveille. There have been a few comments by those who have been here longer than I that the atmosphere is that of a base state-side. As the old timers are probably used to hearing: "We're here in the rear with the gear and the..." well, the old timers know the rest.
The main PX is still a mini-mall with lots of kiosks and other gift/service shops. I had forgotten that its common to barter around here with the locals. All I was doing was looking at a marble mah jong set and the next thing I know I was engaged in negotiations to lower the price...and all I was doing was window shopping. I wish I remembered to barter with the sellers in the bazaar area when I bought my leather bound note book twenty minutes later.
The main chow hall (a.k.a. "The Oasis") is still the best one on post. It does however now have wooden floors and bistro-style tables and chairs in some areas. Over all though the base is oddly familiar...and in some places causes memories and feelings I'd rather not have to surface.
For the most part the unit is doing well. We had a day off today to help acclimate, and from what I have seen morale is high and our account balances are lower, but hey no point living like squatters when we don't have to, right?
Every one take care and be safe, we'll be home before you know it.
~~~
3 comments:
Our blessings & prayers are with each & everyone of you! Merry Christmas! Until we meet again, Love to all! Mom Christians
Wishing u all Merry Xmas our thoughts are with each and everyone of u as we go thru the holidays without our loved ones.. take care and be safe thru out the year
T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE,
MADE OF PLASTER AND STONE.
I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY,
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO,
IN THIS HOME, DID LIVE.
I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.
NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES,
OF A FAR DISTANT LAND.
WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT,
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.
FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.
THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR,
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.
THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED,
AN GREAT BRITISH SOLDIER.
WAS THIS THE HERO,
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?
I REALIZED THE FAMILIES,
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS,
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.
SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE,
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.
THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM,
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.
I COULDN'T HELP WONDER,
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE,
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.
THE VERY THOUGHT BROUGHT,
A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES,
AND STARTED TO CRY.
THE SOLDIER AWAKENED,
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
"SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;
I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."
THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.
I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL,
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED,
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.
I DID NOT WANT TO LEAVE,
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOUR,
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.
THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."
ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
A ND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."
This poem was written by a soldier stationed overseas
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