New Experiences

Well, I can now add traffic cop/harbor master to my resume. It appears that, like a child, the new Iraqi government doesn't know how to spend its money or meet obligations. A contractor, Global Security, used to provide civilian guards to guard the entry control points (ECP)'s to the camp. Well, the Iraqi government hasn't paid them in a couple of months (where the money the US gives Iraq goes, I don't know) so they walked out yesterday. Originally, 3rd ID tasked our brigade with providing an infantry company to pull some of the security (Quick reactionary force, tower guards, and one of the ECP's). What they got was people from my company, a signal company (communications), a couple of the support units and a light engineer company. I'm at one of the ECP's sitting up in the tower behind a .50 cal machine gun watching everything that goes on. There's a checkpoint about 100 yds or so down and in front. If something happens there, the tower next to me with the M240B, 7.62mm machine gun has priority to shoot the vehicle/driver. If he can't stop them, then I get to like them up with the .50 cal. I also control traffic. I watch for convoys coming in from the front and outgoing from the rear. I'm kind of like "eyes in the sky". I tell the two gates to let traffic in or out. It's kind of fun- sittin' there in my tower from midnight to 8am, puffin on a cigar, controlling traffic over the radio. The Nat'l guard infantry unit from Hawaii we're replacing is pretty cool to work with.
Well, that's what I'll be doing until we come off the detail. I may be doing this until we come home. Yeah, it's pretty cool, but I don't want to do it for 11 months. That's about all that's really going on now, with the exceptional mortar round that hits at camps near us every now and then. This is Baghdad and it is to be expected. Y'all take care. Ben, congrats on the weight loss. Cathy, e-mail me that pic of that fish. It's a beautiful fish.
Chris

Bertha came up yesterday to attend a presentation with me. She spent the night with Ben and helped him some today. She came to the wellness center around 3:30 for a massage, roll out, and then we had dinner. Ben's church, Church of the Good Sheperd had a musical benefit tonight to raise funds for a camp held for children with Aids. Gene and I attended with Bertha. It was really nice and fun. It is so rewarding to see that wherever Ben goes to work, they all love him and what he does for their church program. He is so much like Bertha, he give 110%. He is really talented. He also looks great. For those of you who have not seen him recently, you may not recognize him. He is now wearing a size 36 pants. Instead of a 3X shirt, he nows wears a large. I'm happy for him. He's worked hard.
Thanks for coming up Bertha.

Us, country folks, call it a Yard Sale! She also loved an auction, refinishing furniture, and sewing. Remember all those cute outfits she sewed for Terri and Christie. I treasure the red checked apron & the Christmas tree skirt that she made for me.

Sorry I did not go with the others today. Dad called this morning and left a message, but his message was cutting out. I figured that you were putting flowers on Gloria's grave, but could not understand when. I assumed that it was tomorrow, since that would have been her birthday. When I called Dad back, it was too late. I think that Bertha was right, she probably was the quietest of us and she did have strength and courage. Bertha did forget one other thing that she enjoyed, which was a sale, what we call a garage sale, but I forget what they're called there. Good night. Margaret

Don't have pictures to share, but had a great day fishing in Lake Phelps last Saturday. Caught 73 sunfish (bream,yellow bellies, etc) and one raccoon perch. We enjoyed them on Father's Day with Dad, Margaret, Gene, Hannah's family, Rick's dad & sister.

Today, Joyce came to Chowan Co. and brought flowers to place on Gloria's grave. Tomorrow, June 22, would have been her 57th birthday. Dad and I went with her. She was buried in a private grave yard not too far from where she lived in Sandy Cross. Finding the grave yard in a very well maintained condition pleased Dad. Christie said that her dad's family takes care of it and it is always well maintained. Today date, 19 years ago, is the day when she first told Mom and Dad that she had cancer. She died in February of 1987, 18 years ago, two weeks after Ashley was born. I believe she was the quietest of the Byrum girls. She loved the beach, working in her yard, her children and Ben Blanchard. She would always get around Ben and a piano and say, "Play something". Then after prodding him, he would play for her, but they always ended up playing Chop Sticks. Most of the time she would also ask him to play Because He Lives out of the hymnal. How appropriate! Because he lives, I can face tomorrow... And how she did face tomorrow with grace, dignity and courage!

Baghdad, Volume 2

Happy Father's Day to Granddaddy and all the uncles and cousins with kids. Yesterday was kind of chill. I was supposed to go out to take some of the S-5 (Civil Affairs) folks to look at a water treatment plant project. However, we had to take a Public Affairs guy (Army reporter/press liason type) and a civilan reporter out. So, I got bumped. Hey, one less risk to take, right? Got up, helped prep the vehicles with water, ice and getting the vehicles' weapons and ammo ready.
Will continue later. My time's up. Love y'all.