Mass email sent Dec 23 2004

Hello everyone,

I am sure all of you are getting ready for a wonderful holiday break and looking forward to spending some time with family and friends. I wanted to write and wish you some holiday cheer and to also share some stories.

Bye Bye Babylon

Well, we had to leave our beloved Babylon. Now, it wasn’t like it was a resort area or anything, but it was nice to be living in an historical and interesting area. But, nothing is permanent and we were asked to move to Ad Diwaniyah which is about 120 kms south of Babylon. Now the Army has a saying “trying to fit 20 lbs of shit in a 5 lb bag” (sorry for the French). But that is exactly the way it is here at Camp Echo. This place is designed for about 1,500 and of course we are trying to fit 3,500 here. You can’t walk ten feet without tripping over some Pollack, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Mongolian or some other “ian”.

You should write a book

I have become close friends with several members of a British owned private security firm. These guys have spent years in either the British or South African Special Forces. Anyway, one night we were sitting around and they were telling war stories - the stuff out of Clancy novels. One gentleman was warmly reminiscing about how he was struck in the back by the fins of a RPG. The only damage was that “it cut my suspenders and caused a little internal bleeding”. Holy Hell! There was a pause in the conversation and I decided to offer my own story which involved nearly cutting off my index finger while trying to open a box of crackers (don’t laugh – I nearly cut the tendon). Well of course it came off as one of those “one time at Band Camp moments” and everyone had a good laugh.

At one point I made the comment “you sumabitches outta write a book”. At that time a gentleman named Keith said “Hold on chap” and came back with a hardback book with his face on the cover entitled “The Life of a Mercenary” Holy Hell #2. The kicker is that the book was written by the founder of “Soldier of Fortune” Magazine.

The Polish Prime Minister just walked in – hold on (really – I am not joking).

10 for you, one for me

On our convoys we frequently take large bags of candy to toss to the Iraqi children that are waiting anxiously by the road. It is an enjoyable exercise because the children seem to love the treats and I have implemented my own 10 for them one for me rule. During one of our latest trips, we came upon a group of about six young Iraqi boys (10-12 years old). They were waiting for the candy and we of course tossed them handfuls. However, one of the boys “flipped us off” and then spit at the vehicle. After my initial reaction which was “hey that little bastard just spit at us, turn this thing around” I realized that he was much too young to have personalized that kind of resentment. He must have learned it from his parents or the adult leaders in his village.

It is a shame how hatred for one another can continue and grow especially when it starts at such a young age. And it reminded me that we as parents have a responsibility to our children and to be mindful that they are constantly watching us and listening to our words for guidance on how they should view the world.

Bottom George the WITCH DOCTOR is doing fine

Since I work two night shifts and three day shifts per week my sleep clock is all screwed up. I mentioned my problems sleeping to Bottom George and he suggested a “sedixtive”. The next day he gave me about four little white pills and said with a grin, “these make you very relaxed”. I decided to take one after a long day shift and “holy Jessica Parker”. Immediately I somewhat regretted taken some Mongolian “special” pill, I woke up 16 hours later feeling like I had been run over. I still have a nervous twitch, little bastard.


Good Bye Ted

Major Ted Korontjis is a state patrolman from the Boston area. He is about my height, but weighs 210-215 lbs. He has been an active bodybuilder for several years and has the arms to prove it. Over the past few months, Ted and I became great friends and running partners. We took great pride in training for the physical fitness test together and doing a helluva job on the run part.

As an avid Red Sox fan, we all shared in his joy when the cursed Sox finally won the big one. Anyway, Ted’s time with us came to a close and he had to rejoin his unit in south Iraq. That is one of the bad things about these missions, you spend so much time with good people and you grow to appreciate their friendship. So here’s to Ted, I hope he has a safe trip home and I know his son will be overjoyed to see his dad again. He is a great guy. Of course when I get home, I am going to Boston to whip his ass in his hometown.

With apologies to my Texas relatives and friends, Tennessee is going to WHOP Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl.

Christmas

Many people have asked me that since I am Buddhist do I celebrate Christmas. Hey, I celebrate any holiday that involves me getting presents!

If you are wondering, we are planning a small get together on Christmas day. Nothing special, just something to remind ourselves that it is Christmas.


Well folks that just about does it for this time. The thing I love about the holidays is that when all of the presents have been opened and all of the great food has been enjoyed there is a special moment. It is a fleeting moment when one gets that sincere sensation of happiness and peace and that for a split second everything is right in the world.

So for you my dear friends, my wish for you is that that moment of happiness is with you throughout the New Year.

Happy Holidays everyone and have a wonderful New Year

Sincerely,

Daniel