Here's to the Old Man we all know and love!! Say hello, just don't use his name! :)

Reviving the Old Man!

2011-02-08T12:34:00.009-05:00

Alright ladies and gents, consider this the revival of the Old Man! Three years past his first deployment to Ramadi, Iraq, we’re up for round two. Time and place? Sometime this spring to somewhere in Afghanistan.

This time it’s a bit different. He's got a different, more sensitive position with the Corps. As opposed to his previous job as a typical grunt, the more unknown his accomplishments and day-to-day tasks are, the more successes it will bring the Marine Corps at large. He’ll be on a teeny-tiny team of silent heroes. No media coverage, no news stories, no magazine columns…Just him, (and what’ll likely become a very large beard grown just because he can) making his way through the Afghan war zone alongside the Infantry Marines in the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine regiment. All working together on a quest to maintain the safety and security of the people and continue building the infrastructure of a nation. A feat that is incomprehensible to most.

What does this mean to me (and you)? I’m going at it alone, folks. No comradery of a 1200 strong Marine Battalion with eager family members ready for their return; no “Letters from the CO”; little family readiness support from the Corps; no campaign-trail recognition from Michelle Obama/Oprah for military spouse sacrifices. Did I just say that out loud?

Just me, my feisty little girl, who, by the way, is going through the mommy-won’t-admit-but-unequivocally-so, terrible-twos phase; my newly earned Master’s degree and what my mom calls: first real job; my keyboard; and my rants and raves encompassing all, as I press ‘send’ into the vast emptiness of cyber space…Oh and of course my family, located states away, that has always provided unwavering support. (Yes, they are self described, myself included, as the HO’S – Hancock, Hill, O’Sullivans. You see where I’m going with the need to blog?) And hopefully the occasional phone call from around the world.

The goal of round two? Augment my faithful followers of 1200 1/6 family members and Ramadi fans with those of the 3/4 Marines and families, and get offered a blogging spot on Military Spouse Magazine. A girl can dream, right? So I’m saddling up my boot straps, gathering up the blogging followers and bracing my Flat Daddy (literally, his neck is ‘broken’) ‘cause living in the sticks surrounding Lejeune, I’m bound to run into a tree or two.

So read me, or don’t. But as of now, Old Man Hancock is back in action! (And yes, I was karate chopping my hands wildly in the air like Ben Stiller.)

First task in order…bloggy makeover. Any suggestions?

insert big sigh of relief

2007-06-04T08:49:00.000-05:00

The Old Man's deployment to Iraq has finally came to a close... These were some of the proudest, saddest, and happiest moments of my life.

The welcome home festivities were wonderful. On homecoming day, the MCCS set up tents with food, games, and a dj. The families and wives brought their coolers of beer and waited for hours just in case the buses came early. The anticipation while waiting in the parking lot for his bus to arrive was the best feeling ever and boy, I can't even describe the relief I felt when I saw him pile off the bus with the rest of his Marines.

The Old Man introduced me to everyone who worked so hard to stabilize Ramadi and that was such an honor. The Captain and a few guys from his squad found me just to tell me how strong the Old Man is and how well he led his Marines throughout the deployment. That day was one of the best days of my life. I only wish that the families of the 1/6 Marines who lost their lives could be with us to watch their Marines step off the bus that day.

He's been back in the states for a few weeks now and I'll tell ya, we haven't missed a beat. We had his welcome home party and surprised him with both of our families who flew in from out of town for dinner, a welcome home parade with the Patriot Guard Riders, and a surprise birthday party afterwards..

As for the parties, we're still not positive whether or not he knew about everything, but we're all pretty sure he had a hunch. The out pour of support from our community hasn't failed to bring tears to my eyes. From the handshakes, to those who walk by and salute the flag and banner draped across our front porch, to the thoughtful book that was left on our doorstep outlining a wonderful quote saying, "Thank you," to my husband for his service... We are so incredibly fortunate and blessed to be happy, health, and alive.

We had a nice semi-vacation on Emerald Isle the week after he returned home, bought a new truck, and adopted the cutest puppy ever while we were down in NC. We also managed to finish up the final decorating touches on the house and are about to go to MI, Aruba, and FL to visit everyone else who couldn't make it up to DC. Yes, it's ton of stuff to do, but you know what? Any other way just wouldn't be our style! :)

It's been tough, but we stuck by each other and are so excited to continue our lives together. For me, I think I've come to a close on this chapter of our lives. I've cried and celebrated and hugged and kissed and clung on to him a time or two. I still can't help but get all vaclempt every time I look at him or hold his hand since I'm so damn proud of him and everything he's accomplished. I also can't help but laugh every time I look at my "Flat Husband" sitting on the floor now rather than at the dinner table with me. I've been staring at that thing for so long that I almost forgot how much cuter he is in real life and how much more fun it is to poke and pinch him again! The final hurrah from this deployment was the story that Fox 5 did on us, which was sort of a way to close the door on these past 8 and a half months for me.

Click Here! to watch it.

So in sum, he's smiling, healthy, thankful, happy and home safe. He picked me up and spun me around when we were first reunited in Lejeune then carried me through the door of our new home in DC...

All without one head bump or knee bang! :)

Thursday Thirteen #17

2007-05-15T21:17:00.000-05:00

So he didn't actually say some of these, but I know he's busting to do them! Being gone for 8 months is a looooong time!

13 things the Old Man will probably make a bee-line for when he gets home from Iraq (in two more days!!! yay!!!!!!!!!!)

1. Buffets, buffets, buffets! He's says "No" when I ask him which one he wants to go to first, since he's been watching his girly figure and all, but I know he secretly wants to pull up a chair along side the dessert tables...

2. His fishing poles. He fished at the beach, in the river, in ponds along the highway, everywhere. Heck, he even fished me two years ago right off the dance floor!

3. Buying another car. Oh yes, he has already pin pointed the car, the dealer, the color, the make, the interest rates and payments...all on his downtime in Iraq!

4. Visiting our families. He's so excited to see everyone he bought tickets to visit home long ago!

5. A tunafish wrap from the cafe in the basement where I work. It's like a three pound wrap by the time he's done getting everything he wants in it and he scarfs it down in 3 seconds flat!

6. PBR. He stands by this beer and its award it won in 1882. This and the Capital Kolsch brew at Capital City.

7. Speaking of, Capital City Brewery is on his to do list.. That was kind of our place before he left..He thought it was hilarious making me to go beer for beer with his giant Marine-y self. Funny thing is, he was always the first under the table! :) (J/K Old Man!) Oh, and the chicken is really good too..

8. Nights of TBS reruns and bottles of wine. Boy, sounds like we have a pattern here doesn't it? Nah, we're not that bad...

9. His super human strength, incredibly fast, unusually good at every position, gray haired "Hancock" player that he created on Madden. This and his NBA Live game that screams, "Chauuuuuncey Billllllips!" when he makes a shot every three seconds. Sometimes I find myself randomly yelling it when the game is over ..

10. An open, quiet area so he can sing, "GOOOOOLEY!" OK, so maybe that's something I'll make him do, but his Robert Gooley impressions (from SNL) are absolutely hilarious!

11. Kayaks and road bikes. He's really looking forward to buying these. I got him hooked on kayaking the last few times we went to FL. Except for when we kayaked right over the sharks in Caledesi Island. Good thing we didn't know what we got ourselves into at the time..

12. All the rest of the things in civilian life. Like cars, showers, beds, peace and quiet, time off from work...

13. Last but not least, Me! You better believe he'll be making a bee-line through the crowd over to me, pick me up, hug me, spin me around, and kiss me!! OK, so really if we did all that we'd probably just bump heads...fun to romantically fantasize though! :)

2 MORE DAYS!! Weeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

Welcome to Thursday Thirteen! Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

I love my Flat Daddy!

2007-05-13T17:26:00.000-05:00

This is the best thing EVER!!! (Next to my lifesize blanket of course!)

Thanks Flat Daddies, for sponsoring us and sending me this GREAT life size picture! To get yours at Flatdaddies.com, Click Here!

Thursday Thirteen #16

2007-05-09T20:16:00.000-05:00

In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, here are:

13 Ways to Support Our Military

Fly the flag on your house, car, or business during May.
Send an email or a letter through Thanks A Million .
Send a care package to a solider through USO Cares.
Organize an event or donation drive in your community or workplace.
Ask your elected officials at all levels to support the troops or a military member you know.
Wear a support our troops wristband or t-shirt.
Register your support at America Supports You!
Ask libraries, schools, or organizations to participate in recognizing our armed forces by doing some of the above.
Ask local media (TV, newspaper, radio) to feature a military member you know.
When you see a person in a military uniform, shake their hand and say thank you for serving our country.
Raise funds for military charities.
Hire a veteran using Vets First. Visit, HireVetsFirst to learn about how.
Leave a comment to say thank you to the Old Man and his family!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

Welcome to Thursday Thirteen! Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Opposites attract

2007-05-09T20:05:00.000-05:00

This is a cute story written by Anita Doberman. This is in no way the Old Man and I. ;)

Opposites attract. This is true in many areas of my life and especially in my marriage, where my husband and I have different personalities. I am the more exuberant type, and he is more subdued. I am more fun - or what he may say impulsive. And he is the more boring – he may say rational.

I noticed that our differences have enriched our lives, especially when one of my childhood dreams was realized for a few short but intense hours. I have always wanted to own a German Shepard, named Rex. When I was growing up in Italy I used to watch this show about a police dog named Rex who chased bad guys.

Then one morning, I opened my door and found a puppy version of Rex staring up at me. He didn't have a collar and there was no one in sight. A miracle! I couldn't contain my excitement and ran inside the house yelling to my children that I had found a new puppy, named Rex. We all rushed into the bedroom where my husband was trying to sleep after a long overnight flight, and told him that a German Shepard had magically appeared at our doorsteps, and that we had to keep it, never mind we have two dogs and a cat.

As a military man would do, he sprung into action and made a very efficient sign "lost puppy inquire within" and called animal control, while the kids and I chased the puppy around and yelled Rex come, Rex sit, Rex roll over (not that these commands meant anything to the puppy who kept running in circles).

I really wanted to keep Rex. I was hoping he didn't have an owner, so I told my husband that it was simply meant to be that I found Rex. Trying to temper my excitement, my hubby told me that a) Rex was female, and b) she had an owner somewhere. But I pressed on with my dream, making the only concession that I could by calling her Rexa.

As I watched my husband lay out a plan to find the dog's owner, I realized that we couldn't keep the dog, and I had to focus on finding the owner -- a.k.a the right thing to do.

I focused on the fun aspect of finding the puppy while he focused on the practical aspect of finding the owner.

When my husband is deployed I am not as care-free, but because he was there I enjoyed my childhood dream of playing with Rex – ok, Rexa.

After a couple of hours, someone knocked at our door, and the owner (a very nice lady) recognized the dog, "Maggie," immediately. To my dismay, the dog clearly recognized her too.

My husband will deploy again soon, and he is clearly concerned – with some reason – that he'll return to find a house full of puppies. More likely though, when he leaves I will have to go back to taking on full control of our home and my impulses – including all the boring rationality involved.

Hum, it's much more fun when he's home.

To see this story on Military.com, Click Here!

2007 "Thank a Military Spouse" Writing Contest

2007-05-09T20:00:00.000-05:00

Tell Military.com why you think a military spouse you know is great!

In honor of Military Spouse Appreciation month, Military.com is holding its annual "Thank a Military Spouse" writing contest!

Do you know of a military spouse that has gone above and beyond the call of duty? Does he or she have a story that's waiting to be told? Now is your chance to let us know how great your spouse is.

The Military.com editorial staff will judge all of the entries. And, if your story is chosen as the 1st place submission, you could win a 2 GB Apple iPod nano! Ten runners-up will receive one Military.com t-shirt. The winners will also have their articles featured on Military.com and the upcoming Military.com newsletters. Military.com members have from May 4, 2007 to May 21, 2007 to submit entries.

Show your spouse that you acknowledge and appreciate all of his or her hard work while you protect the country. Tell us their story!

Here's how you enter and other important contest information:

Please send submissions to familysupport@militaryadvantage.com.

Submissions must be titled "Thank a Military Spouse" and be maximum of 400 words.

Entries must in a typed, double-spaced, word document and sent as an e-mail attachment to the e-mail address listed above.

Submissions must include the spouses name, your name, your address and your telephone number.

You have the option of sending a digital (jpg) photo of you and the military spouse along with the submission.

Submissions received after the May 21st will not be eligible for the contest.
The winner and runners-up will be notified via phone and/or e-mail between May 28, 2007 and May 30, 2007.

Entries will be judged on content, tone, voice, clarity and originality.

To view our official rules, Click Here!.

Military.com is ready to receive your "Thank a Military Spouse" submissions. Good Luck!

You're a Military Wife When...

2007-05-09T19:51:00.000-05:00

Sarah Smiley May 15, 2006

They were sitting beside me in the cement waiting room of a navy branch clinic. They were talking to each other and smiling, so I knew they were newly married.

Now, I know what you're thinking: “Sarah, that's so stereotypical, jumping to conclusions and assuming that they are newly married simply because they were talking to each other and smiling. I mean, why didn't you assume something more obvious and reasonable, such as that they were boyfriend and girlfriend?”

Oh, well, that's easy. The young man dressed in an olive green flight suit couldn't have brought his girlfriend into the clinic to be seen. She would not have had an I.D. card.

So, there I was reading a wrinkled and torn pamphlet about prostate cancer, while they held between them the ends of a brochure about their medical benefits. I was alone (Dustin was probably home with the kids or something), and they were huddled so close you'd have thought they were sitting in a teepee. I should also point out that the girl wore a fresh, coordinated outfit that not only looked clean, it looked ironed, too. I was wearing sneakers with no socks and a red baseball cap, because I don't get dressed up for a Step-throat culture.

Then the girl walked to the receptionist's desk to check on her appointment time.

“Last four?” the receptionist said.

The girl looked confused.

“Last four of your husband's social,” the woman said.

The girl turned around to her husband, still waiting in the chair, and said, “What's your social security number, Honey?”

Right then, there was absolutely no mistaking -- they are newlyweds. You can't be married to someone in the military for too long before you know their social security like you know your own shoe size. In fact, I know my husband's “last four” better than I know my own.

All of which got me thinking: just like there is a point at which a woman can no longer hide her pregnancy, there comes a time when a woman is undeniably a military wife. When is that point? It's different for each person. Sometimes it even happens over night, while you are unaware. But eventually, we all suffer the same fate; we wake up thinking, when was the last time my mother wrote my address in ink in her address book?

You might also realize you're a military wife when...

• The site of US GOVERNMENT on your caller ID no longer freaks you out
• All your husband's fresh white underwear has his “last four” stamped on the waist band
• You know the smell of JP-5
• You laugh at Top Gun. Even harder at Tom Cruise as “Maverick.”
• You know that APO isn't a type of dog food
• Your husband's best friends have names like “GULA,” “Wookie,” “Rat Boy,” and “Dancing Bear.”
• Suddenly “GULA,” Wookie,” “Rat Boy,” and “Dancing Bear” seem like affectionate nicknames. (Although, probably not to your civilian mother.)
• You've had five different jobs in four years.
• You've had five different addresses in four years.
• You've had five new best friends in four years.
• Luckily you've had the same husband for five years, but you haven't seen him in three.
• You know that “Haze grey and underway” is not a song by Neil Young.
• When your husband announces he's going to use “the head,” you no longer smirk and think, “About time...but I'm still smarter than you.”
• You realize that when your husband is on “cruise,” he won't be dining with the captain of the Love Boat
• Similarly, you realize your junior husband won't be dining with any captain.
• You know that your husband will eat in the Mess Hall, and you think that's right where he belongs.
• And last, you definitely know you're a military wife when you're sitting in a waiting room without your husband and you're not the least bit jealous of the girl who doesn't know her husband's “last four.” (Even if she was thinner and had better skin.) Because you know, without a doubt, that she's got a lot to learn and a long way to go.

About Sarah Smiley

Sarah Smiley is the author of Shore Duty, a syndicated newspaper column that reaches more than 2 million weekly, and of the memoir GOING OVERBOARD: The Misadventures of a Military Wife (Penguin/New American Library).

Sarah has been featured in The New York Times Magazine and Newsweek, and on ABC's Nightline, CNN Sunday Morning, CBS The Early Show, Fox News Studio B, and MSNBC Live.

Sarah's life rights were recently optioned by Kelsey Grammer's company, Grammnet, and Paramount Television. A half-hour sitcom based on her columns and book is now in development for CBS.

Read more about Sarah at www.SarahSmiley.com.

To see this story on Military.com Click Here!

Show your support for NMAM!

2007-05-08T21:20:00.000-05:00

Don't forget, this month is National Military Appreciation Month!

Read about the history of NMAM...

As a nation, we observe and participate in various national cultural and social awareness events through mass media attention and educational curriculum. However, we have not allocated appropriate recognition of the most important presence in the world today, an entity that impacts each and every American in a significant way, the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

National Military Appreciation Month (NMAM), as designated by Congress, provides a period encompassing both the history and recognition of our armed services with an in-depth look at the diversity of its individuals and achievements. It allows Americans to educate each generation on the historical impact of our military through the participation of the community with those who serve encouraging patriotism and love for America.

This month gives the nation a time and place on which to focus and draw attention to our many expressions of appreciation and recognition of our armed services via numerous venues and also to recall and learn about our fast American history.

National Military Appreciation Month (May) includes:

Loyalty Day (1st)
VE Day(8th)
Military Spouse Day (11th)
Armed Forces Day (19th)
Memorial Day (28th)

This very important month honors, remembers, recognizes and appreciates all military personnel; those men and women who have served throughout our history and all who now serve in uniform and their families as well as those Americans who have given their lives in defense of our freedoms we all enjoy today.

It recognizes those on active duty in all branches of the services, the National Guard and Reserves plus retirees, veterans, and all of their families - well over 90 million Americans and more than 230 years of our nation’s history. Let us celebrate them just as we celebrate the other important entities that make up this wonderful country of ours!

GOD BLESS OUR MEN, WOMEN, AND FAMILIES WHO SERVE THIS GREAT COUNTRY!

US Central Command gathered a list of organizations who strongly support the military and published them on their website. To see the list, Click Here!

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention!!!

2007-05-08T18:57:00.000-05:00

OUR BOYS ARE ON THEIR WAY HOME!!!!!!!!!

The CO has spoken, it's official!! The Old Man's boots are off the ground and IN THE AIR!! He and his company is well on their way en route to the states!

Thank you all for all your wonderful words of encouragement and support. We couldn't have gotten through this without you. Be sure to read the last two articles by OnPoint (posted below). They speak to the progress in Iraq over the past 8 months and are great reads. Our Marines have helped the Iraqi Army build schools, get running water, produce electricity, and so much more. Be proud of what we've all been through and accomplished. This has been quite a journey for all of us!

Hang tight just a little bit longer everyone. Only a few more days!!!

ON Point in Anbar: The Tide Turns in Ramadi (Part 2 of 2)

2007-05-07T15:15:00.000-05:00

05-07-2007, 11:24 AM • by ON Point

Ramadi’s successes—and challenges—have started to garner attention from mainstream media. Although a pair of suicide bombs hit the city yesterday, killing 20 ON Point follows last week’s article with several profiles of personalities, events, and issues that have been the talk of the town in recent weeks. Here’s a look inside Al Anbar Province and its capital, Ramadi:

Latif’s the Man

The security provided by the Marines in Ramadi is reflected in the work of the mayor, Latif Obaid. Having organized the 3rd Economic & Reconstruction Conference, Mayor Latif, a professional and thorough mayor promoting his city with all the skills and enthusiasm of any mayor back in the States, took a few minutes to talk to ON Point about Ramadi. Quotes include:

- “We plan to provide the same services as you have in America; water, sewage, schools, sanitation, electricity.”

- “We can claim victory over AQI because of what the Marines and Coalition have done.”

- “The people of Ramadi need to work hard to keep the victory.”

- “The Marines – IP’s – IA’s need to continue to work together for the good of the people and the good of Ramadi.”

Conference Garners Big Numbers

Last month’s Economic & Reconstruction Conference had over 200 attendees, predominantly local sheiks and Iraqi contractors, who gathered to discuss street paving, soccer fields, contracts, and bidding. They also prioritized the needs of the city in their meeting.

The founder of the Sons of Anbar, Sheik Sattar al-Rishawi, was also present for the April event, but he sat back and let the Mayor and his District Council run the show.

-----

More from the Sheik

Inaccurately called “Sheik al-Risha” in a recent Christian Science Monitor article, Sattar al-Rishawi has become both the beacon and the lightning rod for Ramadi. In late March, he survived yet another AQI assassination attempt. In his spare time, he helped form the new Sunni political party “Anbar Awakening.” The sheik and ON Point talked privately after the conference about his views on Ramadi, Anbar, and Iraq:

ON Point: Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the Coalition say that the battle for Baghdad is the most important struggle today. Do you agree?

Sheik Sattar al-Rishawi: No. What is happening here is of equal importance. We are proving that AQI can be defeated by joint Marine and Iraqi efforts.

ON Point: Last month the Prime Minister made a much publicized visit to Ramadi. Are you now getting the support he promised?

Sattar: We need the money he promised for [Iraqi Army] salaries, weapons, trucks, and equipment. The approval process from the MoI/MoD takes forever.

ON Point: Can you tell us more about your new political party, “Anbar Awakening?”

Sattar: We [the Sunnis] want to participate in the national government. We are an important part of this land, and we need to be heard. We are talking to our brothers in Fallujah, Taji, Zorba, and northeast Baghdad.

ON Point: Three years ago, the Marines fought a fierce battle in Fallujah…

Sattar: That was against foreign fighters. General Zilmer [the former commanding general in al-Anbar] was my friend. General Gaskin is my friend. We want the Marines to stay.

Interviewing the General

Maj. Gen. Walter Gaskin, who commands the 25,000-person II MEF (Fwd), is responsible for the security of Anbar, the largest province in Iraq with a population of 1.7 million Sunnis. When Gen. Gaskin and II MEF assumed command responsibility in February from Maj. Gen. Richard Zilmer and I MEF, Gaskin emphasized continuity in his actions and policies. Two weeks ago, ON Point had an opportunity to talk with Gaskin about his first months in Anbar. Here’s what the general said:

- “We want to build on the foundations I MEF left us. They built some strong local relationships, which I want to continue.”

- “1/ 6 did it the right way [in Ramadi]. They used bullhorns to give out information, like the imams do at the mosques. They secured the neighborhoods, so that only those who belong there can get in.”

- “Listen to the tribal leaders on a personal level. Talk to the tribes, the I/As [soldiers] and the I/Ps [policemen]. You have to know the neighborhoods.”

- “The Sunnis didn’t participate in the last election, but now they are sorry. They will participate in the next elections. They want the same things that we have: electricity, employment, water, health care, rule of law, and working sewage, and they know that we can help them achieve these goals.”

- “I am responsible for the entire province, with 6 major cities [Fallujah, Ramadi, Habbaniyah, Haditha, Hit, and Al Qaim]. In each city I want to see a viable and effective I/A and I/P presence, a mayor, a chief of police, economic development, and the sheiks and tribal leaders on board. When we have these, we own the town.”

- “We need to be careful that we don’t hold the I/A’s and I/P’s to some unreachable American standard. They need to know how to fight as squads, companies, and battalions in their role of defenders of their country’s borders.”

- “We know we have a political timetable, and are dealing with a new government in Baghdad as well. That government is only 10 months old and still going through massive growing pains. We can win this, but not on an artificial political timetable.”

-----

Anbar: Past and Future

The Army’s Raider Brigade from Fort Stewart, Ga., arrived in Ramadi at the end of February. They replaced the Ready First, and are building on the foundations that 1/ 6 Marines, Sheik Sattar, the Ready First, and Sheik Jasim built. The new arrivals would be wise to demonstrate some humility.

“Ramadi is free of Al-Qaeda” Raider Col. John Charlton crowed last week. “We’ve driven them out.” Maybe, but this is an insurgency, and not a conventional war. Two days after he made this statement, the 17 day respite was broken by 2 VBIEDs attacks on an I/P position. No one was killed, but five were wounded in that attack. And yesterday’s tragic attacks are a reminder of the bad days of a year ago.

The Marines departing are more circumspect. “Things are certainly better than when we arrived,” admitted Lt. Col. Bill Jurney, 1/6 commanding officer. Gen. Gaskin mentioned the need to get out of the cities (once they’re secured), and go after AQI in the countryside. “We’ll go find them where they don’t expect us,” he said. “We’ll go after them where ever they are.”

With Ramadi and Anbar are being held out as examples of American – Iraqi co-operation, it is worth remembering the efforts that both sides have made to get this far. 1/ 6 had 12 KIA, 100 WIA. Shiek Sattar lost 4 brothers and his father. Sheik Jasim lost 5 brothers, and his tribe alone lost more than 200. And the exact count of the Ready First’s losses was unavailable, but not meager. If Ramadi and Anbar are the showcase of the war, it is worth noting the effort and valor that led to the accomplishment.

Despite Col. Charlton’s boast, Ramadi is not yet 100% pacified. The terrorists know that the I/P’s are rooting them out and are targeting them accordingly. The checkpoint system is working, but at a cost. The insurgents are no longer targeting just Americans and the Iraqi Army; there have been 527 attacks in Anbar just on I/P’s, who respond by rolling up terrorist after terrorist.

Yet the local Iraqi population in and around Ramadi, led by Sheik Sattar, Sheik Jasim, and the other leaders of Sons of Anbar, continue to rally with the Marines and Army. Last month some 1,400 Iraqi’s signed up to be policemen. They are signing up faster than America can train them.

-----

Lubin’s Parting Thought

As I finish my latest embed, I’m left with one overarching thought. It is important that the Raider Brigade, the USAID workers, and the State Department’s Provincial Reconstruction Teams who are now arriving with their American expertise in zoning law, tax law, and other do-good ideas are cognizant of the history of blood and sacrifice that preceded them. They would do well to remember 1/ 6’s HM3 Christopher “Doc” Anderson, Capt Travis Patriquin of the Ready First, and all the other American dead who helped make Ramadi and Anbar Province the success it is today.

ON Point senior correspondent Andrew Lubin is enjoying a well-earned vacation at his home on the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border.

To see the story online, Click Here!

ON Point in Anbar Province: The Tide Turns in Ramadi (Part 1 of 2)

2007-05-04T08:21:00.000-05:00

05-03-2007, 10:35 AM • by ON Point

Tonight, the lights are back on in Ramadi.

One year ago, in a report that received national attention, the Administration, Pentagon, and Coalition General Staff had unofficially declared Al Anbar Province and Ramadi to be “lost.” Incidents in Ramadi, Fallujah, and Al-Qaim were measured in how many per hour. Stories of fighting in Ramadi’s “Snake Pit,” or the tragic August 2005 report of fifteen Marine reservists of Lima Company, 3/25, killed in Haditha splashed across the news each night. This was the Sunni and Al-Qaeda in Iraq insurgency at its worst.

But Ramadi is a far different town than when I visited in October 2006 and Jan-Feb 2007. And it’s decidedly different than a year ago.

Ramadi Today

In Ramadi today, the local financial institution, Rafidain Bank, is open and operating like any normal bank. A new bus line brings people to work and market on a regularly scheduled basis. Ramadi General Hospital has been re-opened. There is a huge and vibrant market in the same Qatana area I crept through in February, when I reported on listening to IED’s and small-arms fire at zero-dark hundred.

The city’s water system has been restored. The Medical College has reopened. Alpha Co.’s 1/ 6 2,000 student school is still thriving. The Dental College is open. Two of seven Army Corps of Engineers electricity projects have been completed. And the lights are on in the homes at night.

It’s not just Ramadi that’s come alive. The city of Hit just had 13 days without a bullet being fired. And out on the Iraq-Syria border, Al-Qaim has a bank, a school-board, and a mayor.

The Ramadi-oriented group of Sunni Sheiks—the “Sons of Anbar”—have formed a national political party in order to more fully participate in the national government. The new “Iraq Awakening” party is a group of 200 sheiks who will be pushing a slate of candidates in the provincial elections this year, as well as the parliamentary elections in 2009.

The charismatic Sheik Sattar Al Rishawi and his brother Ahmed plan to continue their drive with Coalition Forces to make Anbar Province a safe, stable and economically viable part of Iraq. If they have their way, the abysmal 2% Sunni Anbar participation figure in the 2005 election will be replaced by a far higher participation percentage.

A few weeks ago, Ramadi completed 17 days incident-free. No deaths. No injuries. No bombs. No attacks. Just 17 normal days. There was an Al-Qaeda suicide attack on Day 18, but the result, fortunately, was only innocent wounded and not dead. This is in contrast to the daily and hourly bombings and beheadings in Baghdad.

Despite these many successes, Al Anbar Province as a whole is far from perfect. In the last week three Marines and three soldiers were killed in Anbar. Al-Qaeda-in-Iraq has been weakened, but not defeated.

But the difference between the scattered IED attacks here in Anbar and the brutal daily carnage in Baghdad is striking, as is the response of the Iraqis. While the other cities of Anbar Province are quieting down as hundreds of their sons volunteer for the Iraqi Police each month, the remainder of Iraq continues to deteriorate.

Last week in Baghdad, I talked with MajGen William Caldwell, the official spokesman for Multi-National Forces-Iraq. In our interview, Caldwell praised the Marines for their efforts. “In the last 12 weeks, violence in Baghdad is down 2%,” he said. “In Anbar, it’s down 6%.” He also noted that while American deaths in the same 12 week period in Baghdad rose 17% (and went up a stunning 52% north of Baghdad) American deaths were down 31% in Anbar.

How did it succeed?

There are three major reasons for Ramadi’s success: Sheik Sattar al-Rishawi, the U.S. Army’s “Ready First” Brigade of the 1st Armored Division and the Marines of 1/6.

Although individual sheiks had previously tried to stand up to AQI, they were uniformly butchered, which served to suppress the entire local population. In April 2006, Sheik Sattar, angered by the killings of his father and four brothers, formed “Sons of Anbar,” and began to fight back.

After that, the Sons of Anbar approached Col. Sean MacFarland, the CO of the Ready First, whose brigade was responsible for Ramadi. Col. MacFarland and his staff negotiated a deal where Sheik Sattar agreed to help root out AQI by providing their sons to be Iraqi Police and protect their own villages as well as by providing crucial local intelligence.

As this was taking hold, 1/6 arrived in September 2006 to take over security in the heart of the city. Because of Sheik Sattar’s initiative, and with Col. MacFarland’s support, 1/6 had a solid cadre of Iraqis who were ready to partner with them in security efforts. The battalion that 1/6 had relieved did not have these advantages. Fortuitous timing allowed 1/6’s commander, LtCol William Jurney, and his XO, Maj. Daniel Zappa, the opportunity to orchestrate their successful “Clear-hold-build” campaign.

The Sheik in the City

As Sattar’s sphere of influence outside of the Ramadi city limits began to bring calm and stability, Sheik Jasim Swidawi, the lead sheik from inside Ramadi, saw Sattar’s success and added his influence. Sheik Jasim had also lost family members to AQI, as had many of his tribe. And they had suffered from the daily battles between the Marines and AQI that raged across his city.

At the same time that he reached out to Sattar, Jasim and his tribe were benefitting from the Marines of 1/6 taking back the city block-by-block through establishing outposts like VA, Hawk, Firecracker, 17th Street, and Qatana.

With the Marines of Alpha Company (Capt Kyle Sloan) walking the streets and clearing the blocks around OP VA and 17th Street, and Bravo Company’s (Capt Jason Arthuad) Marines clearing the Government Center, Qatana, and to the east, it enabled the sheiks to go back to their tribes and recruit their young men as Iraqi Police. Soon, the young men of Jasim’s tribe began to fill the IP recruiting centers.

“These Marines did the hard work in clearing the city and providing the security,” LtCol William Jurney said. “When the sheiks stepped up, they knew they wouldn’t be left hanging.”

The IP program is so successful that they have more recruits than recruiting billets. Some 1,400 young men turned up last month. Defending one’s family as an IP is now considered an honorable position.

Short of training, short of uniforms, and short of arms, they continue to volunteer in droves. Just last week, two members of a local neighborhood watch group disrupted an AQI suicide bombing attempt. After all, who knows who belongs on a street and who does not better than a local citizen?

The security provided by LtCol Jurney’s Marines leads to an Iraqi confidence and trust that leads to even more calm and security. “At first, I believed that AQI and his tribe shared the same patriotic, anti-American agenda,” Sheik Jasim told me. But after experiencing AQI’s fundamentalist reign of terror—and having AQI kill all five of his brothers—Sheik Jasim joined forces with Sheik Sattar and the Marines.

“Islam is a religion of forgiveness and shared living,” Jasim said. “Extremism is not good.” The sheik added that he found the Marines and coalition forces to be a positive influence. He even said that, if necessary, “the Marines can stay for a long time.”

ON Point’s Andrew Lubin just returned to the U.S. from his fourth overseas embed in nine months. Part 2, which will feature portions of four exclusive interviews, will be published Monday.

To see this story online, Click Here!

Going the Distance to Honor Marines

2007-05-03T11:11:00.000-05:00

Marine Corps News April 25, 2007

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.-- People swim, cycle and run for a variety of reasons; for fun, fitness or competition. Capt. Andrew Christian, a Marine assigned to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, does all three in memory of fellow warriors killed and injured in the Global War on Terrorism and to raise money to help support their families.

While deployed to Iraq in 2006 as a member of a Military Transition Team, the Neenah, Wisc., native was authorized two weeks of leave to return to the United States and run the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in June of that year. He completed the 26.2-mile run while carrying a 3 x 5 foot American flag and crossed the finish line in three hours and 23 minutes.

The flag Christian carried was in the back of a HMMWV in Iraq Feb. 20, 2006 when one of his teammates and fellow Marine, Staff Sgt. Jay Collado, was killed while en route to train soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 4th Brigade, 8th Iraqi Division.

Collado died from injuries sustained during an insurgent attack with an improvised explosive device and two other members of the team, 1st. Lt. Justin Waldeck and Staff Sgt. Chris Claude, were severely wounded.

Following the attack, Christian and his team discussed ways to honor their fallen and injured comrades and decided to raise scholarship money for Collado’s six-year-old daughter.

“We gained a lot of funds simply by word of mouth,” said Christian, the branch head for 1st Special Missions Training Branch, Marine Special Operations School, MARSOC. But to really get the word out, they had to advertise and find great Americans and corporations willing to donate to their cause.

Friends, family members and other supporters of America’s troops donated thousands of dollars when they learned of Christian’s commitment to carry the U.S. Colors during a marathon – and of his reasons for doing so.

“Carrying the flag is a way for me to honor Staff Sgt. Collado and show all Americans that our true heroes are making the ultimate sacrifice every day in Iraq and Afghanistan,” Christian said.

True to the amphibious tradition of the Marine Corps, the four-time marathon-runner would not be satisfied until he attacked his objective from the sea: He set his sites on the Ironman Arizona triathlon in Tempe, Ariz., and committed to carrying his U.S. flag through the harsh desert heat and 30-mile-per-hour winds for a marathon’s distance once again – but this time after swimming 2.4 miles to shore and completing a 112-mile bicycle ride.

Christian contacted a company that agreed to sponsor his cause to raise money, both for the daughter of his fallen teammate and for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund. The sponsor then asked three-time Ironman World Champion, Peter Reid, to be Christian’s coach and prepare him for the competition.

With the memory of Collado’s death and his wounded teammates' lengthy rehabilitation process on his mind to motivate him, Christian began a rigorous four-month training plan that included training time with some of the top professional athletes in the Southern California area.

Triathletes must find ways to stay motivated throughout the months of extreme physical training required to complete an Ironman race. Christian found all the motivation he needed by thinking of his fellow Marines.

Christian often spent six or more hours per day bike riding and running to prepare, but he said there is no easy way to carry a flag. He carried the Colors on several runs early on in his training, but quickly realized the weight of the flag would cause him to suffer no matter what he did and instead focused his efforts on getting into top physical shape.

“An Ironman requires you to train at odd hours to get in your mileage. I spent a great deal of time swimming, riding and running between (3-7 a.m.),” Christian said. “Training like this is time consuming and forces you to develop a strict time-management schedule."

“In four short months, Reid took me from 177 pounds to 160 pounds and put me in the best shape of my life,” Christian said. “Without the support of Reid, I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish what I did.”

When race day finally arrived, Marines from Christian’s unit were on hand to show their support.

“It was truly an honor and a privilege to watch Christian carry the American flag during the race,” said Master Sgt. Charles H. Padilla, the staff non-commissioned officer in charge of 1st SMTB, MSOS, MARSOC.

“To be there and watch him on the course, you get a good appreciation of what he accomplished and what type of man he is.”

While carrying the flag during the marathon potion of the triathlon, Christian received support from his fellow runners and spectators alike.

“I received comments like ‘Go USA’ and ‘We support the Marines,” Christian said. “I had several people stop, salute the flag and yell ‘Semper Fi!’ as I ran by.”

Throughout the race, the crowd’s cheers motivated him, and though the weight of the flag bore down on his arms and shoulders, Christian never gave up.

“The thought of not finishing didn’t cross my mind,” said the husband of 17 years and father of one. “I knew carrying the flag would make me suffer, but when you think about a wounded Marine’s situation, your pain subsides very quickly.”

Christian neared exhaustion as he entered the last 50 meters of the race and was joined by his 13-year old son who came to his father’s side to run the final stretch beside him.

“This is something my son will remember for the rest of his life. It was really special having him there at the finish line,” said Christian. “Training for this made me sacrifice a lot of time with my family, but they understood it was for a great cause.”

Christian crossed the finish line after 10 hours, 54 minutes of non-stop physical exertion with the American flag held high in remembrance of America’s fallen and in support of their families and surviving wounded warriors.

He finished the race 185th out of 2,066 entries.

“The memory of my fallen teammates gave me the motivation to finish strong,” Christian said.

“Christian is a natural leader and an exceptional role model, not just as a Marine, but in his personal and family life,” said Lt. Col. Anthony R. Herlihy, officer in charge, 1st SMTB, MSOS, MARSOC. “He upholds the highest standards for himself and inspires others to excel.”

Together, Christian and his team of fellow Marines have raised more than $30,000 dollars for Collado’s daughter and $50,000 for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

To see this story on Military.com, Click Here!

National Military Appreciation Month

2007-05-01T20:51:00.000-05:00

May is National Military Appreciation Month!

To learn more about National Military Appreciation Month, see events going on in your city, or ways you can support our troops, Click Here!

Military Life Isn't Easy

2007-05-01T20:44:00.000-05:00

About the Author

Tanya Biank is an award-winning journalist, Fulbright scholar, and the author of "Under the Sabers: The Unwritten Code of Army Wives" (St. Martin's Press). She is an Army brat and Army wife. As a military journalist, Tanya has deployed around the world with military servicemembers and has appeared on national TV and radio shows discussing military issues. Visit Tanya's website www.tanyabiank.com for more details.

I've never heard of the military making a weak marriage stronger. But the fabric of military life — the hardships and heartache woven in with the joys and warm memories — can make a strong marriage flourish. Couples separated by war tend not to take life or each other for granted.

A just-released RAND Corp. study requested by the Pentagon, reveals military marriage divorce rates have not "skyrocketed" despite stress from deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. In fact, married servicemembers who had been deployed were less likely to divorce than those who never deployed and "longer deployments were associated with greater reductions in risk," according to the study.

The study's findings no doubt surprised a lot of people. No one ever said the military was an easy life. Yet retired military couples almost always look back at their years in the military as some of their best. Simply put, couples can either grow apart or grow together during their military journey.

With the Pentagon's recent announcement of extending tours in Iraq to 15 months, the impact on military families, many on third, even fourth deployments since 9-11, remains to be seen.

I asked Army wives about their marriages and what they've learned along the way. Their advice is something we can all gain from. Life is about learning from one's mistakes and those of others. Army wives offer these pitfalls to avoid in marriage:

"Never stop caring what is going on with your spouse," said Rachel, who is stationed in Hawaii with her Army husband of eight years. "I want to know — to the extent that he can tell me — what my husband does every day, what is happening with him professionally, what he sees or hopes for his career path. Likewise, he wants to know what is happening with me, what my goals are, what my thoughts are. I see so many military wives who really have no idea what their spouse does. If you had a friend who didn't care about anything that was going on with you, would you stay friends with them? I wouldn't. Why should my husband and I want to stay together if we don't know or care what is happening with each other or what each of us is thinking?"

"One of the worst feelings that either one can experience is loneliness, whether by the spouse left at home or by the service member while deployed," said Liza, an Army wife of 17 years stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. "This often leads to liaisons that can destroy marriages. The best rule to live by is find solace from persons of the same sex, not the opposite."

"‘If my spouse were standing right here, he would approve of my actions,'" is a statement that has helped Phoebe, an Army wife of three years. Both she and her husband serve in the military in the Washington D.C. area. "Rumors are horrible. A good trusting relationship will not fold, but communicate and understand each other, and don't let outside influences sway your judgment or contentment."

"We have seen many couples spend too much money and live way beyond their means," said Nicole, an Army wife at Fort Belvoir. She has been married 16 years. "My husband's income is so predictable that we know there is not going to be some huge bonus at the end of the year to fall back on. We know that we have two kids to send to college. And we know that it is not important to shop in department stores or have a big screen television."

For the newly married and the soon-to-be-married, Army wives offer the following advice that has helped in their own marriages:

"Remember the military is a lifestyle," said Noel, a Fort Bragg Army wife. She has been married 21 years. "It isn't just your husband's job."

"Know that there will be times in your marriage when Uncle Sam will seem like he is number one," Liza said. "Hang in there. Your spouse will eventually realize that the number one love of his is, and will always be, you."

"Remember you are on the same team," said Lyn, who has been married to her Special Forces husband for 21 years. "It is not natural for a couple who wants to get married and be together to spend so much time apart. There will be times of loneliness, jealousness, and longing. Learning how to address the feelings and discuss them and remember again, you are on the same team and you believe in each other."

"You really need to learn to be flexible and understanding if something ‘pops' up at the office or the field," said Anne an Army wife of 15 years who lives at Carlisle Barracks, Pa. "Believe me, they want to come home to eat dinner just a badly as you want them there for it."

"Take advantage of all the wonderful parts of military life," Rachel said. "Tavel. Experience different cultures and ways of life, even within our own country. Open your heart and your home. You will be amazed by the gifts of love and friendship that you receive. Kindness builds kindness and military life is what you make of it. For me it is the experience of a lifetime."

"Don't argue," Nicole said. "In a minute it can all be taken away. Live on post or base. Get involved. Be honest. Be a volunteer. Always wear a smile. Be a sister to your neighbors. Don't do or so anything you will regret — again, in a minute it can be gone."

© 2007 Tanya Biank.

To see this story on Military.com, Click Here!

What have you done for yourself lately?

2007-05-01T20:35:00.000-05:00

April 28, 2007 Love My Tanker

Do you ever just get so tired that you can't go, you can't think straight and you wonder where the week or month went? I know that our service-members often have jobs that make them feel this way, especially when deployed or training.

We as mil-spouses have a lot on our plates too. Does it sometimes just make you simply exhausted to think about it all?

Our family is on the post-deployment track right now. In saying that - I should be fully rested, brain fully functioning and singing a happy song, no? Well, I should at least be singing in my own head, I have a horrible voice. I just feel like I have been in fast-forward for so long now that I have no idea how to slow down, sit down and just be.

I just honestly think that the last few years, especially since deployments became so widespread, have finally taken a toll on me. You know, as a mil-spouse, you seem to just go and go and go. You do and do and do. Our lifestyle requires us to go and do and drive on.

The years have finally caught up with me though and I am feeling burnt out and that other word, tired exhausted. That leads me to question myself. What have I done for me lately?

The honest answer is, nothing much. At least not lately. I did go to a cafe once a few months ago and sat peacefully while drinking yummy coffee. I also got a much needed face peel two years ago. That counts, right? Gardening is generally my bliss, but this year my yard is lackluster in comparison to previous years. Anyone that knows me personally and could see my yard right now, would be sure to say, "hey, what the heck is wrong with you girl?"

Do you find yourself just speeding down the highway of military life (and life in general) and playing the cards that are dealt to you without taking a moment to consider yourself and what you really need? I think a lot of us do that.

It can be similar in the civilian world too, but because I am a military spouse and once was a career-minded civilian, I can truthfully say that the military world causes us to put ourselves on the back burner more than your average civilian.

Now that I am so tired, I sit here some days and try to figure out where the last few years have gone. What did I do during all of that time? I know that the time was (mostly) productive, even when my soldier was away, but I also know that I haven't done a lot for myself over the years. It is time for me to change that.

When you volunteer, work, go to school, parent, run a household, keep your marriage together even when worlds apart, run kids here and there, deal with medical issues, help your parents, help your friends, help your neighbors or even help strangers, you are a true superwoman. Pat yourself on the back, then go make a list of some things that you would like to do for yourself and forge a plan to make it happen.

In order to regain a sense of myself and take some needed downtime, I am going to try and:

Back off of volunteering so much, just for awhile. I love it, but I am tired.

Get a haircut more than twice a year and stop coloring my own hair.

Make an appointment to get an overdue massage.

Spend more time with my kids doing things we truly enjoy instead of things we have to do.

Hire a babysitter so that I can have date nights with my husband.

Just say no to meetings or other events that I don't really have to attend.

Take more frequent breaks from the news and the computer.

Go camping, hiking and fishing with my family.

Attempt to read all of the books that I have ordered so far this year - which are currently collecting dust.

Leave the dishes unwashed, the laundry in the floor and go sit under a shade tree. At least once a week.

Go back to having days that I do not get out of my PJs, order in and have a glass of wine while watching a chick flick.

Sleep more.

If you took the time to think about how tired you really were, would it send you into a week long sleep immediately? Most of you probably already have, but try not to let yourself get as run down as I feel right now. Think about yourself for just a moment and try to find something that will rejuvenate your energy supply.

To see this story on Spousebuzz, Click Here!

Uneasy Alliance Is Taming One Insurgent Bastion

2007-04-30T16:26:00.000-05:00

By KIRK SEMPLE
Published: April 29, 2007

ON THE JOB TOGETHER Iraqi policemen and American troops patrol near Ramadi in Anbar. Ramadi’s police force has sharply increased in the past year.

RAMADI, Iraq — Anbar Province, long the lawless heartland of the tenacious Sunni Arab resistance, is undergoing a surprising transformation. Violence is ebbing in many areas, shops and schools are reopening, police forces are growing and the insurgency appears to be in retreat.

“Many people are challenging the insurgents,” said the governor of Anbar, Maamoon S. Rahid, though he quickly added, “We know we haven’t eliminated the threat 100 percent.”

Many Sunni tribal leaders, once openly hostile to the American presence, have formed a united front with American and Iraqi government forces against Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia. With the tribal leaders’ encouragement, thousands of local residents have joined the police force. About 10,000 police officers are now in Anbar, up from several thousand a year ago. During the same period, the police force here in Ramadi, the provincial capital, has grown from fewer than 200 to about 4,500, American military officials say.

At the same time, American and Iraqi forces have been conducting sweeps of insurgent strongholds, particularly in and around Ramadi, leaving behind a network of police stations and military garrisons, a strategy that is also being used in Baghdad, Iraq’s capital, as part of its new security plan. Yet for all the indications of a heartening turnaround in Anbar, the situation, as it appeared during more than a week spent with American troops in Ramadi and Falluja in early April, is at best uneasy and fragile. Municipal services remain a wreck; local governments, while reviving, are still barely functioning; and years of fighting have damaged much of Ramadi.

The insurgency in Anbar — a mix of Islamic militants, former Baathists and recalcitrant tribesmen — still thrives among the province’s overwhelmingly Sunni population, killing American and Iraqi security forces and civilians alike. [This was underscored by three suicide car-bomb attacks in Ramadi on April 23 and 24, in which at least 15 people were killed and 47 were wounded, American officials said.]

Furthermore, some American officials readily acknowledge that they have entered an uncertain marriage of convenience with the tribes, some of whom were themselves involved in the insurgency, to one extent or another. American officials are also negotiating with elements of the 1920 Revolution Brigades, a leading insurgent group in Anbar, to join their fight against Al Qaeda. These sudden changes have raised questions about the ultimate loyalties of the United States’ new allies.

“One day they’re laying I.E.D.’s, the next they’re police collecting a pay check,” said Lt. Thomas R. Mackesy, an adviser to an Iraqi Army unit in Juwayba, east of Ramadi, referring to improvised explosive devices. And it remains unclear whether any of the gains in Anbar will transfer to other troubled areas of Iraq — like Baghdad, Diyala Province, Mosul and Kirkuk, where violence rages and the ethnic and sectarian landscape is far more complicated.

Still, the progress has inspired an optimism in the American command that, among some officials, borders on giddiness. It comes after years of fruitless efforts to drive a wedge between moderate resistance fighters and those, like Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, who seem beyond compromise.

“There are some people who would say we’ve won the war out here,” said Col. John. A. Koenig, a planning officer for the Marines who oversees governing and economic development issues in Anbar. “I’m cautiously optimistic as we’re going forward.”

A New Calm

For most of the past few years, the Government Center in downtown Ramadi, the seat of the provincial government, was under near-continual siege by insurgents, who reduced it to little more than a bullet-ridden bunker of broken concrete, sandbags and trapped marines. Entering meant sprinting from an armored vehicle to the front door of the building to evade snipers’ bullets.

Now, however, the compound and nearby buildings are being renovated to create offices for the provincial administration, council and governor. Hotels are being built next door for the waves of visitors the government expects once it is back in business. On the roof of the main building, Capt. Jason Arthaud, commander of Company B, First Battalion, Sixth Marines, said the building had taken no sniper fire since November.

“Just hours of peace and quiet,” he deadpanned. “And boredom.”

Violence has fallen swiftly throughout Ramadi and its sprawling rural environs, residents and American and Iraqi officials said. Last summer, the American military recorded as many as 25 violent acts a day in the Ramadi region, ranging from shootings and kidnappings to roadside bombs and suicide attacks. In the past several weeks, the average has dropped to four acts of violence a day, American military officials said.

On a recent morning, American and Iraqi troops, accompanied by several police officers, went on a foot patrol through a market in the Malaab neighborhood of Ramadi. Only a couple of months ago, American and Iraqi forces would enter the area only in armored vehicles. People stopped and stared. The sight of police and military forces in the area, particularly on foot, was still novel. The new calm is eerie and unsettling, particularly for anyone who knew the city even several months ago.

“The complete change from night to day gives me pause,” said Capt. Brice Cooper, 26, executive officer of Company B, First Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, First Infantry Division, which has been stationed in the city and its outskirts since last summer. “A month and a half ago we were getting shot up. Now we’re doing civil affairs work.”

A Moderate Front

The turnabout began last September, when a federation of tribes in the Ramadi area came together as the Anbar Salvation Council to oppose the fundamentalist militants of Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia. Among the council’s founders were members of the Abu Ali Jassem tribe, based in a rural area of northern Ramadi. The tribe’s leader, Sheik Tahir Sabbar Badawie, said in a recent interview that members of his tribe had fought in the insurgency that kept the Americans pinned down on their bases in Anbar for most of the last four years.

“If your country was occupied by Iraq, would you fight?” he asked, smiling knowingly. “Enough said.”

But while the anti-American sheiks in Anbar and Al Qaeda both opposed the Americans, their goals were different. The sheiks were part of a relatively moderate front that sought to drive the Americans out of Iraq; some were also fighting to restore Sunni Arab power. But Al Qaeda wanted to go even further and impose a fundamentalist Islamic state in Anbar, a plan that many of the sheiks did not share.

Al Qaeda’s fighters began to use killing, intimidation and financial coercion to divide the tribes and win support for their agenda. They killed about 210 people in the Abu Ali Jassem tribe alone and kidnapped others, demanding ransoms as high as $65,000 per person, Sheik Badawie said.

For all the sheiks’ hostility toward the Americans, they realized that they had a bigger enemy, or at least one that needed to be fought first, as a matter of survival. The council sought financial and military support from the Iraqi and American governments. In return the sheiks volunteered hundreds of tribesmen for duty as police officers and agreed to allow the construction of joint American-Iraqi police and military outposts throughout their tribal territories.

A similar dynamic is playing out elsewhere in Anbar, a desert region the size of New York State that stretches west of Baghdad to the Syrian and Jordanian borders. Tribal cooperation with the American and Iraqi commands has led to expanded police forces in the cities of Husayba, Hit, Rutba, Baghdadi and Falluja, officials say.

With the help of the Anbar sheiks, the military equation immediately became simpler for the Americans in Ramadi. The number of enemies they faced suddenly diminished, American and Iraqi officials said. They were able to move more freely through large areas. With the addition of the tribal recruits, the Americans had enough troops to build and operate garrisons in areas they cleared, many of which had never seen any government security presence before. And the Americans were now fighting alongside people with a deep knowledge of the local population and terrain, and with a sense of duty, vengeance and righteousness.

“We know this area, we know the best way to talk to the people and get information from them,” said Capt. Hussein Abd Nusaif, a police commander in a neighborhood in western Ramadi, who carries a Kalashnikov with an Al Capone-style “snail drum” magazine. “We are not afraid of Al Qaeda. We will fight them anywhere and anytime.”

Beginning last summer and continuing through March, the American-led joint forces pressed into the city, block by block, and swept the farmlands on the city’s outskirts. In many places the troops met fierce resistance. Scores of American and Iraqi security troops were killed or wounded. The Ramadi region is essentially a police state now, with some 6,000 American troops, 4,000 Iraqi soldiers, 4,500 Iraqi police officers and an auxiliary police force of 2,000, all local tribesmen, known as the Provincial Security Force.

The security forces are garrisoned in more than 65 police stations, military bases and joint American-Iraqi combat outposts, up from no more than 10 a year ago. The population of the city is officially about 400,000, though the current number appears to be much lower.

To help control the flow of traffic and forestall attacks, the American military has installed an elaborate system of barricades and checkpoints. In some of the enclaves created by this system, which American commanders frequently call “gated communities,” no vehicles except bicycles and pushcarts are allowed for fear of car bombs. American commanders see the progress in Anbar as a bellwether for the rest of country.

“One of the things I worry about in Baghdad is we won’t have the time to do the same kind of thing,” Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, commander of day-to-day war operations in Iraq, said in an interview here.

Yet the fact that Anbar is almost entirely Sunni and not riven by the same sectarian feuds as other violent places, like Baghdad and Diyala Province, has helped to establish order. Elsewhere, security forces are largely Shiite and are perceived by many Sunnis as part of the problem. In Anbar, however, the new police force reflects the homogeneous face of the province and, most critically, appears to enjoy the support of the vast majority of the people.

A Growing Police Force

Military commanders say they cannot completely account for the whereabouts of the insurgency. They say they believe that many guerrillas have been killed, while others have gone underground, laid down their arms or migrated to other parts of Anbar, particularly the corridor between Ramadi and Falluja, the town of Karma north of Falluja and the sprawling rural zones around Falluja, including Zaidon and Amariyat al-Falluja on the banks of the Euphrates River.

American forces come under attack in these areas every day. Still other guerrillas, the commanders acknowledge, have joined the police force, sneaking through a vetting procedure that is set up to catch only known suspects. Many insurgents “are fighting for a different side now,” said Brig. Gen. Mark Gurganus, commander of ground forces in Anbar.

“I think that’s where the majority have gone.” But American commanders say they are not particularly worried about infiltrators among the new recruits. Many of the former insurgents now in the police, they say, were probably low-level operatives who were mainly in it for the money and did relatively menial tasks, like planting roadside bombs.

The speed of the buildup has led to other problems. Hiring has outpaced the building of police academies, meaning that many new officers have been deployed with little or no training. Without enough uniforms, many new officers patrol in civilian clothes, some with their heads wrapped in scarves or covered in balaclavas to conceal their identities. They look no different than the insurgents shown in mujahedeen videos.

Commanders seem to regard these issues as a necessary cost of quickly building a police force in a political environment that is, in the words of Colonel Koenig, “sort of like looking through smoke.” The police force, they say, has been the most critical component of the new security plan in Anbar Province and the key to sustaining the military successes.

Yet, oversight of the police forces by American forces and the central Iraqi government is weak, leaving open the possibility that some local leaders are using newly armed tribal members as their personal death squads to settle old scores. Several American officers who work with the Iraqi police said a lot of police work was conducted out of their view, particularly at night.

“It’s like the Mafia,” one American soldier at an outpost in Juwayba said.

General Odierno said, “We have to watch them very closely to make sure we’re not forming militias.”

But there is a new sense of commitment by the police, American and Iraqi officials say, in part because they are patrolling their own neighborhoods. Many were motivated to join after they or their communities were attacked by Al Qaeda, and their successes have made them an even greater target of insurgent car bombs and suicide attacks.

Abd Muhammad Khalaf, 28, a policeman in the Jazeera district on Ramadi’s northern edge, is typical. He joined the police after Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia killed two of his brothers, he said.

“I will die when God wills it,” he said. “But before I die, I will support my friends and kill some terrorists.”

The Tasks Ahead

Some tribal leaders now working with the Americans say they harbor deep resentment toward the Shiite-led administration of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki, accusing it of pursuing a sectarian agenda. Yet they also say they are invested in the democratic process now.

After boycotting the national elections in 2005, many are now planning to participate in the next round of provincial elections, which have yet to be scheduled, as a way to build on the political and military gains they have made in recent months.

“Since I was a little boy, I have seen nothing but warfare — against the Kurds, Iranians, Kuwait, the Americans,” Sheik Badawie, the tribal leader, said. “We are tired of war. We are going to fight through the ballot box.”

Already, tribal leaders are participating in local councils that have been formed recently throughout the Ramadi area under the guidance of the American military. Iraqi and American officials say the sheiks’ embrace of representative government reflects the new realities of power in Anbar.

“Out here it’s been, ‘Who can defend his people?’ ” said Brig. Gen. John R. Allen, deputy commanding general of coalition forces in Anbar. “After the war it’s, ‘Who was able to reconstruct?’ ”

Indeed, American and Iraqi officials say that to hold on to the security gains and the public’s support, they must provide services to residents in areas they have tamed. But successful development, they argue, will depend on closing the divide between the Shiite-dominated government in Baghdad, which has long ignored the province, and the local leadership in Anbar, which has long tried to remain independent from the capital. If that fails, they say, the Iraqi and American governments may have helped to organize and arm a potent enemy.

To see the article online, Click Here!

A super sweet picture of the Old Man

2007-04-26T12:36:00.000-05:00

Thursday Thirteen #15

2007-04-26T10:52:00.000-05:00

So there's this book written by Sarah Smiley called Going Overboard: The Misadventures of a military wife. It's really, really funny. She writes about all the crazy mishaps that happened to her after her husband left for a last minute 9 month deployment and I'm dedicated this week's TT to it. Because with what I've got, I can re-write it. Luckily the biggest thing we did this past year, buying the house, went as smooth as it did!

13 Mis-Adventures of Anna Mary

1. Our car was recalled. What are the chances, I swear. I'm taking it to the dealer again this weekend actually.

2. Took Sophie on an emergency Vet visit because the poor thing took two steps, got sick, took two more steps, got sick. She got kitty Parvo. She's always had a clean bill of health- it was so sad, but she's all better now.

3. I got a black eye from smacking my head on the wall rushing to pick up the Old Man's phone call. After all the sports I've played growing up, I've never got a black eye in my life! (Oh never mind. I forgot. I did at an N'Sync concert once when I was 14...don't ask. :) )

4. I got a flat tire at work. And another at home. And another in the city. And found a plug in the other. Yes, I have replaced all four tires in nine months. Luckily they were due for replacement anyway.

5. I had an all out brawl with RCN cable company that lasted months! They wouldn't disconnect our cable since it was in the Old Man's name (despite my POA) and even went as far as telling me to tell my husband to call them from Iraq to cancel service himself! It's fixed now, but boy, the nerve of those people!

6. I very proudly went to Home Depot and came back with quite an expensive selection of flowers to plant. I even gave the two Green Thumbs a call to boast about my selection. (My Aunt Carolyn and Mom can grow and craft unlike anything I've ever seen) They pooped already. Apparently my interpretation of sun exposure was a bit different than that little plant information sign stuck in the soil.

7. Went to a new hair stylist to get highlights for Christmas and she turned my hair green! I had to go to work like that and live with it for two days until she fixed it. I haven't told anyone about that one cause I was so embarrassed, but now I can laugh about it...sometimes.

8. I planned to go home for Christmas so I did the usual drive up to the usual airport that I usually take when I go to FL, BWI. Except this time, I got halfway up there during rush hour traffic, forgot I was flying back into a different airport, and had to drive all the way back home to park the car and take the metro. Yikes.

9. I picked out the house on the block with the loudest neighbors EVER! And it wasn't the music, the parties, or the conversations. It was doing you know what...I had to listen to it for a whole month straight before I had the chance to introduce myself and subtly tell them I recently moved in and I can hear right through the walls!

10. U.S. Air took my Jarhead Red! We all didn't forget that now, did we?

11. I got Strep Throat three times!!! The last time I got that was when I was 8 years old- and LOVED it cause all I ate was sherbet all day! Now it was just a big time off from work waster and miserable few weeks having to take care of myself.

12. I borrowed Pops drill so I can hang shelves and was all excited as I was about to embark on a usual, very manly thing to do around the house. I tapped for the beam in the wall and was proud that I found it so started drilling and put the shelves right up! Looking proudly at my accomplishment, the first time successfully using a drill, I realized I drilled and drilled...right through the wall and out the other side! (this is the first time the Old Man is hearing about this so don't panic. I spackled and repainted. Ship shape!)

13. The icing on the cake? I got summoned for jury duty on the day the Old Man is scheduled to return from Iraq! Ahhhh, at this point, all I can do is laugh!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!Welcome to Thursday Thirteen! Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

An update on the Old Man (and his Old Lady)

2007-04-20T15:25:00.000-05:00

So let's talk about how AMAZING it is that they're finally almost home! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! (I googled "Almost Home" to get a fun picture and look at what I found. How cute!) I am literally so physically exhausted from all this emotional nonsense I can't wait just to get a hug from my husband again! I can't even imagine how excited he must be about the thought of coming home after working tirelessly for 9 months straight. You read the post below from the CO, right???!!! (insert big sigh of relief since there's now a light at the end of the tunnel)

The Old Man and I have been talking a few times a day now that he's back to Hurricane Point. They are transitioning duties to the Marines in 3/7 and will be leaving HP soon to start their travels back to the states. The Old Man has been working a pretty regular schedule "on post" and during his free time he is contacting colleges and trying to work things out for next Fall or Spring. Of course, he has found time to buy that flat screen and surround sound system he's always wanted. And he bought me a steam cleaner!! (I'm teasing you Old Man!) That sounds terrible doesn't it? In his defense, I actually asked for it. We bought silk drapes and I never thought I'd hear the words, "I'd love a steam cleaner!" come out of my mouth, but yes, they did. And the Old Man remembered and I'm ecstatic!!! I can finally steam our drapes!!! Boy, if that doesn't make me sound like an old, married bag, I don't know what does! :)

So anyway, moral of today's post. We'll be praying for all of you Marines in 3/7. Thanks for being there so our boys can finally come home!!!!

Oh and Gloria, my favorite, most compassionate and understanding lady-friend ever, if you are reading this...I hope you don't mind that I now love your competition. You see, the UPS delivery man and I are now good friends. But that's only because my husband keeps sending things home for me to set up so that when he comes home- soon, he doesn't have to. I'm sure you understand! :)

A letter to the families from the Commanding Officer

2007-04-18T18:44:00.000-05:00

Dear Families and Friends of 1/6,

I want to thank each of you for your continued support and commitment to our mission here. Despite the extension your loved ones remain strong and professional. They are 1/6 HARD.

Your Marines and Sailors have accomplished so much during our time here in Iraq. We have exceeded expectations. We consistently hear from those who come here whether it be reporters or official representatives… all comment on what a difference they see from the time they spent with us back in August/September to now. They are simply amazed and question why the progress we are making isn’t making headline news. They are overwhelmed at what we have done and continue to do in helping secure and stabilize this part of Ramadi. I am sure everyone is starting to focus in on the details of when we are coming home. I will provide you with the projected timelines below:

Our projected window for return looks to be around 17-22 May. We will arrive on different flights/planes on different days. Remember we are moving over 1000 Marines and Sailors half way across the world.
We will enjoy some time off in the local area during Memorial Day Weekend from Friday May 25th until Tuesday, May 29th ; however, Marines and Sailors will not be allowed to leave the Jacksonville area until 1 June. The post deployment leave period where everyone will request leave will begin at 1200 on 1 June and end at 5pm on 26 June - This leave period still requires that each individual receive specific approval for his request.

The Advanced Party which will be a very small group, is anticipated to arrive sometime during the first week of May. Our 1/6 Military Transition Team (MTT) remains on schedule and should return around the April 23-24 time frame.

Additionally, May 25th is the scheduled date for the battalion Memorial service where we will honor our fallen brothers.

As we get closer to these dates, please know that you will be informed. We will update the 1-800 number as often as we can and as always, you are welcome to call our FRSNCO, SSgt Martins at (910) 451-2407 or (910) 546-9133. Once your Marine or Sailor is informed of the specific plan/flight that he will be assigned, he will be able to contact you with that information or you can contact our FRSNCO who will also have that information. For security reasons, I know you understand why we will not post those types of details on the website.

Please be patient. Your Marines and Sailors will not have those specifics until approximately one week prior to our return. Anything you hear otherwise is a “rumor” and should be treated as such… I know it is frustrating -- but let’s remember that our priority remains to keep these guys focused on the mission at hand and I need your help now more than ever to accomplish this.

Again, I thank you for your continued support of 1/6. God bless you all for the strength and sacrifice you have shown in supporting these brave men.

In your service,W. M. Jurney
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps
Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion 6th Marines

The Marine

2007-04-16T10:02:00.000-05:00

It's the Marine, not the reporter who has given us the freedom of the press.

It's the Marine, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech.

It's the Marine, not the politicians that ensures our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It's the Marine who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag.

The final inspection

2007-04-16T09:56:00.000-05:00

The Marine stood and faced God, which must always come to pass. He hoped his shoes were shining, just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, Marine, how shall I deal with you? Have you always turned the other cheek? To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't. Because those of us who carry guns, can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays, and at times my talk was tough. And sometimes I've been violent, because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny, that wasn't mine to keep... Though I worked a lot of overtime, when the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear. And sometimes, God, forgive me, I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place, among the people here. They never wanted me around, except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand. I never expected or had too much, but if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne, where the saints had often trod. As the Marine waited quietly, for the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you Marine, you've borne your burdens well. Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, you've done your time in Hell."

A letter to the 1/6 family and friends from the Chaplain

2007-04-16T09:53:00.000-05:00

Dear spouses, parents, grandparents, former members, and friends of 1/6,

Well another month closer to our return. As I travel about the city, I see these guys doing great stuff to help the good people of Iraq lay a foundation for the future of their children. How exciting and rewarding. Yes we have had some tough times our here, but no kidding the good we have done will have us leaving here proud.

This past Sunday was Easter Sunday. I encouraged those present at services to not only believe in God, believe in Jesus, but to see that the whole Easter event had everything to do with each one of us. Like an old oak tree in the middle of a field of wild flowers that embraces the initials of so many who had fallen in love, so does the cross embrace all of us. We have all had our names inscribed in the tree of life by a God who calls us his children.

As the sun came up and shined light on you all back home, so did it also shine light on us and the good people of Iraq. As we celebrate the rising of God’s Son, who also shines light on the whole world, let us be filled with joy in this new life.

With hearts filled with the love of our savior, a fresh spring, and a home coming we are set up for success and a wonderful summer. Be patient and strong, encourage us to remain diligent and steadfast in our mission right up to our last day.

One of my favorite pieces of advice is from my father who said to me when I was at a past job, “work the next three months as though you are there for six” Be surprised by the last day” These words have helped me in the past and I will certainly use them now.

We miss you all very much, Sara start making the ricotta cheese, I’m getting hungry.

Sincerely
Chaplain Jamie Stall-Ryan.
StallryanJJ@mnf-wiraq.usmc.mil

2007-04-09T22:29:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter from Captain Poopy!

2007-04-09T08:33:00.000-05:00

Isn't he the cutest ever???

Happy Easter everyone! I hope you had a wonderful day! The Old Man and I got to talk quite a bit yesterday, which was nice because I didn't get to go home this year. He did the usual. Worked, went to the gym, and ran his normal 500 miles in 5 minutes before he went to bed. I stayed around the house fixing up a few things then ordered Chinese. Old faithful on the Christian holidays when everything else is closed. After realizing how stinky it was being alone for the holiday this Sunday we decided, Christmas dinner is at our house this year!!!!!!!!!! We're giving you 9 months to plan so there better not be any excuses! :) Oh, wait a minute, I'm gonna have another cute, little nephew or niece around Nov 26th so that might not work out! I'll have to remind the Old Man about that. OK, so, Christmas dinner is in Florida this year!!! :) We're giving you 9 months to plan so there better not be any excuses! :)

Thursday Thirteen #14

2007-04-05T11:41:00.000-05:00

Thirteen WONDERFUL things that signify the deployment is winding down and THE OLD MAN WILL BE HOME SOON!!!!

(Thursday Thirteen is back! Yay!!!)

1. The shipping deadline has passed!!!!!!

2. The weekends are easier now knowing that soon I'll be spending them with my husband!

3. The Old Man enrolled in school and is taking steps to set up things for himself when he returns!

4. I said farewell to Gloria, the wonderful, wonderful- now friend of mine who works at the Post Office .

5. My husband is calling everyday since he is done with his infamous Rotations!

6. I threw out my free USPS postal supplies and my Sams Club giant size bubble wrap is almost out!

7. I have my "Gotta look good" hair/mani/pedi appointment scheduled!

8. My journal is getting harder and harder to fill!!

9. My husband is starting to ship things home he can't carry!!!

10. We're bought our plane tickets to visit our families and our hometowns!!

11. We're planning our Aruba "1 year anniversary, thank GOD this is over, boy did I miss you" trip!!

12. WE BROKE THAT DAMN 50 DAY MARK!!!!

13. And I'm not saying who, what, where, when, or how...but there is some talk about a Welcome Home Party in the air!!!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!
Welcome to Thursday Thirteen! Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

I AM THANKFUL

2007-04-03T13:04:00.000-05:00

I love this!!

FOR THE WIFE WHO SAYS IT'S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME, AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND WHO IS ON THE SOFA BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES,
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME, NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM EMPLOYED.

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING,AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT,
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH..

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH WHO SINGS OFF KEY,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND FINALLY,

FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL,
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

An update on Lcpl Matt Bradford

2007-04-01T22:44:00.000-05:00

Hopefully you all have been checking in on Lcpl Bradford's blog and keeping him in your thoughts and prayers. Lcpl Bradford was stationed in Haditha, Iraq and was severly injured on January 18, 2007. Matt's strength and spirits continue to get stronger every day. Last night he updated his blog himself for the first time since he was injured- a sign of how far he's come!

Click Here! to stop by his blog.

Longest weeeeekkk everrrrr!!

2007-04-01T22:10:00.000-05:00

*big sigh*

So we're not supposed to write specific anything online, but I just have to say... This countdown is STUCK on 50! I swear, I feel like for the past month I've been saying 50 something more days and it's driving me crazy!!!!!

Hurry up and get home already Old Man!!! This countdown thing is just getting ridiculous! :)

I love you!

Maine Troop Greeters

2007-03-29T13:42:00.000-05:00

The Old Man mentioned this group of people greeting them at their last stop in the U.S. prior to Iraq. This is an amazing group of people. The founders Harry and Sharon Rideout were recognized and I posted the article below.

Couple Honored with Fisher Award
by Staff Sgt. C. Todd Lopez

A husband and wife have been honored for their support of the military in Bangor, Maine. Harry and Sharon Rideout are the 2005 recipients of the Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award. The two were honored during a ceremony at the Pentagon Oct. 26. Together, the Rideouts created the Bangor Greeters Group at Bangor International Airport, Maine. The all-volunteer group greets Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines as they pass through the airport, either going to or returning from overseas deployments.

Since the group began in May 2003, they have touched the lives more than 200,000 U.S. military members. In addition to welcoming members home and wishing them well as they deploy, the group also lends returning members cellular phones so they can call loved ones as they step off their airplanes. The group also was instrumental in creating a welcome facility at the airport where troops can relax before deploying or can wait for a ride upon returning to the United States.

The Rideouts also headed the clean-up of the home of a Soldier and his family after it was destroyed by fire.In another effort, they led the distribution of flannel shirts and sweatshirts to veterans in the Togus Medical Center in Augusta, Maine. Secretary of the Air Force Michael W. Wynne said the Rideout's contributions to troop morale is in line with the Department of Defense's own priorities.

"Our young men and women are our No. 1 priority in the Department of Defense," he said. "And when I see great Americans like the Rideouts taking it upon themselves to support (servicemembers), it makes me very proud to also be in service to this nation."

While speaking at the ceremony, Mrs. Rideout said she and her husband appreciated the honor but shifted focus from their contributions to those of U.S. Military members.

"It has always been a pleasure to thank a Soldier, to thank a member of our United States military for (his or her) service to our country. (They) are keeping America safe, and we appreciate it so much," she said. "We are very honored, and very humbled, and grateful for this award. But we want you to know this is not about us. It is about the members, and the men and women in our Army, our Air Force, our Navy and our Marine Corps, those who have served, those who are serving, and those who will serve."

In 1996, the Department of Defense service secretaries created the Fisher award in honor of Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher who contributed extensively to the support and welfare of members of the armed services. The Fishers are best known as founders of the Fisher House, which is special lodging for military families with sick or injured loved ones. The responsibility for administration and presentation of the Fisher award rotates among the services each year. All service branches vote on the final recipient, and all services can make nominations. This year, the Air Force was responsible for the presentation.
Source: U.S. Air Force

To learn more about the Maine Troop Greeters, Click Here!

You're my favorite!!!!!!!!!!

2007-03-29T09:02:00.000-05:00

Boy do I wish I could hug you right now. Thank you sweetie!!!

Aruba, here we come!

2007-03-28T10:21:00.000-05:00

Sitting on the beach drinking fruity cocktails, snorkelling over the coral reefs, fishing in the crystal clear, blue waters... Yup! That'll be us! The Old Man is taking us to Aruba for our 1 year anniversary.

We've jammed packed a ton of stuff into this year. But we talked about it and you know what? Any other way just wouldn't be our style! :)

I have to start another countdown!! Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

Workshop helps families cope with extended deployments

2007-03-28T09:11:00.000-05:00

03/24/2007
By CHRISSY VICK / Associated Press

When Tessie Moyer heard the news about her husband's extended deployment, she knew she had to get more M&Ms. Each day, her three children look forward to eating one M&M, which represents that they are one day closer to wrapping their arms around their father's neck. Only this time, Moyer didn't have a concrete number for her children's method of counting down to their father's return from Iraq.

The news her husband, Lt. Lewis Moyer, battalion surgeon for 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, wouldn't be coming home on the date they had planned hit Moyer hard. It was even harder to tell her children their trip to Disney World would be canceled. His unit deployed in September 2006 for what was thought to be a seven-month stay in the Anbar Province. But they were told earlier this year that the unit's deployment would be extended by 60 to 90 days.

After President Bush's announcement that more troops would be going to Iraq, most of the 1/6 spouses knew the extension was coming. It's something they try to prepare for anyway.

But it's never easy to deal with. It can be even harder for children, said Angela Tagliabue, who had to break the news to her four children.

"Their whole world is turned upside down by an extension," Tagliabue said. "We were over halfway there when we got the news, so it was like starting all over again. We had to cancel our cruise."

The 1/6 wives, along with Marines of 8th Communication Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, gathered last Thursday night for a unit extension workshop. Lyn Helton and Judy Dunn, professional counselors with Marine OneSource, conducted the workshop that offered advice for coping with an extension. Marines and sailors with 8th Comm are preparing for their upcoming deployment.

Though the workshop was the first of its kind at Camp Lejeune, many of the wives already knew the basic information they were hearing. But they needed to hear it anyway.

"Taking this news is really like mourning," Dunn said. "The good part is your Marines are going to come home. Maybe not when you expected, but they will come home."

Dunn and Helton offered tips for coping with the added stress of an extension. Focus on things you can control. Avoid destructive attitudes and behavior. Give yourself time to regroup emotionally. Stick with routines. Focus on the future. Keep things in perspective. Stay focused on what's positive.

"If you get really down, make a list of three people you can call and three things you can do," Helton said.

"It's real important for you to be reminded of these simple things," Dunn said.

But sometimes it's the lot in life for a Marine wife.

"I think they're a different breed of women," Tagliabue said. "There's more camaraderie there than a normal community."

You stay strong, deal with it and move on, others said.

"It is one day at a time," said Sue Jurney, wife of battalion commander Lt. Col. William Jurney. "You can't handle any more than that. "But one thing that does help is drawing strength from each another. The spouses of 1/6 Marines and sailors remember they are not alone."

"Everybody is going through the same thing, so you've got someone that sympathizes," Tagliabue said.

They're things that often become a lifestyle for Marine and Navy spouses like Ashley Gafford, who grew up in the military. She is due to give birth to her second child April 11. If her husband, Corpsman James Gafford, had been home on the original scheduled return date, he probably would have made it just in time for the birth.

"I don't know anything other than military life," Gafford said. "I deal with it. I'm pretty independent because I have moved every three years. You have new friends all the time and you don't know anything else."

Gafford's 3-year-old daughter recently began asking where her daddy went. Lately, her words have been "Daddy left me and isn't coming back."

"My daughter feels like he's not coming home now because it's been so long," she said. "She's too young to understand."

So, what makes it worth it? The 1/6 spouses agreed that it was because they believe in the mission.

"You believe in what they're doing and you back them 100 percent no matter what," said Tagliabue, who has been through nine deployments with her husband.

"They're making a difference. And you know that." Jurney, who has endured eight deployments with her husband, says that is what she focuses on.

"You feel like you're a part of that difference they're making," she said. "I look at it like this — Ramadi has now been called a 'former stronghold' since our guys have been over there.'"

To see the story online, Click here!

Britain's Queen honors a U.S. Marine

2007-03-26T21:45:00.000-05:00

My Aunt's neighbor watched this Marine grow up. This is a great story. He was honored with the Flying Cross from the Queen!

To see the video, Click Here!

Prayer for a serviceman

2007-03-26T11:43:00.000-05:00

My mom gave me this and I wanted to share. Print this and use it to guide your thoughts. It's a wonderful prayer.

O Mary, Queen of Martyrs, look after my beloved wherever he may be. Talk with him during the silent watches of the night and spur him to bravery when he faces the cruel foe.

Keep him inspired by a never dying faith in his God.

Wherever his duty takes him, keep his spirit high and his purpose unwavering.

He is my choicest treasure. Take care of him, O Mother of God!

Keep him in health and sustain him under every possible circumstance.

Touch him with my smile of cheer and comfort and my full confidence in his every brave pursuit.

Fail him not and may he not fail his God, his country, nor the one who loves him.

HERCULES, HERCULES!!! (as I'm clapping wildly in the air!)

2007-03-26T08:24:00.000-05:00

Christie and Evan are pregnant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Weeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Babyfest 2006 continues!!!!

She wrote a post about it on her blog. Click on the link below.

Oops-we-did-it-again

Last day to send packages!!

2007-03-23T09:20:00.000-05:00

FYI- Mailing deadline for 1/6 is April 1.

They're almost home!!!!!

1/6 Marines let Iraqi Security Forces take the lead in central Ramadi

2007-03-23T09:10:00.000-05:00

March 21, 2007; Submitted on: 03/21/2007 06:51:38 AM ; Story ID#: 200732165138 By Cpl. Paul Robbins Jr. , I Marine Expeditionary Force

AR RAMADI, Iraq (March 21, 2007) -- Since arriving to the city of Ar Ramadi, Iraq, in September of 2006, the Marines of 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, have had a three part mission for their task in supporting the ongoing Operation Iraqi Freedom. That mission is to neutralize the insurgency, support and train Iraqi Security Forces, and conduct civil military operations to improve the quality of life for residents in the city.

In the more than six months since their arrival the mission has not been altered, but the lead effort in neutralizing insurgency and civil military work has changed. Local police of the Western Ramadi District and Iraqi Army soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 7th Division, have stepped forward to shoulder a majority of security and civil military responsibility in the city.Conducting food drops to local mosques, re-supplying medical facilities in the area and leading security operations throughout the city, Iraqi Security Forces have assumed their responsibilities with renewed zeal.

“We are one country and this is our job,” said 2nd Lt. Adnan Fasel Taher, executive officer of 2nd Company, 2-1-7. “Not just to fight terrorists, but to help our people.”

Civil Military Operations
In recent weeks, Iraqi Security Forces have conducted two combined re-supply operations to central Ramadi’s main medical facilities.The combined forces delivered more than $90,000 worth of medicines and surgical support equipment to the Ramadi General Hospital and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital to relieve shortages. The delivery of supplies, provided by Iraq’s Ministry of Health, was part of the security forces’ continued cooperation to aid and relieve the citizens of Ramadi. Individually, Army and Police forces continue to conduct food relief operations in various neighborhoods. Units stationed in certain areas provide deliveries of flour, rice, beans and cooking oil to local mosques for distribution to the neediest citizens of the city. The two forces generally conduct at least one food relief operation per week, on average. To date, the citizens of Ramadi have received 50 tons of rice, 15 tons of beans, 50 tons of flour, and four thousand liters of cooking oil from food relief operations.

Security Operations
Down nearly every street in Ramadi there are boots on the ground to patrol the area, but nowadays those boots rarely belong to the Marines. While the Marines of 1/6 still provide security from posts in their numerous security stations and conduct combined patrols with ISF, it is the Iraqi soldiers and police who have become a common sight to Ramadi citizens. Whether it is Iraqi soldiers in high mobility multi-purpose wheeled vehicles rolling down the larger streets, policemen in pick-up trucks cutting through the alleyways, or a combination of policemen and soldiers on foot in local neighborhoods, Iraqi Security Forces have kept up a strong presence in the city.

“Due to the cooperation of the local police and the Iraqi Army, the increased presence has greatly increased the security situation in the city,” said 1st Lt. Brett V. Taylor, 27-year-old operations advisor to the Iraqi Army’s 2-1-7.

That cooperation was highlighted in a recent security conference held at Camp Hurricane Point, March 16. Commanders of eight local police stations met with officers of the 2-1-7 and local Coalition Forces to discuss the current security situation in Ramadi. Led by Brig. Gen. Khalil, the Ramadi District Police Chief, and hosted by Lt. Col. William M. Jurney, 1/6’s battalion commander, the conference began with a buffet style lunch of local cuisine to encourage camaraderie amongst the commanders. As the officers dined on kabob (ground lamb meat and vegetables with bread) and dolma (vegetables and fruit, stuffed with rice and meat), they were given an opportunity to discuss their individual situation, face to face, with their counterparts. Brought together by a common goal, the mixed group of Iraqi Army and local police commanders found it easy to be sociable during the occasion.

“They were all united by their desire for freedom….and the single purpose of their mission,” said Maj. Daniel R. Zappa, 34-year-old executive officer for 1/6.

Following the lunch, the commanders gathered around a conference table to discuss the overall security situation in Ramadi. The improvements in the city were lauded in the beginning, with commanders citing the amount of operations conducted, the number of insurgents detained and the amount of weapons caches found in the last six months.

“The mothers and sisters of Ramadi have hope because of our operations,” said Khalil. Operations were continued during the meeting, as the commanders geared their discussion towards future plans and problematic areas. Citing certain districts that require immediate attention, Khalil and his fellow commanders put into planning an operation to sweep and clear a populated area in central Ramadi known to be frequented by insurgents. As each commander stepped forward to volunteer forces for the sweep, the number of policemen involved grew to more than 500 by the end of the meeting. The movement for the operation was also handled easily, with many of the commanders sharing similar ideas on the execution and goals of the mission.

“I am very proud,” said Khalil. “These commanders are models for all other officers in Ramadi.”

With the plans being finalized and the pledged support of so many police, the commanders look forward to their upcoming operations.

“I am confident in our upcoming operations and I hope we get our desired results,” said Khalil.

Marines get it started
Although most of the recent success in Ramadi can be attributed to the recent rise in Iraqi police forces, assistance of the local populace and cooperation of the Iraqi Army, the starting point of successful security operations in the city traces back to the Marines of 1/6. From the very beginning of the deployment, the Marines in Ramadi have focused on integrating their Iraqi counterparts while continuing to put pressure on insurgents in an urban environment. To accomplish this, the battalion spear-headed a tactic that has become widely used in Ramadi and abroad.

“We were the first to move in force, establish an observation post in a key area of the city and turn it into a joint security station,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. Luis H. Hernandez, 48-year-old operations chief for 1/6.

The tactic serves two purposes in the city and addresses both of the battalion’s focuses. The installation of observation posts throughout key areas of the city isolates and protects the population of the city from insurgents, and the integration of Iraqi Security Forces at each station brings Iraqi forces into the neighborhoods.Since their arrival, the Marines have emplaced numerous new security stations throughout their area of responsibility. In recent weeks, several new stations were built to respond to changes in insurgent activity and to assist combined operations with Iraqi Security Forces.

“The main reason for these new (stations) was to secure a permanent security position in the neighborhoods and further decrease the enemy’s freedom of movement,” said Hernandez, a native of Coral Gables, Fla.

With the construction of the newest stations and the continued operations from the many others, the Marines and their Iraqi counterparts have made their area of operations a dangerous place for insurgents. Maintaining a significant presence in every part of their battle space, the combined force has severely limited insurgent operations in the city.

“(Insurgents) no longer have the ability to move at will,” said Hernandez. “And when they do, we have made them modify the frequency and methods of their movements.”

The HO'S came to the rescue!!!

2007-03-23T08:21:00.000-05:00

I was a little stressed about how I was gonna take on the move alone, but as always, my family came to the save the day! Or as we playfully nicknamed ourselves, The HO'S! (the Hancock, Hill, O'Sullivans)

We're all moved in and everything is in it's place. I finally have a date for the cable and Internet guy, the walls are painted, the floors refinished, I re-grouted the super gross bathroom tile until the old man can come home to re-tile it, I went for my first grocery run, and I figured out how to make my way to work on the local buses. Now I just have to get used to the sounds of our big empty house when I'm trying to fall asleep. (And our neighbors! haha) Ahhhh, the joys of home owning!

Moving weekend wasn't too bad. We were in a super time crunch to move, repaint and clean our old place, and try to unpack so I could repack for my trip to Annapolis the following Monday. I couldn't gather up any "Man hands" as we were calling it so I got a few movers for a few hours and with the Old Man's help, we were done in less than five hours!

We almost lost him in our see of boxes!

He was a bit ambitious here...

Oops! He lost his footing!

Taking a well deserved break!

As you can see, he was a big help with the mattress.

All Done!!!

We caught his back seat driving habit in action!

He decided to take over and drive himself!

We made it to our new home!

The rest of the weekend was go, go, go, go, go! My sister really put it best. To read about our weekend, click on the links below.

The Mis-Adventures of Captain Poopy: Moving Day Part One

The Mis-Adventures of Captain Poopy: Moving Day Part Deux

We're Walkin for Preemies!

2007-03-21T12:13:00.000-05:00

My wonderful sister is part of a Tampa Bay area team that is walking in the March of Dimes: WalkAmerica Walk. She is raising money to help other families, like her own, that go through the difficulties of pre-mature child births.

Her personal goal is to raise $1000.00 and her team is shooting for $5000.00. Please click on the link at the end of this post to donate and support other babies like my nephew and the March of Dimes!

You probably already knew this, but our little Poops was an earlybird. He was born 6 weeks premature, which may or may not have had something to do with the preeclampsia I developed at the end of my second trimester. For those of you who are new here, you can read my story here. Well this April, the March of Dimes is holding its WalkAmerica walk, which also happens to coincide with Poops' first birthday! How fitting, right? Even though ten months has passed, his prematurity is still very fresh to me and so is our experience in the NICU. I have a very dear friend who is going through it all right now with her baby boy who was born just a couple of weeks ago, at 30 weeks. So this walk is very near and dear to my heart. If I could spare any baby and any parent from the experience of an early delivery, I would do it. It's scary as shit. But for now, this is what I can do. I can raise awareness and raise money for an organization who can help figure out why this happens to our babies and fix it. The funny thing is, when I was in middle school and high school, we always used to walk in this walk because it started at the elementary school right down the block from our house, and the route wound right through my neighborhood. And even though I walked every year, I never got it. It was just a fun walk to me. But there were probably mothers and fathers and babies who walked the walk because prematurity touched their lives, and many of those may not have been as lucky as we were with Poops. He came out virtually unscathed! I know everyone has a cause that they blog about and you all have to read about, and this one is mine. Mostly because I never though this would happen to us and I would give anything for it not to happen to anyone else. But also partly because being proactive in this fight will help me heal. So, if you're in the Tampa Bay area and you'd like to join our team, please, join us! But if you'd like to sponsor us instead, I would so love you forever! I have set up a lofty goal for myself ($1,000) and for our team ($5,000). The button on my sidebar will take you straight to our team's web site so you can donate or join our team, The NICU Vets. Everyone who donates will be placed on my sidebar.

Christie

To donate, click here! Walking for Preemies!

An update on the Old Man (and his Old Lady)

2007-03-19T08:13:00.000-05:00

Homecoming is fast approaching, YAY!! I've talked to the Old Man every day (for a week!) and he's doing pretty good. He's definitely ready to come home and super excited about the house. I've shown him pictures of the progress and he got a laugh out of his "mini-me".

He said that work is going OK and his Marines are doing well. Time has been going by pretty slow now that they're back from rotation. He's managed to lose a few pounds (not that he had any to lose to begin with) by running (what seems like) a hundred miles everyday and eating (what sounds like) the the smallest amount of food possible. Then he continued to talk about the amazing Falafels he eats all the time! Hopefully he has talked to everyone by now. He can check his email and he can get mail for just a few more weeks so don't forget to send Easter presents!!

As for me, I'm back from my week long business trip and about to head off to Philly for another at the end of this week. I got through my midterm papers, but school just hasn't slowed down. The house is coming along really nice. We're all moved in and getting settled. I'll post pictures on here of the progress and the move soon. Basically, it's been homework, house, traveling for work, homework, house, travelling for work, homework, house, work.... Soon it'll be homecoming party!, homecoming party!!!!, homecoming party!!!!!!!!!!! Just a few more weeks! :)

Oh, and the blog's been a little slow lately. I don't have the Internet at home and it's KILLING me!!!!

Hope everyone is doing well! Keep praying for our Marines safe return!!

A letter to the 1/6 family and friends from the Chaplain

2007-03-19T08:12:00.000-05:00

Dear families, former members, and friends of 1/6,

The weather out here is beginning to change and the dry, warm season in quickly upon us. As you know things have been quite, but mostly due to the Marines being active. The young men have remained steadfast in their missions to the point of giving the bad guys little room to wiggle. As you have also heard, one of our big elements of success is working with the Iraqi Army and the Iraqi Police. While I am no expert to illustrate the ins and outs of this success, I am qualified to say the Marines have done a great job of partnering up with these guys. Yes it has taken, learning the language, cleaning up after them, and a ton of patience. However these guys are pulling it off and the IAs and IPs are taking control of some once tough territory.

For those of you of faith, we have been focusing most of our services around who we are as God’s children and what it means to be sinners. While this may seem a bit dark, my belief is if we know our sins, then the cross will mean all that much more to us. Soon Easter will be upon us, and we will be ready to embrace God’s gift of salvation through the risen Savior. This is my most exciting part of the season.

With all this being said, while the men continue strong, they are also smelling the home cooked food and the fresh lemonade. Continue to pray for us, keep the good news coming, stay close to each other, and soon we will be home ready to take you out for a fine dinner.

Sincerely,

Chaplain Jamie

Now that the Old Man found God...

2007-03-02T14:51:00.000-05:00

(which is a wonderful, wonderful thing!!) I Moto mailed him to make sure he doesn't do this when he comes home.

Man tries to cash $50K check from God
HOBART, Ind.

Kevin Russell found out its not easy trying to cash a check from God. The 21-year-old man was arrested Monday after he tried to cash a check for $50,000 at the Chase Bank in Hobart that was signed King Savior, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Servant, Hobart police Detective Jeff White said. Russell was charged with one count attempted check fraud and one count intimidation, both felonies, and one count resisting law enforcement, a misdemeanor. He could face prison time.Police were called to the bank after Russell tried to cash the check, which was written on an invalid Bank One check with no imprint, White said. Russell had several other checks with him that were signed the same way but made out in different dollar amounts, including one for $100,000.Russell struggled with police as they tried to detain him, White said, and then threatened police as they transported him to the Hobart Police Department.Ive heard about God giving out eternal life, but this is the first time Ive heard of him giving out cash, White said.No court date has been set for Russell. He was being held Wednesday at the Lake County Jail on a $1,000 bond.

Story from Yahoo!News.com

(Just teasing, but this is a funny story! Oh, and for the record, this guy isn't Catholic)

An update on the Old Man

2007-03-01T10:17:00.000-05:00

It's been a while since I've talked to the Old Man, but just so you know, he did relay a message to me through a friend of ours that he's OK. He returns from rotation soon and thank God for that...I'm BUSTING to tell him that we signed for the house!!!!!

Order your 1/6 t-shirt!

2007-03-01T10:10:00.001-05:00

I'm not sure who, but someone 1/6 related has designed a few t-shirts for us! There are adult sizes, women cuts, and toddler tee's.

To see the designs, prices, and more info, Click here!

Leave a comment or send me an email (through visiting my profile) if you're interested and I'll give you the info on how to get them. Your order and money must be in their hands by March 8!

U.S. soldiers, Iraqi police unite to redeem Ramadi

2007-03-01T08:10:00.000-05:00

All Things Considered, February 22, 2007

U.S. troops fought a six-hour gun battle with insurgents in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, Thursday. For years, Ramadi has been wracked with violence. Much of it was destroyed in the fighting, and many residents fled. Now American and Iraqi forces are starting to take back the city.

Ahmed Majid cooks kabobs in his open-air shop in western Ramadi. Children dart in and out.

"Five months ago, you couldn't do this," Majid says through a translator. He went to Baghdad to hide, but when that city's security deteriorated, he came back to Ramadi. The translator says, "He said the area's really nice now."

So what's changed in Ramadi? American forces are getting out of their fortified base at the edge of the city. They are setting up small outposts in the neighborhoods, and patrolling with Iraqi police.

Ramadi Mayor Latif Ayadah says through a translator, "They started looking at locations for police stations that had never seen police in the past.

"The spreading of police in neighborhoods? eradicated the terrorists in those areas, mostly, and they are fearing the police."

Ayadah knows more than most that Ramadi is far from being pacified. He was late for this interview because a car bomb injured his nephew.

But there are signs of progress. Small businesses are opening, adult literacy classes are attracting hundreds of residents, and children are returning to schools.

Young boys spill out of the Al Adel Boys School in western Ramadi. They cluster around American soldiers and talk about the fighters who once controlled this neighborhood.

"They'd tell (us) don't come to school," the boys say in Arabic. "They'd just scare us. They'd force us to go home and not go to school. They used to threaten us with guns."

A key figure in the early efforts to stabilize Ramadi has been Col. Sean MacFarland, a wiry and laconic West Point graduate.

MacFarland spent time in the Balkans. It was there he learned a key tenet of counterinsurgency warfare — cooperating with local leaders.

"The most important thing in a counterinsurgency is to separate the people from the insurgents. And we went about doing that by looking for who the local leaders are. Every place is different. In Baghdad, you have elected leaders. Out here in the tribal areas, it's the sheiks."

When MacFarland arrived last year, some of the sheiks were aligned with Al Qaeda. Many were neutral. But the tribes were vulnerable — caught in the middle of the bitter fighting.

When MacFarland started setting up small outposts, the sheiks asked for help.

He agreed to set up police stations in their areas, but only if the sheiks would provide 100 men to serve as police elsewhere in the city.

Last year there were roughly one hundred police patrolling Ramadi. Now there are about 4,000. And where there were once four outposts, there are 24, where Americans and Iraqis live together.

But there still are parts of Ramadi where Al Qaeda and other insurgents remain strong, including the city center and the eastern edge.

Maj. Scott Kish, a civil affairs officer, rides toward the city center in convoy of Humvees.

"We're going down what we call MSR Michigan ? what the local Iraqis call Main Street."

It is a long and lonely stretch of urban misery. Many of the high-rise buildings are vacant. Some are partially collapsed from shelling. All are pockmarked with bullet holes.

But there are signs of color and life. A fruit stand. Then a mechanic's shop. A small playground. Children sit on swings and watch the convoy pass.

Kish says, "You see some benches in there. You see some slides. Kids playing. So that's a good thing. The bus stops are going to get repaired here in the next three weeks."

The convoy pulls into Outpost Virginia, a fortress trimmed with razor wire and topped with camouflage netting.

Maj. Daniel Zappa walks into the operations center, and points to a cluster of pins on a map. They show reports of possible roadside bombs in the eastern part of the city.

For U.S. troops here, Ramadi is a constant cat and mouse game. The Americans ply the roads in massive armored trucks called Buffalos, to disarm roadside bombs. The insurgents respond with more ingenuity.

The insurgents launch mortars and rockets at the American outposts before melting into the night. American drones circle the sky. Infrared cameras try to capture the silhouette created by an insurgent's body heat.

Into this world heads a patrol of Iraqis and American troops. They're off to talk with a source, a teacher who monitors Al Qaeda and insurgent movements.

They load their weapons and pull on their armored vests.

They walk into a city at war.

They hear gunfire, but radio back that no shots reached them. "But there is contact northeast of our position," they say.

It is a sign that the fate of Ramadi is far from certain. And there will be a high price in taking back this city.

That price has already been paid by Sgt. Joshua Frazier. Just 24. He was killed by a sniper at a marketplace in the city center.

His rifle, helmet and combat boots are set in a stand in the front of a room where Marines are holding a memorial service. A Marine stands to remember his squad leader.

"Sgt. Frazier wouldn't want us all to be thinking about the loss of a couple of days ago. Or thinking about today ? but instead, that we should be out on the street patrolling, doing what we do best."

A few of the Marines wipe their eyes. Then they all file quietly out of the room.

To see the story on NPR.com Click here!

We're homeowners!!!

2007-02-26T19:40:00.000-05:00

It's official, the Old Man and I bought our first house!! Unfortunately, he wasn't able to call, but he was with me in spirit... In fact, he was very much with me- all day today!

I MISS YOU OLD MAN!!!!!

This is us driving to the closing. We were pretty nervous at this point.

The Old Man was reviewing the paperwork.

Signing away!!

We got the keys!!

This was our celebratory crab fest dinner afterwards.

And our well deserved beers!! :)

Today wasn't so bad after all! Except that I had to sign 500 papers with my signature, his signature, and mine saying it was for him. Our lawyers and realtors got a good laugh! Thankfully, one of them was a former Marine so he seemed to understand. They all even made some choice selections on how to pose the Old Man! :) We move in next week!

Wish me luck!!!

2007-02-26T07:47:00.000-05:00

I'm going to close on the house this afternoon! Unfortunately, I'm a little more sad than I am excited cause I wish the Old Man can be here, but ohmygosh!!!! We're gonna have a house!!! And a nice one!!!!!! :)

We pushed the closing up to 3 today so I'm taking the day off to get a few other important things done. It's pretty tough being the man and the woman of the house!

Cross your fingers and pray for us! Maybe I'll get lucky and the Old Man will be able to call today.

I'll give everyone a call tonight and let them know how things went. I love and miss you guys!!

Google: the answer to all of life's important questions!

2007-02-23T12:21:00.000-05:00

I always get a laugh when I read my web counter to see what sorts of things brought people to my blog. Sometimes people will Google search names of Marines that I might have posted about, or "1/6 Marines", or I even had someone directed to my blog by searching "A man bride". Today was the icing on the cake and I just couldn't resist posting about it.

I admit that I've Google-d myself before to see if I'm worthy enough to have something on the Internet about me, but so far no luck. And my friend Gena and I would spend way too much time Google-ing our friends or potential dates we had. And I maaaay have Google-d a boyfriend of mine's ex girlfriend or two before. (As if this isn't enough) my sister and I laugh about the time when she lost her keys after frantically tearing up her house so she Google-d "Where are my keys?" OK, so maybe I spend too much time Google-ing, but I'll tell ya, you can really Google anyone or anything and find your answer. You should try it sometime.

Today someone searched, "I'm in a heartbreaking love with an old man," and it brought them to my blog. Funny thing is, it wasn't even a question, just a statement! I can barely type this without cracking up, but if the Google-r who searched this is reading my blog right now, I sincerely hope you find what you're looking for! :)

I love this girl!!!!!

2007-02-22T00:05:00.000-05:00

(Scroll down for Thursday Thirteen)

Everyone, meet Cara! Cara's boyfriend (or pretty much legal husband at this point) re-enlisted to Quantico with the Old Man. She's moving to VA with him in a few months and it just so happens she's the coolest ever!

Her boyfriend is just like the Old Man. He fishes, he hunts, he plays baseball, he's closer to 15 than 30. (hahah just kidding!) I'm so excited!

We had the best weekend! We had drinks at The Front Page, visited my new 'hood, went to the Bethesda Naval Medical Center to visit with injured Marines, and bonded blogging! :) She made a really fun blog! To visit, Click Here!!

Her boyfriend is stationed with the Old Man so be sure to keep him, Cara, and their families in your thoughts and prayers!

We're on the countdown!!!!!!!!!!!

Pray for our injured Marines

2007-02-21T23:20:00.000-05:00

This weekend Cara and I visited Lcpl Matthew Bradford at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center. Matt was stationed in Haditha, Iraq when he was injured on January 18, 2007. He is slowly recovering and will be for quite some time.

Please don't forget to keep those injured Marines and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

To visit the blog his father created and subscribe to get daily updates on his recovery, Click Here!

Thursday Thirteen #13

2007-02-21T22:50:00.000-05:00

My 13th Thursday Thirteen isn't so lucky! They're discontinuing it!!! I'm panicking, I'm disappointed, I'm heartbroken, I'm overwhelmed, I'm- I'm...gonna write my list on 13 lists I would have written if Thursday Thirteen lived on! (always wanted to use this graphic too, even though there's no real reason!)

1. 13 hilarious quirks about the Old Man

2. 13 things people have googled to get to my blog

3. 13 vacations the Old Man and I went on

4. 13 people I pray for regularly

5. 13 reasons why we have the best families ever!

6. 13 renovations we want to make on our new house

7. 13 ways our marriage has improved throughout the deployment

8. 13 ways I de stress (but I might have only made it to 5-it's pretty hard to do)

9. 13 habits I've gained from being a military wife

10. 13 things I'm thankful for

11. 13 things that have got me through the second half of the deployment

12. 13 movies I can recite line by line by line

13. 13 reasons I love that my husband is home!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

Welcome to Thursday Thirteen! Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

An update on the Old Man

2007-02-20T07:56:00.000-05:00

The Old Man called for about 5 minutes on Sunday. He's doing OK, counting down the days. He wanted me to say "Hi" to everyone for him and that he loves and misses us all. He didn't say too much, but he'll be back from rotation shortly and will (hopefully) be able to call more often.

There has been a lot of activity in the area lately. Keep the Marines and their families in your thoughts and prayers. They'll be home soon!

Oliver North, Fox News treat 1/6 wives to luncheon

2007-02-20T07:51:00.000-05:00

This is another nice story. If you want to see it online, I put the link in my sidebar with the rest of the news articles.

Submitted by: 2nd Marine Division
Story by: Computed Name: Cpl. Lucian Friel
Story Identification #: 200726143618

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (Feb. 6, 2007) -- “War Stories” host, Oliver North, and the Fox News Channel treated spouses of 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment to a luncheon thanking them for their support in the filming of an episode at the Officer’s Club here.

The battalion is currently serving in Ramadi, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The episode of “War Stories” shows what it’s like for the Marines out in Iraq and also their spouses back home in the U.S.

North, a former lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps explained the uniqueness of this episode.

“Though I’ve now been to Iraq eight times and Afghanistan twice with U.S. Forces, this is the first time we have been able to show the American people the parallel commitment being made by their families,” he said. “It was, for me, a vivid reminder of the true meaning of the Marine Corps motto ‘Semper Fidelis.’”

The luncheon, thrown at the conclusion of North’s visit to Camp Lejeune, was also a way for North and Fox News to show their appreciation for all the spouses’ sacrifices.

“Having left my family behind numerous times when I deployed from Camp Lejeune, I wanted to do something to honor the wives and the families of the Marines and sailors who had been so gracious and protected us on our most recent trip to Iraq,” North explained.

Many of the spouses invited Fox News into their homes for interviews and to show what it’s like without their loved ones at home. Sue Jurney, the wife of Lt. Col. Bill Jurney, the commanding officer of the battalion, said the experience was good for the spouses of the battalion.

“With the recent announcement that this deployment would be extended, it was nice timing for all of us to feel that our sacrifice here at home is not only acknowledged but appreciated,” Sue explained. “It was also a very generous gesture for Lt. Col North and Fox to host such a nice luncheon for us to honor our commitment and sacrifice.”

Toward the conclusion of the luncheon, North expressed his gratitude to the women supporting their Marines fighting in the Global War on Terrorism. He also explained what he and Fox News hope to accomplish as a result of this episode of “War Stories.”

“Our goal is to show the American people the remarkable young Americans we have serving in harm’s way and those who support, pray and wait for them at home,” he said. “I’m convinced that this unique episode of ‘War Stories’ does just that.”

“War Stories Iraq: The Homefront to the Frontlines” is scheduled to air on the Fox News Channel Feb. 11 at 10 p.m. EST.

Thursday Thirteen #12

2007-02-14T23:50:00.000-05:00

If there was any doubt on my last list (I wrote when we first got married) that I was cut out to be a Marine Corps wife, there's not anymore! Here are:

Thirteen MORE reasons that seal the deal. Yup, I'm officially a Marine Corps wife!
1. I still sing cadences in the shower. PT...Good for you...Good for me!

2. I've added Marine Corps winter wear to my wardrobe including two sweatshirts and a zip up jacket. Not to mention my "USMC" coffee mug and "Marine Wife" travel cup...

3. I've grown to LOVE Jarhead Red wine.

4. I know my mailman's Valentine's Day plans.

5. I race home everyday to see if there's any "Free Mail" waiting for me.

6. I understand the military pay system. Although I'm still figuring out how the health insurance works.

7. I'm a frequent caller of Military OneSource, an amazing one stop shop to answer ANY questions I have.

8. My new best friend is the blanket my sister and Evan gave me for Christmas with a huuuge picture of the Old Man. We watch TV together, listen to music together, have staring contests against each other...

9. I'm finally well equipped with one liners to respond to protesters and those who "support the troops, but not their job".

10. I've swapped deployment stories, or should I say fiasco's that of course would only happen while our husbands aren't home, with other Corps wives.

11. I have found a place in the house for my husband's cammies and 15 pairs of combat/training boots.

12. My anxiety attacks from knocking visitors has eased up considerably and I'm one with this emotional rollercoster, I'm one with this emotional rollercoaster, I'm one with this emotional rollercoster. ;)

13. Some time's I wake up to the Marine Corps hymn...and it's not on the radio. Da, da, dadatda, da, dadadadada!!!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

Welcome to Thursday Thirteen! Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

2007-02-14T17:46:00.000-05:00

Project Valentine- a huge success!!!

2007-02-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

My handsome younger cousin Ethan Kamps and his mother Robin just finished doing a wonderful, wonderful donation drive for our boys in 1/6 called Project Valentine. In less than 3 weeks, they raised thousands of dollars and donations to send to the Old Man and his Marines in Ramadi.

Ethan's classmates and the boys and girls of the entire first grade at the Consolidated School in New Fairfield, CT raised money for Project Valentine by making beds, cleaning rooms, doing dishes, and other household chores then they turned in their hard earned money and were awarded a star to be placed on American flags that decorated the halls of the school.

The kids decorated Valentine's cards and wrote letters. Some students sent compasses so the Marines can "find their way home". Parents baked cookies and pastries for the Marines. Local business donated money for shipping. And the town's First Selectman presented the school and each first grader with a framed proclamation stamped with a gold seal for all their hard work.

47 boxes and less than three weeks later, the students, parents, and teachers who participated in Project Valentine have touched the lives of the Marines in 1/6 and succeeded in letting our boys overseas know they are truly loved and appreciated.

In fact, I talked to the Old Man last night and he said they're all 100% addicted to Prison Break and they made a good dent in the snacks and cookies already. He told me to let everyone know how much he and his Marines appreciate everyone's love and support and to keep an eye in the mail for those cameras!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Give your loved ones a big kiss, squeeze them tight tonight, and remember our boys who are sacrificing everyday to make this world a safer place.

First-graders send love to the troops

By Brian Saxton
THE NEWS-TIMES

NEW FAIRFIELD -- Shannon Broderick tidied up her brother's room and the kitchen and earned herself $6.75. Sean King cleaned his room and the downstairs of his family's home and was rewarded with $39. Ethan Kamps helped vacuum his home and picked up $6. The three 6-year-olds and the remaining 197 first-graders at Consolidated School earned $1,200 this month by doing household chores to help pay for a Valentine's Day project supporting U.S. Marines in Iraq.

"It makes me feel good to be able to help them," Ethan said Tuesday as the children packed Valentine's Day cards and care packages to send to the troops.

Ethan's mother, Robyn, helped spearhead the project after reading a Web blog kept by her cousin Anna Hancock of Washington, D.C., whose husband is serving with the Marines in Iraq. Cpl. Hancock is based with 200 other Marines in Iraq, helping to train Iraqi soldiers.

"Anna keeps the blog to let everyone know how he is," Kamps said. "When I read one day that his favorite mail comes from a 4-year-old niece, I thought I'd tell my son's class about it."

A room mother at the school, 40-year-old Kamps said the idea of supporting Hancock's unit quickly won approval. "We decided to call it 'Valentines for Marines' and it just blossomed from there," Kamps said. "Writing and creating the cards was good exercise for the children and nice for the soldiers. The kids have done a wonderful job. They should be very proud of themselves."

Along with the cards came the idea of sending care packages. "We turned it into a class project," said first-grade teacher Roseann Vicare. "Everyone became really excited."

To earn the money needed to buy the contents of the packages, it was decided the children should do chores at home. "The response was amazing," said Vicare. "In the end the children raised $1,200." Other support came from outside the school. The New Fairfield Lions Club donated $200 and two parents each gave $250 to help pay for the shipping. Knowing the best gifts would be nonperishable items, Vicare and Kamps bought coffee, soup, crackers, games, Frisbees and playing cards. They even included copies of area newspapers, among them The News-Times.

"It was everyday stuff, things to remind them of home," Kamps said. The packages also included coloring books and crayons, as well as soccer balls and old uniforms from the New Fairfield Soccer Club, for distribution to a school close to where the Marines are stationed. Kamps hopes the Marines will use the disposable cameras they are mailing to take pictures of themselves opening the packages and them return them to the class.

Vicare believes the project has had an academic impact on the children, as well as making a humanitarian statement. "They're only 6 years old and have such a small view of the world. I think this gives them a global appreciation of what's going on outside their classrooms," Vicare said.

"The soldiers have been there so long, we also don't want them to think we've forgotten them." Each handmade Valentine's Day card, written and signed by one of the children, also contained a heart-shaped key ring they made.

Most cards echoed the sentiments expressed by students Ryne Cleary. "Dear Marine -Happy Valentine's Day," Ryne wrote. "Thank you for keeping us safe. I love you. Please be safe."

A Ramadi rebirth - one block at a time

2007-02-13T20:43:00.000-05:00

I usually put the articles on the side of the page, but I thought this one is pretty good. To see it on Military.com Click here!

ON Point | Andrew Lubin | February 13, 2007

There's more news from Ramadi than just gunfire, IEDs, and Marine casualties. This is a city that is slowly returning to life.

The catastrophic destruction, visible throughout the town, was inflicted both by Iraqi insurgent and militia groups, as well as by Marines. But recently, the local residents have said "enough," fought back, and started rebuilding their city.

The most visible symbol in Ramadi -- a city of over 400,000 and the capital of Al Anbar Province -- is the Government Center. This building is the political heart of the province. And despite the presence of Al Qaeda in Iraq, and a smattering of other local insurgents, the Government Center is open for business.

Inside the building, Al Anbar Province Governor Mamouon Sami Rasheed presides over a council of Deputy Governors. His ministries include Education, Water, Sewage, Housing, Fire Stations, Health, and Communications & Telecom. Also represented is an elected Provincial Council. Like any provincial council, they meet, they discuss, and they work on plans for rebuilding their city. The new mayor, Latif Obaid Ayadah, just took office two weeks ago.

“I want to give the work to those who have come forward to help secure our city,” said Mayor Latif, according to a recent Marine Corps News article. “We don’t want to concentrate on certain individuals, but spread the work to involve more of the people.”

According to the article, the growth of Ramadi’s police force is the mayor’s top goal for the near future. “I hope for the return of all the police to the city for its security, because reconstruction cannot happen without it,” Mayor Latif said in the report.

But until the police return in full strength, the Marines will be on the streets. One recent result of the Marine presence is the reopening of markets. People shop -- during the day, at least -- for food, petrol, and clothing.

While American dollars are always welcome, the Iraqi Dinar is increasing in value. The local currency has strengthened 10 % since October 2006 against the Dollar, decreasing from D1500 to D1300 against U.S. $1. Ramadi’s contractors prefer payment in dinars instead of dollars. In Ramadi, the government’s food distribution system now operates as it did before the war. People don’t eat well, but they don’t starve.

The men of 1st Battalion, 6th Marines (1/6) have contributed to Ramadi’s resuscitation. Lieutenant Colonel William Jurney, 1/6 commanding officer, took the Marine concept of “clear -- hold -- build” and refined it. Instead of making these three separate tasks, he had his Marines work them simultaneously in each Marine outpost, in conjunction with Iraqi soldiers, policeman, and neighborhood citizens as the situation allowed.

Schools are also re-opening. Marines from Captain Kyle Sloan’s Alpha Company keep tabs on two schools that have 2,000 students. Teachers operate 4 shifts each day, the Marines said. With Ramadi having an educated, middle-class populace, a combination of retired Sunni Iraqi Army officers and educated civilian professionals, the locals are trying to regain a normal life for themselves and their children. By patrolling the area, the Marines say, they have enabled the residents to regain the normal life that “the terrorists” had forced away.

Shortly after the Marines arrived in Al Anbar in 2004, Al Qaeda in Iraq, or AQI, destabilized the government -- which had remained relatively intact -- through a reign of terror and brutal intimidation. Some of the smaller sheiks and tribal leaders tried to stand against them. They were killed, decapitated, or simply disappeared.

Unlike the civil war in Baghdad, the brutality in Ramadi has been slightly easier to define. Although multiple Sunni insurgent groups emerged -- AQI, Ba’ath loyalists, fundamentalists, and Mafioso-style sheiks -- they all attacked anyone who worked with Americans. The local government was equally targeted. The result? Tribes refused to cooperate with the Americans. To do so meant death.

In referring to AQI, the term “terrorist” was used commonly by the locals, as it accurately described the tactics used. These men and their hired local guns targeted Iraqi Police, their families, the IP stations, Marines, their convoys, and any other high visibility targets available.

Because massive artillery, air, and infantry attacks could not be used to stabilize the city, the Marines have employed classic counterinsurgency concepts. They have pushed outposts into the city, handled security on a block-by-block basis, and then promptly handed over newly-secured areas to the Iraqi Police. Then, the battalion moves further into the city.

Although suicide attacks, firefights and IED explosions continue, those attacks are measured now in how many per week, instead of how many per day. As the “Outpost Concept” has proven successful, the local citizenry has bought into the idea and begun to co-operate. The largest tribes banded together, effectively saying that they’d “had enough” of AQI’s killing sprees. The elders sent their young men to join the Iraqi Police and root out “the terrorists.”

Last year only 40 local men volunteered to join the IPs. But this December, 800 volunteered to serve. In Ramadi, a job as an IP is now considered an honorable and respected position.

It took a year before the people of Ramadi were convinced that the Marines could and would provide the protection and security they needed. But now that they understand this, the tribal elders have banded together, joined forces with the Marines, and worked together to begin Ramadi’s restoration.

The city of Ramadi still has years of recovery ahead. Fortunately, the locals have begun taking the lead in the reconstruction. With the Marine concept of “simultaneous clear-hold-build” enabling the sheiks and locals to fight back against AQI and their hired thugs, the future of Ramadi might be one of the brightest in the Sunni Triangle.

“It’s neighborhoodism before nationalism,” said Major Daniel Zappa, 1/6 executive officer. To their credit, the Marines of 1/6 have aggressively used this motto to their advantage in their fight against Al Qaeda in Iraq.

It'll be pink if I say it's pink!

2007-02-12T12:45:00.000-05:00

It's almost Valentine's Day so in honor of, my Old Man's blog is now pink. And you know what, I don't care that it's not manly!

So what do you think of that!! (as I'm Karate chopping wildly into the air like Ben Stiller on Meet the Parents)

Happy Almost Valentine's Day! I have a great story to post on Wednesday, so stay tuned! (oooohhh, the cliff hanger! :)

The countdown (re)begins!!

2007-02-12T11:00:00.000-05:00

Let's try this again, shall we? :)

We're out of the triple digits!!

...and over the halfway hump!

(I can't say exactly how long, but they'll be home pretty darn soon!)

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

—Romans 12:12

So, what did you think?

2007-02-12T08:11:00.000-05:00

"War Stories" aired last night. Did you watch it? Did you empty out your Kleenex box like me? Did you like it, hate it, love it? I know one thing's for sure, I'm prouder than ever of all of us!

Leave a comment (click on Anonymous and type your name in the comment box) and I know you're reading this cause I can see you! :)

For more information on the show Click here!

Get your TiVo's and your TV recorder's ready!!!

2007-02-09T07:53:00.000-05:00

Watch the 1st Battalion 6 Marines on Fox News Channel's "War Stories" this weekend. To read more about the show's upcoming season, Click here!

Season SEVEN begins on "War Stories" hosted by Oliver North

Sunday, February 11 at 10 p.m. ET
War Stories Iraq: The Homefront to the Frontlines

On our 8th trip to the frontline of the War on Terror, FOX News’ "War Stories" team embedded with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines in Ramadi, the capital city of Iraq's bloody al Anbar Province. To document how the families of these deployed Marines have been affected by the war, "War Stories" also traveled to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Satellite, cell phone and internet technologies have dramatically changed how troops on the frontlines stay connected to their families on the homefront. But juggling stresses at home and supporting their loved ones in harm's way still requires remarkable perseverance and a delicate balance. All of this is made evident when you see how these families react to the Commander-in-Chief's orders extending the Marines' tour of duty.

In an exclusive interview with a powerful Sunni Sheikh, "War Stories" reveals how a little-known alliance among Sunni, Shia and U.S. forces is taking the fight to foreign terrorists in Al Anbar province. Our cameras are there to document how Sheikh Abdul Sattar Baziya and his American advisors are recruiting, training and deploying thousands of Sunni police officers to fight side by side with Shia soldiers in the battle against Al Qaeda.

With unprecedented access to American and Iraqi troops on the frontlines — and their families on the homefront — this episode of "War Stories" destroys the myth that sectarian rivalries can't be overcome — while showing the extraordinary commitment of our troops — and their families — to winning the war.

Staff for this episode:
Executive Producer: Pam Browne
Senior Producer: Martin Hinton
Produced and Written by: Gregory Johnson, Greg Ebben, Andy Stenner
Editor: Anthony Ciancio
Designer: Yong Kim

Thursday Thirteen #11

2007-02-08T12:34:00.000-05:00

Here's my super mushy, lovey, dovey list in honor of Valentine's Day. Feel free to grab your barf bags. Just kidding about that last part. (Do people actually use the word barf anymore? :)

13 reasons why I love my Marine!

1. Because he's really funny. He does the best Robert Goulet impression ever and he can tear up a dance floor with his shopping cart!

2. Because he's family oriented. He and I are super excited about starting a family and we love being around our own.

3. Because he's thoughtful. He does the nicest things ever and always knows the perfect thing to say when I have my "moments".

4. Because he's great to talk to. He has strong opinions and I love that! Not that it's not frustrating sometimes, but we can talk, talk, talk, talk, and talk some more. And get this, he actually listens! :)

5. Because he's goofy and fun. If we're having a serious discussion or separated but in the same room, he'll sometimes stop everything and make some silly face to lighten things up. He's also up for anything and is so easily pleased.

6. Because every time I tell him I want a kiss, no matter what he's doing he always kisses me. I just love that!!

7. Because he fights fair. This is super important. Of course not everything is perfect, but he always consciously tries not to yell or curse or throw things when he's mad. (Just kidding about the throwing things part)

8. Because he's romantic. He used to bring me flowers every Friday, make me candlelit dinners all the time, and do tons of other mushy stuff.

9. Because he's awesome at everything he does. Playing sports, at work, cooking, whatever, he's really good at it. Or if not, he catches on pretty fast then thinks he's really good. ;)

10. Because he's dependable and supportive. He always has the best advice and follows through on the big stuff. Except for picking out tuxes for our wedding...he learned though, cause I had to instead and our guys ended up with pink ties to match the bridesmaids dresses! :) (sorry guys)

11. Because we can talk without saying a word. Don't you love that? How you can see something then look at each other and know exactly what the other is thinking?!

12. Because he's smart. I always learn things from him. Like how shooting a shotgun from 1902 will cause serious shoulder damage and mental trauma, even if he's standing behind me to catch me after the kickback nearly throws me on my can.

13. Because he's genuine and has a good heart. Underneath all that Marine-y, tough image stuff, he's super sensitive. He remembers everything and isn't happy unless those around him are. This is, by far, the best thing about him.

A letter to the friends and families of 1/6 from the Chaplain

2007-02-05T19:25:00.000-05:00

Dear families, former members, and friends of 1/6,

One of my favorite accomplishments in life is keeping my 1998 Jeep Wrangler running for 234000, 00 miles. There were several times when I was certain it was about to take a dirt nap for all eternity, but some how I resurrected it to live again. I remember one time when I was sure it was over and that was the first time the clutch went. I thought to myself, this is real bad. I have very little money, I do not know an honest mechanic, what am I going to do? Well I brought it to a shop and the head mechanic full of honesty said, “this is an easy one, we’ll have it done in four hours, at 300.00.” That made my day; I was thinking a week and 1000.00.

A few weeks back we heard we got extended not good news as far as I am concerned. To make a long story short, the mechanic has come out and said “this is an easy one, 1/3 of what you expected and we’ll pay you a 1000.00.” Well that just made my day, and I am sure it made yours also. Yes no extension feels good, but we are doing great stuff out here. We owe it to Ramadi to keep up the quality of service until another battalion can come in here, and continue to serve these people the way we have.

So hang in there and soon we will be home with many stories of our struggles and successes.
These next few months are crucial to our success. Please only give us good news, encourage us to stay focused on our jobs, and pray consistently for the people of Iraq.

If you are a person of faith please know God is here with us, and it feels great. Soon we will be celebrating Easter a sign of new life, a sign of freedom.

We are 1/6 and we are HARD at every thing we do, but we are especially HARD at loving all of you.

Sincerely,
Chaplain Jamie
stallryanjj@mnf-wiraq.usmc.mil

The Old Man is on TV!

2007-02-05T17:19:00.000-05:00

OK, he's really not. But it sure does look like him if that counts! Has anybody seen that Rembrandt commercial? The one where the camera closes in on two models kissing and the guy sings, “Hoooold on to your love, it might not be coming back,” in the background? I actually should say, has anyone seen the Old Man after he’s grown in his 5 o’clock shadow (really I mean his shadow that he grows on demand) then seen that commercial? I get all warm and fuzzies when it comes on. It’s uncanny how much that guy looks like the Old Man! (Yes ladies, my husband is HOT!) :) FYI-This was before I realized what the song in the background was saying.

Normally watching a commercial this up close and personal might gross me out a little bit, but lucky for me I have this big black rectangle across my TV screen that blocks out most of the main picture. It allows me to get the point of the picture and so far, well, a week's worth of watching with it so far, that's good enough for me. Apparently its level of annoyance doesn’t hold a candle to waiting on hold for RCN Cable, because I have yet to call and ask what the heck the blurb is all about. In fact, I’m starting to think it’s not RCN at all, but may be God censoring the screen to subtly tell me to quit watching so much TV and do my homework. But I digressed…

The funny thing is, as I’m writing this thinking, “Oh, I’ll YouTube it! I know it’s on there and I can show everyone my husband looks as cute as a model!” Then I remembered that one time my mom and I made the Old Man try on clothes and hats in Urban Outfitters and he looked so gorgeous that another girl actually asked him if he was in a poster downstairs. Anywho, I searched YouTube and sure enough it’s on there! Only back to the funny thing, it’s not at all what I thought. In fact, after seeing that commercial I’m almost willing to delete this post altogether cause seeing it without the black box across the screen gives it a whole other type of viewing.

So if this is a little awkward for Mama Hancock I apologize ahead of time, but even after the lip biting and spit swapping that I admit isn’t the most attractive thing to watch (and no we don’t do that) the point of this post after all is to show that the Old Man looks just like this guy..Not that there’s a point in proving that either. That, and I maybe just realized I should finally call the cable company... Actually, maybe you should just not hit play and look at the picture for what it's worth, then take my word for the rest.

I LOVE this!!

2007-02-03T19:21:00.000-05:00

Whoever thought of this bumper sticker rocks!!! To get yours, Click here!

An update on the Old Man (and his Old Lady)

2007-02-01T19:31:00.000-05:00

Whew!!, has this month been a whirlwind! The two of us have no idea where January went! The Old Man is off to his rotation already and is grateful for the change of pace. He's being consistently recognized for his efforts and working around the clock. He does have a bit of a cold though. His Marines must be thrilled to work with him right now. :) He really hasn't had any news to report lately, he just explained a little bit about when they transitioned a part of Ramadi over to Iraqi officials. I posted a news article on the side of this site called 1/6 hands over a piece of Ramadi to Iraq if you're interested.

On the homefront, there's tons of news!! We are buying a condo!!! The third time was a charm! We had our eagle eye out for Park Fairfax, a community right on the DC/VA border and have been relentlessly trying to get our contract signed. We were outbid on the first house, which was amazing by the way. Our timing was off on the second, but we got the third!! It needs some major painting, but it has so much charm and cuteness! We even have a front porch! We're gonna be homeowners!!! Yay!!! Thank's to the Old Man who was praying like heck to St. Joe, who he learned was the finder of houses, our prayers were answered. Luckily we found out right before he left for rotation so he has some great news to think about while he's gone.

Here's what the outside looks like..

But the good news doesn't stop here! :) Little Aidan started crawling!!! My sister caught it on video and posted it to her blog. Click here! to see it. My cousins organized an AMAZING Valentine's Day Bonanza with their son, Ethan, and his class that spread like wildfire to the entire first grade! (I'm working on a post about that now) And the Old Man's family got the grandkids and their classmates to send over Valentine's to the Marines too! As for me, school is wonderful! I absolutely love it so far. (Picture me kicking wildly in the air like the Licensed Joyolgist going, I love it, I love it, I loove it!!) It's amazing how much more enjoyable it is to get your Master's and focus on something you love to study! It's also kinda cool that I'm going to Hhhhhopkins (the Old Man and I drag the H out like all the rich and famous who go to Hhhharvard and all of a sudden have English accents...) Good thing maturity level isn't on the admissions application! hahaha

Happy February! Keep on counting down!! We may have had an unexpected extension, but we're halfway through!!

Thursday Thirteen #10

2007-02-01T19:13:00.000-05:00

I'm back in action!! Of course, not until 7:20pm when Thursday Thirteen is almost over... Nonetheless, here are:

13 reasons why I haven't done a Thursday Thirteen in a month and a half. (Yikes!!)

1. My parents were visiting for a week and a half.
2. My sister came immediately after.
3. My husband was back from rotation so we were likely on the phone every Thursday.
4. I started school and the only computing I was doing was homework.
5. I was looking for houses so the only other computing I was doing was searching homesdatabase.com
6. I was bummed for quite some time after learning my husband's homecoming date was delayed nearly three months. (only 1 now, thank God!!)
7. I was taking a shower.
8. I was reading one of the million books my husband sent me instead.
9. I was on travel for work.
10. I was down for the count with a nasty cold. (AGAIN!! Aghhh!!)
11. I went to Happy Hour.
12. I was having a 16th St. Field Day. (what my husband calls it when I let the house go for a while and have to clean it Marine style.
13. I was drinking my Jarhead Red. The best wine ever!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

Welcome to Thursday Thirteen! Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook

2007-02-01T16:30:00.000-05:00

I just HAVE to put a plug in for this book. My sister's mother-in-law bought this book for the Old Man and he was ranting and raving about it so much, I bought it too! If you have some free time, go buy this book. Please! It'll have you rolling on the ground laughing!!! It was such a pick me up over the holidays...and so true!!

To buy or read more about this book, Click here!

Video- "Bringing Home our Heroes"

2007-02-01T15:18:00.000-05:00

Grab your kleenex and watch this video, Bringing Home our Heroes.

Picture perfect

2007-02-01T14:51:00.001-05:00

Isn't this beautiful! This is the Basilica National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. I drive by this everyday to go to work and it reminds me of how much I love DC. And the snow!!

Marine Pulls Driver From Burning Car

2007-02-01T14:23:00.000-05:00

This is a really nice story.

Marine Corps News | January 09, 2007

MARINE FORCES RESERVE, New Orleans -- A machine gunner with Anti-Tank Platoon, 25th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, earned the Navy/Marine Corps Medal for saving the life of a stranger.

Pfc. Michael Kifowit received the award Jan. 12, for saving Amanda Stevens’ life.

“Pfc. Kifowit is a great Marine,” said Capt. Jose F. Vengoechea, inspector instructor for Machine Gun Platoon, Anti-Terrorism Battalion. “I think it’s great he’s being recognized.”

Stevens was hit by a drunk driver Aug. 16, 2006. Kifowit was in his car behind Stevens and said as soon as he caught up to her car, it was already ablaze.

“I didn’t know what to think when I got there,” Kifowit said. “I just thought, ‘Oh my God!’ I shook her to wake her up, because she was unconscious, and told her I was going to get her out. Her leg was stuck underneath the crushed dashboard, so I had to shake it out.”

Eventually, Kifowit was able to free Stevens from her car and pulled her out of her broken window.

By the time the ambulance left taking Stevens to the hospital, people were already taking notice of Kifowit’s actions.

“The police were shaking my hand and telling me that I did a good job,” he said.

Kifowit believes his newfound fame strange.

“It feels good,” he said of the veritable spotlight he’s in now. “At the same time, I try to be humble. It was just something that needed to be done at the time, and I hope anybody in my position would do the same thing.”

To see the story on Military.com Click here!

A letter to the 1/6 family and friends from the H&S CO

2007-02-01T14:20:00.000-05:00

Dear friends and families of Headquarters and Service Company,

Our deployment continues to go well. H&S Marines have been working around the clock to support battalion operations. Your Marines are working extraordinarily hard and it is making a difference in the city. The company’s operational tempo has increased significantly and everyone has been doing their share of the work.

Engineers have worked non-stop since our arrival and over the past two months they have been called upon to conduct 24-hour operations for extended periods of time. They have performed magnificently. Their hard work has saved the lives of countless Marines and kept our battalion’s multiple outposts safe from enemy attack.

Marines in the S-1 shop have found themselves swamped with awards submissions and fitreps. Their shop is a veritable flood of paperwork. Not to worry though, we let them out for sunshine and food for at least fifteen minutes a day.

S-2 Marines continue to work 18-20 hour days providing the battalion with the necessary intelligence analysis, ensuring that we “bring the fight to the enemy.” Their tireless efforts have resulted in multiple enemies captured and the city as a whole being a much safer place.
The Marines of the S-3 shop continue to drive the battalion’s actions. As the brains of the H&S body, they have provided the direction needed to secure our battalion’s area of responsibility. Shouldering the responsibility for all actions within our battalion area, they live off of coffee and red bull and have to coordinate with an “alphabet soup” of units operating in our area.

The Marines of the S-4 shop (Motor-T, Armory, Food Services, and Supply) continue to act as the battalion “postal service.” Neither mud, rain, ice, nor more mud will keep them from their appointed rounds throughout the battalion area. Providing logistical support to company’s throughout the city, S-4 has kept us all well-fed and warm (it has been pretty cold here these last few months). Often a thankless job, the support they provide has allowed the company’s to continue the fight and to help out the citizens of our city.

Communications platoon has provided flawless support throughout the deployment. As the voice and voice box of the battalion, they have ensured that every company always has “someone to talk to.” Their proficiency and technical expertise has kept the battalion moving forward and allowed our efforts to be tied together over vast distances.

Guard Force Marines continue to improve the security of the city. Interacting with locals, the Iraqi Police, and Iraqi Army on a daily basis, they have improved relations with the citizens around their sites. One metric of their success is the delicious Iraqi cuisine their Iraqi counterparts “force” them to eat on a regular basis. Needless to say, they are finding time to PT off the falafels and pastries.

The corpsman of the company has officially pushed us through the worst of flu season. We have all heard the stories of how magnificent corpsman are in combat, and the members of 1/6 BAS have lived up to that reputation. They have proven multiple times that they are in fact a Marine’s best friend.

Overall the company continues to work hard and provide the line companies with everything they need. We all take great pride in our jobs and are bolstered by the support you all at home give us. Of course, we recently received news that we would be staying in Iraq longer than planned. Although none of us are happy about being away from loved ones any longer than we have to, we are all motivated to keep making a difference here in Iraq. It is your continued support (and cookies) that keep us going out here. We miss all of you and look forward to being home sooner than later.

Respectfully,
Captain Dynan

So much news, so little time!!

2007-01-23T00:55:00.000-05:00

January has been packed full of news and going's on's! I promise I'll write more when I have the time, but here's the month in review or what I like to call, "AMH's Best Month Ever!"

The Old Man was Baptised, received Holy Communion, and was Confirmed Catholic!

My parents and sister made a two and a half week long visit that we're all happily drained from all the excitement, but what we call in our family energized after spending time with each other.

The Old Man is back from rotation, doing really well, and rested up to go again soon.

I'm starting Hopkins Wednesday then traveling to NYC for work on Thurs and Fri and we all know business trips are an really just an extended meeting due to the necessity of happy hour or I mean team building.

The Old Man and I put a bid on a condo in Alexandria tonight that we found on Sunday. (we find out if we get it no later than Wed so pray for us!)

It finally snowed this winter and it was gorgeous!

The president of Jarhead Red sent me three replacement bottles after hearing about my traveling fiasco!!!! (read more about that below)

The Old Man sent me the most thoughtful gifts over the past few weeks like flowers (our 6 month wedding anniversary), an awesome book, and the cutest thing ever- he went online grocery shopping for me and had them delivered to my door!

And the best news of it all, the Old Man's deployment is only postponed one month instead of three!!!! Weeee!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU JARHEAD RED!

2007-01-23T00:25:00.000-05:00

With no reason other than for my peace of mind, a few weeks ago I ranted about US Air lifting my prized Jarhead Red Wine prior to my bags being checked. I'm still surprised, and grateful, and shocked at the response I got! Not to mention super excited to finish the bottle mom and I cracked open during her visit last week!

I got this email two weeks back and my three replacement bottles shortly after that.

Annamary:

A reader of your blog (actually my old CO) forwarded your posting of the misguided TSA agent lifting your bottles of Jarhead Red , 3 each. Kindly furnish an address such that I might have those replaced. This winegrower stands behind our products, even with the intermeddling of over-zealous airport screeners.

Second, thanks for the link and passing the word on the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation. It is a most worthy – and needed – organization.

Strength to you,
Semper fidelis,

Adam Firestone
Winegrower

THANK YOU JARHEAD RED!!!

Fun quotes about the Corps

2007-01-18T23:12:00.000-05:00

There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion.

-Gen. William Thornson, U.S. Army

Freedom is not free, but the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share.

-Ned Dolan

We signed up knowing the risk. Those innocent people in New York didn't go to work thinking there was any kind of risk.

-Pvt. Mike Armendariz-Clark, USMC; Afghanastan, 20 September 2001

A letter to the 1/6 family and friends from the Chaplain

2007-01-16T15:08:00.000-05:00

Dear family, friends and former members of 1/6,

Yes just as we were celebrating a huge success here in Ramadi, just when we were about to shift gears to thinking transfer to the next battalion, we get the news we have been extended. I know this weighs heavy on your hearts. I know you have given so much and waited patiently for us to return. We too are saddened by not being able to come home to you. This past Sunday I preached on the text in John where Jesus turns water to wine. Jesus did not do this for the mere sake of performing a magic trick, but to draw attention to him and what he is able to do for them and us. By turning water to wine Jesus was able to turn the wedding celebration that quickly headed south due to a lack of wine, into a sacred event. I also believe for those of us who feel this extension is like running out of good wine, Jesus through his grace and love offers us new wine. I am certain this wine will manifest itself differently in each of us. Maybe in the form of good friends who remind us we are not alone, maybe in the form of recognizing the success we have had here, and knowing we are still needed a little longer. Maybe this new wine will come in the way of a new purpose or involvement for those of you back home. I do know this, the best wine is in God’s promise of eternal life in this hope I am certain we can get through this with proud hearts and our heads hung high. As I walk around and listen to our guys, they are impressed with how much you love them and how you continue to believe in what we do, even if it doesn’t always make sense.

The other day I went and sat with one of our lookouts in the city. As I gazed through a large piece of bullet proof glass I saw a lot of people walking, men, women, and children. I think some of the children were heading to school. This was amazing for me to watch, since this type of freedom is new to this area. So we will continue to make better this piece of Iraq. We will continue doing what we are called to do. We’ll do it knowing you are behind us, eagerly awaiting us to come home. So until then grab a good glass of wine and remember God promises to us. Soon we will be home to thank you for all you have done to make this possible.

Sincerely,
Chaplain Jamie

Can I pull up a futon in church???

2007-01-11T16:12:00.000-05:00

I'm learning a lot about myself and our marriage throughout this deployment. Sounds like an intro to a Thursday Thirteen, huh? hahaha Darn it, it's official. I'm addicted. I've had a three majorly traumatic events that I can recall, this being one of them, but I've realized in all of them I have a pattern of reactions.

I usually joke around for a while denying the whole thing, then I'll cry a bit, maybe throw in a few times when I get my undies all in a ruffle at someone (as the Old Man likes to call it). Then I'll usually ignore the phone and emails for a while, get mad at myself for being mad, then snap out of it, make my rounds of calls and get on with myself... Thank God I'm pretty good about keeping the Old Man out of it. Until I wrote this at least. Hopefully, this isn't too far from the norm and I'm not even sure exactly why I wrote all this just now, but I do know I feel better for writing it. At least I can see it all on paper so I know what to expect and to take extra precaution. :) Maybe if I throw a few extra trips to the day spa that'll suit well. It's an idea, right? Oh, and I'm not completely crazy. I do keep occupied and stay busy. But staying strong 24/7 9 months long is sometimes a lot to ask for...

So I'm already into phase 1. Not to lessen the intensity of what's going on, but I really wanted to change my Happy New Year graphic to some sort of stay strong or keep on keeping on sort of thing. So far, I haven't had any luck. (Hopefully my google search is in no way any indication of what's to come.) Anyway, I thought it might crack a few smiles to see what I did find in my google search...

My personal fav...

A little awkward...

An overwhelming feeling of guilt to what I wish I could still do...

OK, this one's OK...

What the???

In case you were wondering something about chickens...

Interesting, yet provocative...

The one thing that's constant for me is gettin' my cup of Jesus, as my sister says. Going to church does such wonderful things for my sanity and my well being that I can't even begin to explain. Especially since I don't have a lot of family in the area (thank God for Jason and Francie). It brings me such peace to sit there and talk to God for a while and pray for my husband and our families. I sincerely hope everyone has this sort of inner peace within themselves because I'll tell ya, from road rage to deployment depression, it helps all around. Sometimes I'll find myself going before I go to work, after work, on Saturdays, or even on Sundays too. Sometimes I wish I could ask God if he'd mind that I pull a futon up in church. I could sit around during mass all day then fall asleep comforted all night... Oh well, I guess living right down the street will have to do.

Stay strong friends and families of 1/6!!!

Do over!!

2007-01-11T15:42:00.000-05:00

I'm pretty sure we all heard the news by now. Our boys are extended for at least 60 more days... I have a countdown on my google page that was coming down to around 89 more days. Then I added in the extension and felt a swift kick in the stomach. Back to 150 +... It's like a do over. Remember when we were young, when something didn't go quite right all we'd have to do is scream, "Do over!!!" Then bam. Clean slate. We started around 150, got a few behind our belt then the President screamed, "Do over!!!!" And the countdown re-began. (Is that even a word?) Only this time it's not as fun...

I got a call from the Old Man at about 3 am last night breaking the news. (He's going to try to call or email family, but as you can imagine, the phone lines are probably insane.) Immediately after he told me, my first reaction was to make sure he's holding up OK. As always, he's amazing. His main concern was me. Of course he's disappointed beyond belief, but I'm at a total loss for words to describe how completely incredible he is and how he's taking this. Just in case I don't tell the Old Man's family enough, you guys really did a good job with this one. :)

From what I understand from the other wives, girlfriends, and the Old Man, all the 1/6 Marines are just as admirable. The President sure is lucky to have such an amazing group of Marines.

A letter to the 1/6 family and friends from the 1/6 Commanding Officer

2007-01-11T11:41:00.000-05:00

Dear Families and Friends of First Battalion, Sixth Marines,

Immediately following the President’s speech this evening, I was notified that1/6 and all our attachments would be extended. The anticipated extension is approximately 60 days to 90 days. I know this may come as difficult news as you were planning to welcome yourMarine or Sailor home in early April, but now that we have received official notification we can put the speculation and rumors to rest and focus on the challenges that this news brings. As I have said many times before, your continued support is crucial to our mission. This is true now more than ever as we meet this challenge as a family. I ask that you assist me in ensuring our Marines and Sailors remain focused ontheir mission, one that they continue to perform in an exemplary manner on adaily basis. I assure you that I will keep you informed. You have my utmost appreciation andrespect for your patience and perseverance.

In your service,
W. M. Jxxxxx Lieutenant Colonel
U.S. Marine Corps Commanding Officer
1st Battalion 6th Marines

Important news!

2007-01-11T07:31:00.000-05:00

Hopefully you have heard from the Old Man or your Marine after the President's speech by now. If not, please remember it's possible they didn't have a chance to call because the phones lines were out the door...

Please call the 1/6 Information Hotline 1-800-230-8762 then dial 2,1 for extremely important news.

President's Address to the Nation The Library

2007-01-10T23:00:00.000-05:00

To see the speech online Click here!

President's Remarks

9:01 P.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Tonight in Iraq, the Armed Forces of the United States are engaged in a struggle that will determine the direction of the global war on terror -- and our safety here at home. The new strategy I outline tonight will change America's course in Iraq, and help us succeed in the fight against terror.

When I addressed you just over a year ago, nearly 12 million Iraqis had cast their ballots for a unified and democratic nation. The elections of 2005 were a stunning achievement. We thought that these elections would bring the Iraqis together, and that as we trained Iraqi security forces we could accomplish our mission with fewer American troops.

But in 2006, the opposite happened. The violence in Iraq -- particularly in Baghdad -- overwhelmed the political gains the Iraqis had made. Al Qaeda terrorists and Sunni insurgents recognized the mortal danger that Iraq's elections posed for their cause, and they responded with outrageous acts of murder aimed at innocent Iraqis. They blew up one of the holiest shrines in Shia Islam -- the Golden Mosque of Samarra -- in a calculated effort to provoke Iraq's Shia population to retaliate. Their strategy worked. Radical Shia elements, some supported by Iran, formed death squads. And the result was a vicious cycle of sectarian violence that continues today.

The situation in Iraq is unacceptable to the American people -- and it is unacceptable to me. Our troops in Iraq have fought bravely. They have done everything we have asked them to do. Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me.

It is clear that we need to change our strategy in Iraq. So my national security team, military commanders, and diplomats conducted a comprehensive review. We consulted members of Congress from both parties, our allies abroad, and distinguished outside experts. We benefitted from the thoughtful recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, a bipartisan panel led by former Secretary of State James Baker and former Congressman Lee Hamilton. In our discussions, we all agreed that there is no magic formula for success in Iraq. And one message came through loud and clear: Failure in Iraq would be a disaster for the United States.

The consequences of failure are clear: Radical Islamic extremists would grow in strength and gain new recruits. They would be in a better position to topple moderate governments, create chaos in the region, and use oil revenues to fund their ambitions. Iran would be emboldened in its pursuit of nuclear weapons. Our enemies would have a safe haven from which to plan and launch attacks on the American people. On September the 11th, 2001, we saw what a refuge for extremists on the other side of the world could bring to the streets of our own cities. For the safety of our people, America must succeed in Iraq.

The most urgent priority for success in Iraq is security, especially in Baghdad. Eighty percent of Iraq's sectarian violence occurs within 30 miles of the capital. This violence is splitting Baghdad into sectarian enclaves, and shaking the confidence of all Iraqis. Only Iraqis can end the sectarian violence and secure their people. And their government has put forward an aggressive plan to do it.

Our past efforts to secure Baghdad failed for two principal reasons: There were not enough Iraqi and American troops to secure neighborhoods that had been cleared of terrorists and insurgents. And there were too many restrictions on the troops we did have. Our military commanders reviewed the new Iraqi plan to ensure that it addressed these mistakes. They report that it does. They also report that this plan can work.

Now let me explain the main elements of this effort: The Iraqi government will appoint a military commander and two deputy commanders for their capital. The Iraqi government will deploy Iraqi Army and National Police brigades across Baghdad's nine districts. When these forces are fully deployed, there will be 18 Iraqi Army and National Police brigades committed to this effort, along with local police. These Iraqi forces will operate from local police stations -- conducting patrols and setting up checkpoints, and going door-to-door to gain the trust of Baghdad residents.

This is a strong commitment. But for it to succeed, our commanders say the Iraqis will need our help. So America will change our strategy to help the Iraqis carry out their campaign to put down sectarian violence and bring security to the people of Baghdad. This will require increasing American force levels. So I've committed more than 20,000 additional American troops to Iraq. The vast majority of them -- five brigades -- will be deployed to Baghdad. These troops will work alongside Iraqi units and be embedded in their formations. Our troops will have a well-defined mission: to help Iraqis clear and secure neighborhoods, to help them protect the local population, and to help ensure that the Iraqi forces left behind are capable of providing the security that Baghdad needs.

Many listening tonight will ask why this effort will succeed when previous operations to secure Baghdad did not. Well, here are the differences: In earlier operations, Iraqi and American forces cleared many neighborhoods of terrorists and insurgents, but when our forces moved on to other targets, the killers returned. This time, we'll have the force levels we need to hold the areas that have been cleared. In earlier operations, political and sectarian interference prevented Iraqi and American forces from going into neighborhoods that are home to those fueling the sectarian violence. This time, Iraqi and American forces will have a green light to enter those neighborhoods -- and Prime Minister Maliki has pledged that political or sectarian interference will not be tolerated.

I've made it clear to the Prime Minister and Iraq's other leaders that America's commitment is not open-ended. If the Iraqi government does not follow through on its promises, it will lose the support of the American people -- and it will lose the support of the Iraqi people. Now is the time to act. The Prime Minister understands this. Here is what he told his people just last week: "The Baghdad security plan will not provide a safe haven for any outlaws, regardless of [their] sectarian or political affiliation."

This new strategy will not yield an immediate end to suicide bombings, assassinations, or IED attacks. Our enemies in Iraq will make every effort to ensure that our television screens are filled with images of death and suffering. Yet over time, we can expect to see Iraqi troops chasing down murderers, fewer brazen acts of terror, and growing trust and cooperation from Baghdad's residents. When this happens, daily life will improve, Iraqis will gain confidence in their leaders, and the government will have the breathing space it needs to make progress in other critical areas. Most of Iraq's Sunni and Shia want to live together in peace -- and reducing the violence in Baghdad will help make reconciliation possible.

A successful strategy for Iraq goes beyond military operations. Ordinary Iraqi citizens must see that military operations are accompanied by visible improvements in their neighborhoods and communities. So America will hold the Iraqi government to the benchmarks it has announced.
To establish its authority, the Iraqi government plans to take responsibility for security in all of Iraq's provinces by November. To give every Iraqi citizen a stake in the country's economy, Iraq will pass legislation to share oil revenues among all Iraqis. To show that it is committed to delivering a better life, the Iraqi government will spend $10 billion of its own money on reconstruction and infrastructure projects that will create new jobs. To empower local leaders, Iraqis plan to hold provincial elections later this year. And to allow more Iraqis to re-enter their nation's political life, the government will reform de-Baathification laws, and establish a fair process for considering amendments to Iraq's constitution.

America will change our approach to help the Iraqi government as it works to meet these benchmarks. In keeping with the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, we will increase the embedding of American advisers in Iraqi Army units, and partner a coalition brigade with every Iraqi Army division. We will help the Iraqis build a larger and better-equipped army, and we will accelerate the training of Iraqi forces, which remains the essential U.S. security mission in Iraq. We will give our commanders and civilians greater flexibility to spend funds for economic assistance. We will double the number of provincial reconstruction teams. These teams bring together military and civilian experts to help local Iraqi communities pursue reconciliation, strengthen the moderates, and speed the transition to Iraqi self-reliance. And Secretary Rice will soon appoint a reconstruction coordinator in Baghdad to ensure better results for economic assistance being spent in Iraq.

As we make these changes, we will continue to pursue al Qaeda and foreign fighters. Al Qaeda is still active in Iraq. Its home base is Anbar Province. Al Qaeda has helped make Anbar the most violent area of Iraq outside the capital. A captured al Qaeda document describes the terrorists' plan to infiltrate and seize control of the province. This would bring al Qaeda closer to its goals of taking down Iraq's democracy, building a radical Islamic empire, and launching new attacks on the United States at home and abroad.

Our military forces in Anbar are killing and capturing al Qaeda leaders, and they are protecting the local population. Recently, local tribal leaders have begun to show their willingness to take on al Qaeda. And as a result, our commanders believe we have an opportunity to deal a serious blow to the terrorists. So I have given orders to increase American forces in Anbar Province by 4,000 troops. These troops will work with Iraqi and tribal forces to keep up the pressure on the terrorists. America's men and women in uniform took away al Qaeda's safe haven in Afghanistan -- and we will not allow them to re-establish it in Iraq.

Succeeding in Iraq also requires defending its territorial integrity and stabilizing the region in the face of extremist challenges. This begins with addressing Iran and Syria. These two regimes are allowing terrorists and insurgents to use their territory to move in and out of Iraq. Iran is providing material support for attacks on American troops. We will disrupt the attacks on our forces. We'll interrupt the flow of support from Iran and Syria. And we will seek out and destroy the networks providing advanced weaponry and training to our enemies in Iraq.

We're also taking other steps to bolster the security of Iraq and protect American interests in the Middle East. I recently ordered the deployment of an additional carrier strike group to the region. We will expand intelligence-sharing and deploy Patriot air defense systems to reassure our friends and allies. We will work with the governments of Turkey and Iraq to help them resolve problems along their border. And we will work with others to prevent Iran from gaining nuclear weapons and dominating the region.

We will use America's full diplomatic resources to rally support for Iraq from nations throughout the Middle East. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and the Gulf States need to understand that an American defeat in Iraq would create a new sanctuary for extremists and a strategic threat to their survival. These nations have a stake in a successful Iraq that is at peace with its neighbors, and they must step up their support for Iraq's unity government. We endorse the Iraqi government's call to finalize an International Compact that will bring new economic assistance in exchange for greater economic reform. And on Friday, Secretary Rice will leave for the region, to build support for Iraq and continue the urgent diplomacy required to help bring peace to the Middle East.

The challenge playing out across the broader Middle East is more than a military conflict. It is the decisive ideological struggle of our time. On one side are those who believe in freedom and moderation. On the other side are extremists who kill the innocent, and have declared their intention to destroy our way of life. In the long run, the most realistic way to protect the American people is to provide a hopeful alternative to the hateful ideology of the enemy, by advancing liberty across a troubled region. It is in the interests of the United States to stand with the brave men and women who are risking their lives to claim their freedom, and to help them as they work to raise up just and hopeful societies across the Middle East.

From Afghanistan to Lebanon to the Palestinian Territories, millions of ordinary people are sick of the violence, and want a future of peace and opportunity for their children. And they are looking at Iraq. They want to know: Will America withdraw and yield the future of that country to the extremists, or will we stand with the Iraqis who have made the choice for freedom?
The changes I have outlined tonight are aimed at ensuring the survival of a young democracy that is fighting for its life in a part of the world of enormous importance to American security.

Let me be clear: The terrorists and insurgents in Iraq are without conscience, and they will make the year ahead bloody and violent. Even if our new strategy works exactly as planned, deadly acts of violence will continue -- and we must expect more Iraqi and American casualties. The question is whether our new strategy will bring us closer to success. I believe that it will.
Victory will not look like the ones our fathers and grandfathers achieved. There will be no surrender ceremony on the deck of a battleship. But victory in Iraq will bring something new in the Arab world -- a functioning democracy that polices its territory, upholds the rule of law, respects fundamental human liberties, and answers to its people. A democratic Iraq will not be perfect. But it will be a country that fights terrorists instead of harboring them -- and it will help bring a future of peace and security for our children and our grandchildren.

This new approach comes after consultations with Congress about the different courses we could take in Iraq. Many are concerned that the Iraqis are becoming too dependent on the United States, and therefore, our policy should focus on protecting Iraq's borders and hunting down al Qaeda. Their solution is to scale back America's efforts in Baghdad -- or announce the phased withdrawal of our combat forces. We carefully considered these proposals. And we concluded that to step back now would force a collapse of the Iraqi government, tear the country apart, and result in mass killings on an unimaginable scale. Such a scenario would result in our troops being forced to stay in Iraq even longer, and confront an enemy that is even more lethal. If we increase our support at this crucial moment, and help the Iraqis break the current cycle of violence, we can hasten the day our troops begin coming home.

In the days ahead, my national security team will fully brief Congress on our new strategy. If members have improvements that can be made, we will make them. If circumstances change, we will adjust. Honorable people have different views, and they will voice their criticisms. It is fair to hold our views up to scrutiny. And all involved have a responsibility to explain how the path they propose would be more likely to succeed.

Acting on the good advice of Senator Joe Lieberman and other key members of Congress, we will form a new, bipartisan working group that will help us come together across party lines to win the war on terror. This group will meet regularly with me and my administration; it will help strengthen our relationship with Congress. We can begin by working together to increase the size of the active Army and Marine Corps, so that America has the Armed Forces we need for the 21st century. We also need to examine ways to mobilize talented American civilians to deploy overseas, where they can help build democratic institutions in communities and nations recovering from war and tyranny.

In these dangerous times, the United States is blessed to have extraordinary and selfless men and women willing to step forward and defend us. These young Americans understand that our cause in Iraq is noble and necessary -- and that the advance of freedom is the calling of our time. They serve far from their families, who make the quiet sacrifices of lonely holidays and empty chairs at the dinner table. They have watched their comrades give their lives to ensure our liberty. We mourn the loss of every fallen American -- and we owe it to them to build a future worthy of their sacrifice.

Fellow citizens: The year ahead will demand more patience, sacrifice, and resolve. It can be tempting to think that America can put aside the burdens of freedom. Yet times of testing reveal the character of a nation. And throughout our history, Americans have always defied the pessimists and seen our faith in freedom redeemed. Now America is engaged in a new struggle that will set the course for a new century. We can, and we will, prevail.

We go forward with trust that the Author of Liberty will guide us through these trying hours. Thank you and good night.

END 9:21 P.M. EST

A letter to the 1/6 family and friends from the 1/6 Commanding Officer

2007-01-08T15:16:00.000-05:00

Dear Families and Friends of First Battalion, Sixth Marines,

I know everyone is getting anxious about the talk of extending troops in Iraq. I have always been honest and up front with you and provided you with dates and information. This time is no exception. What I can tell you is that "right now" anything you have heard about our battalion being extended is speculation and/or rumor. Nothing has been communicated officially or unofficially to us about a change to our deployment. If and when it does, you can make sure I will pass the information.

Let me again reassure you that your loved ones are doing a tremendous job over here. I am amazed everyday at their courage and commitment. Progress is most definitely being made in the area we are responsible for and these Marines have much to be proud of.

Please know your continued support is crucial to our mission. I ask that you remind your loved one to stay focused these last few months. Everyday is game day and I need their head 100% focused on the mission at hand. Block leave dates, homecoming flight windows, and Hawaiian vacations can't be their focus while walking the streets on patrol and providing security for each other. I know you understand this and I want to thank you for helping all of us maintain this most important focus.

Again, thank you for your support of our 1/6 HARD Marines and Sailors.

In your service,W. M. Jurney
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps
Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion 6th Marines

Happy Valentines Day!

2007-01-07T23:21:00.000-05:00

OK, so it's really not Valentines Day. Or really not even close...but get your packages in the mail soon so they get there on time!

US Air took my Jarhead Red!!!

2007-01-07T22:54:00.000-05:00

This is my rant for the month...after many stress relieving activities, I can finally put this past me! hahaha

I went to FL for Christmas. This was my third time going home since the Old Man left. I always find comfort in visiting my family, but I think I’m just about to give up on the whole traveling thing.

The first time was heartbreaking. As I sat on the plane nearly having a panic attack from the thought of really interacting with anyone since the Old Man left, I overheard the worst conversation ever. Of course out of everyone on the entire plane, I sat behind the one and only piercing voice telling her thoughts on the military and the war to her fellow passenger. For the sake of trying to keep the blog apolitical, I’ll just tell you, they weren’t good…

The second time was a doosey. I sat in the middle of a young college kid and a man of intellectual sorts in his 30s. Before the plane took off, I pasted a few things in my journal and explained to both of them that my husband was in Iraq, yada, yada, yada…answering all their questions during the conversation that they initiated. 30 mins later, I closed my eyes and overheard the two of them telling each other their thoughts on the war. The entire way home and yet again, none of which were good. I was boiling knowing that they both knew full well about my situation and at that point it wasn’t about sharing their opinion, but about common courtesy. Is it me, or do people not even debate things like religion or being gay this freely and why is this any different? ! Anyway, this was one of the many times my IPod came to the rescue. I curse myself for not ever speaking up, but that’s just not my style. The only saving grace this ride was that soon after I realized I probably just witnessed a genuine love connection. From the physical attraction, alllll the way through to the making of future plans together! The best of luck to them both. ;)

This time, Oy Vey! (and I have permission to say that from my Jewish friend) At this particular airport, US Air has their own staff who conducts the security screenings for the lucky winners of the checked baggage security screening extravaganza! In my checked bags (and I bold this because they were CHECKED!) I had three of my favorite Christmas gifts, Jarhead Red. I was sooo excited about giving this away. I found it on base and it had a really fun Marine Corps label, the proceeds of my purchase went to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (I have info about this in a post below), and I just knew everyone would have loved it! I would have bought myself a bottle, but I took the last four off the shelf.

With the new security regulations, and I didn’t think I was breaking any, we all know any liquids you bring on the plane have to be 3 oz or less. Which is why I checked my Jarhead Red. Apparently that wasn’t good enough. Apparently, I couldn’t have any liquid whatsoever and apparently, the US Air security man was having a bad day because he confiscated all three bottles of my prized Christmas presents!!!! As I begged and pleaded with him to not throw them out or leave just one for me to keep or for him to keep them so at least someone could enjoy them, he was Mr. US Air No Nonsense and threw them away. No questions asked.

I sat there on my third plane ride home with yet another traveling fiasco, crushed, and in a pinch for last minute Christmas gifts.

Ohhh, the irony…

I recently found the website to buy the fun stuff, which I've actually heard is pretty good. I can say now that I'm not so bitter about it anymore. Just in case you're interested, Click here!

The Old Man and I's New Years resolution

2007-01-04T09:53:00.000-05:00

(My TT is below)

In the year 2007 I resolve to:
Wear spandex every other day.

Get your resolution here.

Hey get me, over here, my turn!

2007-01-03T15:59:00.000-05:00

I've been tagged and I finally understand what it means! Captain Poopy called me out to tell you 5 things you may not know about me.

1. I went through a vegetarian phase once. For a whole year and a half! I had no real reason or purpose, it just felt right at the time. Although, I did eat ham. I was especially a fan of the cubed ham that you find on buffets. I've since added meat and poultry to my diet. And I still eat cubed ham. In fact, I think I could live on cubed ham.

2. I can NEVER guess the ending of a movie when I'm watching it in a movie theater. I feel like sometimes I get my blonde thinking cap on cause when I'm at the movies, there's not much going on up there! I like to think I'm one with the movie. I get so consumed with what's going on right at the exact point that I'm seeing that I don't think I'm capable of thinking farther ahead. The last accurate guess on record was some Lifetime movie about a woman leaving her rich, abusive husband after falling in love with a hot 30 something construction worker, but who wouldn't have seen that coming? I secretly marvel at my sister and Gena who have the ending in the first two minutes!

3. I once accidentally knocked down an entire table of cakes stacked 3 high and 10 long at Kash 'N Karry. Then panicked and ran out laughing so hard I almost piddled. Then blamed it on my friend. Sorry Amanda.

4. I have huge secret crushes on Nicolas Cage and Vin Diesel. One isn't the most physically attractive actor and the other isn't the most gifted actor, but I just love, love, love them!

5. I was 'let go' once- from a bank. Ironic, right? (I work at the Treasury Dept now) It was one of the best jobs I ever had too. I was 16 and made 15 bucks an hour! Thank God I was about to leave soon to move to DC, so my boss never recorded it as such. And I was never told if I was scammed or just was terribly off with my math skills. On the record, I left one week early due to a relocation..

Thursday Thirteen #9

2007-01-03T15:03:00.001-05:00

Thirteen positive contributions the 1st Battalion 6 Marines have made in Iraq

This list came straight from the Lt. Col. himself (you can see his letter in a previous post) and directly from the boots on the ground. Although it has been a tumultuous journey, there has been great progress in Iraq. Here are a few examples of positive contributions 1/6 has made over the past 4 months. Their successes in these and other areas continue everyday. Too bad these positive stories are not on the 5'oclock news...

1. 1/6 Marines improved national security. Four new security stations have been opened in the city, including one Iraqi Police station 100% manned and operated by local cops who are motivated and enthusiastic.

2. 1/6 Marines provided hospitalization and first aid services to the Iraqi citizens despite the cause of injury.

3. 1/6 Marines assisted in opening schools that have been closed for years so the children can attend class.

4. 1/6 Marines initiated construction and emergency response projects. Over $250k in new projects are now working in the city.

5. 1/6 Marines detained countless numbers of known terrorists and Iraqi’s on the national threat list.

6. 1/6 Marines provided humanitarian assistance. They delivered 6,000 pounds of food to a local mosque when it was found the residents of the area were in need.

7. 1/6 Marines and local workers have worked to clean up the cities. Previously destroyed vehicle hulks strewn about the city are now being removed and the streets are being cleared from debris.

8. 1/6 Marines shared toys, school supplies, and candy everyday to boost the morale of the Iraqi children.

9. 1/6 Marines built strong political relationships. They have noticeably gained the trust and confidence from key tribal and civilian leaders regarding their Iraqi Security Forces (ISF).

10. 1/6 Marines delivered tons of medical supplies to the Ramadi General Hospital and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital through the combined efforts with the ISF.

11. 1/6 Marines distributed heaters and warm clothes to locals who had no source of heat for the winter.

12. 1/6 Marines trained ISF forces. They have formed a solid partnership with the ISF and are incrementally transitioning over responsibilities to them.

13. Last, but certainly not least, 1/6 Marines and the ISF have made the citizens feel secure enough to express national pride. Iraqi flags now fly down the main roads throughout the nation.

A letter to the 1/6 family and friends from the Chaplain

2007-01-03T10:54:00.000-05:00

Dear families, former members, and friends of 1/6,

Let me begin by saying thank you all for the wonderful Christmas you provided us with. Amazing how we can be so far away and yet you still touched us with your care. Of special mention are the 1200 stockings that on Christmas Eve made their way onto concrete walls awaiting each young Marine to awake and take it to their bunk. If just for a brief moment you brought us back home to our living rooms where we would normally meet around tree as family and friends.

On another note we are past the half way mark, and after living for forty years now, I know 3 months is chump change in the whole scheme of things, and soon we will be home annoying you. However with that being said, while saying a little prayer asking God to make time go by quickly, the little voice inside of me said, “You complained for years to come do what you are doing, now you want to go home”. Well God is right, and here is where we are called, so let us together embrace our callings these next three months. I suspect this will serve our hearts well, as they fill with pride as we talk of all we did when we get home.

Please continue to draw near to those who have lost loved ones this deployment. Help them in your own special way to remind them they are not alone.

Please know we love and miss you all very much, continue to send those prayers high, we do see the result of them out here daily.

Sincerely,
Chaplain Jamie

Happy New Year!!!

2007-01-03T00:52:00.000-05:00

Here was us ringing in 2006. Man, how this year flew by!

An update on the Old Man

2007-01-01T23:56:00.000-05:00

Say it with me...Stress free, that's me! Well, that's my motto at least. We can all take a big, well deserved sigh of relief, our boys are almost home!!!!

My nephew has these funny things my sister calls laugh cry's and I think I've inherited them. I was finally able to talk to the Old Man for longer than 10 minutes in I don't know how long and I didn't know whether to laugh at some of the funny stories he told me or cry since I was so happy to talk to him. I did both. At the same time. Thinking about it now makes me laugh if that counts!

Back to this stress free thing. While I was taking my week long hiatus from the phone, computer, and pretty much everything so I could get de-stress after the holidays and get back on my feet for the new year, the Old Man was coincidentally doing some stress techniques of his own. Mistakenly, one of his Marines received a girly care package that included this huge bottle of lavender spray that has stress free and relax written all over the bottle. The Old Man seized the bottle. Every time his Marines get crazy or things get hectic, he busts out the bottle, sprays everyone down, and screams, "RELAX!!!!" He said it works like a charm!

Surprisingly, the Old Man said things in the city were calm the day Saddam was executed and have been ever since. He and his Marines are all doing really well, but they're ready to get back from rotation. (In other words, a few more days and we'll probably all get more calls!) He said that it's been really cold over there and a lot of the Iraqi families don't have heat sources. The Marines have been giving out heaters to as many people as they can. They also had a ton of toys to give away to the children so the kids were excited about that. He's been interacting so much with the Iraqi's that he's been picking up the language pretty quick too. All of his higher ups are impressed by how well he's doing with every aspect of this deployment.

So here's the really good stuff! He was promoted to Sergeant of the Guard!!! He's the third in command from the Capt. It's sort of a within rank promotion, but an awesome achievement! Send him an email or leave a comment to say congrats!

We're over the halfway hump!! Keep praying for their safe return!

Oliver North's New Year wishes

2007-01-01T00:30:00.000-05:00

By Oliver North

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- For many Americans, it's a week of reflection, these last days of 2006. Some spend that time celebrating the Christmas season with prayer and thanksgiving. Others take advantage of "after Christmas" sales at department stores, buying the junk that was omitted from their stockings. Those fortunate enough to have the means take stock of their stocks and bonds, and others write down resolutions that will command their attention for the first few weeks of January.

However one spends these last hours of 2006, Americans should take care to thank and pray for those who have defended our nation throughout the year -- our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Guardsmen and Marines. Having just returned from Iraq, the Marines with whom I was embedded would obviously like to be home for the holidays with their families, but they forgo a personal comfort to protect our national security. It is true of all our service members, wherever they are stationed this New Year.

Most of them have also missed Easter, Independence Day and Thanksgiving -- not to mention the birthdays, anniversaries and graduations of their loved ones. It used to be said that "if the Marine Corps wanted you to have a wife, it would have issued you one." But those days are gone. Today, roughly half of those serving in uniform are married -- proving that the hearts of even our toughest troops can be pierced by Cupid's arrow. It also shows that military service is as much a family commitment as it is personal.

That's important to remember as our president looks to increase the size of the active duty Army and Marine Corps in 2007. In an effort to ease the strain on a force that has had its hands full since the war on terror began, and because our liberty needs to be defended, the president and the secretary of defense will ask more families to step up and accept the challenges and rewards of military life.

As President Bush reminded us last week, "this war on terror is the calling of a new generation; it is the calling of our generation. Success is essential," he said, "to securing a future of peace for our children and grandchildren. And securing this peace for the future is going to require a sustained commitment from the American people and our military."

Those in the Washington press corps who put down the report of the Iraq Study Group long enough to listen to what the president said, scoffed at it. For the word "victory" cannot be found in the playbook of either party right now. The discussion among our craven congressional cranks and the pessimistic pundits is about how and when to surrender in Iraq. These "virtual generals" have played this game too long -- they're tired of it. They can't wait for the policy discussions in Washington to once again be dominated by topics like midnight basketball and school uniforms.

But if we give up in Iraq and give in to Islamic jihadists, the day will come when there will be school uniforms. They won't, however, be plaid skirts and neckties as issued by the Good Sisters of St. Mary's -- and good luck trying to distinguish one little girl from the next.
"We have an obligation to ensure our military is capable of sustaining this war over the long haul, and in performing the many tasks that we ask of them," Bush added. "The advance of liberty has never been easy, and Iraq is proving how tough it can be."

True enough. But there are measures of success. I saw it myself -- Iraqi police are being trained and taking more responsibility for the safety of their neighborhoods. It may not be happening overnight, but it is progress. Saddam Hussein, the former leader who preyed on his own people, has now been sentenced to death and within the month, barring any further legal complications, he will be hanged, and justice -- thanks to the patient confidence of the Iraqi people -- will be done.

As we reflect on things at the end of this year, let us ask ourselves why our confidence to overcome hurdles has eroded and how we can reclaim it. Officials in Washington may not want to admit it, but there is a "long haul" ahead against Islamic jihadists. For that, we need to add to the best-trained, best-equipped fighting force in the world. And for the fact that we did not experience an attack on our homeland in 2006, we need to thank them, as well as the professionals in our homeland security agencies. To all those involved in defending our country, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

To see this story on Townhall.com Click here!

Huckleberry supports the USMC!

2006-12-31T01:09:00.000-05:00

This is Kimmy and Jeremiah Flynn's little one. Isn't he adorable!!!

Christmas card to Osama

2006-12-30T17:22:00.000-05:00

This is from my Aunt Carol and Uncle Don. It's hilarious!

Lttle Melissa comes home from first grade and tells her father that they learned about the history of Christmas. "Since Christmas is for a Christians and we're Jewish," she asks, "will God get mad at me for giving someone a Christmas card?

Melissa's father thinks a bit, then says "No, I don't think God would get mad. Who do you want to give a Christmas card to?"

"Osama Bin Laden," she says. . . . .

"Why Osama Bin Laden," her father asks in shock. . .?

"Well", she says, "I thought that if a little American Jewish girl could have enough love to give Osama a card, he might start to think that maybe we're not all bad, and maybe start loving people a little bit. And if other kids saw what I did and sent cards to Osama, he'd love everyone a lot. And then he'd start going all over the place to tell everyone how much he loved them and how he didn't hate anyone anymore."

Her father's heart swells and he looks at his daughter with new found pride. "Melissa, that's the most wonderful thing I've ever heard."

"I know," Melissa says, "and once that gets him out in the open, the Marines could blow him all to hell."

Meaning of "Oorah"

2006-12-30T16:38:00.000-05:00

Oorah (ooo-rah), adj. U.S. Marine Corps Slang. Referring to, or meaning anything and everything except "no." Generally used when at a loss for words. Also:

1. Good copy, solid copy, roger, good or great; message received, understood.
2. Glad to meet you, welcome.
3. I do not know, but will check on it, I haven't the vaguest idea.
4. I am not listening.
5. That is enough of your drivel--sit down.
6. Stop sniveling.
7. You've got to be kidding.
8. Yes.
9. Thank you.
10. Go to the next [briefing] slide.
11. You have taken the correct action.
12. I don't know what that means, but am too embarrassed to ask for clarification.
13. That is really neat, I want one too.
14. Amen.

-Author unknown

New addition to a field first aid kit

2006-12-29T19:21:00.000-05:00

I found this article on Marine Moms. It's a cute story.

July 03, 2004

The Marine Moms in Houston are an amazing group. They have sent off hundreds of care packages and letters to Marines in the middle east. Given the scope of their effort, a few glitches are to be expected. Here's an e-mail sent by one of those moms:

To top off my son's email he was able to call yesterday!!! I've just been in absolutely the BEST mood. Not only did he call, but we were able to talk for a long time and it was so wonderful. He shared so many stories and had my laughing so hard. He wanted me to thank all his "Moms" and to let ya'll know that he and his fire team received their care packages and they were a wonderful morale booster. He said all of them had the Channel 11 footballs in their care package and they were out in the open area throwing the footballs around and other Marines were asking, "Hey where did ya'll get the footballs?" My son said at first they would all respond, "The Houston Marine Moms!" He said after awhile they were all laughing and they would just say "Our Moms".

He said they call the footballs their WMD's. I asked why and he said that when the lights go out at night they all throw them really hard at each other and just have the best time. He was laughing so hard sharing these stories with me. He had me rolling.

He told me how wonderful the care packages were and wanted me to tell everyone thank you. He said that one guy we'll call Marine X did get a girl care package and everyone was giving him a hard time. My son said, "Marine X got some really nice smelling lotion and everyone really likes it, so everytime he goes to sleep they steal it from him." I told my son I was really sorry about the mistake, and if he wanted I would send Marine X another package. He told me not to worry about Marine X because everytime I send something to him Marine X thinks it's for him too. He said when my husband and I sent the last care package Marine X came over to his cot picked up the box, started fishing through it, and said, "What'd we get this time?"

My son said they had the most fun with Marine X's package. He said he wasn't sure who we were sending the pack to, but the panties were size 20, and he said one of the guys got on top of the humvee and jumped off with the panties over his head and yelled, "Look at me, I'm an Airborne Ranger!!!!" He said one of the guys attached the panties to an antenna and it blew in the wind like a windsock. He said it entertained them for quite awhile.

Then of course, they had the tampons. When he brought this up my imagination was just running wild, but I let him continue. My son said they had to go on a mission and Marine X wanted the chapstick and lotion for the trip. He grabbed a bunch of the items out of his care package and got in the humvee. As luck would have it he grabbed the tampons, and My son said everyone was teasing him about "not forgetting his feminine hygiene products". My son said things were going well, and then the convoy was ambushed. He said a Marine in the convoy was shot. He said the wound was pretty clean, but it was deep. He said they were administering first aid but couldn't get the bleeding to slow down, and someone said, "Hey use Marine X's tampons." My son said they put the tampon in the wound. At this point my son profoundly told me, "Mom did you know that tampons expand?" "Well, yeah!" They successfully slowed the bleeding and got the guy medical attention. When they went to check on him later the surgeon told them, "You guys saved his life." If you hadn't stopped that bleeding he would have bled to death. My son said, "Mom, the tampons sent by the Marine Moms by mistake saved a Marines life." At this point I asked him, "Well what did you do with the rest of the tampons?" He said, "Oh, we divided them up and we all have them in our flak jackets, and I kept two for our first aid kit."

I am absolutely amazed by the ingenuity of our Marines, and can't believe that something that started out as a mistake ended up saving someone's life. My sister said she doesn't believe in mistakes. She said that God had a plan all along. She believes that female care package was sent to Marine X to save our Marine. Either way ladies our efforts have boosted the morale of many Marines, provided much needed items for our troops, AND saved the lives of a Marine! God bless each of you for your efforts and hard work, and God bless our Marines!

The Mis-Adventures of Captain Poopy: Christmas Day-a little belated

2006-12-29T13:11:00.000-05:00

To see a few more Christmas pictures, go to my sister's blog. The Mis-Adventures of Captain Poopy: Christmas Day-a little belated.

Pressured to craft

2006-12-29T10:35:00.000-05:00

Lucky for you while the Old Man is on rotation, you get to read posts about me until he gets back and gives me some of the good stuff to write. :)

1/6 is fortunate enough to have an online chat group that can be good and evil. It's great to get the support, ideas, and info on other 1/6 Marines from the families. It's not so great reading through the other posts from the wives and mothers suggesting these fantastic, wonderful, elaborate things they've made and sent to their Marines that leave you scrambling to put something together just as nice and thoughtful. Well, maybe I'm the only one scrambling, but boy do I.

One of the little things that I found myself pondering is if the stuff I'm sending is as grand and well received in comparison. From what I gather, we all do whether we mean to or not. The last thing I'd want is the Old Man running around making fun of me lifting things up one by one going, What the? because the very first package I sent was full of stuff that didn't make any sense, but seemed like a good idea at the time...**big sigh** Not that that's happened.

So you couple this with the pressures of being a brand spankin new wife and what do you have? The Pressure to Craft. My sister and I outbursted in Michaels as I'm scouring the aisles past the foam nativity sets and scrapbooking supplies as we realized I'm scouring because I'm Pressured to Craft!! Who'd have thought?! I'm lifting up foamy wreaths and cardboard cones going, "Hmmmm...what can I make this into?" Then beating myself up because I'm not quite as creative and my one big try to make a few dozen jar cakes ended up in a few dozen undercooked jars of cake batter and two burnt hands. Lucky for me a few days ago, I found an all inclusive box with ingredients to make the 5 Layer Bars of Joy we both like.

Ohhh, The Pressure to Craft. I title this because it's this phenomenon that goes on within military families back home who are running low on ideas or wanting to make the best of that flat rate box. And damn it, Aunt Carolyn, you've got it down pretty darn good, but my one saving grace with you is that you've had that all along. I once posted my grand idea of making the Old Man a countdown calendar with pictures, special dates, and the days remaining till he gets home in the chat room. By the way, the only thing resulting from the calendar idea was a pile of guilt from not finishing it up. Sometimes I wish I could be like one other 1/6 wife who after I made my grand suggestion says, "What? I don't have time for that crap. I work for a living!" At the time it seemed a little harsh, but oh how I envy her strength!

I'm a little more fortunate time wise since we don't have children and I delayed grad school one semester, but give me all the time in the world and the best I can do is a puff painted T-Shirt. Last time I checked, those went out with high school pep rallies. I decided to get a list together of things that would make cute little thoughtful gifts to the Old Man and his Marines since he pretty much has everything he needs.

So if you're Pressured to Craft or just want to do a few hands on things (esp with Valentines Day coming), hopefully these simple projects show you the light at the end of the tunnel...Even better, leave me a comment or two with some ideas to ease my worries!

Countdown calendar. Print out pictures for the top half and a calendar for the bottom. Word has a calendar wizard that lets you import pics, specialize dates, and customize almost everything else.

Love letters. I found a mini tin mailbox in the Target dollar section with foam letter stickers. Fill it up with love letters or little one line memories. One for everyday he's deployed until he gets home.

Marine Corps scrapbook. Another thing on my list of to do's. This one is the nicest one I've seen and it's about $40 bucks at Michael's. You can often catch them half off if you keep checking out the Sunday ads. Marine Corps Album

CD. Burn a quick CD with music that reminds him of you, family, or the top songs out right now. I'm pretty sure these never get old.

Picture CD/DVD. Copy/paste pictures to a CD/DVD of you throughout your normal day to send over.

Old fashioned heart cards. You know the ones from construction paper with stuff glued all around the edges? So this isn't the most manly thing to send, but I'm sure he'd like it.

Personalized puffy hands. I'm telling everyone my fantastic idea only because I think it'd be hilarious if the 1/6 families welcomed our Marines with a sea of puffy hands. You can pick up little foam fingers at Michael's for $1.50 and mark them up with whatever you want!

Puffy paint t-shirt. I stand by this. It'll be cute for the kids to do and for everyone to wear when your Marine comes home. Or if you're a real pro, they have those iron on do hickeys that you run through your computer printer for pictures.

Pipe cleaner people. I have two of those little gumby-picture head things of me and the Old Man as a bride and groom. These pipe cleaner people are sort of the same. OK, maybe not...I'm all out. Maybe you should stick to consulting the pros and ignore this post altogether!

Priceless...Merry Christmas

2006-12-28T19:24:00.000-05:00

This is cute!

For more comics about life as a military spouse visit, PCSing...it's a spouse thing!

Here's to the Old Man we all know and love!! Say hello, just don't use his name! :)

Reviving the Old Man!

*insert big sigh of relief*

Thursday Thirteen #17

I love my Flat Daddy!

Thursday Thirteen #16

Opposites attract

2007 "Thank a Military Spouse" Writing Contest

You're a Military Wife When...

Show your support for NMAM!

Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention!!!

ON Point in Anbar: The Tide Turns in Ramadi (Part 2 of 2)

ON Point in Anbar Province: The Tide Turns in Ramadi (Part 1 of 2)

Going the Distance to Honor Marines

National Military Appreciation Month

Military Life Isn't Easy

What have you done for yourself lately?

Uneasy Alliance Is Taming One Insurgent Bastion

A super sweet picture of the Old Man

Thursday Thirteen #15

An update on the Old Man (and his Old Lady)

A letter to the families from the Commanding Officer

The Marine

The final inspection

A letter to the 1/6 family and friends from the Chaplain

Happy Easter from Captain Poopy!

Thursday Thirteen #14

I AM THANKFUL

An update on Lcpl Matt Bradford

Longest weeeeekkk everrrrr!!

Maine Troop Greeters

You're my favorite!!!!!!!!!!

Aruba, here we come!

Workshop helps families cope with extended deployments

Britain's Queen honors a U.S. Marine

Prayer for a serviceman

HERCULES, HERCULES!!! (as I'm clapping wildly in the air!)

Last day to send packages!!

1/6 Marines let Iraqi Security Forces take the lead in central Ramadi

The HO'S came to the rescue!!!

We're Walkin for Preemies!

An update on the Old Man (and his Old Lady)

A letter to the 1/6 family and friends from the Chaplain

Now that the Old Man found God...

An update on the Old Man

Order your 1/6 t-shirt!

U.S. soldiers, Iraqi police unite to redeem Ramadi

We're homeowners!!!

Wish me luck!!!

Google: the answer to all of life's important questions!

I love this girl!!!!!

Pray for our injured Marines

Thursday Thirteen #13

An update on the Old Man

Oliver North, Fox News treat 1/6 wives to luncheon

Thursday Thirteen #12

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Project Valentine- a huge success!!!

A Ramadi rebirth - one block at a time

It'll be pink if I say it's pink!

The countdown (re)begins!!

So, what did you think?

Get your TiVo's and your TV recorder's ready!!!

Thursday Thirteen #11

A letter to the friends and families of 1/6 from the Chaplain

The Old Man is on TV!

I LOVE this!!

An update on the Old Man (and his Old Lady)

Thursday Thirteen #10

The Mr. & Mrs. Happy Handbook

Video- "Bringing Home our Heroes"

Picture perfect

Marine Pulls Driver From Burning Car

A letter to the 1/6 family and friends from the H&S CO

So much news, so little time!!

THANK YOU JARHEAD RED!

Fun quotes about the Corps

A letter to the 1/6 family and friends from the Chaplain

Can I pull up a futon in church???

Do over!!

insert big sigh of relief