Brace Yourselves.

Controlled Detonation- to detonate something in a controlled environment.

The announcement came out day before yesterday that a large bomb of some sort of bomb had been uncovered on the base. The rumor mill said it was a 1200 pound Russian bomb planted during the Russian occupation of this area. The announcement was in the form on an email that said we must stay indoors in the morning and that the mess halls would be closed. We were all anticipating an Earth shattering boom.

The night before the big "boom" we all collected extra food from the mess hall to cover us for our missed meals. There were MREs being handed out left and right. (Not to me though yuck). While at church we joked what if it was daisy chained to a bunch more and they blow up the whole base, or what if after the LARGE detonation the shaking earth sets off some of the millions of land mines still buried here on the base. We all had a good laugh.

Then morning came and we all scurried to our offices to be in a "hard" structure for the detonation.  So we wait.. Then the crackle of the speaker, the speaker system on base to warn of attacks but in this case a controlled det, "All personnel seek shelter in a hard structure".

So we wait, in an excited anticipation, for an Earth shatter boom and then without any more warning. Pffffsss, it sounded almost like an M80 firecracker going off. Since I have been here, there have been louder lightening claps and other things.  All that hype and preparation for nothing. Wow what a day, and to think I missed my morning oatmeal for that. Haha  

Another missed celebration

22 years of marriage and once again I am not home on my anniversary. To hear me say that you would think I was a bad husband. I have missed more anniversaries in my life, than I think I have made. This one was like the rest of the ones I have missed.

 I daydreamed about my wife and wondered what she was doing at that exact moment. I can now tell you, since the day has passed and the gift was received, that I had some earrings made for her here. I picked out two very nice Aqua Marine stones and had them placed in silver settings (no gold here). You don't just walk into the shop and find what you are looking for in most cases. They have numerous items on display but they also have loose stones of every shapes size and class. So Aqua Marine is what I chose. After carefully sifting through a pile of different sizes and shapes I finally found two that were a perfect match.

 It took them ten days to get them complete due to Ramadan (religious holiday). I was very worried about getting them back in time. They did not make it but the gift was not to terribly late. I also found a collapsible bowl at one local shop. It actually was the only thing I was going to send to her since the earrings did not turn out like I had hoped. The bowl is cut from wood and it will collapse or stay upright. To me it is nicer than the earrings but she really liked them both. And then the handmade card was the best of all she really liked it. I looked for a Hallmark store for a couple weeks and could not find one here. Hahaha.... The hardest thing to be away from is family.

Even though this is a late Blog since our Anniversary was 25 Sept. I still want to wish my Beautiful wife a Happy Anniversary and I pray for many more years when I can tell her in person and not on a phone.
Rosario I love you..............................

18 Years

We left for lunch as we do every day. We walked down the street to the other mess hall to eat since the BBQ place has gotten old. We got our plates, found a seat and began to eat and talk.

I was watching people go by when I saw him. I know this guy but not sure from where, not sure how but I know him. I decided to get up and go and talk to him. His name is W Barry. He is a CW4 now, but how do I know him. I walked up and told him "I know you from somewhere". He looked at my name tag, it has last name only, and said "Jay". I could not believe it. 

After 18 years he would remember my first name, turns out he remembered a lot more about me than I did of him. In 1992 we worked at Ft Lewis in the vehicle registration office together. When he told me memories come flooding back. Last  night I went to the Warrant Officer dinner and we talked about old times. He told me things that I had forgotten after all these years. He is doing well for himself and has his family settled and ready, for him to retire. He has deployed four times in his active duty career. Small world or is it a big world since this is the first time I have seen one of the soldiers I served with at the beginning of my long military career.. 

Misdirected Anger

Have you ever met someone in a position of authority or supervisor who has no right being there? I have. I do not know if perhaps he was promoted too quickly up the chain or maybe he had bad mentorship in his early years but wow. The endless meetings where things are discussed so in depth and detail, that it is painful. I have heard of people getting "in the weeds" this guy is in the dirt under the weeds.

I have had the displeasure of speaking to him three times since my arrival and all three times he has been rude and just downright hateful. It is almost as if he resents my existence or something. By virtue of answering the phone I am the one in charge, or at least in his mind. I have been talked down on, for missing a meeting that does not even pertain to me. 

Then when I ask the ones who it pertains to, they say they do not know anything about it either. I know the man who mentored him and he was the  same way. So how can I fault the guy for acting like an a$$ if he was taught that way. Just wish all of the soldiers as a unit would come  together and tell him that we are people. We WILL do what he says on two conditions, one that he speak to us with dignity and respect, and that he listen to us when we talk and suggest a better idea. I think that is what a "staff" is all about. But who knows I am just a PBO. And I am thankful that I do not have to deal with him on a daily basis......

Chow Time!

The following is from my friend John P. :

What can I tell you about the wonders of Bagram Airfield?  23,000
soldiers, sailors and airmen ranging from the age of 18 to 60 and they
all have one thing in common.  They want to eat.  With this massive
number of people packed into such a small place, you will find a
different chow hall about every half mile.  Okay... the official term
today is "Dining Facility" as the military is a bit classer than it used
to be.

Right across the street from my high rise condo is what we have nicked
name the BBQ Shack.  They have everything it takes to keep a soldier
healthy and strong.  The menu highlights such nourishing delights as
hamburgers, hot dogs, hot links, chicken, beef skewers, brisket,
sausage, ribs, chili, corn on the cob, baked beans, and rolls.  But fear
not my friend; the US Army would never dare to destroy such a vast array
of cholesterol packing poisons with anything that even remotely looks
like a green vegetable.  I lay odds that there is not a green bean to be
found anywhere within a 100 mile radius of this place.  So why fight it.
Let the US Soldier shout the manly mantra for the entire world to hear,
"We need our protein!"

But wait; there is more to this grand dining adventure for all of us to
share.  First we acknowledge that despite our wants, needs and desires,
there will be no veggies found in our food pyramid.  Yet, we know that
man truly cannot live on beef alone.  So the brothers and sisters of the
armed forces cried out and Uncle Sam heard our plea.  Yes he said you
need more.  You need ICE CREAM!

That is right my happy little brisket buddy.  Ice Cream is there with
every meal, to be served, not on one of those silly little cones, but by
the bowl full.  Not one insulting scoop, but rather a full man sized
triple scoop with all of the toppings to include chocolate syrup,
whipped cream, strawberries and crushed nuts.  Throw a couple of those
chocolate chip cookies on the side and you have created the
Cardiovascular Surgeons retirement plan.  Long live the wonders of
balloons, stints and triple bypass surgery.

At one time we feared that horrors of the Improvised Explosive Devices
that were used against us by the insurgency forces.  Now we have
presented the battlefield with a much more deadly weapon.  The flying
button has been added to the arsenal of the military.  Private Joe, who
joined the army with a 32 inch waist, has now been transformed to a
solid 36 incher with buttons that cry out for relief.  So, we announce
aloud for all of the Taliban to hear, WE HAVE BUTTONS - and they are
aimed at you!

Serious Side note:  You really do have to be careful here.  The food is
not that great, but there is a lot of it.  For those who go outside the
wire busting it every day, they do need the food volume just to
replenish their bodies.   But, on the other hand, there are those old
men like me who have a desk job and must fear the "Furniture Disease."
What is the "Furniture Disease?"  That is where your Chest drops down to
your Drawers.

Take care my friends and pray for a soldier today.

Everybody was Shakin'

Why are you shaking my bed? Get away from me. Damn it, I am not playing.

Then I was awake and the whole bed was shaking. It was as if I was the subject of a practical joke.  But when I opened my eyes the room was moving too. The bed was shaking and I was a bit nervous.

We live in Containers stacked one on top of another three levels high. I am in one of the ones in the middle. Never in my life have I experienced anything like that. It is a feeling of helplessness. I am told it was a really mild earthquake, so I cannot even imagine what a BIG earthquake would feel like. The news reports this morning that is was a 6.3-magnitude earthquake centered in Northern Afghanistan. No damage and no injuries were reported.  I guess I can add this experience to my list of firsts, just hope I can add it to my list of lasts too....

Jingle Truck

Here is the first of many pictures of Jingle Trucks. These trucks are wonderfully decorated with brightly colored themes and pictures. They get their names from the bells and things that hang off the sides of the trucks that "jingle" while they drive. I was asked to talk more about the country here, so here is the beginning of my description of this country. If you look in the back ground over the buildings you will see that the sky looks like it is white as snow. I assure you that is not the color, the sky color is in fact a tanish brown. The dust is nonstop. The bright colors of the jingle truck are a wonderful reminder of the local culture and they remind us that we are "not in Kansas" anymore.

The driver was an older man who smiled when I climbed on board but he was very careful not to show his face. After I shook his hand he leaned over away from the window in what seemed to me, an effort, to remain anonymous. IS this to avoid retribution from people who would likely kill him and his family for assisting the United States no one know for sure. I pray for him and his family as he like most people in the world is trying to earn a living..

Agree or Disagree - Not My Words....

"WE NOTICED"
President Obama:

Today I read of your administrations' plan to re-define September 11 as a National Service Day. Sir, it's time we had a talk.

During your campaign, Americans watched as you made mockery of our tradition of standing and crossing your heart when the Pledge of Allegiance was spoken. You, out of four people on the stage, were the only one not honoring our tradition.
YES, "We noticed."

During one of your many speeches, Americans heard you say that you intended to visit all 57 states. We all know that Islam, not America has 57 states.
YES, "We noticed."

When President Bush leaned over at Ground Zero and gently placed a flower on the memorial, while you nonchalantly tossed your flower onto the pile without leaning over.
YES, "We noticed."

Every time you apologized to other countries for America 's position on an issue we have wondered why you don't share our pride in this great country.. When you have heard foreign leaders berate our country and our beliefs, you have not defended us. In fact, you insulted the British Crown beyond belief.
YES, "We noticed."

When your pastor of 20 years, "God-damned America " and said that 9/11 was " America 's chickens coming home to roost" and you denied having heard recriminations of that nature, we wondered how that could be. You later disassociated yourself from that church and Pastor Wright because it was  politically expedient to do so.
YES, "We noticed."

When you announced that you would transform America , we wondered why. With all her faults, America is the greatest country on earth. Sir, KEEP THIS IN MIND, "if not for America and the people who built her, you wouldn't be sitting in the White House now." Prior to your election to the highest office in this Country, you were a senator from Illinois and from what we can glean from the records available, not a very remarkable one.
YES, "We noticed."

All through your campaign and even now, you have surrounded yourself with individuals who are basically unqualified for the positions for which you appointed them. Worse than that, the majority
of them are people who, like you, bear no special allegiance, respect, or affection for this country and her traditions.
YES, "We noticed."

You are 14 months into your term and every morning millions of Americans wake up to a new horror heaped on us by you. You seek to saddle working Americans with a health care/insurance reform package that, along with cap and trade, will bankrupt this nation.
YES, "We noticed."

We seek, by protesting, to let our representatives know that we are not in favor of these crippling expenditures and we are labeled "un-American","racist", "mob". We wonder how we are supposed to let you know how frustrated we are. You have attempted to make our protests seem isolated and insignificant. Until your appointment, Americans had the right to speak out.
YES, "We noticed."

On September 11, 2001 there were no Republicans or Democrats, only Americans. And we all grieved together and helped each other in whatever way we could. The attack on 9/11 was carried out because we are Americans.
And YES, "We noticed."

There were many of us who prayed that as a black president you could help unite this nation. In six months you have done more to destroy this nation than the attack on 9/11. You have failed us.
YES, "We noticed."

September 11 is a day of remembrance for all Americans. You propose to make 9/11 a "National Service Day". While we know that you don't share our reverence for 9/11, we pray that history will report
your proposal as what it is, a disgrace.
YES, "We noticed."

You have made a mockery of our Constitution and the office that you hold. You have embarrassed and slighted us in foreign visits and policy.
YES, "We noticed."

We have noticed all these things. We will deal with you. When Americans come together again, it will be to remove you from office.
Take notice.


If you agree with this, please pass it on. If not, I'm sorry!
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/wenoticed.asp
--------------
"May you always have love to share, health to spare and friends that
care."

K.N.U.C.K.L.E. H.E.A.D.

Knucklehead.

I saw Todd in me today. We are so much alike but different in every way. While hanging pictures in my office to make my stay more comfortable I saw it, my smile on Todd's face. He is a little me. (Not really little at about 5'8" or so. 


Todd was born with an inflamed thyroid. It made his voice very deep. He too is one of the many blessings that God provided me with. He came at exactly the right time in life. We finally had our own house. It was very small for 3 people and a baby but it was filled with love.


Todd sometimes seems to be left in the background. His older brother sometimes overshadowed him. Todd is a strong child. He loves to read and his grades are Straight A's. He decided to play football this year and I am hopeful that I will get to see one or two of his games via video. It is times like this when I am away that I realize just how much Todd means to me. He was my little helper while we were repairing the house in Merkel. We have him on video dancing around saying "My dad is the dorkiest dork of dorky town". It was so cute but if you look at my face at the time I did not see just how cute it was. I am thankful we caught this moment on tape as it has made me realize things about my life that I need to change. Why can I not be in a good mood while working? Why does my attitude come across so negative? Why does it seem sometimes that the children who I love so dearly seem to be afraid of
me? 


TODD, I love you

Holy? Man

Please join me in thanking the Florida Church for burning the Koran. I am so thankful that he has decided to make this statement, a statement that should be made and proclaimed loudly and proudly. I think he should be very proud that he has endangered the lives of American Soldiers and Americans working over here. The Koran is the holy book of a religion that I might not agree with but it is not the book itself, it is the fanatics. One could say that this guy is a fanatic.


I do not agree with the majority of the religions in the United States but I do not bash them. While at Ft McCoy I came to find out that the Military recognizes a religion about spaghetti. Well maybe not recognized but it was on a list of religions that was passed out. It is called the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Seriously look it up. I sure hope someone stops him. I hate to think about the numerous lives that this idiot is putting in danger just saying that he is going to do this. He will receive his reward in heaven if someone does not give him a "reward" on earth..

Blessed Mistakes

In today's world it is more common for a man and woman to come together even though one of the two already has children. These children are brought into the relationship most times by love but there is always an acceptance of sorts. I raised my oldest son from the time he was about 4 months old. I am proud that he calls me dad. My wife made a mistake when she was younger that turned into OUR blessing. Russ is now 23 years old and a very productive member of society. He too made "mistakes" when he was young that brought about blessings.  Amorina and Ryan were brought into this world way too early. A "mistake" that is most definitely one of my greatest blessings. Russ, now married, is one of the ones who brought children to a relationship and eventually a marriage. His children were not only accepted by his new wife, Jessica, but they were also accepted by her parents and sister. My grandchildren are being spoiled at every turn, but they are growing with love, understanding and discipline. One day they might hear how they were a mistake.. I just hope they know that this mistake is one of my greatest blessings.

Comforts Of Home

Editor's Note (excerpt from Jay's email):

Some of you have e-mailed asking what to send so I figured I would
e-mail y'all with a few suggestions. I know the troops could use things
like; Coffee (Folgers), Tea, cocoa, tooth paste, personnel hygiene
stuff, snacks, cookies, playing cards, cross word puzzles, books, movies
DVD, etc... We have a common area that when care packages arrive we put
all the stuff out for the troops and they get what they want and/or can
use. Example; when a book comes in, someone reads it then passes it on,
same with a DVD.

So you can send things in care of me and I will get them down to the troops. One guilty pleasure of mine is COBALT flavor gum by 5 it keeps me from smoking or dipping so I think it is worth the 1.50 a pack.

The address has been removed for security purposes. To obtain shipping address, please email us at: daisyandcoco@gmail.com

Of Mice and Snakes (or something like that)

Mice are a problem here. They are everywhere. I try not to think about them while I am eating as I have already had proof that they are in the kitchen on one of my plates….. yuck….

Several days ago I walked in the office and in the hallway there was mouse on the shelf eating peanut butter out of a little package. It looked up at me as if to say “Jerry, you are early this morning”, then it ran off. Once we completely take over we will definitely do a DEEP cleaning of the whole area.

Mice attract other things. I saw my first cobra in a picture the other day. This thing was pretty big even for rattlesnake standards. It was in someone HOUSE! It had found a mouse stuck on a sticky trap and had eaten it but in the process it got hung up on the sticky paper. The flailing around woke up the people sleeping and the snake was put to death rather quickly by a few very brave soldiers. If that thing had been in my house the whole house might have awakened to gun shots   . . ha ha ha ..