Happy Father's Day!

Hi Pop, I’m thinking about you today. I’m thinking about how you had a pretty bad childhood and how you were on your own by the time you were seventeen. I’m thinking about your years in the Navy and how your old stories inspired me to follow in your footsteps. I’m thinking about how hard you worked when we were young and how we always had what we needed even when you were one step away from being broke. I’m thinking about being a little boy and the way you used to let me lay with you when you’d take a nap. I’m thinking about how you put up with so much teenage angst and selfishness with steady love and wisdom. I’m thinking about your ambition and devotion to hard work. I’m thinking about the day you watched me graduate from high school and boot camp and how your smile told me how proud you were. I’m thinking about the way you took care of your dying parents without complaint at great costs emotionally and physically despite the way they treated you when you were young. I’m thinking about your love for being around people and how everyone loved being around you. I’m thinking about the way you beamed with love and affection for your grandkids and how they loved you back.

Finally I’m thinking about how life was taken from you early. I had the privilege to be at your side when you died. I think you knew how important you were and continue to be. Everyone I touch is also touched by you.

Thank you for everything Pop.

Love Mike

One VERY Close Call!

I have to admit, there’s no way to sugarcoat this one. I was at the gym last night around 11:30 when we were attacked. While I was on the treadmill running like a madman there was a massive explosive noise that seemed to come from the ground below my feet. Ceiling tiles, lights, insulation came crashing down and weights went flying off the racks. I hit the deck, small arms fire started going off and as soon as there was a break in the action I bolted for a bunker. Later I discovered a mortar round impacted the gym about 12 feet away from me but it didn’t explode, probably due to a bad fuse. We’re talking about a facility that is little more then a single-wide trailer, not a building. If it had exploded I would not be here now.

Fortunately these extremely close calls don’t happen often but it made for a hell of a workout.

Maybe this will reduce the amount of people in the gym.

M.

My official Statement...

Red Zone Run

I recently put together a team to go into the Red Zone again. This mission took us to the main rail station in Baghdad. We were all heavily armed because the station was recently attacked and the threat of an ambush along the way is ever present. However the mission was a success and fortunately we weren't engaged.

The streets of Baghdad.

An Iraqi Police checkpoint. These checkpoints are well known for being infiltrated with insurgent militia who set up bogus roadblocks to capture and kill anyone who can be overpowered.

Inside the train station - a reminder of the past.

Bullet holes from a recent attack.

My team - I'm in the middle of the picture securing my helmet.

Ouch!

Two weeks ago at Costco (in SD). Maybe I should be happy I'm in Iraq!

... and yesterday!

Enough Sand Already!

A dense sand storm pushed through Baghdad today. The pictures below were taken at three in the afternoon. The sun doesn’t set until after eight this time of year. The whole sky turned a dark yellowish/amber color. It was very surreal.

This picture is right outside the building I work in. The sand storm was just starting at this point and already it was dark enough to kick on some of the outdoor lighting.

Another shot right outside my building. Remember this is just 3:00 in the afternoon and there's no filter on the camera.

Looking east… The building in this shot was once used by Sadam's "elite" Iraqi guards.

Another shot right outside my building. That is an old Iraqi prison on the other side of the wall.

Again, 3:00 in the afternoon. The light is a street lamp (not the sun).