THANKSGIVING IN IRAQ

Well, despite the fact that we were NOT supposed to spend Thanksgiving here in Iraq, still, here I am :).  I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, spent with family and loved ones being together and giving thanks for all the blessings so many of us have in our lives.

A little tour through my Thanksgiving in Iraq, as well as living vicariously through my family back home!

They  a do a great job of decorating for holidays here at QWest (as you saw in my Halloween post), and Thanksgiving was no exception (I certainly hope we are NOT here still to see the Christmas decorations :(   The Army is always asking us why the Navy is here in the desert, with no ships and no ocean in sight.  Well, here it is, Army!  Thanks to KBR, our ship finally came in at QWest for Thanksgiving!

 

 

Thanksgiving day began, of course, with some exercise.  I actually did "group exercise" with the hospital (after a couple of hours on my own, of course) during our Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5K.  Although I did not come in first (or last), I did happen to just nudge out our CO (who also happens to be the oldest member of our group).

 

 

 

 

Next, it was off to the DFAC for the first of three Thanksgiving meals!  Of course, we began by praying (along with some creepy pilgrims), followed by eating.  The food was amazing.  It was very strange, however, not being the first in line like is tradition in my household for me!  I also, for the first time I can remember, did not get seconds (I think I have definitely shrunk my stomach).

 

 







 

 

After dinner, drinks followed, of course!  (why they decorated Thanksgiving with a western saloon I will never know, but it made for great pics!:)

 

 

 

 

 

Although I enjoyed my Thanksgiving while still here in Iraq, it certainly was not the same as spending it with family back at home.  It is my favorite holiday exactly for that reason- spending it celebrating my thankfulness surrounded by those I love!  Here Morgan takes on my traditional role by being first in line (followed closely by my nephew and fellow Naval officer Cameron with our dog Midnight in the foreground)......….

 

 

 

Ben and Kelli had to try to outdo me for most exotic place to spend Thanksgiving by spending it in Paris in front of the Eiffel Tower!  Thanks to you both for at least sharing your Thanksgiving with me via What's App :)!!!

 

 

 

 

I hope to be home to spend the next holiday, Christmas, by catching up with you all in person on my Naval Encounter of the Third Time!









A Wildcat until the end.........

My time is almost done.  But I am maintaining my Wildcat pride and support until the end!  Even Flat Brad is doing his part back home during my absence.  Two weeks ago, at the football game, Flat Brad hung out with UofA President Dr. Robbins in the President's Box and enjoyed a beer at halftime!

 

 

At the DFAC today at lunch, I was able to cheer on the basketball team to a runaway win against UTEP on the bigscreen TV.  I think I was the only one cheering and raising my fists.  People might have thought the crazy Navy guy was flashing gang signs when I held up my one handed "WC"

 

 

 

 

I was sad, however, when it came time to clean my M9 and I had to remove the UofA  "Block A" tape that I have had on the handle for the last 7 months...… :(

 

 

 

 

I can't wait to cheer the Cats on this weekend live on ESPN Sunday morning in the ER tent on our TV.  Hopefully, I will find the UofA/ASU game on as well the following weekend, although the time will not be exactly convenient for me (game time starting about midnight my time here in the Middle East).

 

 

GO CATS!





 

Critters...........

I have found it to be quite the contrast here, at QWest, Iraq vs my deployment to Afghanistan in 2011-12 in terms of the wildlife I see.  It must have been because our base and hospital were right on the flightline in Afghanistan (although we are pretty close here as well).  Maybe because of more flights there.  But I literally did not see one live creature in 7 months in Afghanistan, besides some flies in the hospital.  Not even a bird.....

Here in Iraq, however, a much different story.  It was like a wildlife zoo here!  I waited until the end to see if I could actually get pics of the two most amazing animals on base, foxes and jackals!  I actually did finally see a fox the other night, but was unable to get a picture in the dark and at that distance.  I did get to see her eyes light up and reflect my headlamp, but still don't know "what the fox says......"

In addition to wild canines, we have a few dogs that roam around the base, including a three legged one that I have not seen in a few months (probably finally got euthanized as they can spread disease so our preventative medicine people try to trap them and euthanize them). This is one of the 4 legged versions I saw roaming around.

 

 

I did not get any pictures of the cats on base, as they were much more wary.  We did have one in between the two layers of our hospital tent roof.  Not sure if it was avoiding the rain or chasing mice!  The only pics I could have taken were the ones when the cats were caged and about to get euthanized and were sad and I decided Morgan would not want those posted :(

 

The most interesting creatures on base was the large population of hedgehogs!  I had never seen a hedgehog before in all my 50 years!  Not live, not in a zoo, not even a picture.  They might just be the cutest animals ever!  Morgan, can we get one when I return?????

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to cute creatures I did see many birds and insects.  I even saw a beautiful, colorful toad on my way home from dinner one night.

 

 

 

In addition to the safe/interesting creatures, we also had potentially dangerous creatures here, as well, including scorpions ……..

 

 

 







 

 

and snakes!  Both of which were found in our living spaces and at the gym!  The scorpions are much scarier looking in Iraq than those found in Arizona that have attacked me!

 

 

 

 

 

After hearing so much about "camel spiders" for the last 18 years of our wars in the Middle East, I was very disappointed when I finally got to see one (freshly killed) in our tent hospital.  Not very impressive :(  It did, however, somewhat resemble a smaller version of the "crab legs" they served every Friday night in the DFAC.  Just sayin...….

 

 

 

Finally, on my first of laying out in the sun, I saw a lady bug on my chair!  I took this as a very good sign that we were almost done and would have safe travels back home!  YEA!

 

 



 

 



 

 







VETERANS DAY....................ARMISTICE DAY

I find it ironic that I am celebrating (literally to the hour) the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day here in Iraq- the official end of World War I.  The war to end all wars.....

So much for that promise.

On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month of 2018, 100 years after Armistice was signed, we paid tribute to all the veterans that have gone before us, all the veterans serving now, all the veterans that will serve in the future, and, especially, to all the families they leave behind.  Most, like us, for only a few months, proudly serving our country.  Some, left behind forever when the ultimate sacrifice is paid by the veteran.  Please keep all of us and especially our families left behind in your thoughts and prayers this Veterans Day.

 

Practicing the 7 P's ..........

In celebration of the sun returning after three straight days of rain 😢, and in accordance with my brother's 7 P's (Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance), I decided to initiate my planning for my return to the sunshine of Phoenix today!

Additionally, a shout out and congratulations to my amazing sister-in-law Kelli for her landslide re-election this week to office as my state representative!  Thank you for your selfless (and tireless) service to Arizona.  GO KELLI !!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPH!

Happy birthday Steph!  Sorry I cannot be there in person (Flat Brad just isn't quite the same:).  However, here are a dozen virtual roses and some hot chocolate to start your day off right!

 

 

I am bummed that we did not get to do our Hawaii Five-0 trip together this fall but I am truly looking forward to our Hawaii Five-1 next fall!

 

 

 

ENJOY YOUR SPECIAL DAY!

 

Love,

 

B