Homecoming!!! The pictures tell the story!

Together again

Yeah!!! Vince and I are spending the week together while he outprocesses here in Illinois. I'm following him around the base while he does things like clean his weapons. He never fired them, but the revolver sure got dusty being carried around ;-)

The arrival information is still good.

Sat. Aug 30, 3:10 pm

LOVE FIELD!!!

In the U.S.A.!!!!!

He called at 1 a.m. to say he had landed in Baltimore! Yeah!!!!! A group of 15 to 20 people from a local organization meet every plane carrying returning troops. They take pictures, have posters and cheer. Vince was very moved and had a chance to talk with several of the folks there about what they do. He mentioned how all the Iraqis he had worked with were so appreciative of U.S. efforts there. They said they hear the same thing from all the soldiers returning. We don't get that report here!

All is still on for Aug 30^th!! I leave tomorrow to join him for the next week!! Hooray!!!

Arrival info

August 30
3:10 pm
Love Field

There's a slight possibility this could change, but right now it looks good.

Almost home

Vince has moved out of his trailer and office. He's within a week or ten days of leaving Baghdad. He still does not have a reserved seat from the middle east to the United States.

He has many stories he has never had time to blog. Maybe when he gets stateside he'll have time to share some of them. He's seen a side of our effort in Iraq that most of us don't hear about: construction, progress, and the enthusiasm and pride of the Iraqi people.

Banjo and the Colonel

This photo cracked me up!! Below are Vince's comments. I have to wonder what the folks over think about the Colonel with his stuffed lion ;-)

"Banjo and the Colonel are at the Hadditha Hospital in Western Iraq. Banjo was hoping to see some children but the type of visit was focused on the project. We will be constructing a new wing in place of one that was destroyed by a vehicle bomb several years ago. The project will also install additional equipment like a modern X-Ray machine."

Vince in the local paper

Vince traveled this last week to somewhere south near the Euphrates. I think the best part was the dining facility (DFAC) at that base had his favorite ice cream, Baskin Robbins chocolate mint. Evidently the DFAC where he usually eats does not have that. Poor guy ;-)

He has had little time even to email me due to people transitioning and his boss traveling. Since I have nothing written by him for the blog, I thought I'd post excerpts from an article that appeared this week in our small, local paper. If you'd like to see the full text of the article, email me and I'll send you the link or do a google search on his name. The google search I did pulled up two articles on the GRD website (linked at right), one where he is quoted and one that he wrote. The local news article was the third hit for me. We picked up several copies of the print version because they included 3 photos, 2 of Vince in Iraq and one of our family! Our 7 year old thinks he's famous because he's in the paper.

Hopefully, the quotes below sum up the work they are doing. This is definitely a side of our effort in Iraq that I feel is underreported.

Betsy – filling in the gaps for Vince J

 

"Since deposing Hussein, we have helped the Iraqis guarantee clean water, get sewage out of the streets and underground, provide sanitation services for the first time and begin the process of rebuilding the electric grip to serve all the people of Iraq not just the privileged few. That's in addition to building schools, improving roads and building hospitals and medical clinics."

U.S. military presence in Iraq is sometimes met with some skepticism. Efforts made in Baghdad by groups such as the USACE are often shadowed by more negative misconceptions of the United States' motives for its occupation of Iraq, he said.

"[The Iraqis] still want a little more help for a little while longer because they know their newly paid for freedom and independence are still fragile and reversible. The people of Iraq are taking the lead in military and police operations, reconciliation between religious and ethnic groups and are starting lead out in international and economic development."

"We are partnering with the Iraqis to provide basic services to all the Iraqi people. Many in the U.S. do not realize that under Saddam Hussein only a fraction of the population had clean water, sewer service and electricity. The Iraqis I have met and talked with have said that the U.S. is here to give them a new life and a new freedom."

Vince feels that the partnership between Americans and Iraqis to rebuild the damage in Iraq holds benefits for both countries.

"The Iraqi people and government are very appreciative of the sacrifices made by the American military, civilians and contractors. Iraq wants to become one of our economic, political and regional allies."

Vince said that Iraq becoming a stable, self-sustaining nation will contribute to stability in the Middle East and the rest of the world.

"The work here prevents the planning and carrying out of terrorist attacks on United States soil."

Vince feels privileged to be a part of an effort that improves the quality of life for all the Iraqi people.

"My first month in Iraq, I met a brigadier general in the Iraqi army who risked his life everyday to work alongside the Americans. He told me to thank my wife and children for letting me come to help his family and the people of Iraq;"

"I'm honored to work alongside Iraqi ministers, officers, officials, engineers and workers. I see everyday their enthusiasm and hope for their nation. I'm humbled by how grateful they are for the sacrifices we and our families have made to help them."

Thank You

Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers for me and for my family. We are so blessed. I am thankful for this opportunity to serve our country and protect the rights and privileges we have as a result of the sacrifice and selfless service of so many men and women who came before and who are now serving. I am thankful for the millions of Iraqis who are grateful to our country for the freedoms and prosperity they now enjoy. I am thankful for the fact I have had no trouble breathing in the dust, hazy air of Baghdad. I am thankful for the great support everyone has provided my wife and family. I am thankful that I was protected during intense indirect fire starting Easter Sunday and several weeks following.

In Sadr City, the battle went from kinetic (shooting) to non-kinetic (reconstruction) over night as the Iraqi Army progressed through the City block by block. As each block went non-kinetic, Iraqi Army and Coalition Forces were right there with water, food, clothing, first aid and other humanitarian assistance. Next came the Amanat Baghdad (Public Works Department) repairing water and sewer pipes, restoring electricity and picking up trash. Now the markets are restored and commerce flourishing in Jamila Market. Not everything is perfect but normalcy is being restored.

The Washington Post on 1 June said, "Sadr City mission shifts from war to reconstruction."

In just two weeks, the mission for U.S. forces in Sadr City has changed from urban warfare to rebuilding neighborhoods and building trust. Local residents are getting help with reconstruction and giving help with valuable intelligence. (Washington Post)

This past week, I had the opportunity to visit and talk with a young soldier. He was recovering in the Combat Hospital adjacent to our compound. He was injured in the lower legs an attack. During our conversation he was grateful to be alive and was committed to the mission he was on. He was proud of the role his unit played to support the Iraqi Army and together, with the Iraqis in the lead, win the battle of Sadr City.

After we talked for a while and I shared about my family and the work of the Gulf Region Division, it was time to go and let him rest. In less than two days after his injury, he would be receiving the best medical care and physical therapy available. I thanked him for his bravery, his sacrifice and his willingness to protect the rest of us so we can do our part in this war. He said he would like to pray so we did. I initiated a salute to him in honor of his service but he beat me to it and snapped his salute before I could complete mine. He thanked me for coming by. I thanked him again and said good night.

I am so thankful for moms and dads raising quality young men and women who are ready to lay down their lives for our country. Quite a decision to make at only 20 years old. Thank you.

While you are waiting ..

If you couldn't guess, this is what a sandstorm looks like. Actually, it can evidently be a lot worse where you can barely see at all. Evidently, sandstorm season is at its end - which makes planning for flights a lot simpler since sand grounds airplanes and helicopters.

Too busy to blog

Ok, yes it's just me blogging for Vince again. BUT I'm begging him to send me some info by email that I will edit and post for him. Soooo, maybe this week. In the meantime, if you just can't stand it :-) go to the link for GRD and search his name. (At least last name.) He's been in one or two photos and is mentioned in an article or two in the Essayons magazine. It's kind of a neat magazine, with photos of all the work they are doing and articles in Arabic and English! Definitely not what you see in the mainstream media. I think he'll have another article in the one just about to be published, but we might not see that for a few weeks.

Meanwhile, he's been pretty focused the last two weeks while his boss was back in the states for a 3 week visit with family. Vince won't have a mid-tour break ... because he will come home before a year!!! Yeah! About 12 weeks or so left. His schedule is arriving at the office about 6:45 to 7, meetings most of the day, email in the evening after dinner. One night a week he tries to leave early to play poker with guys. Sunday he has the morning off, so he sleeps in, runs and attends a church service. He tries to run several times a week, but the schedule makes that hard. His other recreation is to occasionally leave work in time to watch a DVD in his room. He manages that about every two weeks.

Wish I had more details, especially for you engineering minded folks. Maybe next week. Meanwhile, you're stuck with Betsy rattling on for Vince.

Vince in Bahrain

He's there for a conference, but it feels like a mini vacation! Yesterday, he went running with a friend and the shopped a good portion of the day. Later they visited the National Museum of Bahrain. My favorite story is from his first day there. He went running and then was walking along the shore of the Arabian Gulf which is rocky not a beach. He went to step down on a rock, but it was mossy and he slipped in. I told him I prefer to just tell folks he fell in the Arabian Gulf!

Yesterday's shopping day is the first full day off he's had since he left in January. He feels very refreshed and will be ready to get back to work next week. There have been lots of sand storms this spring which ground all air travel which makes travel plans iffy. They were fortunate getting to Bahrain as quickly as they did, and hopefully will get back to Baghdad on schedule. They travel through Kuwait, but because of all the delays, accommodations in Kuwait are really full.

A Little Noisy Lately

(Betsy writing for Vince)

You may have seen reports recently of rockets and mortars in the Green Zone. They have experience a lot of shelling every since Easter Sunday. Now whenever Vince goes outside it's in full 'battle rattle,' body armor and helmet. He's fine. Work changes a little since they go to lock down every time there is incoming, but mostly life is the same.

Easter Sunday he was planning to get up earlier, jog from 5:30 to 6 and then head to a 6:30 am service. He messed up his alarm setting, and by the time he got up they were in lock down. Later he found out a rocket hit about 100 feet from the running track at 5:50 am. That changed his perspective on the day. We are thankful.

I wish I had more to say, but mostly I wanted to let everyone know that he's fine. I talk to him for a few minutes almost every day, usually before he goes to bed. He's working very long hours so he's just tired.

The Waiting Room

I was ushered into a fairly large and ornate waiting room. The waiting room is just outside the main conference room in a building know as the “New White House”. It is a large white building along the Tigris River surround by fountains and nice landscaping. In the waiting room is a large oil painting of the people known as the Marsh Arabs. The painting appears to be two brothers and their sister (smiling) in a dug out canoe on the marsh water with a grass thatch home in the background. Soon, about 15 Iraqi Army generals enter the room. The senior officer is a 3-star Iraqi general from a province where the most fighting continues. They are there to update the Ministerial Council for National Security (MCNS, their National Security Agency) on the fight against terrorists. They all greeted me warmly. We sat on large couches with soft red upholstery and white/gold wood trim. Soon, several body guards entered and then in walked Prime Minster Nouri Maliki. I was the second one he greeted as we shook hands, and he proceed to greet all of the Iraqi officers. He was sincere and generous in his greeting. The following week at the MCNS, I presented one of our reconstruction projects to PM Maliki and his council. The presentation was well received and appreciated. As Deputy Commander, it looks like I will be making these presentations on a regular basis and spending some time in the Waiting Room.
Gen. Petraeus on winning hearts and minds
“… We’re not about winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqis – our goal should be to help Iraqis win hearts and minds of fellow Iraqis.” (ABC, Mar 08)

The Lunch

My boss asked me to attend the Board of Directors (BOD) lunch on his behalf since he would be visiting a project site last Friday. I was honored to be at the lunch table with General Petraeus and his senior staff. Since the Gulf Region Division (GRD) is one of the major supporting commands (MSC) to the organization that he commands (Multi-National Forces – Iraq or MNF-I), he has given us a seat at his board meetings. I was the only Air Force officer in the room and the lowest ranking of the board members (a 4-star general, three 3-stars, five 2-stars, a 1-star and me). We had salmon, potatoes, steamed vegetables, salad, desert and a variety of beverages to choose (I drank my typical water). General Petraeus sits at the head of the table and there is a screen and video projector at the other (not used this time). My commanding general (CG) and I prepared some items to share specifically for the BOD lunch and he warned me that GRD always goes first. After we ate and enjoyed some casual conversation, General Petraeus looked down the table toward me and said, “Let’s go ahead and start … Sir”. Overall, I was humbled to be there with our senior leaders and a part of the warm and collegiate atmosphere he has created as part of his “commander’s climate”.

Bridges

Bridges. Bridges are very important. Bridges are heavy on my heart and mind. The country of Iraq desperately needs good, quality bridges.

Bridges span small gaps like wadis and creeks and large obstacles like the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The people of Iraq and our senior leaders have identified about 25 bridges that are in need of repair or rebuilding. Some have had spans exploded into the Euphrates river, some have decking with a large hole in it. An enemy damaged these bridges (typically with vehicle bombs) because they want to keep the people separated and from prospering.

The Iraqi ministry responsible for bridges struggles to award contracts to rebuild these important bridges. In over a year we have had very little movement on repairing or rebuilding bridges. Many sensitive issues surround the reasons for the inactivity. In the mean time, the people of Iraq suffer without the bridges.

You may have read about “reconciliation” in the newspaper. Our senior leaders discuss and receive military briefings on reconciliation efforts throughout Iraq. Reconciliation is more than a casually used word here, it is a word of force and action – it receives financial and soldier resources – from both the Embassy and the Multi National Force – Iraq (MNF-I).

If you are separated from a person or from God, you need to be reconciled so the relationship can be restored. If you are on one side of a canyon and you want to build a relationship with a person or with God on the other side, you need a bridge. Bridges help bring reconciliation. Iraq needs bridges -- good, strong, permanent bridges – both physically and relationally.

My Army organization, the Gulf Region Division, is responsible for working with a particular Iraqi ministry to rebuild bridges, and we need guidance and wisdom on how to proceed. Please keep bridges in your thoughts and prayers.

I am back from my “battlefield circulation” around Iraq and am now in the seat as Deputy Commander. I hope to blog more regularly as my schedule allows. I can feel your thoughts and prayers and I appreciate them so much.

Back in Baghdad

Vince is back to his quarters (or 'hooch' as they call it) after several weeks on the road. Hopefully over the next few days he'll have time to update with some of his experiences. He's seen lots of construction and met many interesting people. I heard a rumor about some photos from a pretty exciting vantage point on a nighttime helicopter ride. He's been impressed by the Iraqis he has met, by their courage, by their passion for seeing helping their country and by their appreciation for the help they are receiving.

Travelling the country

Vince hasn't been posting because he's been on the road constantly and will be for a couple more weeks. We've had contact with him daily, either by phone or instant message. He's now seen quite a bit of the country and a wide variety of construction projects. I can't always tell from photos what is being constructed, but I've identified a treatment plant, school and medical clinic. As you can see, they travel in style :-)

He really enjoyed dinner hosted by an Iraqi general and getting to visit with one of the generals whose English was pretty good due to a year spent in the US. This week he was able to spend several hours with our Marine friend, Matt, and they talked about their families and encouraged each other.

I finally spent a little time on the GRD website he linked below, and it is amazing to see how much has already been constructed. I had no idea! I know why he is excited to be a part of these projects and a part of helping the country of Iraq.

Hospital Visit

Two new friends from GRD and I visited soldiers in the Combat Support Hospital (pronounced CASH). They have been doing it for almost a year and showed me their routine. The hospital is across the street from GRD and next door to our dining facility. During my first visit a few days earlier, we visited two soldiers with non-combat injuries. The rest of the beds were empty except for an Iraqi patient that our doctors had treated. The hospital use to be Saddam's royal hospital. During the visits, my two army friends talk about the unit the soldier is from and often the soldier wants to tell their story, on how they were injured. They always tell the soldier how proud they are of them, that they are a hero and thank them for their service. The night of this picture, we visited with a Marine with a combat injury. He was upbeat, grateful for our visit and shared his story. When we left he said, "God bless you" and we replied the same.

The next morning, the newspaper Stars and Stripes had this report on the incident: "Coalition forces are seeking the source of a roadside bomb that injured a Marine here (Fallujah) early Saturday after the Marine's explosive ordnance disposal team was dispatched to detonate it. The Marine, of Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, was in stable condition after being evacuated to the surgical hospital at nearby Camp Fallujah. ... The incident came at a time of increased security gains. Marines have credited the security improvements to a local population that has turned against insurgents and to the continued progression of local security forces, among other factors."

GRD 4th Anniversary

Lt Gen Van Antwerp, Chief of the US Army Corps of Engineers, celebrated GRD's 4th anniversary at our compound. He encouraged us to steal ideas shamelessly (SIS) and to share ideas willingly (SIW). He shared that our work for the people of Iraq was an important one that God had uniquely prepared us. Each of us should walk with the confidence that we are His workmanship created for good works. He said he SIS'ed that from an ancient letter (Eph 2:10)written to a small village along the coast of Turkey.

Rain in Baghdad

A few days ago it rained in Baghdad. Workers actually wore rain coats. Central and South Iraq receive about 8 inches rain a year, just slightly more than El Paso Texas.


This is a view of part of the ring road around our compound. To the right is the main building with engineering offices for the four main sectors of reconstruction: oil, electricity, water/sewer and health/facilities/transportation/communication. To the right is the housing area with sea containers stacked and divided in half. Currently I am living in one half of a trailer. This area also has our laundry, mail and vehicle facilities.

Meeting with Iraqis
I attended my first large meeting today -- a meeting with mid-level government and elected Iraqis. Government officials, municipal employees, public works employees, coalition forces and civilians attended. The meeting was led by Iraqis, both Iraqis and US military made presentations, and we had three interpreters to help ensure accurate translation. Slow work but important work.The main topic? Sewer. Just good old municipal sanitary sewer. Currently in this unnamed city, sewer runs down open ditches because Saddam used his nation’s resources for things other than the benefit of the people. Multi-national forces decided four years ago to put an emphasis on sewer because it is fairly inexpensive construction and provides immediate health benefits. Water, and electricity were also discussed but not like good ol' sewer.One side were the elected officials including women elected to office and the other side were the official government public works department employees. Lots of back and forth discussion during the over three hour meeting. The mood was complaining, frustration over delays, sense of urgency to take care of the families in their communities. Here are a few quotes from the final comments.

1. Appointed national official: You (local official) must understand. We are a wounded nation and the US and the coalition nations and the people of Iraq have just come out of this time of crisis. I know every US soldier would like to go home to loved ones and see this country stable and essential services provided to Iraqis. To see Iraqis ruled by Iraqis without any discrimination, or violence toward any people living in the North or the South or the center or different religion or different people. (Loud applause by Iraqis first and then others as translators finished).

2. Elected regional official: Please do not misunderstand my previous statement...we are grateful that the Americans and other nations are here to help us (30+ nations)...but what I am saying is that we have to provide these services now (essential services = sewer, water, electricity and health). When I say this is our house, it is our house, US, coalition and Iraqi. We are all one. Not issue of us and everyone else. All are one.

3. US official: We want nothing more than to help you execute your plans; to spend your money on your priorities. We look forward to working with you to do it.

My New Job

In late December I received several emails that I was selected by an Air Force general and an Army general to be given more responsibility and to serve as the Deputy Commanding Officer for the Gulf Region Division. I directly support the Commanding General in any way he needs (including meetings and office visits). I will be helping him oversee four different "businesses" that all support the people of Iraq: Civil and Military Projects, Business Development, Logistical Support to Iraqi Police and Army, and Operational Support to GRD.

I recently attended an Energy Sector working group recently that the GRD Commanding General co-chairs (and I will represent him when he travels). Afterwards, a retired Air Force Iraqi general approached me and asked "Did you come to my country to help Iraqi people?"
I responded, "Yes, I asked to come here to help you and your people."
"Thank you, thank you. And your family, are they OK with this?"
"Yes, they sent me also, my family wants to help your families."
"Oh, thank you thank you".

They are very appreciative of America. I know I am here in large part to all the support from family and friends back home... so thank you.

Vince in Baghdad!!

He's already there! Things moved much faster and he called me from Camp Victory today about 2pm (11pm his time.) He was exhausted but excited to be on the ground and ready to begin. I was just really excited and happy to hear from him so soon. :-)

Vince in transit Stop #2

Yesterday I traveled to St Louis MO where Scott AFB IL is on the other side of the Mississippi River. I picked up my two weapons early this morning. I'm sitting in the gracious USO office in the Baltimore MD airport with 200+ of my newest Air Force friends. We are all waiting for the Patriot Express flight that departs O-dark-thirty tomorrow morning. We make several stops to drop off and pickup other airman: Germany and Italy. Within about 24 hours I should arrive in the Arabian Gulf country of Qatar ("cutter") to pick up the last pieces of my gear. Then on to Kuwait to pickup Army soldiers before landing at Baghdad International Airport. From there I will take an armoured bus the 30 miles to the International Zone (IZ or Green Zone). Next post will be from down range.

Vince in transit

Vince is on his way. He left our house yesterday but won't arrive in Baghdad until the weekend. The good news is that the traveling will be so exhausting he won't suffer from jet lag. When he finally gets a solid night's sleep he'll be adjusted.

The photo is of our last moments. Notice Banjo the lion peeking out from the backpack. Banjo will report back to the young ones on Daddy's travels. Vince said that while traveling yesterday he received two comments repeatedly: "Thanks for serving our country," and "I like the lion!"

Those of us at home are beginning to adjust. We have our sad moments (especially the females in the house ;-) but are getting into a routine and plan on staying busy.

Vince's job changed and as a result he may not be in a settled location for the first 6 weeks. Hopefully he will have a chance to update the blog with details but if not I will pass on what I know when I hear from him. The blog will be much more interesting when we finally have details to share.

Thanks for all your prayers and concern. Betsy for Vince

Countdown to Vince's Departure

Betsy posting a family update--
It's only days until Vince leaves so reality is setting in somewhat. He's trying to decide what to take, what to mail and what to leave. He's also trying to make sure everything at home is as ready as possible for his absence.

Subtracting training days, we only have about 2-3 days left to spend together as family. We hope to have squeeze in something fun together in the middle of planning and packing. We're also working on ways to stay connected - trying to get webcams functioning and setting up myspace and facebook (so he can message teen boys and play Texas Hold'em on Facebook.)

We probably won't have an on-the-ground update from him until the end of the month. It takes several days to travel and get settled. I'll probably be typing most of the updates until he finishes his in-country training and gets into a routine.