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.