Just thought I would mention...- Page 2

[NYadgal]

Posted: 10/5/05 at 9:22am

Kel, Hope you continue to hear good news.

[KelRel]

Posted: 10/16/05 at 1:29pm

More from my brother in law. I thought I would share it with you guys.
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Well, it finally came. We arrived in Iraq via C-130 on October 13. We landed in complete blackout mode, meaning no lights on the plane, no lights on the runway, the pilots were using nigh vision devices. I have some pictures and stuff from Kuwait, once I get a chance I will post it here. BTW, the living conditions are great, 40x8 foot trailers with A/C, actual toilets that flush, actual showers with high pressure and hot water ... life is good here within the walls of the FOB. More to come later.

[KelRel]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 10:36am

Here is a new message from my brother in law in Iraq. This one really got to me because he is talking about the people of Iraq-mainly the children.
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October 16, 2005—Northern Iraq
My first convoy

I awoke at 3AM. Unlike most mornings when I awake at 3AM, this one was intentional. I pulled myself from the bed, slipped on my flip-flops, grabbed my shaving kit, and headed out the door toward the shower trailer. It was still dark, but the moon was full, as I stepped across the gravel courtyard. After shaving, I returned to my CHU (Celsius Heating Unit, the 40 foot trailers we live in). Not wanting to wake my CHUmates I dressed in the dark. I grabbed my weapon and headed out the door for my first convoy in Iraq. This morning I would be riding in the rear passenger seat of the rear gun truck, an M1114 HMMWV (up-armored) with a .50 caliber machine gun on the turret (there is a picture of me standing in front of this truck on the pictures page). I had been in Iraq for 3 days and had not been off the FOB (Forward Operating Base) yet, it was also the day after the historic constitutional referendum so tensions were running a little high in the CSC (Convoy Support Center). I pulled on my body armor, complete with additional kidney pads I had just been issued, and filed into the briefing room. There was a large screen TV, a three dimensional strip map on the floor, several signs with the rules of engagement and other information, and a table of non-perishable foods along the side wall. The convoy commander went over the route, the rules of engagement, and the roll-over procedures before turning it over to the intelligence NCO. He pulled up the map of our area on his screen and reviewed the activities in the last 72, 48, and 24 hours. Nothing had happened in the last 24 hours, of course that was because on the day of the vote the roads were all closed and there was a curfew set. We were the first American convoy to head out in this region after the vote. The old company, whom we are replacing and whom we were riding with, welcomed us and told us that this route is normally fairly quiet, only occasional IEDs. We headed out the door to the waiting breakfast line. It was now 6 AM and we had an hour before we left.

I took the time to acquaint myself with my surroundings (pictures are available on the pictures page). When I faced the east I was in awe of the sunrise, so naturally I captured it on my camera. I then relaxed a little on my HMMWV waiting for our SP (Start Point) time.

All dressed up ... and somewhere to go; that’s how I felt as we rolled toward the gate. At the gate we passed American soldiers, as well as Iraqi soldiers guarding the entry point; there were Iraqi civilians lined up on foot and in vehicles preparing to enter the FOB for a variety of reasons. As we headed down the FOB road, we passed some sheep and a simple shepherd. At the end of the road was an Iraqi police checkpoint, we rolled through that and turned onto the ASR (Auxiliary Supply Route). Along the ASR we passed more civilians, all of whom waved congenially. The civilian vehicles pulled to the side of the road to make way for the oncoming convoy (in Iraq, the US Military owns the road, civilians know not to approach or impede convoys lest they be fired upon). At the intersection with the MSR (Main Supply Route) there were several Iraqi children standing at the side of the road waving at us. The gun truck pulled into the intersection and blocked the oncoming traffic while the convoy slipped past. This section of the MSR was completely void of traffic, though the children and shepherds were out in full force. Everybody waved and smiled. Unfortunately, not everyone was happy to see us, as the holes in the road, median, and shoulder from previously detonated IEDs attested to.

A few miles down the road we I saw dozens of cars lined up to enter some sort of fenced in structure ... it wasn’t until we were on top of it that I realized that they were waiting to get gas. This is a very rural area of Iraq and gas stations are few and far between. It struck me that the gas stations were guarded with fences and barbed wire.

We passed through several more Iraqi police and Iraqi Army checkpoints. There is something about the Iraqi police and the Iraqi Army that simply humbles me, these people risk so much to work for the betterment of their country; many of them wear ski masks to conceal their identities lest their families be attacked. Yet they continue to show up to work day in and day out; the politicians back home love to talk about how inadequate or untrained these guys are, but what they miss is the simple fact that these Iraqis are doing something they have never done before, willingly risking their lives for the safety of their families and their country, there is something to be said for that.

I saw a wide variety of land formations, to include mountains, but that is not what was really compelling about this trip. The faces are what stay with me, the faces of the shepherds, the locals, and especially the children. They rushed out to the road to see us, they waved and shouted in excitement, some of them asked for food or water. We are not supposed to give them those things, but honestly, who can deny a child a cold drink of water? These children have lived their entire lives under tyranny, poverty, and war; I could not imagine a childhood like that, and it touched me to see that despite all of that they stand at the side of the road and smile at us. Adults might fake emotions, but children are pure in their emotional expression, I truly believe that these children are extremely grateful for what the US Military has done for them and their countries. They are the future of Iraq, and if Iraq is to have a future, the children must be cared for ... but I’m getting off topic here.

We approached an urban area and exited the highway for a bypass, convoys try to avoid urban areas if at all possible, high risk. The bypass was uneventful and before too long we were back on the MSR. Along the way the gun truck commander was telling me about the colored spots on the road (they are places were IEDs were dug up, the holes filled with concrete, and then painted to ensure they aren’t used again), such a contrasting picture—cheerful children, hopeful civilians, and IEDs. Anyway, before too long we arrived at our destination FOB, there were about a dozen children standing along the entry road smiling and giving the thumbs up. There was this one young boy sitting on a barrier, as we drove past he shouted in very clear English for some water, our gunner tossed him a bottle. We navigated the ECP (Entry Control Point), and headed off to drop our loads, pick up new ones, grab some lunch, and do it all over again.

The return trip was the same, though we were delayed by a flat tire on the FOB. When we arrived back at our FOB it was dark, we fueled up, parked the vehicles, and called it a day. My first convoy completed without incident—and I thanked God for that.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 10:41am

Kel, he paints an amazing picture.

The children. I love his description of the children. So much to think about.

Sending good thoughts and thanks his - and your - way.

[shira467]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 10:43am

The children. Amazing.

Good thoughts!

Posted: 10/25/05 at 10:47am

Thanks for sharing this, Kel. In these times when things are getting boiled down to pure political terms - and then with very little shades of grey - it's interesting and sobering to read the words (and thereby, share in the vision) of someone who is actually participating.

[Up In Lost]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 10:56am

He's so articulate, it's breathtaking. As Addy said, he does paint an amazing picture. Here's hoping he stays safe!

[liotte]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 11:20am

Thank you for sharing with us KelRel! Sending my best wishes his way!

[beacon1]

Posted: 10/25/05 at 1:11pm

Good thoughts going out to him.

My niece just returned a few weeks ago.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 8:56am

Keeping the men and women serving our country in my thoughts today.

Any update, Kel?

Racetrack, I hope the news of your cousin is good!

[KelRel]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 8:59am

No more new postings on his site, but I talked to him the other day. His convoy was hit by an IED (baiscally a landmine). No real damage was done and no one was injured, thank God! He tlaks about it so nonchalantly (sp?). It is so crazy how he has just adjusted to these things as everyday matters. He is doing well though.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 9:01am

Kel, I can't even imagine...

I'm SO glad to hear that there were no injuries. Continued good thoughts and my very best wishes being sent his - and your - way!

[KelRel]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 9:02am

Thanks Addy

[NYadgal]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 9:03am

Thanks for sharing this journey with us, Kel.

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 11:26am

Kel - glad to hear your brother is still doing well and has managed to avoid illness and injury.

I'm waiting for a friend to come back to school from Iraq in mid-December... can't wait!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 11/11/05 at 1:42pm

CM - that's great news! I hope your friend has a wonderful homecoming!

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 10:01am

Kel, any news from your brother-in-law?

Sending good thoughts to him, to you, to your family.
And to all our friends who have loved ones serving away from home this season!

[KelRel]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 10:28am

Addy, we just got this. He could only pick one city so he picked the one with the most family in it.
http://www.dvidshub.net/media/video/C050/DOD_HC0503075.wmv

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 10:34am

Kel, I couldn't open the link on this computer (I'll try later), but is he going to be able to be with family this holiday? That's wonderful!

[KelRel]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 10:39am

No, it is just one of those holiday messages you see this time of year from the troops. He doesn't get to come home until May I think.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 10:45am

I hope he has a special holiday with his friends who are serving with him!

[grizzabella]

Posted: 12/16/05 at 7:20pm

Thank you, Kelrel for sharing all of this. Your brother-in-law will be in my prayers, as are all of our troops every day. His thoughtful and insightful descriptions of Iraq and his experiences give one much to think about. I truly wish for a safe tour of duty, and better, a safe return for all of our men and women. Please wish your brother-in-law and all of your family a good holiday, and please thank your brother-in-law for me, too.

[KelRel]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 1:40pm

http://mfile.akamai.com/6713/wmv/glennbeck.download.akamai.com/6713/preview/05/12/troopvideo.asx

My brother in law posted this on his website the other day. I think its a nice view of what the soldiers are doing over there.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 12/19/05 at 2:17pm

Wow, Kel!

Thank you, again, for sharing this with us.

My continued good thoughts to him, to you and to your family!

[KelRel]

Posted: 9/24/06 at 11:07pm

Its been ages since this thread has been around, but I thought I would bump it because my brother in law is on a plane right now on his way back to the states. We will be able to go see him on Thursday night at his company's welcome home celebration. He's finally coming home!