January 20, 2009 will always be remembered as the day when the “audacity of hope” became a reality for what is considered to be the best country in the free world.  The inauguration of President Barack H. Obama was a huge milestone and accomplishment for the United States of America, and this presentation to the world is indicative of the progress we’ve made in America.  I’ve ALMOST been brought to tears experiencing this historical moment as it unfolds.  I have to admit, I was one of those individuals, back in 2007, who didn’t think the timing was right for Obama to step out and declare his candidacy. 

President Obama’s “audacity of hope” for change in the U.S. has reverberated around the world.  Now young black kids can actually believe they can be President because they can now look in the history books and see that someone who looks like them indeed held that position in the Oval Office. 

President Obama’s trek to the White House is inspirational to all.  So much so, the lone African Iraqis have drawn inspiration from his journey and decided to take their inspiration to the provincial elections as political candidates in the Basrah Province of Iraq.  As we celebrate the freedom and realities of actually having the first Black President, African Iraqis are celebrating the idea and possibilities of running in the provincial elections for their respective province.  

Someone once said “we are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they, and things at a greater distance, not by virtue of any sharpness of sight on our part, or any physical distinction, but because we are carried high and raised up by their giant size.“ 

President Obama is definitely that giant for us because now we all can see much farther.  Many moons ahead of our own existence, the way was made straight for us by the likes of so many who had foresight to make sacrifices that would benefit all of us.  We’re all able to see our bright future because someone saw to it to make sure we had a better life than they experienced. 

We salute those giants who came before us, but today as we celebrate the close of another Black History Month, let’s not dwell on what has gone wrong.  Let us all try to become those giants so generations to follow can stand on our shoulders and see what the world has to offer.

(African Iraqis: http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/iraq/2009-01-18-iraqobama_N.htm)

The motto for the press desk occupants from the 126th PAOC, the unit we replaced, was “The Mission Sustains Me”.  This was applied to everything.  I thought it was just a funny statement used as sarcasm, but after being here and working the desk for the last two or three weeks, the mission definitely sustains me. 

It’s quite ironic.  I think about work in my Containerized Housing Unit (CHU), in the laundry facilities, in the gym, in the dining facility, after the duty, and even on my day off.  I’ve found myself going lying in bed at the end of the day wondering how to get to the internet to make sure something was done at the office. 

I find myself getting consumed with the loads of work in the e-mail inbox, forgetting it was time to go eat or go home.  When someone asks me to go eat, I respond with “I don’t need food, the mission sustains me.”  LT you need to go to the gym, “I don’t need to go the gym, the mission sustains me.”  LT it’s time to go home.  “Home I don’t need to rest, the mission sustains me.” 

Once it was just phrase, but you get so wrapped up in your mission so much so that the mission becomes you.  Now I understand where CPT Calio was coming from.

“THE MISSION SUSTAINS ME”

UNTIL NEXT TIME…

When SGM Falardeau brought the idea of a blog site, I was kind of excited about it because it was something that I had considered creating long before he presented the idea to the unit.  I figured since the operational tempo in Iraq had slowed and the word from our sister unit on the ground here was that there’s not much to do here, we’d be pretty much stationery.  Much to my chagrin, I find myself working in the Media Operation Center at the Press Desk for 13-14 hours a day.

I had plans of blogging maybe twice a week.  I think I’ve logged on to the website maybe twice since I’ve been in Iraq.  There’s always something going on at the Press Desk between following up on a report, sending out a response to a query by a reporter, going to a meeting, or preparing documents for someone to use for interviews.  It’s kind of ebb and flow, but when it’s up, it’s really up. 

I’m just glad I had the opportunity to check right now.  Our commander has made it a point to stop by the press desk to check on his troops that he’s separated from.  I’m pretty sure from everything the last occupants of the press desk said about their commander, he didn’t stop by to visit or eat lunch with them at all.  This is the most professional and top notch officer that I’ve had the pleasure to work or be associated with.  I’m definitely taking a few things from his leadership style to put in my kit bag for the future.

Working at the press desk is high visibility.  Since I’ve been here, I think I’ve seen at least a different General Officer every week.  There are a host of other high-ranking officials on this side of the IZ.  However, I think I’m the lowest-ranking officer on this entire compound.  There are not many NCOs over this way either.  I think SGT McSwain and SPC Kyle are lowest ranking Soldiers on this entire compound.  It’s not a bad thing, but a testament to the work ethic, attitude and ambition of these two young Soldiers.  I think everybody here knows who both of these young men are.  They may not know the two by face, but I’m sure people definitely know their names.  Their work precedes them.  Keep up the good work fellas.

I’ve gotten two haircuts since I’ve been in Iraq.  I’ve definitely been pleased with them both.  I was kind of skeptical at first, but of course you know I did my research.  I was led to a barbershop near the PX.  It was an AAFES barbershop, so that was not a good sign.  No offense AAFES, but you don’t always consider that all servicemembers don’t wear high and tights.  I really wanted to see someone else who had already gotten a cut from the barbers I had been led to, but when I got there it was packed. 

At that point I was relieved.  Normally, when you show up to a barbershop, you hope it’s not packed so you don’t have to wait.  In this case, I was glad because that meant the guys cutting had to be pretty good to have such a clientele waiting to be cut.  When I sat in the chair, I explained to the barber what I wanted and he immediately knew what I was talking about.

As he was cutting, I attempted to close my eyes and take a nap like I always do at the barbershop while getting my haircut.  I couldn’t this time because I was under new care, so I had to make sure everything was going according to the script.  After lining me up with the clippers, he pulled out his razor which I asked for previously.  He was great with the razor as well, so I was definitely pleased when I got up from the chair. 

There was something going on in the chair next to me that I was anxious to peak at.  I heard of MAJ Lopez talk about it before, but I had never seen myself.  The guy next to me was get his ears and faced plucked or threaded.  I’m not sure what it’s called, but it looked quite interesting.  After he got up, I asked about it because the technique looked cool.  I think I’m going to try it once or twice before I leave.

I can’t say I’m going to be a regular, but I promise to check back ever so often to give an update!

UNTIL NEXT TIME….

Lately, I’ve been feeling a little about blah about using the phone.  I’ve checked email a million times, but using the phone is such a chore.  The lines are so ridiculously long for the internet and twice as ridiculous for the phone.  There are a gazillion AT&T trailers available for phone usage and you can enter the one of your choosing and find at least 8 of 15 phones available.  Most of them don’t work or Soldiers are choosing not to use the trailer because if you use a 300 minute phone card the AT&T phone only allows you 60 of those.  However, the DSN phones are available and you tend to get all of your time.  That is where the ridiculous lines begin and when I think to use the phone it’s either too late or too early and I know how early mom goes to sleep! 

There are an abundance of activities to get involved in here.  There are a million MWR Recreational Activities which I am grateful to have, as all Soldiers are.  Once we get up north, I’m sure communication will  improve and my attitude or motivation to use the phone will change as well.

When we first got here Kuwait, I had a few things on my mind.  Everyone who knows me, knows how I am about getting my haircut.  I’m kind of selective about letting just anyone cut my hair.  Personally, it’s not really the haircut, it’s the edge up or lineup that’s most important.  I got a haircut Dec. 23 when I got to Birmingham  on Christmas pass.  I didn’t leave until Dec. 28.  I thought about getting another one before I left, but I didn’t need one so I didn’t.  The dilemma I faced was whether or not I would get one at Fort Dix or wait until I arrived in country.  Well, I previously got one at Fort Dix, but I was not pleased with it AT ALL.  I decided to wait until I got here.  I had done about 3 or 4 days worth of research by observing different barbers here on post and asking around about the best barbershops.  I was led to the beauty shop.  The name around town was Ronald.  I had seen some of Ronald’s work and I asked others who were sitting in the shop already.  I was pleased with everyone who knew of or saw Ronald.  It was my turn.  I told him EXACTLY what I wanted and he cut it EXACTLY like I said with a razor edge up and all and to top it all off he finished with a quick massage.  I’m still in question about the massage, but the haircut was just what the doctor ordered.  I guess I need to start my homework now because I’m sure it will be the same situation when I get up north.  A good barber is hard to come by and if I could somehow get my barber here with me I would because he definitely holds it down like no other!

Until next time…

Leaving Fort Dix for the Christmas holidays was such a joy.  Being able to see the smiling faces of all of my family, friends, friends of the family, loved ones, enemies and those who I’ll learn to love (WINK WINK), made leaving Birmingham one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in a while.  If we had said our final goodbyes back on Dec 6, I would not have complained.  There were a few things I’ll always remember about this year.  The day after Christmas I had a going away dinner and  I must admit, it was all I anticipated and more.  My favorite people in whole wide world were there and I enjoyed their company greatly.  It began to get emotional toward the end of the night, but I was able to maintain my bearing and grit through it without a tear.  After seeing two of my best friends and my mom in tears as well as my dad nearly in tears, I almost went in.  That night and well into the next morning ranks in my “best moments of the year.”

As I reflect back on the week just past, I take solace in knowing I have the greatest family and group friends any one person can ask for and I’m extremely proud of all of them.  We’ve managed to maintain some form of constant communication over the last 10+ years and I hope we continue on our fantastic voyage through life.

I’ve been meaning to update my blog on a regular basis, but I just haven’t gotten around to it.  I enjoy writing, so that’s not the issue.  I just know that once I start writing, I have a tendency to go off on a tangent and before I know it my blog entries will be too long to read in one sitting.   The thing I enjoy most about this blog is reading someone else’s work, so if anything I’ll be entertained by other Soldiers’ entries.  My biggest problem with writing is finding a starting place or better yet knowing where to begin and what to begin with. 

Throughout the course of this year and many blog entries later, you will have noticed that I’ll probably violate all rules of writing.  I’m pretty sure I’ll notice them before someone else because I’m so critical of my own work, but in this case I really don’t have to use correct grammar or punctuation for that matter.  I have been affectionately coined as the “Comma Nazi” according to one NCO who shall remain nameless, but I think his son is a wrestler!

I actually contemplated beginning my own personal blog site for this deployment.  Several people introduced me to the notion, but with everything that has transpired with us preparing and training for this deployment I haven’t really had time to do so.  I really wanted it to be a sports blog, but if  you stay tuned you’ll notice  lots of sports talk throughout the year.

Before I get too carried away I’ll stop here!  I’ll be back soon, I promise!!!