Well another week has gone by and we are getting better with each new day. As a the team leader I look for the improving trends in our duties, but most of the team could probably care less. They just concentrate on their individual task and for me that is all i can ask for. The days here are different for evey man. Some days I am busy with our 'little chiefy' and meetings with the city counsil or with my bosses, and yet others times i am watching the clock waiting for time to pass.
Most of the team has more of a consistant schedule. They have task that need to get done and after that they are usually waiting for a convoy up to the COP (combat out post), or to a neighboring town or waiting for something to train the IPs (iraqi police) on. At the end of the day everybody has been busy and that is a good thing.
I was sopposed to have a leaders meeting in Ramadi last Sat 16 AUG and it fell through, so instead i took the individuals that were on that convoy to Al Asad (AA), for some supplies and R&R. AA is a base about 2-3hrs south of us and it has a lot of the comforts of home, movie theater, subway, pizza hut, running water in the restrooms etc. You know, the important stuff. It was a successful trip and i think we will try to make it happen more often.
I would like to thank all of you for your support and prayers, it means the world to this team. It helps to remind us, who and what we are doing this for. As all of you probably know, the fight over here is not as kenetic as it once was, but the mission is just as important. We are here trying to get this country on its feet. If we fail then all of the efforts of the men and women before us have been a waste. The deaths and injuries will have been for nothing and that would unforgivable. So thank you again and we will do our best to keep you informed. Take care and Semper Fedelis
Luke
hello from this corner of the world. just taking a little break at 2245 before i go up and have a little meeting with the police chief about two IPs (iraqi policemen) that supposedly burnned up a persons car after beating him. just another day in beautiful old rawah.
i have been all over the country learning about what we doing here. it s pretty crazy. today i had lunch with the mayor and all of his city council members and shieks (the religous leaders) of all the different local tribes. all in all there were about 40 of them and me my terp and two other marines. intel reports say that just about half of them were/are involved in some kind of insurgency activity within the last to two years. it was a little crazy to say the least. they were pretty easy to talk to but your constantly looking around and wondering what is really going through their minds.
my team is starting to get the hang of it. they are specializing in the specific shops within the police station. we are getting pretty good at patroling and knowing the area but still have a lot to learn.
any way up the stairs i go for a great time.
hope all are doing well and injoying their summer, i am enjoying rawah as much as possible.
luke
today i went over to the bank of rawah and tried to have a talk with the manager but he was out so, i returned for more meeting with the chief and talks about a missing woman. it's hard because everything here is SOOOOOOOOOOO secretive (meaning tribal) and everybody has a secret. i feel like i just joined a girls high school sports team. gossip everywhere, and I AM the gossip headquarters. i just want to say "STOP! listen, we are grown men, let's just start acting like it, enough is enough. he killed your brother, you killed his father, that guy is a moron and all of you are screwed up." ...but... i don't i just laugh and enjoy the experience as much as possible. i just drink my chi (iraqi tea, that we have about ten time a day) and smile politely.
well again hope all are well, and taking care
luke