When people ask what day of the week it is I usually reply with what number Monday we're on, because every day feels like a Monday. Usually the only way to tell when another week has passed is by the report that matches that day of the week. We have been here for a 128 Mondays and we have now seen other units return home, making us one of the senior units on deck. I can see the confidence in the guys the progress we have made from back in March and then again from July when we arrived in country. The growing pains are slowing down and the 'Keystone Cop' act is no longer a part of our day-to-day..
After taking over the advising mission for yet another town, and another set of high school cheer leader gossip, we have grown an appreciation for the progress that has been made in the Rawah (the original town and is still a part of our, ever vigilant protection). The team is trying to figure out this new town and it is funny to see the Iraqi Police (IP) try to pull a quick one on us because they think we are new to Iraq. It is like playing hide and go seek with a three year old. They think just because their head is behind the couch you can't see the feet hanging out. I have come to realize that they are a mixture of every decade in the last 100 years. Their religion is late 1800's their culture is early 1900's their pop culture style falls anywhere between 2 BC ( Dish-dashes and rag head) - 1965 and 1983, their personal hygiene. . . well for most it doesn't exist and the average education level is probably a 5th grade level. The are intelligent but uneducated.
Their religion is what makes them strong and very loyal people (sometimes good sometimes bad), but their faith is what I believe is a major set beck. The term 'Ensha Alla' mean 'If God Willing' and if they are just too lazy and don't want to do something, 'Ensha Alla'. If their son dies from kidney stones, 'Ensha Alla', if somebody is driving to fast and three babies die, they don't slow down. . . 'Ensha Alla'. Basically their faith becomes an excuse for not having to change anything. They continue to live in raw sewage, disregard traffic laws, continue with a failing legal system and the list goes on. I can respect their religion and admire their faith but it is hard to watch the train wreck they call their lives and see very little effort for improvement. Also I think they have lived with disappointment for so long that they have just come to except it. Like most people and things in life if they have the motivation they will find a way. The challenge lies in learning how to motivate them.
I would like to thank everyone again for the continued love and support. The packages are great and we look forward to them. With the mail system the way it is, it is probably a bad idea to send packages after 5 December, because we should be out pf here shortly after that Ensha Alla. I hope all are doing well and that the holiday season is great for everyone. I wish you all a happy 134th Monday (aka thanksgiving) and a merry 162nd. Take care
Luke