to clear and search a sector in Samarra. Danger
was palpable. We found a cache of weapons
of all types (grenades, AK47s, etc.), as well as food
left cooking on the stove. In the distance, Iraqi kids
could be heard laughing, just like kids at home.
Good news. I may soon get to come home
on leave to see little Daniel, my newborn. Next mission:
to spend time with friends and family. I miss the kids.
Thanks for sending their photos to FOB[1] Danger.
Thanks, too, for the microwavable food,
batteries, razors, and DVDs. The best weapon
against boredom is a movie. (My favorite “weapon”
is Napoleon Dynamite. Great laughs!) Our home
here is a rat maze of plywood with food
stashed in cubbyholes. Tomorrow’s mission
is to convert toilets into showers (not too dangerous).
Toilets are a hole with a boot print on each side. Kids
like to follow us and watch us work. The kids
say “Mister, give me candy,” as they eye our weapons.
When we work on our bunker, I forget the danger
around us. It’s like working with buddies at home
only in Iraq we are on an historic mission.
One day in Shibob a local invited us to share food,
some bread that tasted like lefse. The tribal food
is pretty good though I miss pizza. The kids
get nearly all of our chocolate. On a recent mission
we also gave them soccer balls. Toys are weapons
of peace that Iraqi youth are happy to take home;
soccer gives boys something to do that won’t endanger
their lives. Soon, my platoon will leave FOB Danger
and head for Baghdad. We’ll carry canned food
(nuts, tuna, soup, Velveeta) from home,
and distribute candy and pens to the kids.
The biggest threat to any convoy are IEDs[2], weapons
planted along a route that explode and derail a mission.
Keep sending food. Love to All, Your Son. P.S. Each mission,
though dangerous, brings me closer to home.
Soon, I will put down my weapons. Soon, I will hold my kids.
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