Received 1/28/08

Matthew 6:8b “…For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

10:00 A.M., Houston

7:00 P.M., Al Fallujah

Good Morning,

Chris’s move to Lima Company, 2^nd Platoon has been the source of many blessings.  Chris may have left good comrades behind, but he is having good compensation.  Chris was out with his new squad on the preceding Saturday (December 1).  They had great interaction with the Iraqi people.  A man called them off the street to his home where they were fed a sumptuous meal of a special rotisserie chicken and homemade bread.  Our troops are warmly welcomed by so many people in Iraq now.

Later, they gave out candy to the children who flock to them wherever they go.  Chris enjoys not only giving out sweets, but he puts bandaids on booboos.  Chris is thrilled to be able to help with small medical needs.  One poor little girl had something stuck up her nose.  Chris was able, using forceps, to dislodge what turned out to be a small marble.  He was delighted to be able to stop her tears and fears and make her smile.  Of course he rewarded her bravery with a piece of candy.  Somehow it is fitting that of our four kids it was Chris helping her with this particular problem.  I recall a certain little Noodge who had stuffed a miniature plastic cannonball up his nose one day.  He would not let his mother attempt to get it.  We had to take a visit to Dr. Stanley for the removal.  Ah! How times change!  Digging through noses is not my favorite activity.

It seems that Chris has been provided with another pet, not a bird this time, but a ten week old puppy of nondescript parentage.  This little guy has been with Lima Company, 2^nd Platoon since shortly after its birth.  The guys came upon a small group of children who had been beating the puppy for fun.  Thankfully, they rescued him from his would-be assasins.  This small beige doggy (who fits into two hands) has been given the name “Kevlar” after the protective material worn by our military.  The fact that he survived his beating suggested this name to the guys.  Kevlar had been adopted by Chris’s new platoon several weeks prior to Chris’s arrival there.  His new buddies may have saved this pup, but he instantly became Lance Corporal M’s dog.

Before deploying I crocheted our son an afghan of 100% wool.  Since they have been known to take fire fights at night man made materials are bad.  They melt to the skin and cause deep burns.  I had trouble finding desert camouflage wool yarn, so I opted to buy colors that mimicked the desert camo, and long was my labor.  Kevlar has decided that not only is Chris his own special property, but the afghan belongs to him too.  He may have started life out under duress, but he knows how to achieve maximum comfort for his puppy self.  When Chris is ensconced on his rack with Kevlar, the tiny canine growls ferociously at any who would dare to touch either his master, or his prized afghan.  Aggression becomes his mainstay.  I suppose it’s for the best seeing that he’s a “Marine Dog”. Possibly he could grow up to become the Teufelhund, a German name for the Devil Dogs, a Marine icon earned in 1918 during World War I when the Marines took the Belleau Woods of France from the Germans.  This little ball of fluff may know his history.

Chris was brief as he was getting ready to go out on maneuvers.  He thought that he wouldn’t be back to base until December 22.  What a long haul to go without hearing from him!  Of course I’m spoiled, generally hearing from him every two to three days.  I prefer it that way.

P.S. Chris craves sugar cookies and homemade chocolate chip; any homemade cookies will do, actually.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

(St. Nicholas’s Feast Day)2:38 P.M., Houston

11:38 P.M., Al Fallujah

What a surprise it was to hear from Chris this day!  We didn’t expect to hear until the 22^nd of December at the earliest.  One thing about the military is that everything is subject to change at all times.  He asked to be remembered to everyone at the stables.  I told him I’d include that in this update.  He can’t wait to come back to see everyone as well as to ride (when he gets out of the Corps).  He thinks about all of you there daily and has been begging to know how everyone is doing.

He has been trying to avoid contracting the flu which is making a visit to FOB Reaper.  Wherever Chris is, pestilence is sure to follow.  I don’t know how he manages it.  Of course winter in Iraq is wet and cold.  The guys are constantly out in the elements.  It just seems that Chris falls ill more frequently than anyone else.

Kevlar remains protective of his afghan.  He permits Chris to use it.  Apparently the little guy is in the midst of teething (but not on his afghan).  His teeth only bother him at night.  He has made his new master’s toes a delectable chew toy.  All night long each toe is attacked and masticated on an individual basis.  I can’t say much for the puppy’s taste as Chris’s feet have had notorious problems.  But as long as it’s agreeable to Kevlar it will continue.  Chris has no say in the matter, a fact he finds a trifle dismaying.

Chris’s friend, J, the Iraqi interpreter from the Christmas letter, has been like a brother to Chris.  He comes from a family of six.  His oldest brother was horribly killed by Saddam’s henchmen.  J’s family being Shiite accounts for that.  Saddam was a Sunni and persecuted the Shiites.  J, although an excellent interpreter, majored in art at the University of Baghdad where he graduated with honors.  He enjoys poetry.  I have been wondering if he’s read any of Chris’s poems yet.  His fiancee is attending the University to become a scientist.  The women in Iraq (especially the metropolitan areas) have far more freedom than do the women in Saudi Arabia, Iran, or Afghanistan.

Chris eats most of his meals with Joey.  He loves sharing the Iraqi fare with Joey, especially the chicken and bread.  The kebabs of meat give him Montezuma’s revenge every time he indulges in them.  Most of the guys don’t prefer to eat with the local people as they’re not fond of the foreign menu.  Chris has always been adventuresome where eating is concerned.  At times I thought he went a bit overboard.  In Boy Scouts for the Wilderness Survival Badge the boys were told that they could try cucaracha if they wanted to.  Noodge was the only one to eat a roach.  Ugh!  I would infinitely prefer the homemade food of the Iraqis to anything in the insect or arachnid world.  I don’t like bugs or spiders as a meal, or in my home at all.

Every time Chris goes out on patrol he brings candy with him.  The children flock to him as Chris says, “like piranhas”.  The candy disappears as fast as he can pull it out.  I hope the kid’s teeth don’t get cavities from having Chris’s candy on a regular basis.  Tooth decay is uncommon over there. Honey is used to sweeten things most frequently.  I can see the headline by our media, “Marines Set Out To Destroy The Teeth Of Poor Iraqi Children.”  The Marines certainly are abusive to those kids.

I’m glad that Uncle Sam is in charge of Chris’s footgear.  He wears a size 15 boot.  In five days time he walked more than seventy miles on patrols.  Somehow I think the guys must be issued new boots regularly.  Well, I hope so!

The people are so different on this deployment.  They come eagerly out to meet our guys.  Chris enjoys shaking the hands of the boys.  The little girls prefer to give and receive hugs.  The parents have treated them to much hospitality.  His last deployment was far more difficult with regard to the people.  They see our troops as liberators, friends.

Now for some fairly disturbing news.  The Noodge has once again sold his sister, Megan.  This was something he did during his first deployment as well.  He pulled her picture out to show some of the local young men.  He gave them this dreadful spiel, “She’s a beauty upon whom God smiles.  The rays of the sun shine out from her face”.  While M is lovely I’ve never quite thought of her in this way.  For her picture (and doubtless the winner thought he’d get Megan) Chris received three chickens, two and a half liters of Pepsi, and homemade bread.  I asked him what he’d do if the young man tried to collect.  He informed me that they were done patrolling in that particular village.  I now have a son who could be thought of as a trafficker in human flesh (except that he never meant to deliver).  I am so proud. I hope that Chris has confessed his sins! I have no further comment…

Have a blessed week,

J