Hello All,
Well I have returned to Kuwait, not because it's time to pack up and head home (but it sure does feel like it), no, because we needed to turn in some equipment. I'll be headed back up north very soon, but since I have a computer here and time to write, why not send a message home.
Kuwait is everything that I remembered. That being said I would tell you about the bureaucracy of life here in the rear, but I think that you can all imagine it for yourselves. Need help, ok try this. Imagine micromanagement incorporated with triple check inventory controls and a complete lack of initiative due to soldiers afraid to rock the boat.
It's not like I asked the guy to kill somebody, I just wanted him (the little bastard) to agree that if I have 18 pieces of fabric with different serial numbers on each one and all of those pieces of fabric came from a water bladder it would be safe to say that they were no longer serviceable. But NO, he had to look at each and every one of them... so screw you buddy, we'll come back later when you're not here and someone that understands common sense is around. Pablo (my guy in Kuwait that likes to describe this place as 'The Black Hole of Hell') did know an inside player here that bought some common sense to the PX and we found him the next day.
The funny part is that um... wait, hold on a sec, I'm sure there was a funny part... well. I guess there wasn't a funny part. Yep, now I remember the nicotine and alcohol cravings and the burning desire to punch that little rat in the face and I'm sure there was no funny part. Oh, yeah this is Kuwait.
The good part of Kuwait is the hotdog stand. I was never a huge hotdog fan before this trip, but once I had one I was hooked. I've eaten eight dogs so far and if the sandstorm ever dies down I'll go get two more. Maybe it's the mustard, but these things rule. The lemonade isn't bad either.
Oh, and the countdown is now at 35 days to 365 in theater. That's 5 weeks. One month and one week. We don't have redeployment orders, yet, or replacements, yet, but I'm told that they're only days away. Did you just hear a whistle?
I love you all,
Will
PS - Jake now weighs 15 pounds and is making noises like the babies on the Flintstones. My little godson is getting bigger and noisier by the day. Oh, and he sleeps with his arms over his head like he's signaling a touchdown.
SGT,
Wait til that guy has Hummers, and lots of other equipment that has to be turned in with serial numbers on it. Maybe you should take him back up north with you so he can see what really goes on here and he wouldn't be such a putz.
Why are there so many of these people in the sandbox? How do you tell the enemy from the "enemy"?
Glad you're making rumblings that look like coming home. Bring my soldier with you.
Wonderful news about Jake. He IS signaling a touchdown--one for you and one for his life. Extra point included.
Get someone typing on those orders--pronto! Who do I call?
Posted by: Katherine on February 15, 2004 06:04 PMWell, Will, it's always nice to hear from you. I hope to see you in person one of these days real soon. I'll bet your first stop will be to see little Jake (who is not so little anymore, thank goodness). And, then, maybe the Outback in Omaha?? I'd even buy dinner!! We've all been cheering all you guys on. We sent boxes from the South Omaha Legion (my part-time job)around Christmas time. Bert from Omaha
Posted by: Bert from Omaha on February 15, 2004 06:19 PMWonderful to hear from you Will. Have been a little worried since it's been over 10 days. Was hoping that maybe you were on your way home.
35 and counting! I know you and the others can feel the tracks vibrating. Take care Will!
Posted by: Ira on February 15, 2004 06:24 PMHi Will,
It's great to hear from you again. 35 more days! Hopefully you'll be hearing real soon when you get to come home. It sounds like nothing has changed in Kuwait with the REMF's. Pretty sad. I'm glad you got the chance to eat some good hot dogs. The light at the end of the tunnel will soon surround all you guys. Hang in there and stay safe.
35 days? Well by the time you get settled at home, it'll be late spring up in Montana, so you need to come up and see it! And go to Moose's Saloon, and go around the lake, and and and....LOL tons-o-stuff to do, and no shortage of people to show you around! Take care!
Posted by: Dianne on February 15, 2004 07:35 PMWill...keep your eye on that light and your ears open for that whistle. It WILL come. Stay safe and know you are in many people's prayers...mine included.
A Marine's(who's finally home) Girlfriend
Mel
Posted by: Mel on February 15, 2004 08:53 PMEven without a funny part, you're still funny. Glad you're hanging on to your sense of humor. I hope you get home soon.
Truly,
A fan from Denver
You can tell Jake isn't living in NE cuz he wouldn't know HOW to signal a touchdown :)
Big news was no snow this weekend and we may get above freezing later this week.
Glad life in Kuwait hasn't changed. At least you've got hot dogs (boy, you do need to get home if hot dogs are looking good).
Have the countdown going.....
Great to hear from you! Glad to hear things are looking up for you, I bet little Jake is going to be spoiled rotten pretty soon!
Posted by: Stacy on February 17, 2004 12:59 AMHi Will, 35 and a wake up! Way to go...
just watch out for anal defelade. the last month is when you have to be the most dilligent. Thanks for the up date.
Good to hear from you. And here's hoping that 35 days flies by for y'all. You'll be training your poor replacements before you know it.
Stay safe. We want all our soldiers to get home safe and sound.
Posted by: SueinOmaha on February 17, 2004 10:12 AMAlways good to get the news from our US Presence in the Middle East.
Any poop on the likely scenario when we turn the joint over to the Iraqi Provisional Govt. (sceduled for) this summer?
Don't forget to write when you get back stateside.
Your Fellow Blogger,
Dot Tom
Posted by: Tom on February 17, 2004 10:47 AMSo glad to hear about the 35 days! Please stay safe until then and wish I could be there to welcome you home.
Posted by: Mels on February 17, 2004 11:18 AMHey Will! It's so hard to believe it's been almost a year!! For us, it seems like yesterday that you were getting ready to go...I find it truly amazing and should be very flattering to you, that you have and have had such a 'following' for a year now! I know that I don't only speak for myself when I say I hope you write us and continue to keep us updated once you've arrived home safely!
Such great news about Jake...they grow up so fast!!
Take care Will and stay safe....you are a short timer now!!
Much love from Seattle!
Posted by: Sharon on February 17, 2004 11:50 AMHere's hoping a whistle means a train HOME and not one incoming on the track THERE.
I usually write more, but being in the midst of illness, I don't feel very well, but wanted to catch up with ya'll. A year? Wow time flies when ....uhmm, never mind.
Hopfully you'll be dealing with bastards in the US soon, instead of bastards overseas. Big difference, eh?
Godspeed,
Judi
Great to hear that things are coming to an end for all you soldiers including my sister. 35 Days and I will help witht he count down since I started about 10 months ago. Stay strong keep your head up nice sense of humor is always great at times. Nice to hear that. Hang in there. You are all in our prayers.
Posted by: Becky Mokros on February 17, 2004 08:49 PMWill,
Someone forgot about asking a Fort Lewis Soldier about a grenade...this grenade just happened to be in the car(glovebox) the wife was driving as she went across the Canadian border...yep the glovebox was looked at ,,the border closed at Blaine...I think that Soldier got in trouble...do ya think?
Hello Will,
we would like to write much, but also this once we have translated but we don't know nothing (the situation is a little tragic,true?)ahahahah.We wait your next letter and we hope go better.
We glad the little Jake grows well and he is making noises.
A greeting to you and your soldiers by two italian girls
Adriana and Milena CIAO
Will,
Don't let the Hadji's carry your bags at the airport in Kuwait because they will try to charge you from $5.00 to $20.00. One told me $20.00 and I about had a heart attack! I gave him $10 because that was my smallest bill and he said mo' money mo' money. Keep up the good work and make it home safe. I'm glad to have served with you and glad to have found your minutes.
Thanks for great info
Posted by: Smoking center on May 18, 2004 12:51 PMOpen your mind - http://eldorado.com.ua
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Posted by: Warning! Very hot news!!!! Media news report http://newsnewsmedia.com on June 27, 2004 10:49 PM
Will is a pretty good writer and this is the collection of his writings. It'll be interesting to hear updates from a soldier's point of view, so I'll be posting them for all to read.
Take care Will