Hawaiian soldiers take a wet walk
Statcounter
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Sunday note
A Sunday Note
End of Ramadan, 3 days of celebration for Muslims. Expect celebratory gunfire. In fact, they got us out of bed last night and this morning. At work yesterday we heard one mortar right outside the wire being launched. That is my preference, since it means it is going past you. So we heard the THOOM! As it was fired. We, gratefully, did not hear the answering explosion of it landing. I can’t tell you where it landed, but let’s say those who had a day off had an interesting time. Thankfully, again, out of desperation or ignorance, it was a dud. 2 days down, 1 to go.
I heard Zarqauwi (not spelled correctly on purpose) is egging the counter-freedom rebels on (while he slips town) and I think they are moved to greater acts of defiance, which leads them to bolder acts, which leads to us getting them. In my opinion, this recent rash of desperation is very good for us because the biggest problem we have is identifying them. Taking them out is not a problem.
Well, those aren’t very kind Sunday thoughts. I wonder what Moroni said on Sunday during the wars. Church is like an oasis. To escape from the language and thoughts of day-to-day and be taught by the Spirit is such a respite and sharp relief against the crudeness that is somewhat common is very nice. Like stepping into a garden. Or, as one fellow put it, it is like visiting the temple over here; it is peaceful and rejuvenating.
Today is another happy day for me. I have been exhausted from my work and efforts such that I clearly needed a day of rest. Much to my chagrin, I had some bad chicken wings for dinner or something and was kept up the night by a persuasive stomach ache! After much praying and an incoming attack, I found myself in the bunker with a co-worker who had the same experience. He said it lasted two days and I said it couldn’t. So, I gave way to the urge I had fought all night to, ummmm, hurl, and did so after briefly stepping outside the bunker. After an hour back in bed, I noticed the pain had mostly subsided. For that, I was very grateful.
So much for inspiring thoughts! How about some pics? Today, some of the guys and I walking back from church. Guns, Ensigns, and scriptures. Must be.... for your amusement ...Mormon soldiers! Now for some more of that Sunday rest....
ZzzzzZZZErnie
End of Ramadan, 3 days of celebration for Muslims. Expect celebratory gunfire. In fact, they got us out of bed last night and this morning. At work yesterday we heard one mortar right outside the wire being launched. That is my preference, since it means it is going past you. So we heard the THOOM! As it was fired. We, gratefully, did not hear the answering explosion of it landing. I can’t tell you where it landed, but let’s say those who had a day off had an interesting time. Thankfully, again, out of desperation or ignorance, it was a dud. 2 days down, 1 to go.
I heard Zarqauwi (not spelled correctly on purpose) is egging the counter-freedom rebels on (while he slips town) and I think they are moved to greater acts of defiance, which leads them to bolder acts, which leads to us getting them. In my opinion, this recent rash of desperation is very good for us because the biggest problem we have is identifying them. Taking them out is not a problem.
Well, those aren’t very kind Sunday thoughts. I wonder what Moroni said on Sunday during the wars. Church is like an oasis. To escape from the language and thoughts of day-to-day and be taught by the Spirit is such a respite and sharp relief against the crudeness that is somewhat common is very nice. Like stepping into a garden. Or, as one fellow put it, it is like visiting the temple over here; it is peaceful and rejuvenating.
Today is another happy day for me. I have been exhausted from my work and efforts such that I clearly needed a day of rest. Much to my chagrin, I had some bad chicken wings for dinner or something and was kept up the night by a persuasive stomach ache! After much praying and an incoming attack, I found myself in the bunker with a co-worker who had the same experience. He said it lasted two days and I said it couldn’t. So, I gave way to the urge I had fought all night to, ummmm, hurl, and did so after briefly stepping outside the bunker. After an hour back in bed, I noticed the pain had mostly subsided. For that, I was very grateful.
So much for inspiring thoughts! How about some pics? Today, some of the guys and I walking back from church. Guns, Ensigns, and scriptures. Must be.... for your amusement ...Mormon soldiers! Now for some more of that Sunday rest....
ZzzzzZZZErnie
Sunday Too!
Ahhh, church. Helps bring things back in focus. It has been a particularly exhausting week but after church I feel revived enough to write family and friends. Wish more people new the power of the Spirit. Actually, the religious services around here are quite well attended.
Well, the dust is back. It rained several days in the last week or so and the air was so clear. I got some new tenny’s and ran with fresh air in my lungs. So nice not to take dust in with every breath. But it hasn’t rained for about 4 days. The army is nice enough to send water-trucks around some of the dusty roads and spray ‘em down every now and then, but these other army guys aren’t particularly concerned with staying on the road with these 4-wheel drive vehicles!
And, I must say, the dust and smoke from the refinery stacks makes for some incredible sunrises and sunsets and gives the Mid-East some of its mystery and intrigue. Who is behind that face-scarf, and why does he brandish his sword so? Her belly jiggles and I like the tiny symbols, but what does her nose look like? Yes, questions like these probably all sprung from the need to filter out the dust. Now I see.
Also probably the reason contact lenses were not developed over here. So here is a picture of myself right after a truck rolled by so you can get the dust effect. Also, a close-up of the sun behind me. You’ll notice that the sun is so hot over here that it singes the tree as it sets near the horizon. If you believe that, I have a silver platter from Saddam’s palace to sell you…
Happy Sunday!
Ernie
Well, the dust is back. It rained several days in the last week or so and the air was so clear. I got some new tenny’s and ran with fresh air in my lungs. So nice not to take dust in with every breath. But it hasn’t rained for about 4 days. The army is nice enough to send water-trucks around some of the dusty roads and spray ‘em down every now and then, but these other army guys aren’t particularly concerned with staying on the road with these 4-wheel drive vehicles!
And, I must say, the dust and smoke from the refinery stacks makes for some incredible sunrises and sunsets and gives the Mid-East some of its mystery and intrigue. Who is behind that face-scarf, and why does he brandish his sword so? Her belly jiggles and I like the tiny symbols, but what does her nose look like? Yes, questions like these probably all sprung from the need to filter out the dust. Now I see.
Also probably the reason contact lenses were not developed over here. So here is a picture of myself right after a truck rolled by so you can get the dust effect. Also, a close-up of the sun behind me. You’ll notice that the sun is so hot over here that it singes the tree as it sets near the horizon. If you believe that, I have a silver platter from Saddam’s palace to sell you…
Happy Sunday!
Ernie
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Some Good News!
I know you are probably hungry for some good news from Iraq. I will tell you a few stories.
As you know, this is the end of Ramadan week, officially on Friday the 12th. Expect celebratory gunfire. As you should have seen in some of my pictures, we have guys in orange suits living here now. I haven’t seen ‘em captured here like that so that takes a bite out of crime. Also, the high tech equipment here caught 3 boys (when I say boys, I mean MEN) firing off a mortar at us. They were, uh, “swiss-cheesed” as it were. Three more crawled out to help them and, uh, they met a similar fate.
In Mosul, nearby, we got word that 14 bad guys were setting up an IED (Improvised Explosive Device). 2 were not captured, because, uh, they needed burial. But the rest were. This is happening more often--the locals are telling where they know of IED’s buried and helping out. I think they see we are serious about protecting them and we are here to stay. That, I believe, gives them great confidence.
In Fallujah, as you may have read, the bad guys thought they would tough it out and hide in hospitals, schools, and mosques because the Coalition (read American) forces would not touch them before. Surprise! The bad guys were hiding and hiding weapons caches in them and we went in after them. Even blew up a Mosque (Finally!) BUMMER for THEM!!! Thought they had sanctuary but the word came down: the election is over, kick all necessary behind. Very cool, in my book.
So it sounds like they are totally on the run, the people are getting brave enough to turn them in. Pretty soon the word will get out that if you join the bad guys team, you are going to get smoked. It happened in Afghanistan and now…looking better, I believe.
So there is your news. Oh, and “Ding! Dong! The wicked witch…” I mean, Arafat, is dead. King terrorist. He and Saddam reigned about 30 years each. There is much other encouraging goings on here, wish I could share more.
Finally, here is a scary, but happy, story. See picture. Here is what I call a HmV (HumVee) or an armored personal carrier, or what has replaced the jeep in the military. This one is one of the newer, armored type. My team’s job here was to up-armor the older ones to match this kind. Anyway, this one was carrying five soldiers when it went over an IED. It blew the back pretty much off, as you can see. All 5 men walked away uninjured. Now that is GOOD NEWS! And one of what I considered to be a MIRIAD of miracles protecting these fellows. I prayed and prayed for those going into Fallujah. I hope you did too. It works.
Ah, heck, one more. This morning we heard a “BOOM” very close, as is common where we work because it is right next to the city, and they like to fire on us from there. But the Siren to announce ‘Code Red’ never went off. Soon after heard on the radio that the Governor of Kirkuk survived an assassination attempt with a car bomb. No one was killed, although several were injured. I guess that is good news but it sure is interesting to be just about right there with wild things like that happening. Check it out, me thinks the tide is turning around.
Ernie out!
As you know, this is the end of Ramadan week, officially on Friday the 12th. Expect celebratory gunfire. As you should have seen in some of my pictures, we have guys in orange suits living here now. I haven’t seen ‘em captured here like that so that takes a bite out of crime. Also, the high tech equipment here caught 3 boys (when I say boys, I mean MEN) firing off a mortar at us. They were, uh, “swiss-cheesed” as it were. Three more crawled out to help them and, uh, they met a similar fate.
In Mosul, nearby, we got word that 14 bad guys were setting up an IED (Improvised Explosive Device). 2 were not captured, because, uh, they needed burial. But the rest were. This is happening more often--the locals are telling where they know of IED’s buried and helping out. I think they see we are serious about protecting them and we are here to stay. That, I believe, gives them great confidence.
In Fallujah, as you may have read, the bad guys thought they would tough it out and hide in hospitals, schools, and mosques because the Coalition (read American) forces would not touch them before. Surprise! The bad guys were hiding and hiding weapons caches in them and we went in after them. Even blew up a Mosque (Finally!) BUMMER for THEM!!! Thought they had sanctuary but the word came down: the election is over, kick all necessary behind. Very cool, in my book.
So it sounds like they are totally on the run, the people are getting brave enough to turn them in. Pretty soon the word will get out that if you join the bad guys team, you are going to get smoked. It happened in Afghanistan and now…looking better, I believe.
So there is your news. Oh, and “Ding! Dong! The wicked witch…” I mean, Arafat, is dead. King terrorist. He and Saddam reigned about 30 years each. There is much other encouraging goings on here, wish I could share more.
Finally, here is a scary, but happy, story. See picture. Here is what I call a HmV (HumVee) or an armored personal carrier, or what has replaced the jeep in the military. This one is one of the newer, armored type. My team’s job here was to up-armor the older ones to match this kind. Anyway, this one was carrying five soldiers when it went over an IED. It blew the back pretty much off, as you can see. All 5 men walked away uninjured. Now that is GOOD NEWS! And one of what I considered to be a MIRIAD of miracles protecting these fellows. I prayed and prayed for those going into Fallujah. I hope you did too. It works.
Ah, heck, one more. This morning we heard a “BOOM” very close, as is common where we work because it is right next to the city, and they like to fire on us from there. But the Siren to announce ‘Code Red’ never went off. Soon after heard on the radio that the Governor of Kirkuk survived an assassination attempt with a car bomb. No one was killed, although several were injured. I guess that is good news but it sure is interesting to be just about right there with wild things like that happening. Check it out, me thinks the tide is turning around.
Ernie out!
Thursday, November 04, 2004
All Quiet on the North Mid-Eastern Front
Hello,
Our new little garage is starting to get busy. And just today we finally got a few tool boxes!! It's amazing what we have accomplished with so little before now. We had a few borrowed wrenches and a warehouse full of garbage before we started. Now our building has plexi-glass panes that we cut and put in ourselves, (A few have the letter "E" emblazoned on them--wonder how THAT happened) a few power outlets, and new fluorescent lights. Today an army photographer came by to take pictures of us working to show how we were helping out. We were all in the break room except myself and another mechanic. He was moving a HumVee carcass with a forklift and I was taking pictures because the thing was so heavy that the rear wheels were coming off the ground as he was driving. Oops.
Actually, what I was going to write about is that mortar attacks and the like have not only been duds but very seldom--it's been rather quiet lately. The first picture is of some guys that moved in next to us. Just came in. I have a feeling they were doing things they shouldn't and, well, they were caught. My roommate caught this pic while driving around the base on a test drive. That's how we see some interesting things sometimes. It looks like they blew up an oil line because we saw some serious smoke in the sky for a few days. But most of the action is to the South in Fallujah.
The other pic is of a little operation across the street from our garage. I'm not sure what they do yet but I think you can see that we are up to all kinds of good things over here. The bad guys are desperately holding on and going crazy trying to kill anything. Reminds me of the Lamanites that smote desperately when Moroni was about to win, "smiting in two" the headplates and armor of the Nephites. Hopefully, the cease-fire is soon at hand. I feel freedom will win, again, though as always, it comes with a high price.
Ernie
Our new little garage is starting to get busy. And just today we finally got a few tool boxes!! It's amazing what we have accomplished with so little before now. We had a few borrowed wrenches and a warehouse full of garbage before we started. Now our building has plexi-glass panes that we cut and put in ourselves, (A few have the letter "E" emblazoned on them--wonder how THAT happened) a few power outlets, and new fluorescent lights. Today an army photographer came by to take pictures of us working to show how we were helping out. We were all in the break room except myself and another mechanic. He was moving a HumVee carcass with a forklift and I was taking pictures because the thing was so heavy that the rear wheels were coming off the ground as he was driving. Oops.
Actually, what I was going to write about is that mortar attacks and the like have not only been duds but very seldom--it's been rather quiet lately. The first picture is of some guys that moved in next to us. Just came in. I have a feeling they were doing things they shouldn't and, well, they were caught. My roommate caught this pic while driving around the base on a test drive. That's how we see some interesting things sometimes. It looks like they blew up an oil line because we saw some serious smoke in the sky for a few days. But most of the action is to the South in Fallujah.
The other pic is of a little operation across the street from our garage. I'm not sure what they do yet but I think you can see that we are up to all kinds of good things over here. The bad guys are desperately holding on and going crazy trying to kill anything. Reminds me of the Lamanites that smote desperately when Moroni was about to win, "smiting in two" the headplates and armor of the Nephites. Hopefully, the cease-fire is soon at hand. I feel freedom will win, again, though as always, it comes with a high price.
Ernie
Sunday, October 31, 2004
Another View
Here is a note that may be interesting to you and give you a further view that I cannot access. Let me know if you learn anything. Also, here is a bonus picture of a Iraqi tank, looks like it was meant for going through water, but it holds trash now....
Check this: www.voicesofiraq.com Voices of Iraq--movie
For a description, see this webpage: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,137112,00.html
Check this: www.voicesofiraq.com Voices of Iraq--movie
For a description, see this webpage: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,137112,00.html
Works of Sam Wais
Here are more examples of this artist's work. Now that his group's tour is about up here, he strangely seems more intent on painting everything up even more, rather than calling it quites because he will be leaving it all behind soon. Perhaps his work will remain here for a very long time--a little piece of Hawaii here in Iraq. A lovely little legacy for the soldiers restricted here by the seeming impropriety of the need to participate in this war. Enjoy this part then, and zoom in if you can...
E
E
Hold Your Fire!
Sunday, pictures for loved-ones time! Everyone else is at work and the internet is free, time. Just yesterday, I noticed this new sign put up by the resident artist.
This group company of soldiers is based in Hawaii and this Sam Wais guy does some great wall art. Most of his work is oriented around the famliar items of their home island and is not to be taken seriously, like an office building painted up as "Bubba Gump's Shrimp Shack." So when I saw this new sign, I thought, "right!" But dropped my jaw as I saw this little entourage come along and execute a perfect right turn after coming up the sidewalk towards me and crossing...for us all to see. Talk about perfect timing. And since then, everyone has flocked in to see my pics...
The other pic, a typical mortar cannon, like the ones they use to shoot at us all the time. A smaller one, actually, as lately they have been quite huge! (see Bombs at our BBQ). Anyway, this is your Action Photographer, Ernie, out to migrate towards lunch!
This group company of soldiers is based in Hawaii and this Sam Wais guy does some great wall art. Most of his work is oriented around the famliar items of their home island and is not to be taken seriously, like an office building painted up as "Bubba Gump's Shrimp Shack." So when I saw this new sign, I thought, "right!" But dropped my jaw as I saw this little entourage come along and execute a perfect right turn after coming up the sidewalk towards me and crossing...for us all to see. Talk about perfect timing. And since then, everyone has flocked in to see my pics...
The other pic, a typical mortar cannon, like the ones they use to shoot at us all the time. A smaller one, actually, as lately they have been quite huge! (see Bombs at our BBQ). Anyway, this is your Action Photographer, Ernie, out to migrate towards lunch!
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