AMEDD

Confirmation of acronym for my fellow AMEDD officers, Charles specifically.
Army Medical Enduring Deadly Duty! GO INFANTRY! Who'd want to practice medicine without a Humvee anyway? Comon', Air Force, Fobbits, REMFs? Just think about all the fun you'd miss? Rounding on patients and going to the O.R. won't be the same without my M9, M4 and shank! Think about it? It's perfect preparation for working in any city hospital.

Free For All

Some of you know that we've been building our camp up out back so we can have our own little part of the world without the ANP staring at us all the time. Well, we have 50% of it done and we should be able to move in within the week. I'll be so glad! You have no idea. We are the only embedded team with the type of mentoring that we do. Most teams live on a compound near by. We live in the same compound about 10ft away. Gets old after a while. You just want a little bit of space. It's like having a 3 year old or, for that matter, an irritating neighbor bother or stare at you 24 hours a day. So, the addition of room and removal to the other side will be welcome. I'll have a container to myself with room for a bench and medical supplies on one side and my personal stuff on the other. A true "Doc in a box!" ER's got nothing on me!
We did a dismounted presence patrol the other day in a village nearby. We took a few ANP and tons of candy and toys in our backpacks. We did a complete walk through the village and before we left, stopped and handed out a plethora (like that GRE word?) of the gifts you all have sent. They all had a free for all and we hauled tail to get out of the village. It was a good time and the kids loved it. Thank you all for your continued support sending school supplies, candy and toys. We give it out as fast and safely as we get it.

Arrival

I have made it "home" so to speak. After about 3 days, 3 countries, 3 planes, 1 cold shower and 9 hours of sleep I've arrived. It was a bitter sweet arrival to Kandahar, feeling the pain of leaving my beautiful family behind yet feeling the joy of seeing my comrades here again AND dare I mention the fact that I'm in the down hill slide of the tour now. There's joy in just that alone.
On the trip back Goddard got "stuck" in Qatar for a day and couldn't believe that was a base supporting a war. The roads were paved, not dirt or gravel. People appeared generally happy and well. Uniforms were pressed and there was a huge dry cleaner there. Multiple coffee shops to include a Duncan Donuts. What the hell? A Duncan Donuts........in "theater." They get to drink 3 alcoholic beverages a day, not that that matters! They have a wine bar and several pubs. A Chilis for crying out loud. So, we went to the pub with this Army pilot we met at dinner. Nice guy, showed us the turf, had a few drinks and all of us dreamed in union about transferring to the Air Force. Aim High! It's the better life, for sure.
Back to reality. The beer, coffee and asphalt were nice but dirt, gravel and the sound of the Mullah screaming in the wind calls to me telling me that there is more to be done ........it says.......help the helpless, help the hopeless, make a difference. That can mean assist the needy in a new testament way or kill the enemy in old testament style. I'm partial to both. Let come what may.

Heading Back!

So, once again back in the airport awaiting a flight back to "home." It's been a great visit with family and friends and I'm not sure I could've maximized it any more. It was great to see you all, assuming I saw you and I appreciate all of you that shared your hospitality with my family and me while we were home. Thank you.
So, I'm here in the international wing of the H...field Int Airport and there are these two European dudes sitting a few feet away from me as I type. One guy has been ripping gas since I sat down. LOUD too! Some lady came to plug her laptop in next to me and heard the guy. She didn't even sit down, just turned and walked away away without skipping a beat. Glad she knew it wasn't me! People talk about how rude Americans are! Good Lord, I'd have to tape my wife and daughter's mouth shut to keep them from giggling to pieces if they were here. It's all I can do to keep typing! I hate Seinfeld but it reminds me of one of the episodes. Anyway, I took a picture of him to warn you single ladies out there but I forgot my cable to download it.
So, back in action soon. I'm going to miss out on a great VMO by about a day or two unfortunately but hopefully I'll have some good stuff to pass on shortly.
Later

Vacation

Hello all! I've had a few worrisome emails lately and forgot to drop a line to say I'd be out on vacation for a few weeks. I'll be back on line in a couple of weeks with more updates! God bless you all. I'm recharging my batteries!!!!! Later