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DEL.ICIO.USTwo-week leaves coming! But expect some necessary adjustment to being back in States
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CURTIS COMPTON / AJC
Spc. Jenna Simmons, Milledgeville, prays over July 4 meal at Camp Stryker. Next to her is U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall.
— Driving: In Iraq, U.S. soldiers drive down the center of the road and ram or shoot cars that don’t get out of the way. They jump curbs and barriers to avoid traffic and perform frequent U-turns to see if they’re being followed. (In Atlanta, they should fit right in.)
— Flushing toilets: Most of the Georgians here haven’t seen a toilet that flushes since May. Expect a few surprises.
— Acronyms: Soldier language is peppered with words and acronyms that only make sense to other soldiers. If one says he’s going to the DFAC (pronounced D-fak), he’s hungry. An “SP” is a planned departure time. “PT” is exercise. “Roger” means yes. All bathrooms are “latrines” and all food is “chow.”
— Changing clothes: In Iraq, the Georgia soldiers wear the same kind of uniform every day. Most soldiers wear their uniforms at least two or three days in a row - and someone else does the laundry.
— Beer drinking: The soldiers here only have access to alcohol-free “near beer,” and they get no hard liquor whatsoever. Their tolerance for the real thing is likely to be greatly reduced.
— Leave my weapon? Soldiers are required to keep their rifles with them at all times and are subject to severe penalties if they show up anywhere — even the DFAC or the PT area — without them. Expect them to feel uncomfortable going outside without their constant companions.
— Car keys? Military vehicles from Hummers on up don’t require keys to start. There’s going to be a lot of fumbling around looking for misplaced keys at home.
— Nasty habits: Many soldiers say they smoke and chew tobacco much more in Iraq than at home. They promise to reform immediately upon their return — but who knows?
— Out of practice: Most of the Georgia soldiers haven’t cooked, washed dishes mowed the lawn, changed the oil or gone to a grocery store for months. All those mundane activities will seem wondrously new.
Rep. Marshall, a Vietnam Vet, pays visit
U.S. Rep. Jim Marshall (D.-Macon) ate a July 4 dinner with about 30 hand-picked troops from the 48th Brigade. During a tour Monday of the U.S. military camps surrounding Baghdad International Airport, he told the troops to ignore critics of U.S. policy in Iraq.
“Disregard the stuff you’re hearing about a quagmire,” said Marshall, a Vietnam combat veteran. “We’re going to be here as long as it takes to get the job done.”
Marshall’s job was done quickly.
The member of the House Armed Services Committee left Baghdad for the United States the same day he arrived.
Comments
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By Penny
July 5, 2005 08:43 AM | Link to this
Well my soldier won’t have much to change, because he’s always driven like that and couldn’t keep up with his keys before he left.
I don’t care what “bad habits” he’s picked up, I’ll just be glad to see him.
I love you Sgt. Pete Schneider! Stay Safe!
By Carroline
July 5, 2005 08:51 AM | Link to this
May you enjoy every moment you have during your leave. My prayers are that you and your family embrace this time. You guys are so deserving and can’t wait until you come home for good.
By Jeannie
July 5, 2005 10:25 AM | Link to this
At least the Douglasville unit will fit right in then—but remember guys, they have camera’s at some traffic lights now. As far as the bathroom, well most guys Never put the Bathroom Seat Down Anyway-so I guess we can get use to the No Flush thingy..Changing their clothes should be easy if they just Shower with a love one ( hint hint)-Drinking beer-well that is a no brainer- they will just make the sober one’s laugh sooner then normal. Let’s see—nasty habit’s-well I know SPC. CHAD CARTER-HHC-108th-SCOUTS- smokes and Chews-ALOT— and well he at least Swallow’s his SPIT-so WE WON”T HAVE ANYTHING TO STEP IN—LOL—AND as for EVERYTHING ELSE—I am SURE EVERYONE will get back into the swing of things in NO TIME.. I am just glad they get this time to be with Loved ONES and Family Member’s..Two weeks is nothing compaired to 12months- But Hey-WE LOVE YOU GUYS AND MISS EACH AND EVERYONE… SEE YOU ALL SOON…… SCOUTS OUT………….
By Pam and Tom Brooks
July 5, 2005 03:04 PM | Link to this
His dad and I could care how he drives or his bad habits.. Just to see his big smile coming off the the plane at Chgo Ohare will be enough. We miss you and love you!
By Beverly Wiggins
July 5, 2005 06:59 PM | Link to this
Like most Mom’s I’ve never really approved of my son drinking, but when SSG Cory Martin steps off that plane…I’ll PERSONALLY have a Cold-One waiting for him! JUST COME ON HOME! I Love you Son, MOM
By Allan
July 6, 2005 09:26 AM | Link to this
David, Thank you for your reporting and comments. This is our son’s second tour and he is far braver and skilled than his father. The irony of some of the “stupid” things he did and survived as a teen-ager has hopefully honed his survival skills so that he will NOT do anything stupid over there and come home safe. And from what I have heard from him, the hundreds of hours he “wasted” playing horrendous computer games like Doom and Wolfenstein seem to have beneficially honed his skills at dealing with the horredous and unexpected.
By Jessica Underwood
July 6, 2005 10:40 AM | Link to this
SPC Brad Shawhan, my big brother, said he might not come home for leave because it would suck to much to have to go back. I can’t say that I blame him really. I don’t think I could send him off again - it WOULD suck. Miss you, Brad, Love - Jessica, Bill and Sebastian!
By Hilisha
July 6, 2005 11:50 AM | Link to this
This goes out to all of the brave Men and Women fighting for me………..words can’t describe my gratitude. I have no one personally over there but my love you guys is irmeasurable
By Christina Penrod
July 6, 2005 12:24 PM | Link to this
I can’t wait to see my husband SPC Penrod. He is excited to come home. It don’t matter what the bad habits are as long as I see his face and smile everything will be okay.
I love you SPC. Penrod can’t wait to see you
By Krista Bennett
July 6, 2005 01:09 PM | Link to this
Actually, my fiancee should feel right at home over there. He is an avid “dipper,” loves to leave the toilet seat up, usually has his weapon with him (whereever he goes), and drives like a bat out of hell. Iraq should feel like a second home to him. I can’t wait for him to come home so I can fall in the toilet. It’s kinda weird, the things that you miss. I hope that him and all of his guys come home safely. I love you, SGT Andrew C. Smith.
By Elizabeth
July 6, 2005 02:32 PM | Link to this
I am not worried about my boyfriend, Spc. Chris Gerhard coming home on leave. He already drove like a maniac and spoke in a language no one but his buddies at the armory understood. But I don’t really care. I just know that when he comes off that plane that he is alive and safe. Can’t wait to see the war wound and that piece of shrapnel you took! I love you!
By Viridiana Hubbard
July 6, 2005 08:42 PM | Link to this
My soldier is SPC Clyde L Hubbard from the 167th Infantry group out of Pelham Alabama deployed with the Georgia National Guard. We can’t wait to see you again, and have you next to us even if its just for 2 weeks. We love you so much, and we are so proud of you and the rest of the guys!!
By STACEY NIXON
July 7, 2005 08:28 PM | Link to this
July 7, My soldier is SPC. Scott L. Rogers, and the bad habits are something this Mama is used to. Not being able to see your face and here Goodnite & I Love You Mama, is extremely difficult but I’ll be glad just to see you step off that plane and home even if for just a little while. So I can see you’re safe and sound for myself. Remember Mama Loves You Son and will be waiting with your cold one when you arrive along with everyone else to see you. Love to all you guys!
By Nancy Murphy
July 8, 2005 11:32 PM | Link to this
Thanks to the photographer who took my son’s picture after the fire at Camp Michael in June! This was the first time I got to see him since May. Even if it was only his profile, it meant the world to us. His name is SPC Michael Murphy of the HHC 1-108th from Calhoun,GA. Thanks again so much for taking his picture and we hope you continue to bring blessings to other families as well by giving them a glimpse of their loved ones so far away! Sincerely, Nancy Murphy