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Friday, March 23, 2007
Spa-like conditions
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The last time I wrote about my adventures in the Wild, Wild Iraqi West, several readers wrote in calling me spoiled. Obviously, my blog was an attempt at humor — not a cry for sympathy. We could all use a good laugh in the war zone.
So here is the continuation of the story.
Trip No. 2 to the Syrian border was with 2nd platoon, Company H, 121st Infantry (ABN)(LRS). Living conditions are difficult at the border forts, where electricity is scarce and there is no running water.
Once again, I knew that the bathroom situation would be awkward for me, the only woman for miles around.
But 2nd platoon rose to the challenge.
Spc. Andrew Prater, the platoon’s young medic from Newnan, strung together three Army cots to create a small room. Everyone was impressed with Prater’s engineering feat.
Each day brought further improvements: yellow flowers in a cup, wet wipes and hand sanitizer placed on a small ledge. When the rains came in, Prater even covered the roof with a camouflage tarp.
Welcome to the Ritz Carlton of the Iraqi desert.
I knew what I was getting into when I volunteered for this assignment. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t rather uncomfortable at times.
Prater’s was a small gesture that went a long way. And I am grateful.
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| Louie Favorite/AJC |
| Spc. Andrew Prater (left) and Spc. Ernie Churchwell stand by the latrine they had just finished for Moni Basu. |
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