Thread: Brother update.

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Well, we are happy to hear my brother should be coming home in mid June from Iraq. For all of you with family members in the military, our thoughts and prayers are with you as well.
Here was an excerpt from his most recent email:

"Hey Steve
Thanks for checking in. Judy sent do milkyways and almond joy's which was very nice of her. Mike sent some very expensive chocolate that got melted, once melted it never quite tastes the same. Things here are variable to say the least. Today Muqtada Al Sadr, declared a temporary ceases fire... funny I would have never known, I got caught working out in the gym across the street, it's essentially a large trailer with flimsy aluminum roof, similar to a gym just a few blocks away that got hit a month ago and killed several troops.. today I was working out when the C-RAM's went off (devices that track incoming rockets and mortars, that alarm you and give you 2-6 seconds to seek shelter, just enough time to hit the floor)... then once the blast goes off you run literally for your life to the nearest hardened bunker. I have been in this bunker now twice in 3 days, on Friday the Mahdi dropped about 7 mortars on us in about 20 minutes, at that time I was trying to get some coffee at the local Green bean across the street. We are all now feeling the burn of being in this intense environment for some 6 months, but the last 2 months of daily Mortaring had really taken a mental toll on people. The Army is walling off Sadr City with T-walls (18 foot concrete slabs) this is literally blocking the Mahdi's ability to fire mortars and to resupply from Iran, so hopefully when complete it will slow things down a bit. "

That's great Steve, I wish him a safe return.

Don

Stovens, where is your brother stationed? My daughter is in Balad and is also due back the middle of June.

Sadr City I believe in Bagdad?

Originally Posted by stovens

Sadr City I believe in Bagdad?

Not a good place, but then I doubt anyplace in Iraq would qualify as good.
Balad is 50 miles north of Baghdad and its an Air Force base although my daughter is an Army nurse.
At least we have something to look forward to in the near future.

Hope for a safe return of both, The day my son returned was very happy day for me.
BradC

Just to let you know we will continue to keep your brother and all of the soldiers in our thoughts and prayers for a safe return. Thanks for sharing your brother’s letters; it makes us all feel connected.

Richard

Steve,
I wish you would of told me. He is in Tina's and my prayers. Also your daughter NTFD.
Ken

Thanks Ken. And everyone. I just got home and heard about the Earth Quake in China..7.9 Huge. I feel for the Chinese people as well as the Cyclone victims. Lots of bad stuff happening!