But when I returned to my CHU that evening, my roommate and I decided we would run. So much for sleeping in but I knew I would get to run with my running partner, Coach, at least one more time before I leave this place.
The Fallen Heroes 5K is in honor of our Soldiers who lost their lives in July from an IDF attack on the COB. The event started rather somber as Taps played in the cool morning air and the Chaplain gave a prayer. Unlike other runs back home, I knew this route better than I care to ever remember. Having ran over 600 miles and this being a small base, there isn’t much to look at other than the gray T-walls and the other signs of being in a foreign country. Coach was great and as always, we chatted on the way.
We were able to watch the first group of runners as they doubled back to the finish line. I looked for Anna, our sergeant working in the orderly room, and as I expected she was the first female coming along. Here’s a nice article about her in the Faribault Daily Newspaper:
http://faribault.com/news.php?viewStory=96054
Next, I watched for my roommate and once again, she didn’t disappoint me. She had already ran 3 ½ miles prior to the race and she was still running strong. What an amazing woman!
My roomie came back after crossing the finish line and crossed the finish line with me. We hung around for the awards presentation and she won her second pair of Oakley Sunglasses. Annie won her second Apple Ipod Touch. They really should have switched places!
Next order of business was making it in time to breakfast before the DFAC closed so between jumping on a bus, running to the next bus stop, jumping on another bus, running to our CHUs for our weapons and lastly running to the DFAC, we made it just in time to get in line for our omelet’s before the cooks closed the line.
After breakfast, I purchased another tote and began packing it with my art supplies. Surprisingly, this was harder to do than I thought it would be since I wanted access to my supplies as this deployment winds down. With our replacements coming in, there won’t be a lot of room in our office for extra Soldiers so maybe I’ll have a little free time. Hence, the reason I didn’t want to pack up my art stuff but, I knew this was one of the final boxes I would be packing before I left. What a great feeling!
YES! I finally got something to bloom in Iraq! This must make me a master gardener! I had planted my Holly Hocks in peat pots and once established, I moved some to the soil. They didn’t fare well at all since the soil has so much salt content…at least that is what they say. However, the Marigolds bloomed and displayed their happy faces. I can’t wait to work in my garden this year.
Since it won’t be gardening weather upon my return, I am really looking forward to downhill skiing. In fact, I’ve been thinking about it, talking about it and dreaming about it. I only hope my body cooperates and doesn’t balk at the cold temperatures that I am about to experience. It’s been a balmy 66 degrees in Basra, Iraq. And you’re wondering why I would want to leave and go back to the cold of Minnesota.
Some other news: I finally found out what my full-time military position will be upon my return: Public Affairs Officer. I’m excited to start this new venture! For the non-military people reading this entry, a description from Wikipedia: Public Affairs is a term for the formal offices of the branches of the United States Department of Defense whose purpose is to deal with the media and community issues.
I will have to go away to school for two months at Fort Meade in Maryland. From what I understand, weekends are free so I can spend them in one of my favorite cities, Washington D.C. Just to have time to wander around for hours and hours in the Smithsonian Museums or run around the national monuments will make being away from home a lot easier to handle.
However, I do regret that I did not continue to pay for my coveted parking spot next to the Joint Forces Headquarters Building in downtown St Paul. Once again, I will have to walk from the X parking lot by Sears until my name reaches the top of the list. Last time it took a good 12 months before I had my choice parking spot. I guess I didn’t work the Military Decision Making Process (MDMP) that well by giving up my spot. Another lesson learned!
Can’t wait to go home!!!!
A shot of one of the few murals on the gray T-walls
Chief Thoma
Major Flikkie and Major Venable
LT Dietrich and me
SGT Groeneweg and the BC
BC, Chief and me
The Jensen Brothers
LT Oman, Anna and SPC Hoisington
The Jacobs
SGT Meghan Crooks
SPC Schaeffer
Coach, Roomie and me
Roomie and Major Venable (she won 3rd place)
The Sabre guards from Uganda. They have some really fast runners!
SFC Pietsch and the MP Soldiers
Our deck. I drew the beach scene with sidewalk chalk. Unfortunately, I can count on one hand the number of times I got to sit here once we moved to our new CHU.
A close-up of my plants.
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