Why we fight - why I go

The question I get (from most everyone who has not gone) is....Why are you volunteering to do this?  It is hard to respond to that in a few sentences - but essentially it is a combination of things.
1. Religous reasons...first and foremost - this is what Jeanette and I call a "step of faith."  It is something that God challenges us with - and in our case, we firmly believe that there will be many great things-both personal and corporately - that will come from this trip (if you are religous, which many of our friends are not, you would call these great things "blessings").  There will be small and large challenges and how Jeanette and I respond to them says more about our faith and character than anything else we could do.  Remember, right now, it is probably about 25% probability the trip wont happen - just because of all of the paperwork, training, yadda yadda that I have to go through - so as the old slogan goes - getting there is half the fun...
2. Personal fulfillment - I love being challenged and (as it was in Afghanistan) - I have NEVER been challenged (and rewarded with such a sense of fulfillment ) as I was when I was deployed to Bagram and Kabul.  The work was hard, the conditions were tough - but to be part of all of those teams of great men and women....it was so personally rewarding. 
3. Political reasons - I am not going to get into this too much - as the point of this is to tell my story - not to get into political discourse.  But I believe in what we are doing over in Iraq and Afghanistan...STRONGLY.  I have personally talked to men (and some women) and a few children who were starving or beaten or had relatives killed - and are now FREE because of the US.  I have seen how much they desire/wanted us to be there and help them establish a new country.  When I start recalling the stories from my time in Afghanistan - I get goose bumps.  To me, it is THAT COOL to be an American.  Is it taking a long time?  Sure is.  Remember, all of the fighting didn't end in 1776....it basically just started. 
There are other reasons - but those are definitely the top three....As I stated - it will probably be a couple of months before I am over there - but I am taking the time to learn how to do the blog now - so when I get over there, I can easily share my adventures.  In the near future, I am going to learn how to post pictures - maybe even a video or two - possibly some other things - so I can better share my experience.  If this all happens, I hope you will be along for the ride.
God Bless..
Wade

Thanksgiving 2010 - Letting everyone know

First post....25 November.  Drove down to Tiffany's in Atlanta - about 500 miles from home.  On the way down, I called my mother (in Idaho - she wasn't home - so I had to leave a message - I called twice) and my father in Arkansas to let them both know that I am going to be processing to Iraq for a one year tour.  I will be going to Umm Qasr - a port right next to the Kuwait border.  I am not exactly positive what my exact title will be - Camp Manager/Mayor or Facility Manager - but basically I believe I will be overseeing the maintenance contract for the port.  I was interviewed by Navy personnel - and will probably be reporting to someone in the Navy and then to the Joint Command in Bagdad.  I have learned that (like when I went to Afghanistan) you get over there and your job can change drastically within a week or so....so for now, I will try and remain flexible and just be ready for whatever is needed. 
 Anyrate, once I got down here, I told Tiffany in person - I didn't want to do it over the phone - but I wanted to do that before I posted on the web (Facebook) and let all of my friends around the country know.  There is also a chance (although it is getting more remote every day) that this could still fall apart.  As with anything, there is a lot of paperwork, training and red tape that I still need to complete.  There is still a lot of stuff that has to happen and I will be amazed if I can get over there sometime before February - but who knows. 
  For now, it is enough to process that it is probably going to happen.  Now we just sit back and let the fun begin.  Not sure how much I will post before I get over there - but like when I went to Afghanistan, I am planning on writing a summary once a week (probably Friday) and just tell what I have been doing.  I am also going to try and take a lot of photos and post them as well.