Week 10 - My Week in Iraq

Greetings from Umm Qasr!  (Umm Qasr – which I think is Arabic for “sure, you may call it 120 degrees, 30 mph winds, and sand constantly blowing in your face…. but we call it “desert ambiance”!).  I hope you had a good week.
Also, let me say I hope you enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend. I got the honor and privilege to stand with the US Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard officers and enlisted men - to remember those fallen service members who have given the ultimate sacrifice. This was my second time to commemorate this event with the Armed Forces (the first time I was in Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan in 2004). I will say this – it is hard to stand, without tears, when they read off the names of the fallen soldiers – or to hear the prayer of a gruff former Master Sergeant, as his voice cracks as he prays for God to keep the service members standing before us safe and let them eventually return home to be with their families.
As for my week – well, a couple of things – the first being I have the two local engineers working with me and they are trying to teach me words in Arabic. Not sure how long they are going to try and beat this dead horse – they may discover that some things are a lost cause. For instance the “hkh” sound…. you make this sound by hacking up - like you are a cat with a huge hairball - and simultaneously gagging and swearing. Then you just about got it. The engineers already “understand” me – they both have good senses of humor and are already learning to “ply” me with Iraqi flatbread. I have not overeaten over here – for several reasons – but the two things I “indulge in” are my coffee and my Iraqi Flatbread. Haydar (one of the engineers) said his mother was making me some homemade flatbread (the stuff I have been eating so far has been store bought – about 15 cents a bag full) – but his mom was making me homemade flatbread – and she was going to use sesame in it…. He said she doesn’t even do that for him. So I am honored that she thinks so highly of me. I can’t wait to try it and I get to be spoiled – even in Iraq!
Additionally, I had some “good times” this week – so I have never been in 125 deg (F) heat before – I have been close –114 in Texas, 110 in California – but never got to 125 (especially in late May/early June). You know what I found out? When you go in and out of the office – sure it is hot – but what really gets you warm is your clothes. When I come back into an office (the temp is about 80 or so – and that is relatively cool) – well, your clothes are as if they just came out of the dryer – I sweat more when I come in and sit down – because my pants and shirt are so warm – from just being outside (and it is even worse when you have to stand in the sun.) I have no idea if that is why the locals wear the robes – but it makes me wonder…. also, the computers are really hot (we have laptops) and the computer gets so warm that it hurts the palms of my hands to put them on there directly.
Then we had some problems with electricity – let’s say Murphy kicked in (from Murphy’s Law) and we were “down” to one click away from the whole electrical system of the camp shutting down – some (electrical) things were overheating so badly we had to pour water on them and shut them down every hour or so. What happens is you sit there in your (semi-warm) office knowing that the next little “blip” in the system could mean you are sitting in the desert with no ac, no refrigeration, no lights, and no Walmart to run to nor an AAA auto club to call. Well, there is – but they are about 8000 miles away. Every once in a while, the power would go off for a few minutes – and you sit there thinking – is this the “final?” Are we totally without power? I got on my haji phone and talked to a nearby city to get some help – but it was at least two hours away…. so you sit there even further. Everyone changed into shorts and some non-essentials were asked to go back to their hootches and conserve energy. The heat passes – now it’s only 120 deg…then 115 – so now they can cool the unit down a little easier – 110….then 105. We are still on “minimal support” but the power is on for most of the time. It looks like it might be over with. Everyone holds their collective breath - the sun is starting to go down now….. looks like we made it. Waiting for delivery of parts…. they’ll get here soon…. but not soon enough. The parts finally get here…. and they are the wrong ones. Luckily, I have one of the locals that I am friends with going to Baghdad and he gets the correct parts to me the next day – they are in process of installing – but if an emergency happens now, it would not be catastrophic.
Alright, I also got another trip to visit the Iraqi Marines and I took one of my engineers with me. Now, I can only get out there every so often – because I have certain “requirements” that must be taken for my protection. But here is the thing – I LOVE designing and creating new things. And as I get the opportunity to do that, well (as some of you may know), I get a little excited. So, I have been designing (on paper) a new infrastructure for the Iraqi Marines – and I have had to do a lot with overhead photos, google maps, my own photos, etc. And with some of this stuff – I have to make assumptions – because I can’t just drive out there and take out a measuring stick.
So here is the scene – I am with a young Lt and a Sgt from the USMC, an Iraqi Marine Captain, and my Iraqi Engineer…. we are walking out to the back of the brigade – as I have been designing this area for weeks without seeing it (scary – if you have ever designed something only on paper….as I will also have to build it)….. so the back of the brigade has those big cloth square bags of dirt (we call them Hesco barriers – but that might be a “brand name”) – they are big barriers filled with dirt that are used for force protection – well, these are stacked two high….about 7 feet tall – and of course, I may walk like “the duke” but I ain’t as tall as him…. so we grab an “Iraqi ladder” (meaning it was a bed frame that was laying on its side) and prop it up against the hescos…. and (of course) I am the first one up….. and I get up….. and look and here is what I see…..

I KNOW…..BEAUTIFUL, RIGHT?? Doesn’t that just make your heart jump?!? I was doing the “dance of joy” on top of the Hesco barriers – and everyone is looking at me like maybe I stepped on a killer ant nest. Here’s the thing…. you see, all this time, I have been trying to build something without seeing exactly what was there – I was expecting buildings, cars, unexploded bombs... [BTW, this is next to the place where we were walking towards the compound and someone says - very calmly, “Oh - watch out…. there is an unexploded mortar round there.  Don’t step on it…”
DON’T STEP ON IT!?  You’re lucky I don’t immediately throw myself on the ground and wait to be airlifted out of there! Don’t step on it…. sheesh…]
But back to my story - - - -
You see, I was so excited because there was this big pile of trash – everywhere – but there were no buildings, no big bomb holes, no huge craters or things sticking out. Trash can (easily) be picked up and moved or bundled up, etc. and the area was about 15 feet wider than I had planned for… WHOO-HOO!!
Okay, it might look like a dump to you…. but (believe it or not) I have done more with worse. One of my goals is to get this project moving – because in my mind – I see this BEE-YOU-TEE-FULL area – with a new DFAC for the Iraqis and an “oasis” with green grass and a fountain – and some small trees. A cool little fenced-in area where they can march and gather – and that has a light fabric cover on it with lights – maybe some outdoor tiles – and of course, a cool generator building with an Island – etc. etc. etc. I mean, this place is going to rock….as a matter of fact, it is going to I-ROCK …..(okay, I gotta admit…. I have been saving that one for awhile… I know… I-raq…. I-rock…. I told you. I crack me up…). But I cannot WAIT to make this into a great spot for the Iraqis. And I am going to do it on a fraction of the budget that would otherwise happen (long story – but that is part of the reason I have the two Iraqi engineers working for me…)
Final thing - - Okay, if I asked you what you think makes America a great country– how would you respond? Think about it… what sets us apart? Would it be personal freedom? I think that is a big part of it. Would you say it is because you can work hard to become a success – no matter where you come from? That is important too. But here is my answer - - what sets America apart is our generosity. Whether it is from soldiers giving of their lives to set people free…. from people giving to help their neighbors in time of crisis or – something I would like to tell you about – and what I was happy to be a part of this week…
Alrighty then, let me see if I can explain this…. I have a friend in Georgia – who forwards my updates to her cousin…. and she forwards it to a friend of hers in Florida. The friend in Florida – who doesn’t know me from Tom Selleck - (FYI - I’m the one in “the hat”) – offered to send me some soccer equipment and shoes…. as she heard (correctly) that the Iraqi kids LOVE to play soccer – but they can’t afford shoes – so they play barefoot and consequently suffer a lot of broken toes (again, a true statement).
This was a gracious offer – and I offered to pay for shipping – but no…. she said I had done enough – so she shipped 7 boxes of shoes, socks, shorts, and shirts over here. I got with one of the ‘Terps (and please remember that is an endearing term – and I can’t use their real names – as we have had some ‘terps quit – because their families have received death threats – so these are brave young men in their own right). But the ‘Terps knew some local teachers – and we distributed the items to a local school. The kids went bananas…

Iraqi kids holding on to soccer gear

Teacher reading to some of the kids

Okay, here is what gets me…. the ‘Terp came to my room that night and gave me back my camera (I asked him to take photos – since I am not allowed off base without a convoy) – but the guy was so excited about the kids getting the stuff…. he gave me a “blow-by-blow” description of how each kid was so happy and they wanted to just run out and put their shoes on and go play soccer in the sandy field. (It was getting dark by the time they got out there and the ‘Terps had to return to the base). So - here is a reason why I think America is great - the ‘Terp (I told him about the lady) was astounded that - a woman I didn’t even know – would pay her own money - to send stuff across the world – to give shoes to kids she would never, ever meet.

To quote a songwriter ……”Ain’t that America?”

Generosity like that happens all the time in America (ask the folks in Joplin, Japan, New Orleans, or many, many, many - of the other places that have had catastrophes) – and how churches, and synagogues, and community groups would get together and send clothes, food, money, water – without asking who it is for or without expecting any “return” on their gift. I would say, yes…. we are a country with a lot of excesses – but my own personal belief is that - we are a rich country BECAUSE we give without strings to those who need it. We are not a country that only gives because we are rich.
There are lots of rich countries around the world – and again, this is Wade’s personal opinion – but time after time after time – if there is a need or there is a concern - you will see groundswell support and a desire from the people (not the government) – but the everyday people - to assist, help out or to lend a hand.

– THAT is MY AMERICA.

Remember how I didn’t “name” the Marines who saved that little girl – or the Coast Guard guy who said “don’t worry, I got you…”? Sometimes, you must appreciate the act – for the act’s sake. I won’t name the woman (and she probably has no desire to be named by some unknown person in Iraq who likes to drone on about his hat….) – but to me she is “An American” – just like those Marines and Coast Guard members are “Americans.” Do you see now why I am so proud of my country?
Any rate, I am going to leave you with a few more photos of the kids.

And once again, dear friend, my time has come to an end. As always, I will stay safe, I will work hard, I will have fun, and I will try my best to make a difference. That is my pledge to the taxpayers who sent me here, my friends that I miss terribly, and the family that I am away from and love so dearly.

God Bless America

Wade “Mr. Wide”

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