Bib overalls and carbines

Finally, after 171 days of drought it rained today. There are good days even in the desert. Well, you probably wouldn’t call it rain, it was more like a good sprinkle, but the ground was actually wet. People came running through where I work shouting, “It is raining outside!” “Really?” A large group of us gathered outside, and ran around in the rain like children playing in the spring time. I had forgotten that smell and the feel of moisture in the air. It was wonderful.

Soldiers stopped their armored vehicles, took off their Kevlar helmets, while some even removed their body armor to fully appreciate moment. The whole scene reminded me of the pictures I have seen of the famished farmers during the dust bowl of the 1930s. Suddenly we were no longer dressed in combat uniforms, but worn bib overalls and our M-4 carbines were transformed into farm tools. There we stood looking up at the sky, as though we were in complete wonder.

We probably stood there for 15 minutes looking into the sky. We were hypnotized by the mist of the light rain, the gentle breeze, and the sensation of coolness that was brought about by the whole experience. It occurred to me that you can appreciate life’s most simple pleasures if they are absent for long enough.

Even as we stared into the sky we could not resist the urge to spash in the few puddles that had formed. Afterall, we are all just boys, no matter where we may be.

Today is rained, and for a brief moment we were transported in time to our favorite memories of a summer day filled with laughter, wonder, and peace.

Sadly though, just as our days of innocence ended, so must the rain.

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A slice of American pie far from the serving dish

Warning: lots of statistics to follow. To avoid the numbers, skip down about five paragraphs, but then you won’t know what the narrative is about. Let me also say, I am not endorsing either candidate, this is simply a view you probably have not have been exposed to.

I just finished reading an interesting article in Army Times (who also publish Marine Corps Times, Navy Times and Air Force Times) concerning the presidential election. The Oct 13th Exclusive: Backing McCain shows that from a polling of 4300 military members, 68% plan to vote for Senator McCain, while just 23% plan to vote for Senator Obama for President. The remainder were undecided or declined to answer.

The responses were consistent throughout military branches with 68% of Army in support of McCain, 69% of Navy, 67% of Air Force, and 75% of the Marine Corps. When it came to gender, 70% of men were in support of McCain, while 53% of women supported him. When considering age, in the 18-34 age group 65% supported McCain, while in the 35 and older group, 70% were in voting for McCain.

The one demographic that is not planning to vote for McCain in the military is the African –American population in which 79% plan to vote for Obama. All other ethnicities supported McCain by over 58%.

For those of you who like even more numbers, active duty respondents showed 67% support of McCain, the guard and reserve forces 71%, and retirees 72%.

The top three issues cited by military voters were: The character of the candidate with 42% citing this as most important, the economy with 25% saying this is most important, and the war in Iraq third with 16% stating this was most important.

If you managed to get through all of that, you enjoyed math class far more than I ever did.

I am asked this question almost every day. “Who is the military in favor of?” I have always said, I really don’t know, we are not allowed to discuss politics openly. We by our position are apolitical. I had a request by CNN to come to our FOB (Forward Operating Base) to film troops watching the debates, be we had to decline. The reason was because a soldier may make a comment that shows support for one candidate over the other and that footage would be exploited by one or both candidates. CNN then wanted to film soldiers filling out their absentee ballots, but we had to decline on that too. No soldier was willing to take the risk. We do however, highly encourage every member of the armed forces to vote. Everyone who works around me has already mailed in their absentee ballot. It seems that when you live every day as we do, voting is very important, as is freedom, but perhaps not necessarily the kind you are thinking of.

Ok, I can’t resist. Here is one more statistic for your consumption. It is estimated that as many as 70% of Americans base their vote on political party. I know many people for whom this is true. The Army Times survey showed that only 2 percent of the military base their voting decision on party affiliation. Now there is an irony in this. English teacher alert! Members of the military live very structured lives, what many may even say has little freedom. Yet, most Americans in the states believe they live a life of freedom, yet come election day many of those same free Americans shackle themselves to political parties and do not exercise their own judgment concerning the candidate they feel will best lead the country. While we in the military, who live under near authoritarian rule, are not bound by political party affiliation, actually making a freer choice than those back home who are being influenced by unions, churches, or which party our grandfather voted for. Don't worry political parties - when the soldiers get back in "the world" the lessons we have learned will begin to fade and sadly we too will defer our judgement to organizations.

Our new commanding general said in an interview with 60 Minutes he will not vote in national elections any more. He says when he became a general he decided it was best he not vote, instead focus on the job he had sworn to do, to protect and defend the Constitution. You have to respect that.

We in Iraq are far removed from what is deemed important back in the states. There is a lot you find important over there that we just don't understand any more. It is interesting that the military which is commonly referred to as a “slice of America”, holds political differences that are so very different than the America they were cut from. I wonder what changes in the contents of the pie when it is shipped around the world, baked at high temperatures and exposed to extreme violence? All I know is we are somehow changed.

In sha la

You know, good things just happen sometimes.

I was just thinking yesterday that my running shoes are getting a little bit old (I bought them August a year ago) and even was shopping for some new shoes on line. Then I got busy and didn't order any.

Last night while walking back to my CHU (Collapsible Housing Unit), I threw some trash in a garbage can. Right there at the bottom of the can I noticed a new pair of shoes. I picked them up and looked them over, they were my size, had not been worn and were a pretty nice pair of Nike running shoes. I walked away at first, then turned and thought, "What the hell." I went back and rescued them from the trash.

I ran in them today and they are great. What a find!

When soldiers are leaving Iraq they throw out everything in order to lighten the load. I guess someone just couldn't fit the shoes in their duffel bag. All I have to say about that is, "Thanks for the shoes. I hope you have a great trip home."

My Arabic friends are always telling me, "In sha la (if it is God's will). A good way to view life I suppose. My take on this discovery is, I guess he wants me to run. So I do.

It is beginning to get cold

Whew! We have finally dropped below 100 degrees for the first time since early May.

The average temperature for the Iraqi “three months of Hell” has been 125 degrees with spikes up into the 130s a few times. There are those who say once the temperature gets over 110 degrees you can’t really tell the difference, well, they are full of crap. Hot is hot, but really hot is indescribable.

As I left my hooch this morning there was actually a suggestion of cool in the air mixed with a gentle breeze. A cool 99 degrees. Ahhhh.

The forecast is for us to drop below 90 next week. I think I may freeze. I am going to dig out my winter jacket. That is a 40 degree drop. For you folks used to Michigan summers, this is like going from 70 to 30. Yep, a coat will be in my wardrobe soon.

There is still no forecast for rain. I have not seen a drop of rain since I got here. I am beginning to wonder if it ever rains in Iraq. I think this place is permanently parched. A few drops feel when I was in Kuwait about six months back, but they dehydrated as soon as they hit the Earth, but none for Baghdad for almost 6 months. I think I may just have to take a natural shower outdoors if a storm ever does show up.

Tomorrow is my day off and I will be walking around looking at the sky waiting for something wet to fall. I will bring a towel with me just in case.