[SuperScout]

[Periodically, I get emails from my son, stationed in Afghanistan. After proper editing and censoring, I'll post them here, in my efforts to keep Americans informed at the war, at least from my son's perspective. Initially what he's alluding to in my efforts to get him some unshelled pecans, so that for relaxation, he can sit on his hooch and 'escape to Texas' for awhile!]

Hey Pop,
Don't put yourself out to much, not like I'm humping in triple canopied jungle during the monsoon season. How's your knee doing?

None the less, as you know its always a bright spot in the week when you get mail. Not sure if they'll do it, but Whittington's in Johnson City would be a nice sponsor for the unit. Perhaps they could send a box of assorted goodies that we could distribute to the soldiers out in the sticks. I could get my PAO do a good story with pictures on "Texans supporting Texans".
Our Texas Independence Day celebration went well. We raised a Texas flag that flew over our Capitol, the chaplain said a prayer, I read Lt Col Cmdr William B. Travis's letter, another Texan read part of our Declaration of Independence, and we all gave a Toast to Texas. All this in the company of about 100 folks not from the unit, who still probably don't get it, but didn't mind helping themselves to our BBQ.

We had a VBIED attack on our east gate, which I drive by on occasion, I happen to be in my hooch at the time. Cleaning out centuries, it seems, of dust. I had my sheets washed, so I thought I'd give my space a good GI ing before I made my rack. I'm hoping it would cut down on the mud balls I'm blowing out my nose in the morning. The explosion had enough force to vibrate stuff in the hooch, luckily no KIAs, only a couple of WIA that should pull through.

Out teams continue to bring in valuable intel that is being actioned.
We conducted another OP, that I couldn't even let my 3 shop in on. Went well, but one of the shit heads had to be released due to connections, can tell you nothing more.
Love you - Greg