News from Afghanistan

[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

[DMZ-LT]

Thanks Brice.Got his address you sent me and will be sending some unshelled pecans and other goodies asap. Tell him my family and I said Thank You !

[SuperScout]

Wow!! I've been searching for unshelled tree goobers - aka pecans - but as we had a smaller crop due to low rainfall, they're all gone now. I know that Greg will appreciate them. This weekend, I'll whip up a batch of chocolate chip cookies for he and his men. Just like when we got a care package from home, we shared with all our buddies; he's no different. What I've come to understand and appreciate myself is those cookies and other goodies became the adhesive that bonded up all together in brotherhood.

Thanks for being my brother, LT.

[SuperScout]

Dad,
I appreciate you taking the effort to track down some pecans for me, turns out our S-4 likes to crack and eat pecans as well. [LT: looks like your care package will be well received!] We were talking about it the other day, taking a break from the grind, cracking some pecans and playing a game of chess.

Glad to hear they don't have to cut on you, did they prescribe some rehab exercises that you can concentrate on? Pay with pain now and receive the reward later. [Greg is referring to a recent accident I had involving my pickup truck, some downed power cables, and my right knee.] I remember the sadistic nurses at Martin Army Hospital, after I busted up leg, pushing me to near tears. Luckily Rangers don't cry, I would give the wenches the satisfaction. Must have worked, I've logged many hours under the ruck and popping silk since then. [Greg is an Airborne/Ranger/Pathfinder qualified hard-charger.]

Speaking of nurses, we had a GO pin a couple of Purple Hearts on two of soldiers yesterday. A couple of 107mm landed on their MRAP while they were in the motorpool. Both are going to make it, SGT Wild will return to duty after a couple of weeks recoup in Germany. SFC Reed, wasn't so lucky, sucking chest wound and shrapnel to the head and kidney. The tough SOB, wants to return to duty as well, prognosis is three months to recover. The additional training we put our guys through paid off. We spent a chunk of change from the DA G2 and put about 60 of our guys through NEK (run by retired SF SGMs), which include "live tissue"
training. (Think pork ribs) Needless to say, SGT Ballard training probably kept Reed alive, medivac from his local to BAF took over an hour.
Please put them and their families in your prayers. [I second that!]
Say hello and give KC a hug for me.
Love - Greg

[DMZ-LT]

They are hard to find but I sometimes help an old lady in my neighbor hood and I told her about Greg. She has organized her friends that have pecan trees and promises to have a bunch to send me soon. Her brother fought in Vietnam. She says she will do what ever she can to thank " our boys " overseas. Goes around it comes around. Scouts Out Sir !

[SuperScout]

You da Man!

[melody1181]

Brice, It may be late in coming but if there is anythng I can do for your son or any of the men he serves with, let me know.

I am glad to hear he is doing well. My cousins wife is serving in Iraq right now and will be sent over there in a few months. My cousin, her Husband, was in Afghanistan a few years ago. I do believe he is a Major. Not sure what she is, she is a JAG though.

They all have my prayers. Thank your son for me!

[phuloi]

Hope ya`ll don`t mind an EM sapper joining in on this conversation, but I`d be proud to have Greg`s address as I too remember all too well the importance of care packages. Had a guy in my platoon, Benny Aires from SF, who would get huge rolls of hard Italian sausage from his mom. What a joy we had sharing that greasey treat!
Not much on goobers here in Montana, but let`s see...there`s a "Testicle Festival" coming up next month...?

[darrels joy]

Gunner Carvo can tell you stories about the 26 lb box of homemade cookies he got.

He actually complained about the oatmeal

I told him that I ran out of chocolate chips and peanut butter and some on his ship might like oatmeal cookies.

Joy

[SuperScout]

Purty sure that 'tree goobers,' aka pecans, don't do well up there in the frozen tundra. But knowing my son, he'd probably figure out a way to create a truly gourmet dish out of the mountain oysters!

Sent his APO via pm. Thanks fer asking.