I am sitting here in Shannon, Ireland thinking about the last two weeks. What a wonderful opportunity to be able to personally bring good cheer to our troops all the way from Pensacola. I wanted to relay a message that was given to me by almost every man and uniform I talked to while on this adventure. Quite simply.....thank you. Thank you for your support, your patriotism, and your generosity. The letters were a huge hit...please hug your kids. The phone cards meant more than you will ever know, especially on Thanksgiving day when the troops were making multiple calls to family members. Here is a HUGE cyber hug from the troops to all of you!
I look forward to being home and to sharing all the stories and photos from my trip. I can't tell you how much it means to me that I had so much support from the community. I could feel your prayers and I would just like to ask you to continue to pray for and support all the members of our military and their families. Please thank a person in uniform when you see one and remind them that their service is appreciated and recognized.
My plane is about to leave and that is one I certainly DO NOT want to miss! I will see you all back in Pensacola!
Dana
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Combat Showers...serious business
Combat showers have NOT been my best friend while here in Kuwait and Iraq. The purpose of a combat shower (also know as a Navy shower or a C-shower) is to preserve water since each person is allotted about 15 gallons per day to use. This is the combat shower process...
1. Strip all clothes off leaving nothing on but flip flops or shower shoes.
2. Step inside shower and pull closed the curtain which is probably just hanging on by two or three shower rings.
3. Turn on water which, of course, comes out cold then warms up to a decent temperature.
4. Leave water on only long enough to get entire body wet.
5. Turn off water and shampoo hair.
6. Turn water on and rinse out shampoo
7. Turn water off and lather up body with soap.
8. Turn water on and rinse off water.
9. Step out of shower and exchange awkward glances with other people who are showering who are also standing there buck naked.
10. Dry off and get dressed.
Now...after spending all day walking around the base in the wind and sand...a girl tends to get a little dusty and looks forward to getting a shower and feeling like herself again. This is why the combat showers are NOT my best friend. Here is a fun fact about me...I like to push the envelope from time to time. You know... break the rules, be a rebel, a renegade. Like the time I took 25 items through the express line at Publix, or the time I tapped in to someone else's wireless Internet. So....when Thanksgiving morning came, I took this as an opportunity to treat myself. I felt like it was a holiday present to me. I decided to get up early (430am) because I knew the showers would be empty( I had been scoping out the shower schedules for days.) This was the day I would take a REGULAR shower...no interruptions.
This was the progression of the NEW AND IMPROVED COMBAT SHOWER~ DANA STYLE:
1. I stripped down to just my flip flops....while the water was heating up to an almost unbearable hot temperature. Hot enough that I could barely stand it. hat's how I like it.
2. I stepped in and began to wet my entire body..taking my time of course.
3. I shampooed my hair AND conditioned it...twice.
4. I lathered up my body with soap and scrubbed every inch....twice.
5. I then decided it was too nice to stop...so I decided to shave my legs. It was time...trust me.
6. I then almost slipped and fell due to a VERY loud alarm that began to go off in my shower trailer. It was the smoke alarm...BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!!!! Yeah...steam makes smoke alarms go off by the way.
7. I got out, dripping wet, naked, and began fanning the steam away from the alarm before the whole camp woke up and sent in the Fire Crew to catch me in the act...still naked.
8. Alarm stopped. I didn't shave my legs. Shower over.
Moral of the story...Combat showers are NOT my best friend.
Until next time.
Dusty Dana
1. Strip all clothes off leaving nothing on but flip flops or shower shoes.
2. Step inside shower and pull closed the curtain which is probably just hanging on by two or three shower rings.
3. Turn on water which, of course, comes out cold then warms up to a decent temperature.
4. Leave water on only long enough to get entire body wet.
5. Turn off water and shampoo hair.
6. Turn water on and rinse out shampoo
7. Turn water off and lather up body with soap.
8. Turn water on and rinse off water.
9. Step out of shower and exchange awkward glances with other people who are showering who are also standing there buck naked.
10. Dry off and get dressed.
Now...after spending all day walking around the base in the wind and sand...a girl tends to get a little dusty and looks forward to getting a shower and feeling like herself again. This is why the combat showers are NOT my best friend. Here is a fun fact about me...I like to push the envelope from time to time. You know... break the rules, be a rebel, a renegade. Like the time I took 25 items through the express line at Publix, or the time I tapped in to someone else's wireless Internet. So....when Thanksgiving morning came, I took this as an opportunity to treat myself. I felt like it was a holiday present to me. I decided to get up early (430am) because I knew the showers would be empty( I had been scoping out the shower schedules for days.) This was the day I would take a REGULAR shower...no interruptions.
This was the progression of the NEW AND IMPROVED COMBAT SHOWER~ DANA STYLE:
1. I stripped down to just my flip flops....while the water was heating up to an almost unbearable hot temperature. Hot enough that I could barely stand it. hat's how I like it.
2. I stepped in and began to wet my entire body..taking my time of course.
3. I shampooed my hair AND conditioned it...twice.
4. I lathered up my body with soap and scrubbed every inch....twice.
5. I then decided it was too nice to stop...so I decided to shave my legs. It was time...trust me.
6. I then almost slipped and fell due to a VERY loud alarm that began to go off in my shower trailer. It was the smoke alarm...BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP!!!! Yeah...steam makes smoke alarms go off by the way.
7. I got out, dripping wet, naked, and began fanning the steam away from the alarm before the whole camp woke up and sent in the Fire Crew to catch me in the act...still naked.
8. Alarm stopped. I didn't shave my legs. Shower over.
Moral of the story...Combat showers are NOT my best friend.
Until next time.
Dusty Dana
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Back in Kuwait...
I left Al Asad yesterday in the middle of a sandstorm. When I say in the middle...I mean I was standing on the flight line with 30 other people waiting to hop on a C130 and a sandstorm came out of nowhere and we had to wait it out...standing IN IT. Sand....everywhere. Actually, a day later I am still finding sand in places I didn't think it could reach.
I got on the plane and instead of being totally irritated that I had sand from head to toe...I was a little sad to see my time with the marines end. I was on this flight with all navy men and women who were heading home after a 6 month deployment. This was the first step of their out processing and their spirits were high. They were taking pictures of each other and laughing about the sand. Some leaned their head on another and grabbed a nap during the flight. It was then that I began to realize that as anxious as they must be to get home to their families, it seemed they were also going to really miss the new family they had found while serving in the desert. Their family at home may be the one they share old memories with but this new family is the one they share new memories with...memories that would only mean something to someone who knew what was like to be stuck in the desert, taking cold showers. sleeping on hard cots, eating different food, etc... I got a little emotional as I observed this group because I realized that our men and women in uniform are constantly dealing with goodbyes. They have to say goodbye to family when they deploy, friends when the get new orders, coworkers, school teachers, pastors, it's just one goodbye after the next. Yet, they do it. They do it because it is part of the job they love. This trip has opened my eyes to the sacrifices that I thought I knew of our military..but really...I didn't know the half of it.
So I said goodbye to this group of men and women, then I thought about how I said goodbye to the marines and how I will say goodbye to the 146th that I am spending time with again in Kuwait. I know without a doubt that no matter how strong of a woman I think I am....there are military wives and families that continue to amaze me with their courage.
I will spend the rest of this weekend here in Kuwait with the 146th. It's mostly downtime for them as they prepare to head out to other parts of the country for the remainder of their deployment. On Monday I will spend time with our Navy Corpsman from Naval Hospital Pensacola who are serving at Camp Arifjan in another part of Kuwait. I will continue to keep you posted but as for now I will say......goodbye.
I got on the plane and instead of being totally irritated that I had sand from head to toe...I was a little sad to see my time with the marines end. I was on this flight with all navy men and women who were heading home after a 6 month deployment. This was the first step of their out processing and their spirits were high. They were taking pictures of each other and laughing about the sand. Some leaned their head on another and grabbed a nap during the flight. It was then that I began to realize that as anxious as they must be to get home to their families, it seemed they were also going to really miss the new family they had found while serving in the desert. Their family at home may be the one they share old memories with but this new family is the one they share new memories with...memories that would only mean something to someone who knew what was like to be stuck in the desert, taking cold showers. sleeping on hard cots, eating different food, etc... I got a little emotional as I observed this group because I realized that our men and women in uniform are constantly dealing with goodbyes. They have to say goodbye to family when they deploy, friends when the get new orders, coworkers, school teachers, pastors, it's just one goodbye after the next. Yet, they do it. They do it because it is part of the job they love. This trip has opened my eyes to the sacrifices that I thought I knew of our military..but really...I didn't know the half of it.
So I said goodbye to this group of men and women, then I thought about how I said goodbye to the marines and how I will say goodbye to the 146th that I am spending time with again in Kuwait. I know without a doubt that no matter how strong of a woman I think I am....there are military wives and families that continue to amaze me with their courage.
I will spend the rest of this weekend here in Kuwait with the 146th. It's mostly downtime for them as they prepare to head out to other parts of the country for the remainder of their deployment. On Monday I will spend time with our Navy Corpsman from Naval Hospital Pensacola who are serving at Camp Arifjan in another part of Kuwait. I will continue to keep you posted but as for now I will say......goodbye.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving...turkey is still good in the desert!
Today I approached the line at the Dining Facility here at Al Asad, Iraq and instead of being annoyed at the sight of thousands of Marines in line waiting to eat before me, I was excited to have that many troops at my disposal to talk to and give hand written letters of appreciation from Pensacola. I made my way through the line talking with men and women who were, of course, sad that today was a day that reminded them of life back at home. As I handed them letters from school children and they began to read them...their faces lit up and they smiled ear to ear.
You couldn't help but chuckle while they read some of them aloud. Like the one from Colton at Bailey Middle School. Colton thanked the troops for their service then professed his love for skating and talked about how skilled he was in the sport. many of the letters were filled with questions from the kids like, " Do you get to shoot your gun all the time?" Another popular sentiment, "Pensacola loves you and wants you to come home safely to your families." The troops reading the letters were happy to see that many of the letters had return addresses and they would be able to write the kids back to thank them for taking the time to send letters to Iraq.
I made my way through the line and entered a Thanksgiving wonderland. There were dozens of life size sculptures. The most breathtaking one to me was the United States Marine Corps War Memorial of Iwo Jima. The interesting part....it was carved out of BUTTER! There was also a butter sculpture of a large American Indian, and entire Muslim Mosque, and also turkeys carved out of watermelons. it was amazing!! The troops were touring around the DFAC taking pictures of each other in front of the displays so they could email the photos home to their families.
The mood in the whole place was light and fun. Jazz music played on the speakers and the tables were decorated with Thanksgiving decorations and had bottles of sparkling grape juice to drink. The food was incredible! The men and women in uniform were enjoying things like prime rib, smoked turkey, roasted turkey, ham, Hawaiian roast pork, Cornish game hen, two different kinds of stuffing, tons of veggies, mashed potatoes with gravy, 8 different salads, and don't get me started on the dessert table! We ate like kings! I definitely was not surprised to see that the gym was full later in the day. That's a motivated Marine for you!Even though the food was closer to homemade than any of us expected, you couldn't deny the fact that the troops were missing something. They were missing their families and they weren't shy about talking about what they would be doing for Thanksgiving if they were home. All that I spoke with were anxiously awaiting to call home. With a 7-10 hour time difference to the United States, most began making their calls around 7pm. It was such a pleasure to be able to hand out phone cards that were sent with me. Phone cards that were donated by different groups such as The Ono Ladies Club, The USO, Baptist Hospital, The Gold Wing Riders, and many generous community members who just wanted to do a little something for the men and women serving our country. Many of the troops made those calls for free because the people of Pensacola cared enough to give.
My family always look forward to spending the holidays together. My two boys, Jake and Alex, are very sentimental when it comes to family time. I couldn't help but feel a little guilty...ok, REALLY guilty about being away from them two years in a row on Thanksgiving. But when I called in to do my live reports today on Cat Country 98.7, my co-host Brent Lane and his wife Angie who is filling in for me on the show, surprised me by having my boys call into the show and talk to me live while we were on the air. The boys took the time to tell me they understood why I was away and that they couldn't be more proud of what I was doing. So just when I thought my day couldn't get any better...I got the stamp of approval and a little more encouragement from a couple of kids who are pretty special for being strong while their mother is away at a time that is meant for families.
I know I have said it before but it is something I believe in strongly. Please take the time each night when you tick in your kids and say your prayers together as a family to pray for our troops. Pray for the men and women who serve our country everyday overseas and right there at home. No matter what you may think of the war...it is our duty as Americans to support the troops.
I hope you all are enjoying the leftovers and I look forward to coming home soon. I will be leaving Iraq Friday evening and heading back to Kuwait to check in with our local 146th ESB National Guard Unit until Sunday and then head to a different part of Kuwait to check in on our Navy corpsman serving at Camp Arifjan from Naval Hospital Pensacola. I saved some letters and phone cards for those men and women as well and look forward to further representing Pensacola on the last leg of my journey in the Middle East.
Til next time...
Dana
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Crybaby...
Wow...I am such a wuss! I have spent today visiting more Pensacola trained Marines and passing out letters and phone cards. Well, my goodness...I can't believe some of the responses I am getting. Big Ol' Marines getting all choked up reading some of the letters written by 21,000 people our community. It truly touched me to see how a letter from a STRANGER could really brighten the day of a person who is serving in Iraq right now. I mean, I get it. I am away from my family this Thanksgiving too. But these men and women are here for 6, 8, 10, even 12 months at a time. I am totally homesick now and it hasn't even been two weeks!
if you or your child were one of the 21,000 who wrote letters...I want to thank you. Thank you fo r taking the time to do something selfless this holiday season. You may have though that your one little letter or card couldn't possibly change the mood of anyone who read it..but I saw it happen today. Right in front of my eyes...smiles, tears, laughter and appreciation. i could see it on the faces of the men and women in uniform who were reading them. I passed around phone cards and the troops couldn't believe the generosity of one community. They were going to be able to call home to their wives, husbands, kids, moms, and dads for free because some of you cared enough to donate cards.
The war here in Iraq has been going on now for about 5 years and I know that sometimes it may seem like "old news." But trust me friends, it is still a sacrifice everyday to the Marines, Sailors and Soldiers that are away from their families serving their country. it means the world to me that I can serve as somewhat of an ambassador of Pensacola. It makes me proud to represent a community that cares about their military.
While you are thawing the turkey, making the pies, and getting the guest rooms ready in your homes for the visitors who will share a special day of Thanksgiving...please remember to take a moment to pray for those who are without their families, their comfy beds, and their mama's homemade pumpkin pie but who still manage to keep their spirits high.
Sleep well tonight, Pensacola...and thank you for making me proud here in Iraq! Hug your kids tonight and let them know that their letters are hanging all over the walls of offices, squadrons, and "cans" on the other side of the world.
Thank You,
Dana
if you or your child were one of the 21,000 who wrote letters...I want to thank you. Thank you fo r taking the time to do something selfless this holiday season. You may have though that your one little letter or card couldn't possibly change the mood of anyone who read it..but I saw it happen today. Right in front of my eyes...smiles, tears, laughter and appreciation. i could see it on the faces of the men and women in uniform who were reading them. I passed around phone cards and the troops couldn't believe the generosity of one community. They were going to be able to call home to their wives, husbands, kids, moms, and dads for free because some of you cared enough to donate cards.
The war here in Iraq has been going on now for about 5 years and I know that sometimes it may seem like "old news." But trust me friends, it is still a sacrifice everyday to the Marines, Sailors and Soldiers that are away from their families serving their country. it means the world to me that I can serve as somewhat of an ambassador of Pensacola. It makes me proud to represent a community that cares about their military.
While you are thawing the turkey, making the pies, and getting the guest rooms ready in your homes for the visitors who will share a special day of Thanksgiving...please remember to take a moment to pray for those who are without their families, their comfy beds, and their mama's homemade pumpkin pie but who still manage to keep their spirits high.
Sleep well tonight, Pensacola...and thank you for making me proud here in Iraq! Hug your kids tonight and let them know that their letters are hanging all over the walls of offices, squadrons, and "cans" on the other side of the world.
Thank You,
Dana
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Finally at Al Asad, Iraq
I am finally here! I had an exciting ride over from Ali Al Saleem, Kuwait on a C130. The cool part was the pilots came and got me from the back and let me ride in the cockpit of the plane. It was so neat listening to them communicate with each other and Air Traffic Control. I got to see Iraq from the air in the middle of the night through night vision goggles. It was so cool to see all the oil fires in the desert. There were tons of other aircraft in the air flying maneuvers as well.
I got settled in to my "can" where I will be living for the next several days. It is basically a small trailer with a couple twin beds and a heater and AC unit. It is nice that it also has an Internet connection as well. Unfortunately, due to some security concerns, they restricted all communication for a day or so. I happen to be able to use the computer in the public affairs office which was handy.
I toured two squadrons today and got to know the insides and outs of the Prowler jet and the Osprey. Both very cool aircraft. The troops assigned to those squadrons were so happy to get some of the letters and phone cards and send messages home to their families.
Tomorrow I will see more of this huge air base and spread more cheer to the troops! That's what I do best,right!!
I have awesome escorts from Public Affairs who are making sure I see everything and get the opportunity to talk ti as many Pensacola trained Marines as possible.
Off to the DFAC for some chow...talk to you soon!
Good night from Iraq where the sunsets are beautiful but the water is gross.
Dana
Monday, November 24, 2008
I Think it is Sunday...
Well, after 30+ hours of flying I am now in Kuwait. The 146th National Guard Unit that I am traveling with are fantastic. They are really looking out for me and making sure I am where I am supposed to be at all times. We finally took off from Ft. Bliss, Texas at 645am Saturday Nov 21. We had to be at the terminal at 3am so it has been a longggggg journey. We had an 8 hour flight to Shannon, Ireland and got to enjoy a 5 hour layover there. The Internet was very slow which was frustrating to many who were trying to update their families. There was a duty free shop, a coffee bar, and some very uncomfortable chairs to sit in. We mostly chatted and took photos and got to know one another.
We then boarded our plane again and took off at 345am Sunday (Ireland time) and settled in for another 6 hour flight to Kuwait. We were so exhausted that most of us slept the entire time. You know this girl is tired when she sleeps through not one, but TWO meal services. We arrived in Kuwait and did just that...WAITED. We boarded 4 big buses and rode for 2 hours to Camp Buehring. We gathered in a big tent for a safety briefing, then headed to the DFAC (dining facility) for some much needed nourishment. The food was great and the bathrooms were working...I was a happy girl.
It was now time to unload two HUGE trucks which held ALLLLLL the bags. What a mess that was! Luckily, my bags looked different and were east to spot. We then made our way to our sleeping tents and started to get settled. I am in a tent with about 20 other women who were all missing their families terribly. I thought this would be a perfect time to share some of the phone cards that were donated for me to bring here to the troops. The ladies were all smiles and very appreciative! Thanks to many of you...the these ladies had a free call home to their loved ones!
It is almost midnight on Sunday here in Kuwait and I have to be up in 6 hours so I will close. I think I will get up extra early and finally take a shower...with water! We only have 15 gallons of water per person per day so I hope to be the first one in to get a little of that action. The water can NOT be consumed, so it is back to brushing the teeth with bottled water to ensure we don't come down with the crud.
I hope to touch base with you all tomorrow when I arrive at Al Asad Iraq. I miss you all and can really feel all the prayers you are sending my way. If you happen to know and see one or both of my boys...tell them I miss them and I am so proud to be their mom!
Stinky but still smiling...
Dana in Iraq
We then boarded our plane again and took off at 345am Sunday (Ireland time) and settled in for another 6 hour flight to Kuwait. We were so exhausted that most of us slept the entire time. You know this girl is tired when she sleeps through not one, but TWO meal services. We arrived in Kuwait and did just that...WAITED. We boarded 4 big buses and rode for 2 hours to Camp Buehring. We gathered in a big tent for a safety briefing, then headed to the DFAC (dining facility) for some much needed nourishment. The food was great and the bathrooms were working...I was a happy girl.
It was now time to unload two HUGE trucks which held ALLLLLL the bags. What a mess that was! Luckily, my bags looked different and were east to spot. We then made our way to our sleeping tents and started to get settled. I am in a tent with about 20 other women who were all missing their families terribly. I thought this would be a perfect time to share some of the phone cards that were donated for me to bring here to the troops. The ladies were all smiles and very appreciative! Thanks to many of you...the these ladies had a free call home to their loved ones!
It is almost midnight on Sunday here in Kuwait and I have to be up in 6 hours so I will close. I think I will get up extra early and finally take a shower...with water! We only have 15 gallons of water per person per day so I hope to be the first one in to get a little of that action. The water can NOT be consumed, so it is back to brushing the teeth with bottled water to ensure we don't come down with the crud.
I hope to touch base with you all tomorrow when I arrive at Al Asad Iraq. I miss you all and can really feel all the prayers you are sending my way. If you happen to know and see one or both of my boys...tell them I miss them and I am so proud to be their mom!
Stinky but still smiling...
Dana in Iraq
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