Posted on 07/09/2005 8:20:41 AM PDT by nuke rocketeer
July 7, 2005
Today was a day off. What does a day off mean in Balad, Iraq? Well, first of all, its not really a day off, as we call them stand-by days. My stand-by day could be any day of the week and is hardly consistent, but I am extremely grateful when I get one. They tend not to be full days, as I am often asked to come in to do this or that, but today happened to be a full day. The day started late as I was able to sleep in until about 6:00am. I had to get dressed in my uniform and full battle gear just to call Jen and the kids. After my phone call, I walked down to the morale trailer (about a mile or so away) to check my email. I received 22 emails this morning with the hooray's for the good news. After checking emails, Doc Russell and I went to breakfast where I had the usual. Egg white cheese omlet, 2 sliced of bread and some fresh fruit, and have eaten this particular order every morning for the past two months (I can't forget the Red Bull). After breakfast I went back to my trailer to catch a little nap, only to awoken an hour later to some incoming mortars (a real pain when i'm trying to catch up on some sleep). After the alarm red, I couldn't go back to sleep, so I went an had my hair cut. Unfortunately, there tends to be less to cut each time I go....not sure why...:-) After my hair cut I went back to my room to do my weekly cleaning. It really is pointless to clean here, but I do it once a week anyway. After cleaning, I went to lunch and had a turkey and roastbeef pita, a salad and a gatorade. After lunch, I went back to my trailer to do some ironing. I try to iron my uniform every day, however, I was ironing a different uniform today, because to iron the one I am wearing while in battle gear is POINTLESS. After ironing, I sat down to read a little of John Adams biography, quite a good read actually. After reading for about an hour and a half or so, I decided to come over to the trailer again to do my daily email. When I am done here, I will probably head back to the MWR tent and see what's playing at the movies tonight, then do a bit more reading. That is my day off in a nutshell....and I can't wait to get home to have a weekend with Jen and the kids.
I was sad to hear of the news from London, and it only strengthens my conviction to continue this war on terror. It boggles the mind for there to be so much hate as to kill innocent men, women and children, and claim it for the good of their God. That is what I truly love about the United States... We can agree to disagree about politics and religion, and still manage not to kill ourselves over the differences. Pray today for those in London who have been devasted by the hate, we have to soon forgotten in the U.S. Remember to take care of each other today and hope I didn't bore you about my day.
In His Service, Coach Horne
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July 8, 2005
William Shakespeare wrote, "Now, God be praised, that to believing souls gives light in darkness, comfort in despair." I am thankful that in despair, there is light and comfort for my soul. Today was a day of despair, especially for those working in my building...
We had heard earlier, we were out of our full battle gear, much to the delight of all. In the middle of our elation, I was interupted by the news of an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) attack. The Air Force unit that works closely with us had three people outside the wire to attend to some buisness. Within a mile of returning to the base, they hit an IED and we badly injured. All three are in surgery as I write to you this email. One of the amazing things in all this, is how God uses his people to comfort one another in a time of despair.
The people here refer to me as "The man of faith". When they found out what had happened, one of the Tech Sergeants came to me and asked me to be praying for them and the unit in general. I was comforted to know they wanted me to pray, but also felt the sadness they were all going through. To know one of yours has been badly injured and may not make it through the night, takes an incredible toll on ones emotional state. There has been a heavy cloud around the office with the news of the attack and the need for answers to the question "why". Please pray for those involved in the attack, and pray for the unit of those who love them so.
I called Jen shortly after to tell her the news, and while on the phone I heard Peyton in the background speaking harshly to her mommy. I asked Jen to give her the phone, as I felt the need to talk with her about her tone, and the need to still be a daddy from miles away. As we talked, we talked about her and I being a "TEAM", because it is one of the things we always talk about on the phone. I told how Jesus had blessed us with a beautiful mommy for us to take care of and love. I told her as part of our TEAM, she had to take care of mommy while daddy is away and show her love and obey her and not to speak harshly to her. When talking, she burst into to tears and said, "I know daddy, I love you and I miss you." It just about tore my heart out, but I needed to be her daddy, no matter how far away I am. I couldn't talk any more, so I told Jen I would call back later. When I hung up the phone from our conversation, I cried. I cried for all the issues of the day and for the want of being home to be a daddy to my daughter. Tough days happen here all the time, but today was a little tougher.
Thank you Lord for blessing me with tough times, so I may know I am truly blessed when things are good. Thank you Father for giving me sadness, so I may truly know joy. Thank you God for giving me hardship, so I may truly know comfort and peace. I thank you Lord, because tomorrow will be a better day, knowing you have made it. Thank you for the sun setting and rising every day, so I may know what it means to be surrounded by darkness and light. I thank your for my time here in Iraq, so I may never forget the true blessing of living in a free nation. I thank you for my wife and children, for they are my Heaven on earth. I love you Lord and I praise you for all things, and thank you for my day. For it's in your son's precious and holy name I pray....Amen.
Take care of each other today and remember to hug your loved ones.
In His Service, Coach Horne
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July 9, 2005
Another birthday down.
An update on yesterday... I found out there were four people involved and the one I didn't know about was an Army kid who was killed in the blast. They had a Patriot Detail for him to send him home to his family. Because he was from the base, there were over 250 soldiers involved in the detail. The largest one I have seen since being here. Two of the Airman are still in the hospital here at Balad and are recovering, however, the final one was air lifted to Germany last night to receive further care. Please continue to pray for all involved, as it has been hard for everyone who knew these Airmen and Soldiers.
I pray you all have a great day... Remember to take care of each other and God bless.
In His Service, Coach Horne
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July 9, 2005
To All,
Below is a copy of the email Master Sergeant Dixon sent out after the Patriot Detail. I will say no more...
I would like to take the time to thank everyone that supported the Patriot Detail this morning, from the 250 individuals who participated, to the individuals that manned the shops, to allow the largest Patriot Detail of this rotation. More so, it was an honor to show the highest respect to an individual who gave his all in a mission yesterday. A mission that hopefully will make it safe for everyone stationed here at Balad. I’ve conducted or participated in almost 20 Patriot Details, and this one was by far the hardest and most heartfelt. The pride from within was over whelming, when I looked at the size of the formation, it seemed as if the formation was never going to end. You could look around and feel the sorrow and pain from the members of the unit as well from individuals that were not members of the unit. You may not have personally known this individual, but I know I walked away this morning with the feeling, I did.
Again, thanks to everyone that supported the detail this morning. It was my honor to command it.
MSgt James Dixon
First Sergeant, 332 ECES
Thanks so much for sharing his e-mails so we can add our prayers as he asked.
Thank you. Even though I had to read through tears. How blessed we truly are to have Americans like Scott protecting us. May God continue to bless and watch over our brave men and women who serve our country.
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