[Kathy in Alaska]

Go Granny, go Granny go: A conga line of family and friends follows 80-year-old Pat Smock to a plane in Caldwell, Idaho, that the retired nurse boarded before making a 10,000-foot skydive. She landed gingerly in front of her relatives.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

TRIPLEBRATTKATHY!!!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Sgt. Pierson, left, and Sgt. McGraw sort mail for soldiers stationed in Qatar.

Neither Heat Nor Sun Stays Army Postal Unit in Qatar

By Staff Sgt. Nate Orme / 3rd Personnel Command Public Affairs

CAMP AS-SAYLIYAH, Qatar, Aug. 10, 2003 — Qatar is a small country occupying a peninsula jutting off the Saudi Arabian landmass at the opposite end of the Persian Gulf from Iraq. Up to six months ago, the base had housed a skeleton staff working to pre-position equipment for a coalition-led force in case of conflict in the region.

That all changed last winter, when Qatar became the headquarters for the Central Command, and the relatively small base was suddenly filled with troops and civilian workers engaged in waging war with Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

When 10 members of the 1st/554th Postal Services Platoon arrived in Qatar in April to take over the base Army Post Office at Camp As-Sayliyah, they got a little more than they expected. 1st Sgt. Susan Baker, the postmaster on base, said the five civilian U.S. Embassy employees managing the office were swamped with mail of troops recently arrived for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The rest of the story and more pictures

[Kathy in Alaska]

Soldiers of the 115th Military Police Company, Rhode Island National Guard, prepare to search an Iraqi home believed to be the site of bomb making and weapon storage on July 31, 2003. This raid in the town of Fallujah, Iraq is part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Robert Liddy

[Kathy in Alaska]

Soldiers with the 115th Military Police Company question an Iraqi man about his home in Fallujah, Iraq, July 31, 2003. His home was believed to be used for making bombs and storing weapons. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Robert Liddy

Soldiers of the 115th Military Police Company, Rhode Island National Guard, question an Iraqi. His home is believed to be the site of bomb making and weapon storage on July 31, 2003. This raid in the town of Fallujah, Iraq is part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Spc. Robert Liddy

[Kathy in Alaska]

Creature comforts: Shane (right) and Jennifer Ruple carry their two cats from their storm-damaged Little Rock, Ark., apartment. Thunderstorms and high winds left Marly (right) and Tyler wet and frightened.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good Night Blessing for the Troops

Blessings on you this evening 
May the stars in heaven
light your way into the
Milky Way of dreams 

May your day tomorrow 
be filled with love 
laughter and joy... 

Taking away all heart ache 
left stinging... 
and unclouding your vision 
for clear sailing... 

bentfeather 

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

To our Military -

Thank you for protecting US. Sleep well and safe. May you be protected. May your families' hearts be at ease.

Thank you to our Allies.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hi MSgt Dan! Hi M0sby! Thank you for serving this great nation of ours. Prayers for your success and safety.

Hi Matthew!! Hi Andrew!!