I got my first email from Ernie yesterday. Well, it was to the whole family. He arrived in Iraq a week and a half ago. Just thought I would share it with everyone:
Hey everyone....
Just writing an email out to everyone to let you all know I'm safe and well. I don't have kim's address so if you could pass this on (and to anyone else I missed), and dad read this to mom.
We've been kept pretty busy. It's about midnight over here and we just got off of work. We do 24hrs on... 24hrs off. We've finally been doing runs out into the cities. Talk about a culture shock!! It's so different out here. It's so messy!! There is trash everywhere. (Tell Grandpa he could make a killing off of recycling all the cans over here!!) People drive on either side of the road, even if it's the wrong way. It's crazy, but at the same time sad... Kids always run up to you asking for stuff. And every so often we'll throw some food out the window. Most of the kids don't have shoes or hardly any clothes. But at the same time there are so many people that look happy that we are here. They wave at you and want to come up to you and shake your hand and tell you thank you for being here. It's crazy. On base it's very Americanized. We have the best chow hall (cafeteria) ever!! You can eat what ever you want, how ever much and almost whenever. You don't do your laundry here, people do it for you. And all of our rooms come with AC and beds. We also have these bargain stores on base, that are ran by locals. You can get almost anything for like a buck. New dvd's that haven't even been in the theater yet for $1.50 and Red Bulls for like 35 cents. it's pretty cool.
My dad said people have been wanting to send me stuff... I'll give out my address in about a week. We don't move into our permanent places till this Sunday when the existing unit leaves. I don't need a lot... but there are a few things I could really use. I'll let everyone know later.
Well I gotta go. I'll write everyone again when I can. Take care and pass this on to whom ever.
Love ya.
-The Third
Just writing an email out to everyone to let you all know I'm safe and well. I don't have kim's address so if you could pass this on (and to anyone else I missed), and dad read this to mom.
We've been kept pretty busy. It's about midnight over here and we just got off of work. We do 24hrs on... 24hrs off. We've finally been doing runs out into the cities. Talk about a culture shock!! It's so different out here. It's so messy!! There is trash everywhere. (Tell Grandpa he could make a killing off of recycling all the cans over here!!) People drive on either side of the road, even if it's the wrong way. It's crazy, but at the same time sad... Kids always run up to you asking for stuff. And every so often we'll throw some food out the window. Most of the kids don't have shoes or hardly any clothes. But at the same time there are so many people that look happy that we are here. They wave at you and want to come up to you and shake your hand and tell you thank you for being here. It's crazy. On base it's very Americanized. We have the best chow hall (cafeteria) ever!! You can eat what ever you want, how ever much and almost whenever. You don't do your laundry here, people do it for you. And all of our rooms come with AC and beds. We also have these bargain stores on base, that are ran by locals. You can get almost anything for like a buck. New dvd's that haven't even been in the theater yet for $1.50 and Red Bulls for like 35 cents. it's pretty cool.
My dad said people have been wanting to send me stuff... I'll give out my address in about a week. We don't move into our permanent places till this Sunday when the existing unit leaves. I don't need a lot... but there are a few things I could really use. I'll let everyone know later.
Well I gotta go. I'll write everyone again when I can. Take care and pass this on to whom ever.
Love ya.
-The Third
Here's a photo from when he was at 29 Palms down South. I imagine him looking much like this in Iraq. He did get to come home before he left, and it really helped to see him again. Mostly because a lot that he told me about his job and what they were doing made me less scared for him. He should be pretty safe while he's there. And in general, the troops aren't suffering as many casualties. So that makes me feel a bit better too.
It still seems like forever until I'll see him again. Heck, it already feels like he's been gone forever. He did call me yesterday too, to talk mostly about bills. But he just sounded so tired. Granted, it was 1am there and he just came off of a 24 hr shift, but still, I hope he doesn't get too worn out.
It still seems like forever until I'll see him again. Heck, it already feels like he's been gone forever. He did call me yesterday too, to talk mostly about bills. But he just sounded so tired. Granted, it was 1am there and he just came off of a 24 hr shift, but still, I hope he doesn't get too worn out.
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3 comments:
He sounds in good spirits, and I'm so glad you got to see him again and talk to him. We're praying for his safety!
Thanks so much for sharing that with us, there are so many people praying for him, and for your family. Sounds like he's doing well, all things considered. :)
I am so glad he is happy and comfortable there. It really sounds like he is enjoying his experience, even though I am sure he is missing you guys.
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