(Or What I did on Christmas Vacation)
On the eve of…
Up at zero four. It was the coldest morning yet, 17 degrees on the FAT gauge. Two cups of jo in the hooch then out to the flightline, a RON bag on my shoulder, just in case. The UH60 Blackhawk had “maintenance issues” so we moved to the back-up aircraft. Then to the back-up to the back-up. We took off just as the sun was rising. The turning rotors created a wind chill factor stinging my face. I sat next to the door gunner. I like the view.
Our first stop was a small FOB where a handful of my soldiers man a 24-hour FARP. The FOB wasn’t much bigger than a football field and sat smack dab in the middle of what used to be a bad neighborhood, not so much anymore. I visited with the troops, handed out stockings, cards and gifts that had been mailed from wonderful supporters back home. The soldiers were appreciative. I appreciate the soldiers and told them so. We would repeat this for the remainder of the day. Our last stop was a larger FOB not far from Mosul where an armful of my soldiers work ‘round the clock repairing OH58 Kiowa Warriors. I spent a couple of hours with them talking about what they do, how their families were fairing back home, and making sure they were well taken care of by the unit they supported. They too appreciated the stockings, cards and gifts from home. They too make me proud and I told them as much.
On the way back a member of the crew spotted suspicious activity in a small village along our route. We circled back around to take a closer look. Nothing to report. We landed back at our FOB, our home away from home, just as the sun was setting. I grabbed a bite to eat at the DFAC before heading out to visit with the night crews working in the AHA, JNN, SSA, FARP, BAS, and hangars. Morale was high despite having to work on a cold Christmas Eve so far away from their families. The moon was full, the air crisp, and there was something special about the night, you could feel it.
Next stop was the chapel where one of my soldiers had invited me to witness his baptism. How cool to be baptized on Christmas Eve in Iraq? I had time to visit with the various company CPs and the BN TOC wishing those working the night shift a Merry Christmas and thanking them for what they do. Next I stopped into the BN MWR tent checking to make sure the 8 telephones and 20 computer terminals were all occupied by soldiers connecting with home. They were. The day ended with Midnight Mass at the main chapel. I was tired and headed to my hooch to get some shuteye. While walking home I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I saw what looked like a sleigh being pulled by flying reindeer pass overhead in the moonlight. I guess I was tired. A good kind of tired.
The day of…
I again traveled around the AO, this time in a truck, visiting those working on Christmas day, shaking hands, patting backs, talking about home and thanking each and every one of them. I’m sure that I wasn’t able to see every one of my 700+ soldiers, but I think that I came pretty damn close before reporting to the DFAC for the holiday feast. Donning plastic gloves and a Santa hat, I began to serve turkey, ham, potatoes, gravy, etc. to your hard working soldiers. It was an honor to do so.
After supper I attended a reenlistment ceremony for six of my soldiers. The commanding general of MND-N came down to administer the oath of enlistment. How cool to reenlist on Christmas Day with the CG in Iraq? Following the ceremony I enjoyed a big fat cigar with my fellow senior leaders, watching the sun set over the desert.
I was able to get a call through to home and listened with a warm heart to Castaway Conner excitedly regale me with tales of what Santa had brought him. A tear came to eye when before passing the phone to his mom, as if he suddenly remembered to ask said, “Dad, what did you get?” Aside from missing my merry band of pirates and the lovely and talented and downright sexy Mrs. Hook, it was a good holiday for this old soldier. How cool to spend Christmas with a bunch of real heroes serving in Iraq? Sgt Hook out.
Posted by Hook @ 0728 zulu | | Permalink
This post is filed under: Iraq & La Vita Dolce
