Our mission has come to an end and we’ve passed the torch to our replacements. The vast majority of my unit has arrived home safely but a handful of us remain here waiting for a flight home and as much as I was hoping to report we’d spend Thanksgiving home with our loved ones, I cannot. Though I’m hopeful there will be some leftover turkey when I get there.

I do have much to be thankful for, however. I am most especially thankful for…

o The opportunity to share this most special meal with a bunch of heroes again this year.
o The support I’ve received from all of you throughout these past 15 months.
o My continued membership in the community we call America.

And most of all I’m thankful for the love and support of the Lovely and Talented and Downright Sexy Mrs. Hook and our merry band of pirates. They’ve sacrificed a lot these past 15-months with nary a complaint. Our Thanksgiving Meal together (though delayed) will be the best feast of all even if it is leftover turkey sandwiches. Sgt Hook out.

Posted by Hook @ 1155 zulu | Comments & Trackbacks (38) | Permalink
This post is filed under: Iraq & The Soldier

It’s been a long, hard, hot and dusty year and we’re all looking forward to going home in about three months. Much has changed over the past twelve months and we’re seeing a lot of promising signs around here. The Marines just recently handed over control of Anbar Provence to the Iraqis, a feat thought impossible just two years ago. Today the streets of Bagdhad are not recognizeable if compared to eighteen months ago. I recently went out with my Soldiers on a CLP supporting Iraqi Security Forces near Tikrit where we had to pick up a dozen 20 foot Sea/Land containers from the Iraqi compound and convoy them to a new location. While security was tight and everyone performed their duties as trained, the greatest enemy we faced that day was the brutally scorching 120 plus degree heat.

As we loaded the last of the containters onto the flat beds of our uparmored transport trucks, strapping them down and readying them for the convoy phase of the operation, our terp approached me asking if the Iraqi commander could speak with the two female Soldiers we had on mission with us. When the Iraqi commander walked out of his office he was holding the hand of his cute little five year old daughter who seemed out of place dressed in her bright green shorts and pig tails. Her eyes lit up in surprise when my two Soldiers removed their helmets and their long blonde hair fell out. The interpreter spent several minutes translating questions and answers for the young girl who eventually hoped that one day she too could be a Soldier as her smiling father stood proudly by watching the exchange.

I can’t think of a more telling sign that peace and stability is taking hold in Iraq.

The lovely and talented and downright sexy Mrs. Hook recently shared a story with me related to her by Castaway Conner’s second grade teacher. The kids were sitting in circle time conducting some activity when the teacher noticed my young seven year old swashbuckler had his face in his hands crying. When she asked him what was wrong he looked up with tears in his eyes and replied, “Nothing, I’m not thinking about my dad.” You might have heard the loud crack as my heart broke.

I know it’s hard being a Soldier, I can’t imagine how difficult it is being the son of a Soldier.

My heartfelt thanks for all the support and prayers we’ve received from all of you. I’m convinced we would not have been as successful as we have without them. Thank you all. Sgt Hook out.

Posted by Hook @ 1534 zulu | Comments & Trackbacks (36) | Permalink
This post is filed under: Iraq

Just a quick check in to let everyone know all is well. Busy as hell, but well. R&R leave was incredible and couldn’t have come at a better time. It has been full throttle since I’ve returned and I apologize for not getting on here more to write. Honestly, I’m not sure how often I’ll be able to as we fight through these final 5 months of the deployment.

The days are hovering around 120 degrees at its hottest but the missions continue. Your Soldiers are doing a phenomenal job and you can be proud of their efforts and positive spirit. We’ve had some hard times in the unit but the resolve and dedication of the troops has carried us through.

I owe a more detailed update and will try my damndest to get something up here in the near future. Thanks to all for the prayers and support. I am eternally grateful for both. Sgt Hook out.

Posted by Hook @ 0311 zulu | Comments & Trackbacks (36) | Permalink
This post is filed under: General

Just checking in and wanted to send a very big THANK YOU to all of those who have shown tremendous support to the Soldiers serving over here. My unit recently received a ton of Girl Scout Cookies from three troops in Texas with the help of the local firefighter’s union and longtime supporter Anthony.

I also want to thank all those who sent birhday wishes and checked up on my well being. My apologies for not replying to your comments and emails, but thank you so very much.

In a few hours I’ll be heading home for a little R&R leave. I’ve been so busy recently that I don’t think I’ve had a moment of peace for a long time. I’m looking forward to a couple of weeks to let my hair down. The lovely and talented and downright sexy Mrs Hook informed me the other day that Andrew the Adventurous and Typhoon Tyler of Trieste were cleaning my BBQ grill and when asked why, replied “duh, Dad’s coming home and he’s going to grill everyday.” Indeed I will.

So if you don’t hear from me much over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be out back tending the grill. Sgt Hook out.

Posted by Hook @ 1231 zulu | Comments & Trackbacks (28) | Permalink
This post is filed under: Homecoming

Congratulations to Patti Bader who has just been named as recipient of the VFW’s 2008 James E. Van Zandt Citizenship Award.

“The VFW Citizenship Award - Awarded for outstanding service contrib to American citizenship. To recognize significant contribution to the spirit of service and dedication to the nation that inspires us to display better citizenship.”

“James E. “Jimmy” Van Zandt was Commander-in-Chief of the VFW three times, and a veteran of three wars (World War I, World War II, and the Korean War). He served as an enlisted man in World War I and retired as an admiral following the Korean War. Descended from a pioneer family in Blair County, Pennsylvania, Jimmy worked his way from newsboy to United States Congressman. Recipients of the award named in Van Zandt’s honor exemplify his dedication to public service, citizenship, and other admirable qualities.”

Patti is certainly very deserving of such an award and she’s been nominated for America’s Favorite Mom. Of course the Lovely and Talented and Downright Sexy Mrs. Hook gets my vote, as does my own mother, but considering neither have been nominated for America’s Favorite Mom I’ll be

Posted by Hook @ 0317 zulu | Comments & Trackbacks (18) | Permalink
This post is filed under: Soldier's Angels

Please forgive me for failing to get on here and provide an update or two sooner. My day job has really put some demands on my time but I promise to do better and getting on here even if just to wave from the sandbox.

As you can see, the underwater cable guy has finished his repairs. I still am quite curious as to how such a thing could happen but I guess that’s the mysteries of the deep.

What you may not be able to see is the tremendous progress your Soldiers and their Iraqi counterparts are making over here. I manage to catch a glimpse at CNN/FOX News/MSNBC at the chow hall and I see very little reporting on goings on in Iraq which I suppose is a sign that we are experiencing great successes. Rest assured, you can take great pride in the honorable job your Soliders are doing, day in and day out.

I’d also like to send out a huge THANK YOU to the many of supporters who have taken care of the Soldiers in my unit. They are kicking butt and your appreciation means more than words can express. We’re sneaking up on our half-way point in this deployment which causes both joy and concern. Joy in that time is flying by, concern in that we have a long way to go.

Again, my humble apologies for not getting on here more. I will do better if you allow me. Thanks again to all for everything! Sgt Hook out.

Posted by Hook @ 0439 zulu | Comments & Trackbacks (22) | Permalink
This post is filed under: Iraq

Apparently a couple of undersea fiber optic cables have been cut requiring the underwater cable guy’s expertise to restore our “connecton” with the outside world. In other words, we are experiencing technical difficulties, please stand by.

While I’m here you should know that your Soldiers are doing fabulously. The fight continues to be a hard one, but our men and women are showing no signs of shying away from the challenge. Good things are happening everywhere. Sgt Hook out.

Posted by Hook @ 0433 zulu | Comments & Trackbacks (26) | Permalink
This post is filed under: All Things Blog

MilitaryTimes staff writer Matthew Cox and senior photographer Rob Curtis have teamed up to cover Army forces in Iraq and are blogging their Tales from the Sandbox. Good stuff, I think you’ll like. Sgt Hook out.

Posted by Hook @ 0437 zulu | Comments & Trackbacks (4) | Permalink
This post is filed under: All Things Blog & Iraq

Taking care of your wounded warriors is a mission the Army has placed atop the priority list second only to combat.

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Army News Service, Jan. 22, 2008) - Getting Soldiers healed from physical, psychological or emotional wounds is an Army mission of highest priority, second only to combat, a senior official said during the Warrior Transition Leadership and Training Conference Jan.13-18.

With the creation of 35 Warrior Transition Units worldwide since mid-2007, more than 8,900 Soldiers, or warriors in transition, are currently assigned and have but one primary responsibility - to heal.

“There has to be a place for these Soldiers to convalesce and heal, and possibly one day return to duty,” said Brig. Gen. Michael S. Tucker, assistant surgeon general for warrior care and transition. He also heads up the Army Medical Action Plan, which called for establishing the WTUs.

Sgt Hook out.

Posted by Hook @ 1215 zulu | Comments & Trackbacks (1) | Permalink
This post is filed under: Army Times & Heroes & The Soldier

Rock of the Marne Soldiers from Company A, 1-30th Infantry fought tooth and nail alongside local Iraqi citizens to push more al-Qaeda rat bastards out of their neighborhoods.

FOB KALSU, Iraq (Army News Service, Jan. 28, 2008) - For three days, Coalition Forces weathered harsh cold and deadly pressure-plate improvised explosive devices to secure a foothold in southern Arab Jabour, beginning with an air assault Jan. 20.

Infiltrating areas dominated by al-Qaeda in Iraq, infantrymen of Company A, 1-30th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division began their push through the farm fields.

Capt. Neil Hollenbeck, Company A commander and his Soldiers would initially be cut off from ground supply lines. They had to pack enough food and water to sustain themselves for three days while arrangements were made to have supplies flown into the territory, which had never seen a sustained Coalition presence.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Army

Dog faces and angry citizens on the same side make a recipe for success. Sgt Hook out.

Posted by Hook @ 0128 zulu | Comments & Trackbacks (5) | Permalink
This post is filed under: GWOT & Heroes & Iraq