Iraqi Fireworks Show…
Another volley of mortar rounds came into the perimeter last night. We had two aircraft landing - when the mortars began to hit. The aircraft were not damaged and no one was injured.
This may sound crazy, but when the first bombs began to fall - I walked inside the office - pulled out a Fuente cigar - walked back outside - lit it up and prepared to watch the fireworks. The show was over after a few rounds.
There really is nothing you can do as a MEDEVAC company. You don’t have the capability to “go out and get those guys.”
The event will provide us with another few days of war stories to discuss and joke about. You really do have to laugh - or you may reflect upon the insanity of it all.
We’re doing well!
Tim
Again, I don’t know what to say. I guess I will tell Nate to send more cigars, but lets not hope you you have to “enjoy” them under the same circumstances. Stay safe.
Helena
Helena - October 6th, 2007 at 7:16 pmI really loved talking to you on the phone tonight without the kids yelling in my ear. I could easily envision you under the shelter smoking a cigar watching all of this happen.
How about those pictures?
tiffany - October 6th, 2007 at 8:55 pmPorter
You sound a bit like Robert Duvall’s character, Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore, from Apocalypse Now. Cigar, relaxed bravado, and frankness. I will include more cigars in the next package. Sorry you are in the desert otherwise I would have included your surfboard.
L&MY
NHE
n8 - October 7th, 2007 at 10:02 amWow! Beautiful and terrifying at the same time. You sure know how to live. Glad to hear it was over so quickly. However, that left you with the rest of the cigar which I know was not a problem.
We are off to Chuckie Cheese (Gage’s favorite spot in the world) to celebrate his birthday a bit early. The boys and I had a lunch date yesterday then stopped by to see my townhouse. They would prefer I keep it empty as it’s a great place to play Hide & Seek which we did for quite some time. They are always easy to find if one follows the sounds of Gage’s giggles.
Off to Target to purchase his birthday present. Decisions, decisions! It was difficult for him to decide especially with Briggs pushing him to buy exactly what he would enjoy playing with too. He settled of course on Spiderman stuff.
Be well. stay safe and keep your head down.
Love to you!
Jean
Jean - October 7th, 2007 at 10:39 amYou are right Nate; I had the same exact movie thought - after the events were over. I look at it as a “coping mechanism.”
When danger and death are present, every day, you can choose to let it affect you OR you can accept your situation, surroundings, rules-of-engagement, and the things you cannot change (enemy, armament, and their intent) - and be thankful you are still ‘alive and kickin.’
I cannot afford to let fear and worry - rule my behavior, or the entire unit will suffer.
tim - October 7th, 2007 at 12:31 pmTim -
Your comment “I cannot afford to let fear and worry rule my behavior” reminded me of the story I told you at the Prayer Circle in your driveway before you left for training.
This is the story where God told Gideon to place himself in a vulnerable position so that when he triumphed there would be no doubt that God was with him. You said that your Medevac unit helicopters in some ways are in a similarly vulnerable position. The story is in the Old Testament, the book of Judges, chapter 7. Here are a couple key verses:
Judges 7
verse 3: So now proclaim in the ears of the men, saying, Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him turn back and depart from Mount Gilead. And 22,000 of the men returned, but 10,000 remained. [The majority were fearful, but the others, who trusted in God, had no reason to be fearful and trembling! -T&A]
verse 7: 7And the Lord said to Gideon, With the 300 men … I will deliver you, and give the Midianites into your hand. Let all the others return every man to his home. [From Gideon's original army of 32,000 troops, God selected 300 who, with God's help, would win the battle. -T&A]
We love you and continue to pray for you and the men in your unit. -T&A
Tim & Alfega - October 7th, 2007 at 9:02 pmGreat to talk with you. You are a man of courage.
Your kids are beautiful. Yes, I can handle all 4 of them!
Stacy
Stacy Meyer - October 8th, 2007 at 8:52 amTim,
Weren’t you the one telling me bravado especially MEDEVAC with no door gunners is stupid? Keep low.
Todd
Todd Tuttle - October 9th, 2007 at 3:06 pmStoner,
Just wanted to say hey. I’ve been keeping up on this blog since I saw you a couple months ago. Glad to hear you’re doing well. When this is all said and done I’d love to sit down with you over a few beers and listen to some of these war stories you’re accumulating.
Do you have the means and/or the time (or are you even allowed) to take some digital pictures of your surroundings and get them up on this site? It would be interesting to see some visuals.
If there’s anything you need that you don’t have just say so. There are several Betas who would be willing to pitch in.
Stay safe.
McFly
Chris McFarling - October 10th, 2007 at 12:46 amTim….just got the link to your site from Jim Clark with whom I had coffee this morning.
I’m sure it’s tough being there…I can’t even phathom the stress.
I hope you’re doing well & staying safe. If there’s anything I can do for you…anything at all…you only need to ask.
Take care,
Kent
Kent Hiller - October 15th, 2007 at 4:12 pm