The Trip to Kuwait

One aspect of travel is the "hurry up and wait" culture of the military. Traveling out to BIAP (Baghdad International Airport) twice, we finally caught a flight to Kuwait. After boarding the plane, we sat on the tarmac for about 45 minutes and then a two hour flight south. After arriving in Kuwait, we napped our luggage off the pallet and then boarded a bus to Ali Al Salem for transportation to Camp Virginia. At Ali Al Salem, we moved our luggage to a Conex, boarded another bus and then made the 15 mile trip to Camp Virginia. Camp Virginia rises out of nowhere in the Kuwaiti desert. A combination of generators and solar panels power this transient village of 2000 plus/minus soldiers and civilians. Everyone I meet are on their way home, both active duty and reserve component. Camp Virginia has a decent food court including a McDonald's, Greenbean Coffee Co., Starbucks, plus the PX, MWR Tent, and a gym. The showers are campground quality without the KOA label. The typical holding time is anywhere from 48 to 72 hours, depending on weather, troop movement and available transportation. Today I stopped by the Chapel and met CH (CPT) Peterson, a member of the National Guard from Wyoming, deployed for the first time. His church is located in Casper and his congregation called an interim pastor to "fill in" while he deployed to Middle East. As the deployment comes to an end, I'm still not convinced people at home understand nor comprehend the sacrifice Service Members (both active and reserve) make in serving their country. By simply being away from family and friends for a year is a huge sacrifice, connected only by Skype, or an iffy phone connection. Many of the senior members of the service took pay cuts for this tour while also placing their careers on hold. Others will take a long time to recover from their time away from work. Kuwait is much hotter than Baghdad. We are sleeping in tents, and my tent, filled with Majors and Lieutenant Colonels is comfortable, but lacks privacy. Arriving stateside will not come soon enough. However, I can say that the support of friends, family and key members and friends of the church have made a significant difference in my life. Cards, letters, packages and emails illustrated support, care and love.

Out of Baghdad

A picture of the flag inside the Plane on the way to Kuwait!!

The plane on which we flew out to the next leg of the journey.

The tent and some of my bunk mates while at Cyclone City awaiting a ride!

A last picture of the second group out (I'm picture behind the flag).

After three days of delayed planes we finally flew out of BIAP (Baghdad International Airport) to Kuwait. The flight was long (about 2 hours), but we are one leg closer to being stateside. Here are a couple shots from the trip.

Moving on Up!

The first group out stands in formation for final instructions.

Blouses off and Duffel Bags onto the Truck!

One final pose before boarding the bus and heading to BIAP and then to Kuwait!

First group flew out today for Kuwait as we make our movement home!

Surprise Visitor to Baghdad

"Come on, let's go," a friend of mine said. "Where?" I responded. "Don't worry, just get your butt in gear in come on!" So off we went to BIAP, first for lunch and then to the airport. The arrival of the Vice-President was two hours out and our little group was able to stand on the flight line.

Vice-President Biden's Plan touches down at BIAP on Tuesday, 15 SEP 09.

Vice-President Biden steps onto the Tarmac at BIAP.

The above is footage of VP Biden making his way towards us.

Vice-President Biden says hello to MAJ Amalfitano and myself before flying to the IZ.

Carter, Brandt, Amalfitano and Biden pose inside the VPs Plane.

We left BIAP and made our way to the row of T-walls where each state is posted. We signed the Delaware T-Wall and then had our picture taken by the T-wall.

End of Tour Awards

End of Tour Awards recognize the contributions and accomplishments of members of the unit by the Commander and the Senior Leadership.

The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service.

The Iraqi Campaign Medal is awarded to individuals who served in Theater during the Iraqi War.

By the end of September, we will hear the most sought after word by a deployed Soldier in the National Guard, "Dismissed!" But getting to that point requires a number of hurdles. We are already jumping over a couple of those hurdles from sending home our Tuff Boxes to mailing home non-essential supplies, moving from the CHUs to the tents and now working wit our replacements. One salient moment occurred last week when our Commander, Brigadier General Scott E. Chambers began presenting end of tour awards to Officers, NCOs and Soldiers. Four levels of awards presented included: The Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal.

I received the Bronze Star, Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Delaware State Medal

Last week our Commander, Brigadier General Scott E. Chambers and CSM Don Catalon presented Bronze Stars. I was among the officers receiving a Bronze Star for meritorious service. As Brigade Chaplain I supervised two Battalion Chaplains and together we ministered to over 1100 soldiers plus additional duties and responsibilities on Victory Base Complex. Part of the recognition includes traveling to visit Soldiers throughout Theater (outside the wire), touching the lives of over 4000 Soldiers through section and unit visits, counseling and teaching as well as leading the 1600 Worship Service which doubled in attendance during my leadership.

Serving our country has been my privilege and honor.

Last Sunday Service at Victory Base Camp

Today I led my last Worship Service at Victory Base Camp. The well-attended service included my replacement from the 35th Signal Brigade, CH (LTC) Jon Hollenbeck. While I have a Presbyterian Church (USA) background, Jon is a lifelong Episcopalian. Sharing the leadership of the service, Jon offered the Prayers for the people and together we served the elements for the Lord's Supper. Jon quickly became a good friend and I will adopt him as a Soldier after I return stateside. Today's sermon focused on the power of the tongue, as outlined in the third Chapter in the book of James. As James notes, people must be careful about the words they use, rumors they spread, and the stories they share. Gossip has destroyed more lives and can easily destroy the fabric of a congregation if people are not held accountable for what they say. The writer Oscar Wilde reportedly said at a dinner party, "If you don't have anything nice to say about anyone, sit beside me!" We are obsessed with tales of other people and very seldom are the stories, snippets or remarks, complimentary of others. They are just the opposite. Words, stories and tales should build up the community to which we belong, not tear it down. After I introduced Chaplain Hollenbeck to the "congregation" COL David Shutt, presented to me a coin from LTG Jacoby (Three Starr), in recognition of my work in the service. Receiving a coin is significant act in the military. A coin is a big deal and represents appreciation for one's work by a higher authority. During the time I led the service, attendance doubled and we welcomed new faces each week. Serving in this capacity has been a tremendous joy! Pictured with me is Maj Amy Russo, who graciously sings each week. I know that Jon is working on recruiting Maj Russo to play the keyboard. His powers are persuasive!

911 Ceremony at Al-Faw Palace

Multi-National Corps-Iraq hosted a 911 Ceremony at Al-Faw Palace lat Friday, commemorating the attacks on September 11, 2001. Soldiers, diplomats and civilian employees filled the chairs to pray, meditate and listen to General Odierno deliver the keynote speech. At the front of the stage, the firefighters from Victory Base Complex erected a moving display of a Fire fighter's gear, causing all to remember and give thanks for the heroism and sacrifice of first responders to the tragic event that day. I've participated in 911 ceremonies before, even helping to lead a prayer service two days after Al-Queda attacked us, while serving ODT (Overseas Duty Training) in Vicenza, Italy. While emotions flowed in Italy, and while other ceremonies touched my heart when conducted back in the states, I was particularly moved surrounded by a sea of green ACUs, sitting in Baghdad, Iraq. Part of our reason for losing a year of my life in Baghdad, Iraq reaches back to that moment and the case built for going to war and removing Saddam Hussein from power. My current living location is due to that event on 911, and even more importantly, nearly 3,000 families continue to be touched and will be touched forever due to that tragedy. The families of flight attendants, pilots, firefighters, office workers, investors, small business owners, people just living life in the moment and others were changed in the blink of an eye. And here we are, eight years later, fighting two wars building two nations with need for a clearer objective. The ceremony was extremely meaningful and touched the hearts of many. A video played to the country western song, "Have We Forgotten?" as part of the program and the Firefighters rang the bell signaling what they do when a life is lost in service to the community and nation. In speaking with a small group of Soldiers waiting for pictures, I learned that one Soldier was in 7th grade when the Towers went down. Such news illustrates the quick passage of time (8 years).