Rainy Days...

The puddles here are very deep when it rains here. Others think that since I am from Seattle I would love to see the rain, and not need an umbrella. However, I was the one who gifted to all the girls small Totes umbrellas for just these occassions.

Although it doesn't rain here much, when it does it really pours. It is best to keep a little TOTE umbrella in your shower bag for just those occassions. That way you can keep yourself and your shower supplies dry all the way back to your b-hut.

Here are some puddle photos, and photos of my new "Boardwalk" as a result of the last down pour and the innovation of Heather, the girl that will be moving into my b-hut when I depart Bagram.

Reunions...

Reunions are great! When tours arise that present an opportunity to bring father and son together in a war zone, there is nothing more rewarding. Here are a few photos showing the reunion of Coach Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings Head Coach and his son, a Marine.

...................the reunion of NFL Football Player Matt Millen and his son, a LT in the Army.

Our touring guests: 1Lt Millen, Player Matt Millen, Player Anthony Munoz, Player Merril Hoge, and Millen's "battle buddy", SSG Welch.

The Art of War...

When I first entered Kuwait, I noticed the brightly colored T-Walls and was happy to see someone had brought some color to this country. After reading an article about this painting tradition, I understood that "each unit would recruit their most artistic member to paint the face of one of the T-Walls before leaving the country."
Shown below is a soldier painting his company's crest on a wall. Large cement barriers are common on bases throughout Southwest Asia. Used primarily as blast protection for buildings and other structures. T-Walls number in the hundreds on any given base.

Troop members painted this to remember the loss of victims of Flight 93.

...and those who gave their lives at the Pentagon. 9-11 has not been forgotten!

Sometimes T-Walls are used to identify the location, and also are great for photographing my location; which is often mixed up in my head, when I visit up to 13 locations on one tour.

This Dr. Suess painting is promoting a "Reading Program".

This one was one of my favorites.

And even the Cartoonists found the interior of a bunker made a great canvas to leave their creative drawings for soliders to enjoy when sent to take cover.