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.

Holiday Cheer

begins with Robin Williams on stage.....

The holidays here were filled with plenty of entertainment for the troops. We were fortunate enough to have Robin Williams, Kix Brooks, Lance Armstrong, Kathleen Madigan, Lewis Black and Bob Dipero here! They were all great entertainers, and were enjoyed by numerous troops who were away from home this holiday season!

(in photo below: Emily West, me, and Keni Thomas)

(Above: Chondra Pierce, Comedian) (Above: musician and Keni Thomas)

(Below: Alana Grace)

(Above: Buddy Jewell, Country Singer)
(Above: Leeann Tweeden, model & MC)

We also had another show with singer Alana Grace, Keni Thomas, Emily West and Buddy Jewel; comedian Chonda Pierce; model Leeann Tweeden; and two Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Brandi and Nicole. Their performance was also great!

(Above: NE Patriot Cheerleaders)

Afterwards, I headed out on my own tour with a group of New England Patriots Cheerleaders. The group of ladies was both enjoyable to work with and they were humbled at being offered the opportunity to share the holiday with the troops. They delivered filled stockings to over 200 soldiers who were working and couldn't make it to the performances. They performed where space and time allowed and signed many, many, many autographs, gracefully posing for photographs at every turn. The weather was great and the transportation fantastic!

(Above: Cheerleaders and I awaiting transportation)

While I was away a variety show "Tops in Blue" entertained those left behind in Bagram!

When I returned the office was decorated with three different sized Christmas trees and colored lights. Of course the DFAC really did it up, they took simple styrofoam board (the stuff that comes in all of the refrigerated food boxes) and used it to create an amazing array of colorful art that was hung from ceilings and walls. They even made really cool chandeliers! It is amazing how creative they can get with such simple supplies.

I couldn't think of a more appropriate way for me to spend the holiday, if not with family, than with the troops. As some of you know, in years past I spent many a Christmas dressed as an elf (accompanied by my boss, Santa) and we delivered cheer to ships and subs on Christmas Day! This tour brought back those memorable days of past. It is wonderful how bringing joy to others can make your smile that much brighter!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! As it looks now, you all are enjoying snow!

Entertainment Tours make the job more enjoyable...

http://blogs.ajc.com/mike-luckovich/2010/11/15/1116-cartoon-mike-luckovich-on-afghanistan/ (In Photo: WA Redskins Cheerleaders aboard the C-17 ready to head home.)

The WA Redskins Cheerleaders danced and cheered in conjuntion with the X-Bowl Madden NFL competition held on base. Microsoft sponsored the event along with some others; and brought out gaming systems and provided this fun event for our clamshell full of excited soldiers and civilians.

(In Photo: Scott Kennedy and Mike Pace)

In Oct, we traveled north with a couple of funny comedians - Scott Kennedy and Mike Pace. It was Scott's 42nd tour here and Iraq. He is very committed to keeping the smiles on the faces of heroes in the field. We traveled to outposts that were very small, and they performed for over 2,000 soldiers. I must admit that traveling in blackhawks was both scary and exhilarating.

In Nov, we took a group of cartoonists south, to Kandahar. It was warm there, and I really liked the base. They have a wonderful boardwalk with shops and sports fields in the center. Every day soldiers play everything from baseball, football, cricket, basketball, and even hockey. The joke is that the Canadian Forces are equipping the country with hockey rinks. When you go to a FOB and there is a hockey rink you know the Canadians aren't far away. The one bad thing about this base is that they dump all of the "blackwater" into a pond that is aerated, which simply means continuously stinks! They even have shirts about the "Poo Poo Pond". Makes me all the happier to be living in Bagram, where I have learned how to digest the diesel fuel smell and dust.

I loved watching the visiting cartoonists draw caricatures and cartoons. They sat and talked and listened to soldiers stories; sharing their experiences at war and the love of their families back home.
(In Photo: Garry Trudeau, "Doonesbury"; Mike Luckovich, Editorial Cartoonist; Rick Kirkman, "Baby Blues")

Each soldier willing to wait in the long lines, walked away smiling and excited to have been in the company of: Garry Trudeau (Doonesbury); Tom Richmond (MAD Magazine); Mike Lukovich (Editorial Cartoonist); Stephan Pastis (Pearls Before Swine); Jeff Keane (Family Circus); and Rick Kirkman (Baby Blues). I came away with some great cartoons drawn just for me, as well as two very cool caricatures from Tom Richmond and Mike Lukovich.
(Drawing done for me by Tom Richmond, MAD Magazine)

R&R #2, my second home visit...

...was rewarding because it snowed! Then we headed out in the snow and ice covered roads traveling over 6 hours to visit with Skips family in Heppner, OR and spend 5 fun-filled days playing games and feasting on Thanksgiving fare!
(The barn with a view of the rolling hills of Heppner, Oregon.)(Any second now, these two tables will be covered with money, and surrounded by card playing fools!)

(Jessica and Aunt Tammie take a dip in the hot tub on a freezing day!)

(Wait a minute, my nephews are not using their silverware; they need a long trip to Afghanistan)

Pies, lobster, prime rib, turkey, ham, you name it, we ate it! It was quite the change from eating in the dining facility on base. And I don't just mean the use of real silverware and eating off of something other than paper! I had to walk 5 miles a day on the treadmill just to keep the weight of it all off my waistline, butt, and hips! After the family feasting, we attended the Naval Base Kitsap Holiday Party, I played some tennis, and lunched and dined with friends and family back in Gig Harbor! Tracy hosted a family get together at her holiday decorated home, where we exchanged gifts early and ate a wonderfully prepared crown roast meal!
(Stockings hung early for Tammie's benefit, while Poinsetta stands in as Christmas tree.)

December 5th we went to a tail gate party in Seattle prior to attending the Seahawks vs. Panthers home game. The Seahawks won! The next day, I left. Again my trip home felt like a whirlwind, as I headed back through Kuwait on my long journey back to Bagram.

I learned on this trip that is truly is a pyschological game played by the passenger terminal staff; to make you want to go back to Bagram. As they tease you hourly about your flight time, and then cancel it, and then call you back; so many times that you are screaming to just get back! It is crazy! Next R&R in February, to celebrate Skip & Steve's birthday!

(Kuwait, and wait and wait and wait and wait; when will my flight take off?)

Blackhawks Rock!!

Scott Kennedy and Mike Pace come to cheer the troops in Afghanistan~

see mom, we are safe, this HERO is keeping his eye on the targets.....

Joe and I dig this ride......

Okay it is time to reveal the "Comedy Tour" part 1: Blackhawks Rock .... I did finally get to jet out of here last month and not a C-17 this time, but a Blackhawk helicopter; and I loved every minute of it. Dina said it best in an e-mail to me, "A gal can get used to that kind of travel." I like the way it just swoops down, doesn't turn off it's engine and picks us up and then sort of hovers a little and then takes off. I love watching out the window obscured only by the boys, and I do mean boys; who are trigger-ready keeping an eye on the horizon, and below for any danger. Keeping us all safe in our seats. The cold air coming straight into your face is no worry, since you are so excited you are sweating in your heavy armor and kevlar. Did I say it was thrilling? Why, yes it was. That said, here are some photos. The view from this level is perfect, you can see just enough of the horizon to not get air sick; and you can see the terrain of the land, as well as the little villages tucked inbetween the hills and mountains. I think I may have seen Poppy fields, but can't be sure what the green was below. I did see a few goats but no camels. I wanted to see at least camel tracks, but no camels. Moving from forward operating base to forward operating base was like moving from one prison to the next, with the walls of security marking the boundaries of the base. It was nice to be greeted by a team of weapon carrying security guards who escorted us safely to the interior of the base. The Comedy Shows were so well recieved, it was exciting to watch the faces of all of the young men and woman who are working so hard to do their jobs and are so dedicated to their individual missions.