By the way,I recently recieved some messages from some of you with regards to familiy here at O'Ryan and want to respond.To Mrs. Burrier I will soon post a picture of a little girl that recieved a Barney and a Bunny stuffed animal while we were on patrol,I don't know the name of the soldier that handed out those gifts but he sure made several children very,very happy on that day.And it may have been in violation of policy but like I said,we're American and don't see children as killing machines or terrorist.
I've also not met anyone else named Watkins here.I do know the guys here from Tennesse and Wisconsin are doing a great job and all really seem to take care of each other,we're all we've got.And for the most part spirits are high and all is well.
I did recently have some jerk try to tell me not to even say hello to children or explain why we aren't allowed to give them water and food.I told him to "shut up and quit being such a jerk,I will not act like children don't matter.If you got a problem with hungry kids asking for food,that's your problem.I don't care if President Bush tells me to ignore kids,I will not ignore them,it's not their fault."
This is part of the problem with alot of the Gaurdsmen and
reservist here is that they have no idea how to win a counter-insurgent operation and want to treat everyone as hostiles.Most of us here don't see it that way,it's just that alot of the people sent here never should have been sent.But since they have been sent and they've been around forever they get put in charge of alot and don't know how to handle it.After six months of training before getting here most soldiers were never taught simple phrases and don't have the ability to relate to the people of Iraq,thank you military brass for being so prudent in planning.And I really think it just irked this guy that I could talk to children in Arabic.
I will try to stay up on these entries but life on the FOB just doesn't go according to my preference.Take care everyone and we will see all of you at the rally point - "HOME"
Hi, thanks so much for your website. It definately helps to see what it's really like over there and hear up to the minute news about FOB ORyan. I know you must get bombarded with requests like the one I am about to make but I hope you know I am making it out of care and concern for my soldier that is on his way to your FOB as we speak.
I
Here comes the request part of my email: is there any way for you to let me know once Captain Spencer Price with the 221st Mechanized Infantry has arrived safely?? He told me he was headed for FOB ORyan. He left Ft. Bliss yesterday at 7:30AM EST. I realize it will take several days if not longer but I am anxious to get an update on his safety and hopefully start communicating with him via email if possible.
Thanks for any help you can give!!! I admire you and everyone over there and will keep all of you in my prayers and thoughts.
What is the APO of your location? I would like to send packages if possible. Any requests???
Tracy