Everytime we ride through the local area, whether it's through the villages or along the canal roads that nourish the local farmland, we always have large amounts of children chasing us or just waving frantically as we roll by. And they always say the same thing "Mangaria, mangaria, mister, mister, mangaria!". This basically means "give us candy", some how the children of Iraq have come to believe all American soldiers have candy and will give it just for the asking, I wonder how that could have happened. I think that it is a result of what has happened here over the first two years of our being here. It is really something everyone back home should see just one time. It is truly heartwarming.

On a recent patrol we passed by a burning dog, it was obvious that gasoline had been poured on the carcass and set ablaze. As it turns out, it was we Americans that did this, and for good reason. What the insurgents have been doing to animal carcasses is cutting them open and inserting large amounts of explosives inside and replacing them near the roads edge. As we drive by the bomb it's set off in the futile hope that Americans will be hurt or killed. So to deny insurgents the chance we set all carcasses ablaze until useless.

I have recieved many comments in reference to others here on O'Ryan and want to thank all who sent comments. It should be mentioned thar this is a very large FOB,area wise, and we all live in bunkers up to a mile apart and it is difficult to identify indivivduals but I'll still try. We did get invited to a BBQ two days ago but couldn't make it. Most of the soldiers here wear full combat gear and sunglasses outdoors and inside wear T-shirts, so name tags are hard to see. But I'm willing to bet the guys with the grill are from Wisconsin, friendly guys.

One of the most interesting things to experience on patrol is the radio traffic. On a recent patrol I heard several reports of explosions in the area. The follow on traffic usually has location of the blast, request for casuality status and pending action. I've often heard people say that soldiers always believe things like "It won't happen to me, it's always the other guy". I don't feel that's true here, in fact for me it's just the opposite. I always think "Wow, that could've been me, I was in that very same area just yesterday," And I think alot of guys here feel the same way. That's probably why the guys on the FOB are so easy going, because we all think "Is today the day?"

On one recent patrol I heard the name Mohamid Abbas Shuty over the radio. The name was the same as some of our interpreters so it was easy to remember. This man had been gunned down in a local village by six men in two vehicles ( a drive by ). Three days later I learned he had died from wounds sustained on the day of the shooting. I never knew the guy but realize another Iraqi has died in the pursuit of democracy. We also hear the various units from all over Iraq passing through our sector on their way to points unkown, although many are going to LSA Anaconda. The biggest supply place in Iraq.

On another patrol we stopped outside a village and just listened to the prayers from the local Mosque. One of the five pillars of Islam is to pray five times a day and the loud speakers from the Mosque lead the prayers. We do this because often times refrence and guidance are given in relation to the Coalition forces. We can't stay too long because the children always find us and will just stand close to us until they recieve "mangaria", it's at these times when it can be dangerous for everyone concerned but there's not alot we can do other then just leave.

There have been some comments about my "Remfs and Poges" blog I'd like to address. I understand we all have a jobe to do and it wasn't meant to humiliate any group but to illustrate what we, particularly GRUNTS, tend to feel about other groups in the military. It's just one of many frames of mind set. The EOD guys are the most valued asset in Iraq (explosive ordinance disposal) and the medics are the ones that make sure the wounded see their families again. The list goes on and so does the tradition of REMF calling.

One last thing on listening to radio traffic while on patrol. The worst thing to hear other than Americans hurt is when children are being evacuated to the Hospital. I've heard it several times and will hear it several more I'm sure, and will never get used to it.

The recent temprature has been in the high 120's and will get hotter. We are always soaking wet and a little smelly but what can we do ? We get laundry service twice a week and have four uniforms each. Some guys wash their clothing in a bucket outside but what's the point when you're filthy whithin hours. No one on O'Oryan has indoor plumbing and all of us have to use Porta-pottys. Don't think we all won't be gratful for hometown bathrooms and beds, and some home cooked food. Hopefully O'Ryan will have new tenants soon.