As the month of July comes to a close I feel as though I've learned alot about the people over here and will always appreciate life just a bit more. We were told last year that activity and danger would be at a high in July and August and thus far the Army was right. We endured alot of difficult things in July,mainly the loss of fellow soldiers and Americans. I am very proud to say that those that believe these acts of cowardly violence weaken our resolve couldn't be more wrong. We are all looking foward to completing this mission and going home and not a single soldier has had a let down.

The good thing about the end of July is that alot of people here are now "Two digit Midgets". This is a GI term for one that has nintey-nine days or less left two serve before going home. So they are two-digit midgets having a short time left to serve.

We continue to handle the heat as best we can, and from what I see on the news, it seems most folks back home are getting a good taste of what we've had for several months now. I remember seeing some of the guys out on a patrol, and when two vehicles stopped next to each other the gunners dropped into their hatches and came out firing at each other, with large squirt guns. It was very funny to see and also helped to lift the spirits, these big tough American machine gunners acting like eight year olds. It only lasted for a few seconds and was not any threat to their security and they really blasted each other. I believe one of the guys got the toys in a care package, it was a great gift. So, I had my sister send me some small plastic spray bottles that I fill with ice and spray myself when out on patrol. One other soldeir pulled out a spray bottle with a fan on it, he was the envy of the patrol.

We still seem to be very popular with the vast majority of the locals, especially the children. Sadly, last month a scumbag insurgent killed about seventeen children that had gathered near an American vehicle for toys and candy. I despise those that target and hurt children and have not the slightest sympathy for them, no mercy.
We were told by our leaders that this was the very reason why we are not to give out treats of any kind to the locals, I will always disagree with this posistion. Terrorist will always target the innocent and defensless, they rely on terror to manipulate politics. And I believe the someday these children of Iraq will help bring peace to the entire region. The purpose of the attack, we are told, was to depict Americans as using children to shield ourselves from harm and that there are some in the Arab world that believe this. If we yield to the terrorist and show indifference to the people on the street, children and adults, chalk one up for the terrorist. I just get sick at the thought of children as targets and believe it shouldn't hurt to be a child, this conflict is not their doing. I can honestly say that the kindness of the American soldier has affected tens of thousands of children just in our area and the terrorist can never effect what these men have already done to represent the average American.

One of the things that I experienced last month was the offering of food and tea from an Iraqi family. My vehicle was parked near small farm and for some reason a small boy brought us some watermelon, we gave him colored pencils. He soon returned with bread and vegetables and later tea. We didn't eat the food but acted like we did, there have been reports of poison in food. I don't know if the intent was to barter or just put us at ease, in either case it was a nice experience. We were in the middle of a weapons search and things had been a little tense.

We also had a chance to go into some of the real primitive areas and saw people still living in strw huts and mud walls. Alot of the locals sleep outside, either on the ground or on roof tops. I really can't blame them in one hundred and thirty degree heat there are not alot of options. And besides, the nights here a beautiful and often filled with bright stars and cool breezes, air-conditioning is not an option.

I am not as anxious as recently over crossing bridges and have settled back into the frame of mind that "whatever happens, happens" and worrying does not help. Preperation and caution help and shouldn't be overwhelmed with worry. It always helps talking to the other men on the FOB when it comes to dealing with going "Outside the wire", it turns out we all think very much alike and just do our duty. I wonder if the "two digit midgets" will let it affect them. I still have a ways to go but am definetly on the down hill side of my mission. I just hope the Army turns out to be wrong about August, July was enough for me.

I saw something the other day that really upset me and will share it with you because it's part of what alot of National Gaurdsmen and reservist must deal with, getting paid what their worth. At least that's what The way I see it. Men and women from all over America are serving here and are prepared to die. For this and the daily things they do they recieve a paycheck. So maybe this is what the Army figures a life is worth. For the most part I think the Army pay system is fair, what I have a problem with is the hypocracy that controls it.

The Army pay scale is from E1 to E9, the rank follows the same scale. Usually E1 to E4 is up to the commander to decide who gets to what scale and it's generally considered automatic from E1 to E4. All the rest are Seargents and have to recieve schooling and review boards, but this to can be misleading because the Army can waive just about all requirments if it chooses to do so. So on all Army forms it says- Pay grade/rank, with the idea being one can earn a level of pay not in accordance to rank. If there is a dental hygenist that loves their job they were once able to stay at that posistion and recieve E5-E8 pay without being a Seargent, made sense but it no longer applies. The Army now says all people in pay grades E5 and above are competent combat Seargents. I will just say that's PC/BS.

So here's what I saw. A young soldier in the grade of E3 that is on his second combat tour here in Iraq and has a wife and two small children, was told that before he could get E4 pay he had to be given and pass a physical fitness test. This is not, last time I checked, Army policy unless pushed by those in charge, remember it can be waived anytime. The man just wanted to make life a little more comfortable for his wife and children back home and the Army simply said, " Even though you are facing death everyday and your job will not change in the least with a pay raise, you don't deserve it unless you pass this fitness test."

I am a huge believer in soldiers being physically fit and fitness being vital to mission accomplishment. The problem is that the rule is selectivly applied and not the least bit adhered to in the Gaurd. I can also say that the Army has a rule that soldiers must be a certain height and wheight regardless of physical fitness. After all fitness test soldiers are processed through for height and wheight and even if you are one pound overwheight and scored perfect on your fitness test you can be "Flagged for all favorable actions" for two years. This means no promotions or schools for two years. If one passes an ensuing body fat analysis then everything is OK.

With so much emphasis on height, wheight and fitness one would think that the army is physically fit, not true. I can honestly say that in the four months before I arrived in Iraq my group of almost seven hundred men was required to exercise just five times. We went on a march and lost close to thirty percent of the people from lack of fitness. In theory hundreds of men should not have been allowed to come here but the numbers were needed on the ground, and I am personally OK with that, "soldier on" so to speak. What I have a problem with is the hypocracy behind this particular soldier risking his life for his country and obstacles being thrown in his way so an indivivdual or small group can boast about "Maintaining standards".
I also have seen hundreds of people get promoted without ever taking a fitness test. This is called "Pencil whipping" and all that happens is the fitness scores are pencled in as well as the height and wheight so "Standards are met".

That soldier and many other E3 and E4s deserve to be paid what they are worth and their families should be taken care of properly. I find it pathetic that the Army would allow such malicious things to occur to its lesser ranked soldiers. I should hope some of these guys similiar to the E4s from Tennesse I mentioned in an earlier blog, should draw pay for what they actually do. And if that were the case those two should be getting E6 or E7 pay. I've seen far too many top pay earners doing nothing more then watch a radio once every three days. The fact that thousands of people are drawing "Hostile fire" pay while staioned in Kuwait is a good example of the hypocracy be behind "Standars being met". Those folks don't come within a hundred miles of "hostile fire" yet this young man is denied a three hundred dollar payrise while living "Outside the wire".

I just wish the Army would stick to its standards equally and not always allow such bias from individuals within the system. But that is the system and something that we deal with everyday. When I see a person making three times what this private makes yet never leaving the comforts of an air conditioned building and having a medical excuse from wearing combat gear it really seems unjust.

I believe this soldier will now get promoted with about three months left on his second year of combat duty. I would hope that someday the Army will pay people for what they are worth, bring back the Specialist 5 thru 7 rank. I think the people here are definetly worth far more then that.

The weather here on the FOB is staying hot and windy right around 125 degrees is the average. We have plenty of fluids available to us and constantly drink. The only concern is the abundance of soft drinks and others with sugar and caffeine, it's very easy for me to drink ten or more sodas a day and I know it's not healthy. One of the strange things we do , or it seems strange at the time, is when we leave the wire we must put on all our protective gear regardless of the temperature. It's like we are getting ready for a hockey game, we have about forty pounds of gear from body armor, shoulder pads, gloves, knee and elbow pads, pelvic pads and more. Before we get out the gate we are soaking wet from the heat and weight. But it's definetly a labour of love, that stuff will save your skin for sure.

One of the frustrating things that we deal with is a type of dependence from the people of Iraq. On one outing we went to a village that we had supplied with a water purifier and generator to supply power to the entire village. The generator was not being used simply because they wanted the Army to supply the fuel. We just can't figure out why they can't come up with fuel in the middle east. On a personal level, I am getting a little annoyed with the Iraqi so;diers constantly asking me to help cloth and feed their kids, I do what I can but they seem to think I and others can just simply get anything they want within hours. I am trying to understand the mentality of people that lived under a dictator and economic sanctions for so long, but I just get frustrated when I can't help. And I really must mention the fact that local people are still trying to kill us and we know it.

Here's a scary example. We were on a patrol led by Iraqi soldiers when we came to a bridge that had to be crossed. Now this particular bridge has had several bombs go off in the exact same spot. The intention is not to blow up the bridge but to kill Americans, for this reason only small amounts of explosives are used. The local villagers use the bridge to conduct business. The Iraqi soldiers inspected the bridge and said it was clear to cross and as soon as we started to move towards the bridge it blew up right in front of us. The problem is that there are a number of vendors within a hundred feet of the bridge constantly and someone should have seen the explosives being placed, yet said nothing to us. And it didn't help in our level of trust with the bridge being "cleared". There were no injuries so we just did an investigation and continued with the mission.

The difficult thing for me lately has been crossing bridges. I can't seem to get back to normal and always feel like the ground below me will explode as soon as I reach the center, it's really a very anxious time for me and my heart kicks into high gear. I've had to go over that very same spot several more times and come within inches of the blast hole. This may sound silly but I always lean away from the blast hole and tuck my chin down in anticipation of the explosion. This is something that all of us here are supposed to do, be ready to meet the worst each and every day. I am growing very weary of the racing heart and impending blast. I don't want to sound overly dramatic but that is what courage is supposed to be, and I've heard it said this way "If courage is a quality that knows not fear I've never met a couragous man. For courage is a quality that forces a man, in spite of his fear, to carry on".

I've talked to other men here and the feeling is pretty much mutual, we have got to be "outside the wire" and some of us will not make it home because of this. But this is exactly what governments have soldiers for, to kill and be killed. In the hope that the more willing we are to do this the less likely others are to challenge our way of life. I know this is sounds like a very simple explanation but it is ultimatly what the military is for. I can't wait to get home and enjoy what I've left behind. But only after I've gone over that a bridge who know how many more times.

I, like many veterans and soldiers, am a bit of a military history buff and have often times found myself mystified by some of the things soldiers have said and done throughout many times of conflict. I remember seeing the tombstones of Normandy and the inscription carved on the markers of the British soldiers. "So that others might live", it was paraphrased from "He died, so that others might live". Of course it's applied to all those men that fought and died to liberate Europe and more importantly, for each other. I also recall the Vietnam veterans talking about when men were wounded, they were never seen or heard again and their buddies just hoped the best for them. I think I understand alot more now than I ever would have watching the "History channel".

Some time back we lost one of our brothers and I wish I could tell you his name and exactly how he died, I can't. But I can tell you that he died doing his duty, and his duty was to ensure the safety of the men of O'Ryan. I can tell you that most of us at one time or another saw this man doing just that but never really gave it a thought, he had his duty we have ours. I can tell you that he performed his duty each and every day and the risk was, and still is, always there. He went quickly and did not suffer, I will never forget this mans name although I can not share it with you.

One of the odd things that happend that day was how we all reacted to the news. We were very angry and still do not understand why people are trying to kill such good men. I also remember that in only a very short time we, as a whole , were back to business as usual. I really don't know what to make of it and can't say whether this is good or bad, it just is. Perhaps it's a collective defense mechanizm that keeps us doing our duty, maybe we just can't focus on the suddeness of death here and it will catch up with us down the road. Or maybe it's just doing what professional soldiers are supposed to do, I don't have the answer.

When we hear that someone has been killed and we are about to go do the exact same thing they were killed doing I usually get a little sick feeling and ask myself "Is today the day?". But we take just a moment to pause, perhaps pray, and get back to doing our duty. Just one more thing I will never take for granted again is the saying "He died so that others might live".

We have also had the wounded leave us. I recall one soldier I saw each and everyday and find to be a very amiable person, the typical American soldier, young and full of promise and life. We had just come in from patrolling our sector and a vechicle pulled up with a senior Officer and he told us to "Come lend a hand we've got weapons and ammo here". We then found out that one of our patrol elements had been attacked and we had several wounded but everyone would be OK. that was a huge relief. One of the men had facial wounds and, as it turns out, was back in his Gunner posistion within forty-eight hours bandages and all. The young man I'm refering to was on his way to Germany and then home for physical therapy and rehabilitation. We have been told he may not come back at all, I hope he doesn't. And yet I will never get the chance to wish him well and thank him for what he has done, he was actually filling in for someone on vacation, there it is again "luck and timing".

Everyday these guys get up and leave the wire never really sure if they'll be back. And they do so without giving it a second thought. I can only hope that we don't take too much of this back home and it stays where it belongs, a distant memory.

I've recently had the oppurtunity to see some new area and it's really quite a change. Some of the area I've been too looks more like what I expected coming to Iraq, almost like the surface of Mars at times. Although there are still many canals most of the area near them is rather barren and dry looking. Of course the one constant is the children rushing too our vehicles and always waving, or asking for mangaria and food.

At some of the villages we frequent I've managed to recruit kids that help me control the rest. I still try to be as helpful as possible but it does get very frustrating at times. I recall recently giving a small Teddy bear to a little girl only to have a little boy rip it from her arms and flee into the village. My instict said to run him down and get her bear back but common sense made me stay put and just let the girl cry, there will be other bears and soldiers I'm sure. I also remember when one child was telling me how thirsty he was and in need of cool water, I broke down and gave him a small bottle of water and he immediatly sold it to another child, this really bothered me since we never have enough water to go around. I find myself wondering if they understand the concept of sharing. And yet when I've given a soda or water to the little girls they seem to scurry off and return asking for more. I assume they've given the item to a parent for safe keeping or sharing.

It's really strange here for the females they are either cute outgoing little girls , some are shy but not most, or they are covered from head to toe in usually black clothing and working in all aspects of farm life, herding sheep and cattle, tending the fields and harvesting crops. Most of the time there's a man just watching them work. But this is not my home or culture and I must not interfere. I've only spoken to two American women since I've been here and they seem to feel as I do, they,the Iraqi women, are all yearning to be individuals but that likely won't happen anytime soon.

One female soldier explained to me the logic of polygomy. It seems that many Iraqi women want their husbands to marry their sisters, simply in order to maintain social/family ties. If you're a woman in Iraq and get married the only other women you'll really be able to talk too are your husbands other wives, so better it be someone you care about and trust. That's just how it was explained to me and I really wish it wasn't so but who am I to decide the issue?.

I am still trying to learn as much as I can about this place and its people but the main concern is always to just make it home. I have a great deal of respect for the Iraqi people but really don't understand many things yet. I've been through areas recently where people live in grass huts and have stone tools but still have antennas. We've passed through small cities that are much like the U.S. and still have mule carts in car lanes. We pass by street vendors selling blocks of ice and the Iraqi soldiers will still ask us to give them our ice, we don't of course but wonder why at 125 degrees don't they just chip in and buy some.

The soldiers I work with continue to ask for everything they can possible get from us and seem to believe our access to things is with out limits. I try to share things with them and have also seen them grab things from each other. I recently brought some baby cloths to one soldier I had seald in large ziplock bags. When one fell to the ground another soldier scooped it up and kept it. The original soldier looked at me begging intervention with his eyes, but again I declined. I'm sure in that case I could have retrieved the cloths but it wouldn't have solved the issue, learning to share.

Well, I guess I've still got alot to learn and by the time I head home for good I will be just a bit more worldly. My next entry will be with dealing with those that have been wounded and the fallen.

Recently a comment was made that might suggest questioning my credibility and experience, it was in response to my being critical of actions taken by certain members of the National Gaurd. The comment even suggested that a "Paratrooper" might not apreciate military security and discipline. I believe the comments made by "Roberta" underscore a major problem with what is now a major part of our military, the attitude in the National gaurd and readiness of it's units.

The history of the Gaurd is a proud and nobel one, simply because of those that fill its ranks. They are, and have always been teachers, mechanics, dentists, police officers, highwaymen, social workers, lawyers or just plain old citizen soldiers, your neighbors. Ready at a moments notice to leave everything behind and defend its countrys interests. And the purpose has always been to get the job done and get back home and resume life. But for some reason a small minority believe what has happened now is an oppurtunity to step into the limelight, not do what millions have done before, just get the job done. The attitude of those in uniform is crucial to the accomplishment of our mission and our very survival.

I would like to share some of the attitude here at this FOB with some of you, it's also a good indicator of why we prefer duty on a FOB to those "In the rear with the gear". I met two soldiers from Tennesse that have been friends for over twenty-five years, one a Sgt
the other an E4. They have been in the service for sixteen years and when I asked the E4 about getting some rank he simply said " I'm just here to make sure this guy makes it home in one piece, his family is counting on me". They are the very best of friends and are not the least bit concerned with promotion,previlage or security clearances but more importantly the task at hand and each others safety. I know another E4 that lives in the same town of that old country comedy show
"Hee Haw" character "Minnie Pearl". This E4 has given some of the most outstanding training to the Iraqi Army I've ever seen, he has been in for fourteen years and isn't a bit concerned with going home with medals, patches, awards or previlage he just wants to do what is expected and get home. These men of Tennesse are an honor to work with and reflect the highest traditions of service just like two other Tennessians well known to soldiers, Alvin York and Elvis Presly.

Not too long ago I bumped into an E7 from Wisconsin and asked him for a motivation check and he told me he was doing terrible. When I asked why he let me know that he had been transferred or given other duties and it would be a long miserable deployment now. I reminded him that he was only four months out from going home and that he'd earned the right to stay in the wire for awhile, after all "Rank has its previlages". He then stated that he couldn't give a damn about rank or previlage, that his place is with the men, his men. I had no reply simply because I fully ubderstood the obligation he feels. The above mentioned men are not exeptions ,but the rule here on O'Ryan, men of honor and duty not concerned with anything other then taking care of each other and seeing our families again.

I found that this attitude is in abundance with certain types of units, in particular the "Airborne". The concept behind Paratroopers
has always been to parachute behind enemy lines completly surrounded and out gunned, expect casualities around eighty percent and complete the mission. Many times in history Paratroops have been scattered and not been able to form up for an effective fighting force for days. And yet they always understood what they where there to do, fight the enemy. And so these men would form up in "Little Groups Of Paratroopers" regardless of rank or previlage and do their duty as best they could.
What does one think the attitude is of a man that's willing to travel thousands of miles in an aircraft, strap close to one-fifty pounds of ammunition and equipment to his body, jump into total darkness at 140mph, land and fight completly surrounded? He probably has a very different attitude then, shall we say, someone that wants to be an Xray technician and work in Washington D.C. I'd say so.

I only used the LGOP's as an example for those that can't understand why someone would want to be at the point of an arrow rather than in the rear, it's a very special brotherhood that too few understand and I can only hope we continue to get more men like those examples I've given from Anywhere U.S.A. our future depends on them.
It really doesn't matter what unit the person is in or where they come from, what maters is the spirit of the warrior or the heart of the lion, it's attitude.

As for why I'm here I'd have to throw in with those guys from Tennesse and say "By choice". For this forty-three year old Paratrooper nothing beats being at the squad and platton level as a Sgt. This is where the real ties are, it's being able to look into the eyes of the men you lead and say "Follow me". It's now being able to shake hands with the men, women and children of Iraq and represent my country. I've had many chance to leave or go up the ladder but this is not my future but my duty. I am obligated to speak the truth simply because every day here may be my last and it's not how or when one dies that matters, but how one lives.

Didn't mean to be so long winded on the attitude, but there are many things worth defending and character is one of them.

We are very forutnate here to be in constant contact with the people of Iraq, by that I mean the "Terps" or intrepreters.Seven months ago, when we were getting our briefings on the do's and don'ts here in Iraq some of the things we were told to avoid were religion,politics and women. It was said that it is far too easy to offend the average Iraqi with discussion of such things, not true in our little piece of Iraq.

I have seen many times Americans and Muslims discussing our common ground in our spirtual beliefs and the link in the Koran and the Bible. One very well educated man explained to us the garden of eden and it's relation to Balad. Many times we see motorist passing us with pictures of Jesus Christ on their windows. I have many, many times used the phrase "Insh Allah" "If God will it so" and the Muslimes love it, as well as "Salaam Alekum". Afterall, how can we be tolerant of something unless we try to understand it, and how else will we understand without discussion? The Intreperters have been a huge help in this manner. The "Terps" as we call them often times tell us of the life under Sadaam and what the average person in Iraq thinks of us. This is important because access to the media always seems to be reserved for the extremist or the priveleged.

The dirt farmers that plow the land and the "Soldier" or "Policeman" that risks his life everyday for his family, the Terps are our link. It is through the mouths of the Terps that understanding is brought about and it is the eyes of the children the future will be seen. The Terps have been shot at, threatened and beaten but still believe in what we bring. I have seen the wounds on these mens bodies and watched as they expose themselves to death always unarmed and by our sides.

The Terps help to train us in their culture and language. I have been corrected many times for my Arabic grammer and told "What are you a tourist, don't talk from a book but the heart. I will teach you the ways of the people." It's come in different forms but the message is always the same.

The Iraqi soldiers love to visit our living areas, because we always seem to have magazines around with pictures of women. And yes, they are all Government approved and not what might be considered improper. I for one don't belive they are offended in the least, but these are just regular people like us. I even tapped one on the shoulder while he was admiring a swimsuit photo and said "This is not good, very bad." to which he said "You crazy, this very good".

The Terps have explained to us the tribal fueds in the area and how easy it is for people to shoot each other over access to the water canals. They explain the history of local villages and why things are as they are. We have also been told that the majority of the attacks on us are by Syrians,Iranians,Saudis and plain old criminals. They are very much concerned for their country and risk the same things we do, life itself. I really enjoy when they ask about America and seeing their eyes light up at the prospect of one day seeing this incredible place from which so many people came too help them. Many of us have forged friendships with the Terps and offered to help them get started in America, the generosity of Americans is overwhelming at times and great to be a part of.

I hope that none of our Terps ever get hurt, but that's just a hope. When we finally get to go home they will stay and continue the fight. And this is one more thing we here at the FOB will take home and probably, every now and then, ask Allah to watch over them.

I was recently watching a DVD here at the FOB and came to a part where a car exploded and felt myself getting very uneasy with it and maybe even a little nervous. Now I don't think of myself as an emotionally soft person but really felt a little spooked by it. I have a little clearer picture of what the immediate future back home may hold for me. I am sure there will be moments of nervousness and feeling a little out of place. I also find myself thinking that every mound of dirt and pile of garbage near the road as a possible threat to my safety. We all want to think we will be able to leave it all behind but I really wonder how long it will take.

When we were getting ready to come hear last year we were told that the summer months of June through August were the predicted "Heavy activity" months and I can see after June that being very possible. As I've stated before we are ready for what ever the insurgents want to bring our way, the problem is they just do cowardly acts and aren't stupid enough to fight in the open. We can only hope that soon, very soon, the IA earns the same respect and we can go home. And even when they do strike the damage they inflict is almost non-existent. Our equipment has proved it's worth in protecting us from harm, although heavy,cumbersome and EXTREMELY Hot it's doing the job.

I want to share a few big differences in the Iraqi's and us. Recently while waiting to join our Iraqi counterparts for some activity "Outside the wire" we were watching them prepare themselves and a few of them had to use the Porta-Potty. Well, to be blunt, there is no tissue in their toilet area only water bottles. The Iraqi's believe in using water and the left hand for finishing up. They then use the remaining water for washing their face and hands. It should also be noted that they do not believe toilets should be sat on but stood over. One of the Wisconsin guys said what all of us were thinking, "Well if that just don't beat all,it's no wonder why these guys never have any water to drink. Hey guys! try some tissue and save the water, you live in a desert for Christs sake!"

Another thing about being here instead of the luxurious LSA Anaconda, We seem to be much closer and in better spirits. I recently got a twelve hour block of time off and was at the LSA and noticed people don't seem to notice each other or really care. I was standing in line at the PX (Post exchange) with about ten other people. There are sixteen checkout stands and two line starts available for busy times. Well today there were only three clerks so we all formed one line and waited patiently. A civilian worker walks up, walks right past us and decides to start his own line. As soon as the next open checker said "Next please" he walked right over. Yes, I said something to him and he repied "I see two signs for lines" to which I replied "Brother, so do all of us. the difference is common sense and common courtesy, which isn't really common at all". I couldn't help myself, simply because here at O'Ryan those are just as common as common can be.

When we pass people running or walking we always slow our vehicles down, move to the extreme edge of the road and wave to each other. Everyone usually parts by saying "Take brother and stay safe"
and they really mean it. We try to respect each other and know all to well that for far too many ,tomorrow never comes.

So, although things get rough here at times we're in some rather exceptional company and worry only when we have to, lifes too short. And the best thing everyone back home can do is live well and worry less then we do. I'll try to stay in touch and may be a little less specific,but I will try.

Ahowelle Itthaka - I'll try to remember