The "Log Pack" is a term we use for the people that go from point A to point B on a fairly regular basis and usually with the purpose of bringing supplies and maintaining logistics. But it also does something very important for us soldiers, it is usually the system used for getting soldiers to their start point to either begin R&R (Rest and Relaxation) or go home for good. So one really aticipates the day their name is called to "Meet the log pack". My day finally came after almost an entire year, I am going home for some R&R. I feel very tired and excited at the same time. One counts the days leading up to the moment you know what the future holds. By this I mean I will not be in harms way and time with my family is certain.
I will be missing a very important time here in Iraq. Ramadaan will begin next week as well as the elections and the much aticipated trial of Sadaam Hussein. We have been preparing ourselves for the worst and, as always, hope for the best. It just so happens I had to catch a ride on the Log Pack with some of the guys from Tennessee. They to are looking foward to the end of their obligation here and aren't thinking past tomorrow, that can be dangerous. As usual they were friendly and very focused on what we are here to do.
The month of September seemed to slow down things quite a bit and it seems to me the the local people are becoming more involved in helping us and the Iraqi Army. The heat is not as intense as before but still rears its ugly head from time to time. The quality of the food they serve us is just getting worse and is very annoying when some of the finest dining facilities in this entire region are the ones supplying our meals. Often times the potatoes we get for dinner seem like the same ones we got for breakfast. It seems as if we are getting leftovers for the sake of expedience. I plan on doing alot of eating when I get home is just a few more days
A few of the guys are headed home because they finished their tours here and it was sad to see them go but it was also good to know they didn't get wounded or worse. We of course must finish with the task at hand, and then our time will come.
Maybe after few days rest another entry will be posted, but I really do feel very tired at this time. We are all supposed to be allowed about ninety days of rest when we get home, I sure hope so.
A few guys finished their comitment here simply because
Have a great time on R&R. I know you deserve it. You must be very tired by this point and I think about what you all are going through all the time over there. I will miss your postings but, think you should just take this time for yourself.
My section sergeant told me logpack was an abbreviation of Logistical Package. Just an FYI.
Enjoy your R&R dude!
I hope you have a wonderful time with your family while on R&R. My son just recently returned to FOB O'Ryan from his R&R. He is one of the Tennessee National Guardsmen of the 278th. We really enjoyed having him home and missed him even more when he had to return but are looking forward to their return home at the end of this month if nothing happens. Well enjoy your time home. I'll miss your postings but now it the time to rest and enjoy your family. Godspeed. My prayers are with all you all at all time. Linda
Elias,
I look forward to seeing you in class on Tuesday. I gave my students this address. Hopefully they will read your posts and maybe post a question.
HI TIO,
WELL I WENT OVER TO VSIT U THIS WEEKEND AT TIA MARTHA'S HOUSE, BUT I DID NOT GET TO SEE YOU BECAUSE IT WAS GETTING TO LATE AND I COULDNT STAY ANY LONGER. HOPEFULLY U LIKED THE ENCHILADAS CUASE I KNOW I DID.OH AND I NEVER KNEW ABOUT THESE BLOGS YOU WRITE, I KIND OF FOUND IT BY CHANCE.THEY ARE VERY INTERESTING TO READ.I HOPE TO SEE U SOON TIO.LOVE YOU.BYE.
Thanks for visting my class for the speech you gave, I know now some specific things about what we are doing over there.
thanks again,
John
Thank you sir for taking some of your time to visit our class yesterday...I thought the entire presentation was really intresting. Thank you for serving in out nation's Army.
This is a student from the school you visited last week. I just wanted to say thanks for visiting. Your visit was much appreciated. And FYI- some of the other students might post now too.
Hey Mr. Banales!
Thank you so much for coming to our classroom on Tuesday!I enjoyed learning so much about what is "actually happening" over there, in Iraq, instead of the media and news being my primary source of information. Now, that i am definatley more knowledgable and informed about the situation, I can join in on my parents conversations....haha.Thanks again and good luck in the future!
-Paige
my name isnt really elliot carver... you visited my class during your R&R and im hoping you enjoyed telling mr dennert's class everything as we enjoyed learning about it!! you did an excellent job and i found your presentation both interesting and informative!! well done, and you have my support all the way!!! :]
Hi Mr.Borales,
This is Kyle Holden, a student of Mr. Dennert's AP World History Class. I listened and enjoyed your presentation to my class on tuesday, October 11, 2005. Your presentation was extremely interesting and I learned information about the war we are currently in that I did not know before. You are a very brave and courageous soldier to stand up to the Iraqi military people even though they constantly shoot at each other. Good luck in Iraq and I hope you come back safe. Go Elias!
This is Kyle Holden
Posted by: steve smith
REAL smooth, no one will ever guess you posted under a fake name LOL.
Anyways... Thank you Mr. Banales for telling us what you experienced while you served in Iraq. It was very interesting and gave me a new outlook on the people who lived in those areas, especially the children. Your stories about the children asking for candy and asking Americans if they can spare some change (F*ckya)was entertaining and informative at the same time. I hope you enjoy your R&R, and once again thank you for sharing your experinces of Iraq.
I was just wondering, what do you miss the most when you are away from home?
Other than family, which is obvious, do you miss a certain type of food, following your favorite sports team, ect... or are you so focused on your duties that you do not start thinking about the things you enjoy at home until you actually return home?
Mr. Banales, Can you please explain the reference to the way some Iraqi children ask for change?
Thank you,
Ty
This is matt ritz from Mr. Dennerts ap world history class and i just wanted to say thank you Mr. Bonales for coming in to the class and talking about your job. i really apreciated it. I think that is so amazing that you serve for our country tyvm.
Thanks again for visiting our class, I learned a lot about our current position in Irag and I hope that you and your friends remain safe. Thank you for protection our country.
Lauren Ritenberg
Thanks so much for coming to our class and telling us all about whats going on over in Iraq, and what exactly you do. I learned so much interesting information that i am thankful to now know. Good luck in Iraq and i hope to see you again soon!
I think what you're doing for our country is awesome. I think the Armed Forces stationed in Iraq are very necessary to ensure peace to the Middle East and the rest of the world
Thanks for coming to our class. The information you shared was great. I admire what you and the entire Armed Forces are doing for our country.
Hello mr. Banales! Thank you so much for visiting our classes this week! I really appreciated you coming and showing us your videos and pictures-- it's so nice to hear what is really going on in Iraq instead of what the media tries to tell us! Thank you for taking time out of your R&R for us! I enjoyed it a lot!
I hope you have a great R&R and have a safe time in Iraq!
Yours truly,
Katie H.
hello, i am from mr. dennerts ap us history class and i just wanted to thank you for coming to our class to speak to us and taking time out of your busy schedule for us. i hope you enjoy your time home and have an AMAZING weekend!
Mr. Banales
Thank you so much for coming to our class on Tuesday. You are an inspirational person and your stories really helped me to better understand the conflict in iraq. Your service is greatly appreciated and your stories are helpful. Again, thank you very much.
Danny
Thank you so much for coming to visit Mr. Dennert's class this week, I learned a lot about the war. I really appreciate your services. Keep up the good work!
Stephanie
Dear Mr. Banales,
Thank you very much for taking some of your R&R to educate and share some of your life-experiences involving war & of the like. It was wonderful to learn through stories of one who is simply telling things like they are. Keep on giving all you have got.
Thank you so much for visiting my history class last Tuesday. I have always wanted to see how an actual soldier felt about the war efforts and it was very interesting.
Thanks again,
Nick
elias,
thank you for talking to us, it ment alot to us that you took the time to speak durring your time off.
Thank you so much for coming to my class on tuesday. it was a really cool thing to hear from someone in iraq and to know what you guys do over there. what you are doing is awesome. thank you for serving our country. thanks again, Lauryn L.
Dear Mr. Banales,
My name is Aala. I am a student of Mr. Dennert's Ap world history class. I really enjoyed your prsentation and learned a great deal of interesting facts. Than you again!
dear mr banales,
thank you for attending our class on tuesday. i really enjoyed your presentation. i learned a great deal of interesting facts about what you are doing in iraq. thank you again,
Aala I.
Thanks for presenting to our world history class. We enjoyed your previous experiences and explanations of the roles of women and Irag itself. Good luck with your upcoming missions.
Keep America in good hands!
MR. Banales,
Thanks for coming to my ap world history class. I am enjoyed your honesty with the class and i also liked how you explained to us what was really happening in Iraq.. Thank you for dedicating your life to working for our country... THANKS AGAIN...
~~BREANNA~~
Mr. Banales,
Thank you so much for coiming to my history class. I really enjoyed learning from you. Thank you so much for serving our counrty and i hope that you stay safe.
Lauren
Mr. Banales,
Thank you for coming to my history class and explaining what a soldier goes through when deployed. Your speech also helped me understand what the Iraqi people, especially the women and children, have to go through and that Iraq is still a work in progress. I hope you enjoy your time back home and stay safe when you get off your leave.
thanx for coming in to our class and everything it was a great experience for me to understand what is realy going on in Iraq right now. hopee u have a good time on ur leave and thanx again.
Mr. Banalas. Thank you so much for coming to my history class on. It was very interesting hearing a soldiers point of veiw about this war. My parents are strongly against this war so it was nice to hear a different point of view from someone i can actually trust. I was thinking about joining the army after high school. Now i have a little more insight on the army which can help me make my decision. THanks again and I hope you enjoy your time off in Cali.
Thanks for visiting my history class last Tuesday. It was really interesting hearing you speak about social positions, and the Iragis feelings toward America. I was especially interested to hear about the children of Iraq, since all I've heard about the war was military stuff. Also, thank you for being honest and not glossing everything over the way the media does. It's really cool to actually hear a truthful account about Iraq. I hope you enjoy your time off, and thanks again for taking time off your break to come and visit us.
Dear Mr. Banalas,
Thank you for taking the time to visit our classroom and speak about Iraq and your time overseas. Your service means a lot to us.
Thank you so much for coming and talking in our class. I really enjoyed learning what is going on there. Good luck training the Iraq troops. Stay safe.
this isn't really hashy mcbrown. i dont know who he is, or if he exists. this is mike. thanks so much for coming to our class. random smiley face :)
Like, OMG!!! It's a blog! I totally want to thank you times infinity for talking to our class! Good luck in Iraq!
note: HELP! I can't stop using exclamation marks!
Mr. Banales,
Thank you very much for visiting my AP World History class. I learned a lot about the war in Iraq, and I wish you luck when you go back there.
-Sandy Q.
Mr. Banales, thank-you for visiting our class. It helped me understand how the Iraqi people view the war and explained some things that the news doesn't.
Thanks again. :)
Mr. Banales,
Thank you so much for coming to our class to talk. I learned a lot of new things about the war and Iraq. I hope you enjoy your R&R.
Hi Mr. Banales
thanks so much for coming and talking to us in class. you don't know how much that means to me to hear the responce of a soldier in the army. I realy injoyed your stories about the people in Iraq and opened my eyes to see how blessed we are. your insite has strengthened my convictions and tempered my determination to join the armed services. I am planning to join the air force when I graduate high school throught the air force academy in colorado. thanks again!
sincerely,
Ethan Delgado
oh mr. Banales I forgot to ask you something. Why did you choose to join the army? Also I Was wondering if you have grown to love the Iraqi citizens as much as you love other americans? thanks again!
Elias,
Thank you! My students learned so much about the day to day lives of Iraqis. I am honored by your presence and wish you luck in your mission.
Brian Dennert
yo,thanks for coming to our class and talking about your experances, stay safe :)
Mike Kaiser
Welcome Home. Does Spec. A.REDD owe you any money from wild gambling :>)
Good work. Proud of you all.
Tom
Hey, Sarg. I am one of the kids you did a presentation to on your R&R. Keep safe over there, we need some more people to come airsofting with us =). I hope you had a great time with our school, and will come back when you get a chance.
We all apreciate what you are doing for us over there, that goes for all you guys over there. Keep safe, and come back soon.
--Thanks.