Thanks a lot for putting everything together. That was really nice of the lady to make the donation. I know what she must be going though. It never easy to lose a son, husband or daughter. (See note at end of Marks entry for details)
I know we have been really lucky so far. Our Task force hasn't had any serous wounded or killed. There has been several close calls so far. Knock on wood. We have less than 100 days till we come home. My wife just sent me another camera to replace the one I dropped and broke about 2 months ago. Will try to send some more pictures. I got the camera right after going on a mission with the Australians. I didn't realize that we had that many poppy fields so close to our FOB.(forward operating base) 5-8 miles
Would have really like to have gotten some pictures of those. The British are starting their eradication program in one of the provinces that is next to ours. You all have probably heard about it on the news. Well the Taliban as well as the farmers are resisting. Sounds like things are really heating up over there. Just glad that my team isn't over there.
One of the guy on my team and I have come to Qatar for some R & R. Have been Really looking forward to it. We are going to try to go on the culture tour and check out some of their ancient history as well as maybe do some shopping. Although I am tired of some guy trying to sell me something that would cost the same in the US.
This country is very modern. All the signs and license plates are in their language as well as English.
I plan on eating a blizzard today from the Dairy Queen.
Any how should have some good pictures if we can get on one of these tours. You can only sign up for one at a time.
Thanks,
Mark
NOTE: The following is what Mark was commenting about in his first paragraph.
Here's a little story from when I was at the Post Office.
It took me awhile to get all of the packages sent. While I was in line a lady ask if I was sending them to the troops? Told her I was. She ask if it was from a school group or something and I told her it was Boy Scouts. She ask "Who's paying the postage?" I explained that each box was supposed to be pre-paid by whoever put them together. She ask "Can I make a donation?" and she gave me $20.00 and then she showed me some dog tags. "These are my son's dog tags. He was with the 101st when they went to Iraq the first time. He was kill over there. I know how much packages like those mean to the soldiers and I just want to help."
We are in great need of school supplies for the area we conduct operatons in.
The provance is Oruzgan Provance. It is north of Kandahar and they don't get much support from anyone out here. Most of the school don't even have a roof. Some times the schools are in tents. The Talban just recently burned a school about 25 miles north of where we a located. The enemey doen't want the people to learn to read and write.
If your Unit would like to send a package please try to send by the 10th of April that way it will get to me in time so I can go out with the soldiers to distrubute.
Items needed:
book bags,
note books,
pen & pencils, and pencil sharpenies
sports eq. like soccor balls and hand pumps and the needles Children shoes
Thanks,
Mark Wilson