If I was still in full blogger mode this month, I would have stayed on top of things and posted this a couple weeks ago as a pre-Christmas-war-series-continuation type entry. But I didn’t. Forgive me. I’m posting it now, though, because it’s one of those “groupers” of mine that plainly captures snapshots of the everyday deployed life of Iraq, a couple ridiculous things, and some funny things. Plus, it reminds me of how much I love running 🙂 …and that being outdoors and moving is part of my essence, that it’s more than just a hobby for me, that I know it’s critical to my core well-being.
From: Plummer 1stLt Sarah R (Ace VMU 1 S2 S2A)
Hello All,
As I sit here with a twizzler in my mouth, a laptop at my fingers, and the current mission’s live feed rolling on a big screen just a few feet in front of me, I actually think about how much I miss everyone. L Well, I kind of feel like I got my second wind a week or so ago when my stomach stopped being funky all the time and I started working out better. I am finally getting some really good runs in and it definitely makes me feel more like myself. I’ve gone running down by the lake a couple times this last week, and I always especially enjoy that route. I’m still struggling to get to the gym more than 3 days a week right now, but once we change up our shifts (yet again) I should have plenty of time to do all the working out I want to. We (S-2) got a new Sgt and 2ndLt a few days ago and now Patrick, me, and Ryan (the new Lt) will get to split the day 3 ways. So, instead of 11-14 hours a day, it’ll be more like 8-10 hours a day (sweet!) – supposedly (key word there).
We’re going through some growing pains with the new guys right now, but it’s nothing terrible. The new Lt lacks much of a personality so far and is straight up “boot,” and the Sgt is overzealous in a fresh-from-the-schoolhouse sort of way and crowds Cpl Hebard (and then he gets all fussy! J), but I think they’ll end up being ok. Other than getting the new guys worked in, work continues to be pretty busy and pretty good.
Some work “highlights”: one night last week we saw a pack of dogs eating dead bodies (ya, that was appetizing), the CO and SgtMaj were gone for a few days a couple of times over the last 2 weeks (thus, my happiness was not squashed), on the 8th the Commandant paid us a visit (big deal for us (intel) because we had to put the highlights video together for him to watch), one night my friend Kelly stopped by and I tried to find some video for one of her Marines who was wounded (but we didn’t have it 🙁 ), on another night we followed up on an IED that a 7-ton hit in Ramadi which made a huge fireball, and just a couple nights ago we had a pretty entertaining chase scene with some Muj who was booking it across a field, fell into a ditch, and totally wiped out (we were all laughing.)
Anyway, it’s kind of a slow night tonight, so I’m taking advantage of the time to send you one of these emails that I know you all anxiously await! Hahaha. Since the election is only a couple of days away now, we will continue to be pretty busy, but I hope we don’t have any major casualties like we did earlier in the month. Oh, and some of you have asked if we get days off here for the holidays at all, and the answer is NO. This “no” pretty much applies only to our shop, however. For instance, a couple Marines from S-3 just got back from R&R yesterday, and apparently a few get to go periodically throughout the deployment, and most shops the guys aren’t on the schedule literally every single day, so …. Anyway, our intel guys work so hard and I am really proud of them. They work AT LEAST 12 hours a day EVERY day, and sometimes work close to 20 hours on bad days…and they rarely complain, if at all. So, I know the packages that many of you have sent to them have been VERY MUCH appreciated. Thank you for thinking of them.
Oh, by the way, thank you to all of you who have sent BOXES of candy b/c my desk is the official candy store now. It is ridiculous! J But, please, don’t send anymore. I really think what I have now will last another month and we all really need to cut back on the sweets! 🙂 Thank you thank you thank you, though.
So, what is everyone doing for Christmas? The timing of this deployment really sucks b/c we miss all the great holidays, but weather-wise it’s great. It just started cooling off again yesterday. It was still up around 80 during the day, but now the highs are closer to 70, so it’s in the 40’s at night and a little chilly. It makes for perfect running weather in the afternoons, though, so I can’t really complain. 🙂
Well, folks, I think that’s about it for now. I’m so thankful for family and friends like you all. Loving, taking luck, and God-blessing to you all! 🙂 haha
Sarah
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