Oh No!! Not Tray Rations Again

So another day passes, we got another rocket attack yesterday, first one in over a month. We have been pretty aggressive at trying to deter IEDs, rocket attacks and the likes and so far pretty successful, yesterdays attack was more a hail and farewell I think. Farewell to us, and a Hello to our relief (I wanted to use replacements here, but thought of the movie, and these people are just as good, maybe better than us). It was however the first rocket attack since my first arriving here to land inside our camp. Barely inside, but inside... Nothing damaged, nobody hurt, but enough to keep the eyes open. Seven Marines were killed yesterday by a VBIED (Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device), they say the engine block of the car used was found over 400m away from the blast. Don't these people realize that for every Marine they kill they seal their fate that much more... No Marine is going to let this go untouched, We (the Marines) will find you!!!

OK, time to change speed...and direction, that is not where I was headed when I started this.

So I have had the miserable job of handling all the Battalions Detainees for the past seven months. It has been good in that I have had the chance to see and meet a lot of Iraqi people and get more insight than most on the people and culture. Anyway, yesterday they bring in a guy, who has a vehicle that matches the description of one that we are looking for... he has his two sons with him, I would say that they were approx 4 and 6... As I was returning to the facility I see them pull up and being carted in, I had to break into a run... Now I have some good Marines working for me, but common sense sometimes is just not there... So I get in the door, just in time to see father and sons being put in the cell.... Oh Boy... So I stop the whole movement and get them all back outside, grab some chairs... Those poor boys... scared out of their minds and crying... Ends up this poor man and his sons were in a similar vehicle. So glad I had the chance to sit down and be hospitable before sending them on their way.

Sitting in the meeting tonight, we get told... as all the units relieving us are coming there are going to be longest lines at the PX, Phone Center, etc... really, hmmm no kidding... The greatest part was, sue to the influx of people you can expect to go back to tray rations until we leave... OK, let me get this straight, you are going to make me wait in line longer for food, that is going to be worse??? Don't you think that I have lost enough weight since I have been here. I felt my upper arms, that is where my biceps used to be, the other day... and came to the realization that my arms are about the same as most of the Iraqis I deal with at the facility...skin and bone... I need real food....Soon...

I am at a blank for what to write at this point, there are so many things that I want to say and write about, but I promised myself I would try to refrain from politics and what I think about current events, so with that, I am going to sign off... Later...
Brett