May 26 2008
Memorial Day in Mosul
Today was a day like most others I’ve see during the past 9 1/2 months. Now that I think about it, there was one big difference, I went for a morning run. At about 0555, I headed out the door to hit the road for my run in the nice cool (70F) morning. One security team was lined up ready to go on a trip to the Erbil office. I stopped and talked to Andy the team leader for just a minute, then we both hit the road. My trip lasted about 45 minutes, while his wouldn’t end until about 6 hours later.
Just like any other day, I spent too much time on the computer. I tried to get things on my to-do list checked off. It seems to take me twice as long to accomplish anything here than anywhere else I’ve been. Maybe I need to get a pill organizer and put a daily dose of ginkgo biloba in it!
For dinner this evening, I went to the DFAC on Diamondback with Mike F., Sarah, Tiffany and Alda. Tiffany complained that she would have to watch her language since she was eating with “Saint Manry”. Sarah commented that she had better watch what she said because it might end up as a blog post for the next day. I guess she was right. Tiffany is due to go home in July. She says it’s time because her 3-year old son has started calling her “Tiff”. Here’s a picture of me, Tiffany, and COL Pfenning from last month. Apparently, COL Pfenning and I didn’t realize that we were supposed to strike a pose!
I think it’s appropriate that today, Memorial Day, was like every other day. We shouldn’t let a single day pass where we don’t remember those that have paid for our freedom with their lives. Every day should be Memorial Day.
Hi Dale,
Greetings from your Beanhead year roommate. You are right, every day should be Memorial Day.
I am fortunate enough to live in a community that still honors it’s heroes. Roswell,GA had it’s Memorial Day service today and it was very well attended as always.
A week ago I did the Gulf Coast Triathlon, and in the 1600-person field were 16 cadets from the USMA triathlon team. Two checked in when I did and I wished them well. They were very young and very respectful. Like yourself I got the automatic “Sir” treatment though I just turned 40.
I just discovered your blog through the AOG link, and am glad to see you doing well. Tell Mugs I say “hello”. From plebe year on you two always modeled what a healthy relationship looks like; I would like to think my wife Elena and I have a similar one.
Like yourselves, Elena and I married right after graduation. We have no kids due to a health issue, though Elena gets 12 new preschoolers to look after every year as a preschool teacher. As for myself, I work as a long-haul trucker travelling the U.S. and Canada, and as an individual investor. Like yourself I try to run regularly, just like in school, and compete in two half-ironman triathlons per year.
Sometimes I think it is difficult to squeeze running into my travels across the continent, but your blog helps me put things in perspective; it would be even more difficult running when forward-deployed.
Thanks for your continued service, Dale, and if you are ever in Atlanta our home is your home.
Rick Pendell
pendell2@charter.net
Hey Rick, great to hear from you! It’s always nice to hear from fellow Barbarians every now and then. Mugs has kept in close contact with Debby Dines. We get to see Debby every now and then, which is always fun. I’m glad things are going well for you in GA. Take care.