Farewell in Dahuk

Aug 08 2008

Farewell in Dahuk

Posted by Dale @ 8:04 pm in Deployment,Outside the Wire

I took my last trip to Dahuk and Erbil this week. Originally, I planned a 3-day trip with Rob, my replacement. But as the days got closer, I realized that we didn’t have the luxury of spending that much time on the road. So I cut the trip down to one full day. We left Mosul at 0600 and returned around 1830. At the end of the day (just for you, Mugs), I was worn out and slept well that night.

While in Dahuk, I received a traditional Peshmerga uniform, like the one COL Pfenning received in Erbil. The Engineers in Dahuk got quite a kick out of me dressed as a Pesh! After getting fully decked out, I walked around with Rob as he was taken on a tour of the neighborhood. If I must say so myself (which I do), I believe I look quite dashing!

Dale as Peshmerga

Here’s a closeup picture.

Peshmerga Closeup

8 Responses to “Farewell in Dahuk”

On 08 Aug 08 at 8:12 pm,
Mugs said:

The kids couldn’t find you in the picture. It was like playing “Where’s Waldo?”. When they did find you, however, the laughing commenced.
On 09 Aug 08 at 3:08 am,
Jeff said:

That is one pretty pink hat you have there little brother.
On 09 Aug 08 at 2:00 pm,
Dale said:

As you can see in the new closeup photo, the turban is clearly RED and white, Barzani colors.
On 10 Aug 08 at 12:23 pm,
Jewels said:

Had a point to prove huh? Couldn’t possibly be caught wearing pink :razz:

NOW GO HOME ALREADY
On 10 Aug 08 at 5:16 pm,
Dale said:

I’m not secure enough to openly wear pink.
On 12 Aug 08 at 3:38 pm,
Tania said:

Hi Sir … i was cheking up on something in the net and i found this pic!! u looked amazing in the traditional Kurdish clothes …
On 13 Aug 08 at 8:02 am,
Dale said:

Thanks, Tania. I really enjoyed my last visit in Dahuk. Maybe I should think about moving my whole family to Dahuk.
On 13 Aug 08 at 3:25 pm,
Mugs said:

Maybe not.

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

“The neighbor just ran her car into the tree in our front yard. What do I do?” my eldest son, in a harried voice, asked me over the phone. He had been left at home to baby sit his siblings. I responded with questions, “Were the kids in the car with her? Is everyone alright? Was it the Cherry?” Afterwards, I can never fully explain why I say and do certain things during a crisis. My neighbor and her children are a million times more important than my cherry tree. I know this. However, during crisis, correct perspective often eludes me.

manrymission.com