SIDE SALAD - Everything crunchy is good.

BOOTS ON THE GROUND

Two weeks ago, I wrote about my buddy Drew taking his Army 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry into the Middle East.

I got this e-mail from him on Saturday:

ALL;



I am sorry for the mass e-mailing, but I have little time and lots to do.



It is hard to believe that 2-weeks have gone by. The weather is beyond hot and we got climatized in temperatures that typically reached 128 degrees by mid-day. Training in Kuwait went well and the unit is pushing forward as we speak to our operating base.



I left my unit a week ago to head to Baghdad for some training and I will be linking back up with them in the next day or so. Personally, I am doing fine and managing all the stuff that typically goes on well.



We have been Nomads for the past few weeks and our ability to communicate with home will get drastically better over the next few weeks. I am looking forward to having more than my Rucksack with me and being back with my soldiers.



Susan and the boys are doing well too! We all miss each other but know the time will pass quickly. Susan is doing a great job with our family readiness group. After I get on the ground at my FOB, I will be sending you all out a letter requesting support for my soldiers while deployed. Anything and everything from prayers and letters to Adopting a Unit is available and we have a lot of sponsors already.



Sorry again for the mass mailing, I look forward to hearing from you all.



Drew

Susan forwarded these photos of the ceremony where they uncased the colors for the battalion:

And then when the brigade uncased its colors:

As I've written before, Drew's been in forward positions plenty of times. Seen plenty of combat. But there's something about seeing photos from it instead of painting it in my mind's eye that makes it all the more vivid and immediate.

We live in amazing, surreal times.

When more is known about what support the group needs from the homefront, I'll pass it along.

If you'd like to write Drew or his battalion, here is the address:

Meyerowich, Drew
Unit #70093
APO AE 09338

Posted by Jeff at August 22, 2006 08:45 AM | TrackBack