Mid-February Update

Just a short update I apologize for not updating you all more often, but I have been extremely busy. My Boss, My Bosses Boss and my Bosses Bosses Boss have all changed in the last week, so I have been training their reliefs. It is time consuming to train one superior, even more so when you need to train three.

We received our first significant snow fall this week with low temps in the single digits and highs in the 30s. I didn't think about taking pictures at the time and the local workers have already shoveled the snow away. So...since I don't have a photo I thought I would post this one.



One of my top 3 favorite bars in the world, the Raffles Bar. Noel Coward, Rudyard Kipling, Joseph Conrad and The Highland Sailor all drank there. The bar has some great history, the last tiger in Singapore was shot under the billiard room and 300 Japanese soldiers committed suicide in the lobby when when Singapore fell to the Americans near the end of WWII. When the wind chill blows and it feels like 30 below, I remember back when I was at the bar with a Singapore Sling.

We have stopped our VCR missions for a while. Not because there is not a need, but rather because we ran out of supplies and donations to pass out. Your used winter clothing, toys, blankets are desperately needed, please send your donations to:

Chaplain's Office
Chaplain Fish
VCR
CSTC-A, Pool House
APO, AE 09356

Until next time: Keep your eye on a shipmate, head on a swivel and stand by to Give'em Hell!

Belated - Happy Hogmanay!

I've really been looking forward to 2010...now I can say "I get to go home this year", which sounds a lot better then going home next year.

To bring everyone up to date, my shop had a small gathering for Christmas and and even smaller gathering for Hogmanay (New Years Eve)...FYI, non-alcoholic beer, tastes like cr@p, even after 6 months without the real stuff.

Yes, I am only one in the correct Aloha casual attire. The Army and Air Force just don't know how to dress appropriately for a party.



I've gone "outside the wire" on a couple of missions that I won't talk about due to OPSEC. I promoted my Sergeant First Class to Master Sergeant and I was able to recommend and an "On-the-Spot" award (Joint Achievement Medal) to a very talented and hard working Petty Officer. Bravo Zulu (That's Navy for Good job) to MSG and PS1!

Last week, I talked politics with one of the few Republicans I like.

(I still like the 2000 McCain, better than the 2008 McCain).


Here I am asking the Senator what he was thinking when he asked Palin to be his running mate... Actually, we were talking about when he spoke to my Junior Year History Class at Peoria High over 25 years ago. Boy, is he getting old. :)

The question about Palin would have been inappropriate...I do have some manners after all.


The Chaplain's clothing drive is still under way, once again, Please remember to send your donations to:

Chaplain's Office
VCR
CSTC-A, Pool House
APO, AE 09356

Until next time: Keep your eye on a shipmate, head on a swivel and stand by to Give'em Hell!

Long Overdue Update

I have been extremely busy for the past 30 days. The command I am attached to has been transformed under NATO command, under the NATO Flag. It has been a learning experience for everyone. I've said farewell to some of my troops as they head back to the states, and welcomed and trained their reliefs. I was able to get some face-time on the Today show and I got to watch Navy Beat Army at 3:30am...overall it has been a great month.

Over Thanksgiving, I was sent out into the field on a mission with the ANA (Afghan National Army). It was unbelievably crazy and in a morbidly sick way, unbelievably fun...For my family and friends, I'll be happy to share the story over a pint of stout or a cold IPA when I return. It's just not cleared for this forum.




I haven't had as much time to work the VCR missions as I would like, but there are troops working the COIN side of the house everyday and we still need your help.



Remember to send your donations to:

Chaplain's Office
VCR
CSTC-A, Pool House
APO, AE 09356

Until next time: Keep your eye on a shipmate, head on a swivel and stand by to Give'em Hell! Hooah!...and Happy Festus.

Outskirts of Town

I just realized I had not posted anything for the last 3 weeks....

So to catch everyone up, I have been sequestered in a room with 20 other officers from various nations, services and specialities with orders to prepare a product for our Commanding General. In other words, no pictures and nothing I can report on in this blog...not very exciting I know, sorry.

However, Today I made it outside the wire and visited a make-shift displaced persons (aka refugee) camp on the outskirts of Kabul. This camp was the worst I have seen. We distributed items that you provided/donated to our VHS mission.
Please keep sending your donations and thanks for your support.


All kids want their picture taken.



Women hiding from us.



Too cold too bathe.



Remember to send your donations to:

Chaplain's Office
VCR
CSTC-A, Pool House
APO, AE 09356

Until next time: Keep your eye on a shipmate, head on a swivel and stand by to Give'em Hell! Hooah!

Busy

I apologize for not sending out an update for a few weeks. I've been very busy working on some stuff in which I can't divulge in this forum...since I don't/can't have photos from my recent events, I have substituted a photo taken a couple of weeks ago.



Enjoying a Cuban with my Aussie and Turk friends.


Until next time: Keep your eye on a shipmate, head on a swivel and stand by to Give'em Hell! Hooah!

Three Cups of Tea

If you haven't read "Three Cups of Tea", I strongly recommend that you do so at once. It's required reading for all officers in USFOR-A. It offers a wonderful insight to the Pashto People. Available at your local bookstore or library.




I love the giggler on the end.




Not in keeping with the 3 cups theme, but a great photo nonetheless.


Until next time: Keep your eye on a shipmate, head on a swivel and stand by to Give'em Hell! Hooah!

Humbled

Today was the most rewarding day that I can remember.

I had the opportunity to visit a school for the deaf and those with special needs. Words cannot describe the excitement that those children displayed as our group of US and NATO servicemen and women distributed school backpacks containing pens, pencils, paper, and other miscellaneous school supplies. We also distributed blankets, coats, shoes, etc., which were to be distributed later by the teachers based on need. The best part is we also passed out 20 foot balls (soccer balls). I spent over an hour playing footie (soccer) with the boys and girls.



We couldn't have made this trip without the donations from people like you.

Please mail your donation to:
VCR
CSTC-A, Pool House
APO, AE 09356

This is how we win wars.




We won't win this war with our tactics or weapon systems. To win this war, we need to put our our soft covers, and meet with the people.

Until next time: Keep your eye on a shipmate, head on a swivel and stand by to Give'em Hell! Hooah!