My last Blog said that I would be out of here and waiting in Mosul.  That never happened, except for the waiting part.  This last week has been long and tiring.  We are now awaiting the first flight out of here.  Could be a day, could be another week.  Whatever the case I thought I'd send out my final thoughts of the goings ons of this country/war/place.  I feel a bit rushed, but will try to get my points across as best as possible.  I know I won't say everything I want to say and probably not as eloquently as I'd like, so take it as you'd like.  Of course, questions and comments, even critiques are always welcome.

When I came “over here”  I had my thoughts on whether we should be here, why we came into Iraq and what we are doing?   I assumed a lot, like most people do.  I also had many questions.  In the year I’ve been here some have been answered, some have grown into new questions, some may have been unanswerable, and other all-together new questions have popped up.   Sounds like things are more confusing, but actually it’s not.  I think there will always be questions left for us to ask Jesus when we meet him someday.   Many may want to know about JFK, Elvis, Area 51 or did OJ do it.  OK, that last one isn’t so much a question, seriously people.   I don’t think any of my “Iraq questions will be in my top 100 questions to ask our Heavenly Father. 

So where do I start in giving my final synopsis of this whole “Iraq” thing.  I guess I start from the beginning.  I was born on March 12, 1974 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl.  It was a humid day, like most days in Florida…No, maybe that’s too far back.  I would consider myself a Liberal Republican.  You can take that for anything it’s worth I guess.  I would never want that to be the main or even secondary description of myself.  Politics is not something I have a passion for or even keep up with very much.  I wait till it’s down to two people and then I chose the lesser of the evil.  I tell you all that so you can get an idea of my outlook on the whole political/war thing.  I’m pro-military, but not really against or for war.  Can anyone really be “for” war?  How evil does that sound.  I’m for getting the bad guys or backing up the less fortunate, flexing our military muscle when we need to.  Very little good comes from war, though.  Should we have come into Iraq?  My answer in 2003ish was yes.  My answer in Nov-Jan 2007 was yes.  My answer now is still yes.  Did we do everything here right? No.  Talking with Iraqi people who were here before Saddam, during and after are happy we came here.  People that were here during Saddam and now after him are happy we took him out.  I think we took out an evil and powerful man and hoped to help fix the country.  I think people wanted it to be quick and that was never going to be.  I know that I could write a whole page and many of you have a whole page worth of thoughts in your mind that could accompany the last few sentences.  I’m going to leave it at that for now and maybe the rest of my thoughts will back up my statements or answer questions you have of me.  If not, you know how to get a hold of me.

Just because I think we should be here doesn’t mean I think we should still be here.  I’m gonna bash my boss for one second and then I’ll be done, because people bash him enough, I guess they could have done so much better.  Pride.  Pride is a sin and a common sin that most of us have and some don’t even realize.  I feel like pride is a driving force for why we are still here.  We came in here and bit off more than we could chew.  We have been here long enough and it is time to cut our losses.  Iraqi Gov./Army needs to know we are leaving, give them 6 months to a year to start getting their stuff together, and we slowly leave in that time.  We are doing so much here.  Financially, operationally and our son’s, daughter’s, mother’s, father’s, etc’s…time and lives.  We can’t just say, “ok we’re leaving”, but a time needs to be given and we go.  People are getting rich on this war and shocker, it’s some people in charge of our country.  The largest contracting company owns KBR and Chaney owns A LOT of stock in KBR.  What’s KBR?  They are contracted through the govt. and do everything (nonmilitary) here.  Soooooo much money they rack in.  That’s just one thing that pisses me off. 

The Iraqis will continue to take the handout the Americans continue to give until we STOP.  I hate to bad mouth the Iraqis, but they will find a way to not do a job if they can.  You can’t hardly blame them.  We have a way we do things.  Something’s broken or needs attention we (the military) do it.  We are supposed to advise the Iraqis, but it’s hard to sit back and not see something accomplished, so we step in and do it.  If they are not getting money from their Government, then we get it from ours to get something done.  Part of that comes from direction from higher.  We are told to advise and let them do it for themselves.  Then we are told if that same thing doesn’t get done then we’ll look bad or a report will have a red mark and someone won’t get their “kudos” they want.  What happens?  We bail the Iraqis out, do the task or spend our money on them and it’s done.  What was learned there,  “If we wait long enough the Americans will do it for us”.  Five years later look where we’re at.  Other people have tried to tame this land and have failed.  We tried and honestly, I don’t know if it’s tamable by man and I don’t know if the people want to be tamed.  There has been bloodshed in this area since Cain and Able.   That is what these people know.  I don’t think man can come here and change or fix something that is as religious and cultural based in this area.  I hate to think that way, like we can’t help, but I feel so often that we are just a finger in a breaking dam.  All the other Arabic countries have success and have grown.  After being in Baghdad and seeing how well Saddam lived and what he built up for himself, not the country, but himself.  It disgusted me.  Walking through all the palaces and seeing all the wealth and then remembering all the towns I’ve driven through with trash and barely livable (to our standards) housing.  That made me glad we ended his reign, and also made me sad for the people’s lives he destroyed in his wake.  The people here live their lives the way they know.  Going through the different communities and seeing the poverty, the little children with no parent in site made me sad.  Then after awhile I realized, they don’t know any different.  Compare my life to a family that is wealthy beyond belief.  For me, going out to eat with my lovely wife to The Olive Garden is pretty good.  To the super wealthy, flying to Italy on their private jet to get some pasta and wine is good.  I can’t even imagine living the way some of these crazy rich people live.  That’s not a great example, but after talking with the people here and seeing them in their environment that’s just what I’ve come up with.  I’m not saying that it’s fine that they live how they live, but I think a lot are content.  Talking with our Interpreters, I get that feel.  Let’s move on…

I know I’m jumping around and it may seem like I’m not finishing every thought.   I guess some of my thoughts aren’t finished and I’m just giving them to you to finish for yourself, the rest is me getting sidetracked.

So, to summarize this whole thing.   The Iraqis need to be held accountable for their country.  We can’t change their culture and the way they have lived for so many years and we need to stop with the handouts.  We have done a lot and much has changed for the better here, but it’s time for us to go back home and let them handle their country.  That won’t happen; we will probably have a presence here for awhile.   Unfortunately leaving soon won’t happen unless we get some new blood in office that wants to stop over spending our money and start getting our soldier, sailors, airmen and marines home.  There is so much more that can be said, but for cryin out loud, I’ve written enough.  Maybe I'll do a part two or feel free to address any thoughts/questions about my rambling.

The time has come that I get to say, "I'll be on American soil in less than a month". 

I started running again (on a treadmill) a few weeks ago.  As I was running the other day I thought, how can I run for 30 minutes, I'll never make it?  That got me thinking about this whole journey.  When this all started it was like starting a marathon.  There is no way I'd make it away from my beautiful wife for over a year.  How am I going to deal with all this new crap like military 24/7, the heat, no comforts, danger, sights and situations I can't imagine and the unknown?  So the gun went off and I started this "marathon".  Along the way I needed support and I got an overabundance from my family and friends.  I needed water and God gave me comfort and peace.  I wanted to stop, but it wasn't an option.  Instead I got 2 weeks at home.  Many nights I went to my small (and messy) room, laid down and just thought, "holy crap, I don't even see June 2008 on a calender", and became discouraged.  God would supply me with a verse or encouraging sermon or through a conversation with Nisha to get me up again.  Then I got the great news that I would be home in April, not June, praise God!  How blessed I am to have family and friends that don't just send,  "Buck up Champ", or "Hang in there buckaroo", but encouraging me with the word of God or articles with  Biblical answers to my situation.  And do the same for my wife, who has the hardest part of this whole thing.  How strong she is and how supportive and loving everyone has been to her, thank you so much!  I can't imagine how difficult it is to be home and not knowing what is going on "over here".  The soldiers get all the props and kudos, but the families at home deserve so much and more.  Thank you all so much! (and more)    Little humor there...
So as I was starting my last month of this "marathon" it is very hard, but I can see the end.  I know there are just a few turns, maybe a hill or two and then the finish line.  If any of you have ever been at the end of a job or large task and start getting "short termer's" then you have an idea of what is going on in my brain.  I'm checked out and after a year of living and working with the same 30ish people, the word "short" is very short.  I pray for patience daily.  My irritant level is at an all time high and I constantly have to catch my words before they leave my mouth.  I really feel that God is working on this "issue" in my life pretty hard right now.  If you can imagine, I'm not the only one feeling this way here.  Some days are very chippy (not chipper) around the firehouse and things are said and voices are heard a lot more now.  Some days it's like an episode of "The Real World".  The episodes that make the ratings, except nothing gets thrown just words and egos.  That and the waiting is the hardest part of this last leg. 
I meant to just type about a short paragraph about how this "Journey" compares to a marathon, but I get sidetracked to often.  I need an editor to keep me focused.  Anyways, I finished my 30 minute run, and then ate a piece of Sara Lee's apple pie, which I think put back what I ran off, but  makes a perfect end to my metaphor ; at the end of this journey I return to America (apple pie).  Ha!  Nisha says, "Nobody makes Luke laugh quite like Luke does".

On a completely different note, I put some new pictures of the Iraqi AF that flew one of their first missions to Al Kasik.  This is a big deal and a huge step for them, so I wanted to share their success.  You probably don't hear many stories of success on your end of the media spectrum.  Lastly, before I depart, a few must see movies.  "Namesake" and "The Bucket List".  The are both great movies that I would categorize as drama with some humor.  Another one is  "Der (The) Tunnel".  It is almost 3 hrs and is in German.  It's based on a true story about tunnels under the Berlin Wall.  Great for history lovers or someone that likes movies about "real" goins ons. 
I'm taking 2 days off which I'll spend taking some FEMA classes for my new Reserve position and will also work on "My Final Thoughts" Blog, coming soon.  Later gators...

Hola-

Valentines Day is approaching, but I haven't seen any decorations around here or people getting Scooby-Doo and Smurfs Valentines cards ready.  I guess we won't be having a card exchange.  Too bad, cause I have my box already to receive. 

I decided not to send anything through the mail, A. because it may never get there and B. because I've been gone and Feb just snuck up on me.  I was working on a slideshow thing for Nisha and decided to send that.  She really liked it, so success!!  It's also on YOU Tube, "To My Love".  This is my first slideshow, hopefully you enjoy.

 (I guess you can't play this video from here, It's Titled "To Nisha" in My Videos...)

The next video is one I meant to do a loooong time ago, but kept forgetting and we couldn't upload video, so it went as a pipe dream.  The Downloading Nazi has lifted the ban, so I whipped it together real quick.  I wanted it to be a two person job, so I could be in front of the camera more, but...oh well.  One thing you'll notice is I'm sniffling and breathing hard at times.  I still am a little sick and have been getting winded easy.  I'll still take anyone on in a game of one on one (B-ball).  Unless you are faster, taller or younger than me.  (Troy, you and me, the court, or we could just get a beer and save the pain).  OK, here's the other video, exclusive to my Blog!