Ah, Kuwait! Bordered by Iraq to the north, Saudi Arabia to the west & the Persian Gulf to the east, it serves as the primary logistics hub to both the U.S. & the Insurgents. Her landscape is hard on the eyes & is mostly sand & rock. Kuwait looks its best after nightfall, even better if observed through shut eyelids. Why anyone would proudly call this place home is beyond me.
We finally arrived in-country after a long, 16 1/2 hour flight that began just before 2 a.m. on Friday & ended at around 5 a.m. on Saturday. While in the air it seemed as if our plane was chasing the sun; indeed, we caught the sun & eventually passed it as darkness once again enveloped us. Imagine, if you can, the jet lag from which we suffered.
Eventually we would arrive at the place we would come to know as our home for the next few months. Ironically, it is known as "Mayberry" to the men & women who stay here, for the camp is small compared to the others in Kuwait. But I can't complain: We have free room & board, a Morale, Welfare & Recreation building & we're paid a whole $3.50 in per diem a day.
After we were afforded the remainder of Saturday to sleep & recover from our long journey we were given our assignments & sent to work. Yes, our first day was Sunday, & it did not begin with the ringing of church bells but with a muezzin calling on all faithful Muslims to prayer.
Being one of eight sailors assigned to a vessel team I am busy only so long as there is a ship in port; otherwise I have a short work day. I am keenly aware that those who are not on a vessel team are envious & I believe that it won't be long before they begin to voice their displeasure. Indeed, they have already begun to do so in spite of their strenuous two days on, one day off work schedule.
As it stands right now my day begins at 9:45 p.m. & concludes usually around 1 p.m. the following day. Although we relieve the other vessel team around midnight, we have to first pick-up our weapons, commute to the work site & eat. When our shift is over at noon we have to return to our camp, which explains why our day typically ends at 1 p.m. But, of course, if no ship is in port we can leave early.
My beloved wife was able to expeditiously mail out my trunk & as a result I have already received it. Which is good for all of us, because in that trunk is stowed a camera. Hopefully I will be able to sneak a few photos of where I'm staying & maybe even download them to this site.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Saturday, November 3, 2007
He Made It
Craig was able to call this morning and all is well other than a bad case of jet lag. There is a seven hour difference; eight hours after tomorrow since Kuwait does not recognize daylight savings time. It was just about 5pm when he called (his time) and he had a briefing at 6 and after that I think he was heading off to bed to get some much needed rest. All he has right now is a sleeping bag and he was going to go and buy a pillow. I sent him his big foot locker the other day full of things from home like sheets, his pillow, a camera and other fun things for him to enjoy. We are also hoping to send him care packages or letters at least every two or three weeks. It takes about that long for him to receive them so maybe we can keep them coming :)
Well that is all I have for now. I am hoping that Craig will be able to update soon.
Oh....that picture that I thought was Craig isn't. He told me this morning that he knows for sure it's not him and he's right. I enlarged it and sure enough it's not. Bummer!
Well that is all I have for now. I am hoping that Craig will be able to update soon.
Oh....that picture that I thought was Craig isn't. He told me this morning that he knows for sure it's not him and he's right. I enlarged it and sure enough it's not. Bummer!
Friday, November 2, 2007
Well, He's Off!
Well Craig has left for the Middle East and I anxiously await his call to let me know that he has arrived safely. I was pretty emotional the night before his departure mostly because I knew that he would be so far away. There was some comfort knowing he was in the States. Even though we weren't together I knew he was safe. The good news is that this is just one more step needed for him to get home. The sooner he gets there the sooner he can get home....right?
The night he left he called me from his pre-paid cell phone that we bought right before he left for Virginia. He said that he had 9 minutes and about 35 seconds left and he wanted to use them up. So our conversation was pretty funny because I kept looking at my phone to see how long we had been talking and report that back to him. We were saying what we wanted to say to each other really fast because we wanted to make sure that we said everything before the time ran out. We did manage to tell each other that we loved each other and actually get to say goodbye before time ran out.
In other news, we have a great Ombudsman who keeps us updated and sends us information on our Unit. She sent an article that talks about Craig's unit and the work that they will be doing. And there is a picture of Craig holding one of the flags. It doesn't say who's in the pictures but below the picture you can click "View Larger" you can see it bigger. It totally looks like him ;) Check out the article if you get a chance at: http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=32952
Well I guess I will go now and wait by the phone - just kidding - maybe! Actually I don't expect a call today. Tomorrow maybe but not today. Thanks for your continuing prayers. They are greatly appreciated.
The night he left he called me from his pre-paid cell phone that we bought right before he left for Virginia. He said that he had 9 minutes and about 35 seconds left and he wanted to use them up. So our conversation was pretty funny because I kept looking at my phone to see how long we had been talking and report that back to him. We were saying what we wanted to say to each other really fast because we wanted to make sure that we said everything before the time ran out. We did manage to tell each other that we loved each other and actually get to say goodbye before time ran out.
In other news, we have a great Ombudsman who keeps us updated and sends us information on our Unit. She sent an article that talks about Craig's unit and the work that they will be doing. And there is a picture of Craig holding one of the flags. It doesn't say who's in the pictures but below the picture you can click "View Larger" you can see it bigger. It totally looks like him ;) Check out the article if you get a chance at: http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=32952
Well I guess I will go now and wait by the phone - just kidding - maybe! Actually I don't expect a call today. Tomorrow maybe but not today. Thanks for your continuing prayers. They are greatly appreciated.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
The End Is Near
So now it's over. After almost three weeks straight of training without a day off I can finally sigh a sigh of relief.
During those three weeks I learned how to create a stow plan for a vessel, how to shoot an M16 rifle & an M9 pistol with deadly accuracy, I re-learned how to march in ranks & why I dislike endless meetings so much. I learned many other things as well but I'll spare you the boring details; suffice it to say that now I remember why I'm going to retire from the Navy soon after I return.
In spite of all this & how busy I have been I've enjoyed being a member of the training team to which I have been assigned. Our team had, arguably, one of the more intense training schedules but we somehow managed to keep our collective sense of humor. From the "four claps & a boom!" to singing a variety of Italian folk songs like "Dominic the Italian Christmas Donkey" (don't ask) I think we have definitely made our mark. But soon we'll be in theater & we will be re-assigned according to our training & the needs of the command.
Spiritually, I can't say I've been as diligent as I had hoped I would be. Unfortunately, going to church has not been an option for me whereas the Navy has pre-empted the last few Sundays, but that fact does not in any way exempt me from blame for not doing my devotions as I should. But that should change when I get in theater. Maybe even while I'm flying over there.
Speaking of flying out I'm willing to wager that there are a few of you wondering when that that will be. And the answer to that is.... A date & time I cannot publish on this forum. Sorry. Operational security & all that jazz. But the date is fast approaching to the point that I have already mailed all unnecessary items home, if that gives you any clue.
However, although I cannot disclose the date of my departure from these familiar shores what I can do is give you all my new mailing address. It will be:
SK1 Craig Eddy
NAVELSG Fwd. HQ
APO AE 09337
Because I know that not all of you are of the Christian persuasion, I must, for the record, request that no one send me any pornographic materials or any alcoholic beverage. Not only am I not interested in such hedonism but also because it's against the laws of the State of Kuwait. And you could get me into trouble. So please, for my sake, don't! Don't even e-mail it to me.
Before I close - & before I forget! - I would like to publically thank Jerod (spelling?) for humbly serving my family by mowing our lawn. No, Jerod, this doesn't necessarily mean I'm now going to vote for Fred Thompson for President, lol! It just means I'm eternally grateful & in your debt.
Until next time, God bless.
During those three weeks I learned how to create a stow plan for a vessel, how to shoot an M16 rifle & an M9 pistol with deadly accuracy, I re-learned how to march in ranks & why I dislike endless meetings so much. I learned many other things as well but I'll spare you the boring details; suffice it to say that now I remember why I'm going to retire from the Navy soon after I return.
In spite of all this & how busy I have been I've enjoyed being a member of the training team to which I have been assigned. Our team had, arguably, one of the more intense training schedules but we somehow managed to keep our collective sense of humor. From the "four claps & a boom!" to singing a variety of Italian folk songs like "Dominic the Italian Christmas Donkey" (don't ask) I think we have definitely made our mark. But soon we'll be in theater & we will be re-assigned according to our training & the needs of the command.
Spiritually, I can't say I've been as diligent as I had hoped I would be. Unfortunately, going to church has not been an option for me whereas the Navy has pre-empted the last few Sundays, but that fact does not in any way exempt me from blame for not doing my devotions as I should. But that should change when I get in theater. Maybe even while I'm flying over there.
Speaking of flying out I'm willing to wager that there are a few of you wondering when that that will be. And the answer to that is.... A date & time I cannot publish on this forum. Sorry. Operational security & all that jazz. But the date is fast approaching to the point that I have already mailed all unnecessary items home, if that gives you any clue.
However, although I cannot disclose the date of my departure from these familiar shores what I can do is give you all my new mailing address. It will be:
SK1 Craig Eddy
NAVELSG Fwd. HQ
APO AE 09337
Because I know that not all of you are of the Christian persuasion, I must, for the record, request that no one send me any pornographic materials or any alcoholic beverage. Not only am I not interested in such hedonism but also because it's against the laws of the State of Kuwait. And you could get me into trouble. So please, for my sake, don't! Don't even e-mail it to me.
Before I close - & before I forget! - I would like to publically thank Jerod (spelling?) for humbly serving my family by mowing our lawn. No, Jerod, this doesn't necessarily mean I'm now going to vote for Fred Thompson for President, lol! It just means I'm eternally grateful & in your debt.
Until next time, God bless.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Chapel of Tears and Burning Lungs
Instead of going to church on Sunday the Navy felt it more important for me to worship at the Chapel of Tears and Burning Lungs. The Navy calls it the "Confidence Chamber" although to me it looks more like a tent with an all too familiar white smoke emanating from the entrance.
Whoever first coined the phrase "Confidence Chamber" had an ironic sense of humor. Before we are even allowed to enter this "Holy of Holies" we must first be indoctrinated in the intricacies of chemical and biological warfare, and in the use of our gas masks and outfits. Then we don our "Religious Garments" while one of the instructors lights off an "Incense Candle". We enter twelve or so at a time, do some exercises and then we're told to remove our masks one at a time. The instructor then asks a question to which we can only hope to have the right answer.
Of course I wasn't so lucky.
He asked me: "A snake bite is an example of which: A chemical attack or a biological attack?"
Funny how the instructor failed to cover that in the classroom.
"Biological?" I quickly answered. Maybe too quickly.
"Are you sure?"
"No, you're right, chemical," I guessed again.
"You're sure?"
"No, I don't know, It's whatever you want it to be!" I gasped. Remember, this whole exchange took place while my mask was off and as I was breathing in that noxious gas. And it burns!
He finally let me off the hook and ushered me out of the tent. When I got a glance through my tears at the other instructor waiting for me on the other side my sinful nature took over and I began chasing him in an attempt to give him a hug. No, it wasn't out of a sense of relief that I did this but because I was trying to get him to experience the same burning eyes and lungs I was. I never caught him but it was well worth seeing the look of horror on his face.
I know I've gone into some detail on Sunday's events but it was the highlight of my week and I wanted to share it with you all. I would share with you the events of Monday through Saturday as well but sense I don't want to relive it, I think I'll just let it pass.
Friends, I know it has been a while since I last posted but I've been incredibly busy. On average I've been getting done for the day around 9 p.m., sometimes as late 11. But I can't complain; the process has been much smoother than last time, we have a good officer corps and a group of chiefs I wish we had had with Alpha (this rotation is called Golf). All said and done I would have to say it is much better than we deserve. Until next time....
Whoever first coined the phrase "Confidence Chamber" had an ironic sense of humor. Before we are even allowed to enter this "Holy of Holies" we must first be indoctrinated in the intricacies of chemical and biological warfare, and in the use of our gas masks and outfits. Then we don our "Religious Garments" while one of the instructors lights off an "Incense Candle". We enter twelve or so at a time, do some exercises and then we're told to remove our masks one at a time. The instructor then asks a question to which we can only hope to have the right answer.
Of course I wasn't so lucky.
He asked me: "A snake bite is an example of which: A chemical attack or a biological attack?"
Funny how the instructor failed to cover that in the classroom.
"Biological?" I quickly answered. Maybe too quickly.
"Are you sure?"
"No, you're right, chemical," I guessed again.
"You're sure?"
"No, I don't know, It's whatever you want it to be!" I gasped. Remember, this whole exchange took place while my mask was off and as I was breathing in that noxious gas. And it burns!
He finally let me off the hook and ushered me out of the tent. When I got a glance through my tears at the other instructor waiting for me on the other side my sinful nature took over and I began chasing him in an attempt to give him a hug. No, it wasn't out of a sense of relief that I did this but because I was trying to get him to experience the same burning eyes and lungs I was. I never caught him but it was well worth seeing the look of horror on his face.
I know I've gone into some detail on Sunday's events but it was the highlight of my week and I wanted to share it with you all. I would share with you the events of Monday through Saturday as well but sense I don't want to relive it, I think I'll just let it pass.
Friends, I know it has been a while since I last posted but I've been incredibly busy. On average I've been getting done for the day around 9 p.m., sometimes as late 11. But I can't complain; the process has been much smoother than last time, we have a good officer corps and a group of chiefs I wish we had had with Alpha (this rotation is called Golf). All said and done I would have to say it is much better than we deserve. Until next time....
Monday, October 8, 2007
To Know Him and Be Known By Him
One of my goals as stated in a previous post is to get to know my Lord and Saviour better. After completing "The Enemy Within" I have decided to revisit that goal, even expound upon it. Because although it is a commendable goal I don't think it quite goes far enough and it seems to be too much focused on myself rather than on Him. Not to mention it even reads like a too often quoted Christian cliche. So not only have I decided to revisit that particular goal,
but I have also decided to rephrase it and give it a different point of view, so to speak. I have decided to rephrase it thus: To get to know the Lord better and to be known by Him.
To be technical Jesus already "knows" me; if he didn't than He would cease to be God. So then what does to "know" truly mean? Can Jesus simply choose to not "know" someone? Can the word "know" be interchanged with the word "love"? Maybe. Probably. Actually, I'm not sure. What I do know is that even the demons know Jesus, but they certainly don't love him. I suppose the same could be said of me. This is indeed a frightful course of thought and it is scaring me.
If I truly love the Lord than I would dread disappointing Him. Further, I would know what would disappoint Him, because I would make it the primary goal of my life not only to love Him more but also to know Him more profoundly with every passing day. I wouldn't be satisfied with simply knowing what grieves Him I would literally sob out loud every time I sinned, for I would know that sin is what grieves the Lord. And what grieves Him should also grieve me. Deeply so.
There is only one way for me to get to know Jesus, the true lover of my soul more. That is, I must pray and meditate upon Him and His revealed word. I must also read commentaries, various translations and seek out different meanings to key words and phrases found in those various translations. I can never allow myself to become satisfied or complacent with my relationship with the Lord.
The goal, then, would cease to be "to know Him better" but instead it would be "to know Him better and to be known by Him".
but I have also decided to rephrase it and give it a different point of view, so to speak. I have decided to rephrase it thus: To get to know the Lord better and to be known by Him.
To be technical Jesus already "knows" me; if he didn't than He would cease to be God. So then what does to "know" truly mean? Can Jesus simply choose to not "know" someone? Can the word "know" be interchanged with the word "love"? Maybe. Probably. Actually, I'm not sure. What I do know is that even the demons know Jesus, but they certainly don't love him. I suppose the same could be said of me. This is indeed a frightful course of thought and it is scaring me.
If I truly love the Lord than I would dread disappointing Him. Further, I would know what would disappoint Him, because I would make it the primary goal of my life not only to love Him more but also to know Him more profoundly with every passing day. I wouldn't be satisfied with simply knowing what grieves Him I would literally sob out loud every time I sinned, for I would know that sin is what grieves the Lord. And what grieves Him should also grieve me. Deeply so.
There is only one way for me to get to know Jesus, the true lover of my soul more. That is, I must pray and meditate upon Him and His revealed word. I must also read commentaries, various translations and seek out different meanings to key words and phrases found in those various translations. I can never allow myself to become satisfied or complacent with my relationship with the Lord.
The goal, then, would cease to be "to know Him better" but instead it would be "to know Him better and to be known by Him".
Monday, October 1, 2007
Goals
Many people in my unit have made it their goal to earn the Expeditionary Warfare Badge (EXW) by the end of this deployment. A lofty goal indeed, especially for those who, unlike myself, have not yet earned one (I have the Submarine Warfare Badge). I, on the other hand, still remain undecided as to whether or not I will put forth the effort to get it. I just don't know if it'll be worth it especially with my impending retirement.
Not that I have embarked upon this journey with absolutely no goals whatsoever. Far from it. Rather, I feel my goals are not for the temporal but for the eternal, & I believe earning the EXW - while commendable - would serve only to boost my already enormous ego. The EXW would be worth something to me & my Navy career for only as long as I am in the Navy, which is going to be for a mere 11 months after I return from this deployment. I've already mentioned this to one of my esteemed colleagues to which he rebutted: "Yeah, but it'll sure look good in your shadow box." My shadow box?! I could hardly find it in me to stifle my laughter, because he obviously doesn't know me very well.
Goals. Everyone needs them. And not just in times of turmoil & upheaval. I know a guy here who has a goal to become more like a Marine or a Ranger. I know this because he showed me a Ranger manual he recently purchased. I've also talked with him at length on more than one occasion wherein he confided to me that he either wants to experience combat or be involved in some of the more dangerous chores we, as a unit, are often assigned to do. Personally, I think he just wants a weapon & that scares me. What is even more frightening is that he'll get one. We all do.
I hear that some of the most successful people in the world put their goals on paper & then put it somewhere where they will see it at least daily. I confess I've never before done this but maybe this time I will. The only downside I can foresee with doing this is that not only will I be the one seeing my goals daily but also a vast majority of my shipmates will as well. And they are ruthless. Not to hold me accountable but to tease.
So what are my goals? Well, obviously, I want to get to know my Lord & Saviour better. After all, he consigned Moses to the backside of the desert for 40 years, & even Jesus Himself spent some time in the outback for the purpose of "building character" (not that Jesus needed any "character building" but Moses certainly did). I would also like to lift God up in all I do & to give the glory to Him for every success thereby being a witness for Him. On a more aesthetic level I would like to sport a six-pack for my abs & be in much better shape than I am right now. But that goal is more for my wife's pleasure than for God's glory. I figure I'm allowed a little vanity especially if it's for the love of my life.
So there they are. My goals. And they're written down for all to see. Hopefully you all will be merciful.
Not that I have embarked upon this journey with absolutely no goals whatsoever. Far from it. Rather, I feel my goals are not for the temporal but for the eternal, & I believe earning the EXW - while commendable - would serve only to boost my already enormous ego. The EXW would be worth something to me & my Navy career for only as long as I am in the Navy, which is going to be for a mere 11 months after I return from this deployment. I've already mentioned this to one of my esteemed colleagues to which he rebutted: "Yeah, but it'll sure look good in your shadow box." My shadow box?! I could hardly find it in me to stifle my laughter, because he obviously doesn't know me very well.
Goals. Everyone needs them. And not just in times of turmoil & upheaval. I know a guy here who has a goal to become more like a Marine or a Ranger. I know this because he showed me a Ranger manual he recently purchased. I've also talked with him at length on more than one occasion wherein he confided to me that he either wants to experience combat or be involved in some of the more dangerous chores we, as a unit, are often assigned to do. Personally, I think he just wants a weapon & that scares me. What is even more frightening is that he'll get one. We all do.
I hear that some of the most successful people in the world put their goals on paper & then put it somewhere where they will see it at least daily. I confess I've never before done this but maybe this time I will. The only downside I can foresee with doing this is that not only will I be the one seeing my goals daily but also a vast majority of my shipmates will as well. And they are ruthless. Not to hold me accountable but to tease.
So what are my goals? Well, obviously, I want to get to know my Lord & Saviour better. After all, he consigned Moses to the backside of the desert for 40 years, & even Jesus Himself spent some time in the outback for the purpose of "building character" (not that Jesus needed any "character building" but Moses certainly did). I would also like to lift God up in all I do & to give the glory to Him for every success thereby being a witness for Him. On a more aesthetic level I would like to sport a six-pack for my abs & be in much better shape than I am right now. But that goal is more for my wife's pleasure than for God's glory. I figure I'm allowed a little vanity especially if it's for the love of my life.
So there they are. My goals. And they're written down for all to see. Hopefully you all will be merciful.
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