In Country!

Here it is I've been in country for about 2 months or whatever. Our Battalion as a whole has only suffered one combat loss. Not from my company though. Some other soldiers in a different company where hurt when their vehicle rolled over. I did watch an engineer die right in front of me due to non combat wounds. When we first got here we did a 12click dismounted movement through one of the sectors near or FOB. It turned out being closer to 18 we walked down a road called dead carcass road where I'm guessing they take the animals they know will die and leave them. I'm talking big ass water buffalo just laying there rotting to nothing. We pulled a security halt there and I made my men get in the prone next to rotting carcasses. Talk about dicipline. We recently moved into our Company Operations Base COB. I call it the Death Star because all I think about is when Vader's commanders tell him that the "Death Star is nearly fully operational." Inside joke I guess. Nothing to much to report though. the 2nd day we were there I heard gunshots after I put my guys up on the roof to pull security I ran up and we made a premature determination we were being shot at from a building adjacent to ours. We put together an ADHOC squad due to everyone pulling security and went and raided the building. It started out cool enough. We kicked in the gate took down the 2 very old guards, searched their room, went to the main office which was secured by a heavy wooden door. It took 2 shots of 00 buck from a sawed off 12 gauge and a kick from a very large Samoan to break the door in. Nothing behind door #1 lets move on. This was fun until about 4 or 5 doors later and about 3 floors of up and down steps trying to get to the roof. Then it turned gay. Whatever we hit the roof searched, dry hole. Our patrols are filled with knock and searches and I've been surprised at the number of christians we are running into. On easter I searched a vehicle and the guy was like happy Easter and in the trunk he had Easter stuff for his kids.
Whenever we search a neighborhood we maintain inner and outer security and by doing this the kids come out and beg for stuff. Chocolata, money, water, or the #1 request football. "Meester give me football." I won't even be standing next to the truck and they will ask me for the football. Kid look at me where am I hiding this thing in my ass? Occasionally we will pass out candy and stuff and it will turn into a mob seen. Even after they see us pass out all the shit they are convinced we have more and will not go away. These are the fuckers that get on my nerves. Some of the kiddies are pretty good and watch from the safety of the courtyards or their front doors. I entered one house where there was like 8 kids in there and they looked pretty scared. I have one of my squadmembers carry the "Goodybag" it has toys and candy and stuff in it. This being the last house I just emptied the bag. They didn't come runnin though. We when we left I heard them dash for the stash. We have been giving them english lessons though and teaching them songs. Its pretty funny. Most of the kids love us. They come to the sides of the streets chanting for us to throw them chocolata and footballs. Oh ya and pencils. Meester give me pencil. Other than that not to much going on that I really would like to voice my opinion on anywho.
Thank You to all of you who send e-mails, letters and care packages. They are all very much appreciated. It hasn't got hot yet but it will soon. Can't wait. It definitely is warming up though. One day I think I climbed at least 800 steps. Most Iraqi homes are 2 stories with access to the roof. Have to tell you this though. We enter a home and this guy comes to the door in his tightie whities and white stalkings around his legs. Apparently this jack ass set himself on fire some how. He was fucking crazy to boot. Great photo op though and hopefully soon I will start posting some pictures and stuff.
My oldest daughter wrote a poem about me which was read on fox news and posted on their website. I don't have the link on hand but I think my beloved wife sent the link out to most of the Family.
Well Iraq smells like complete shit and in some neighborhoods they have little shit trenches dug and the sewer just goes right out side. It is quite nice to walk in this grey sewer matter. Life at the COB is good we shit into 50gal drums and burn em when they get full. We have a nice MKT out there complete with cooks. You can imagine how tasty those meals are. Well if there is more shit you'd like to know feel free to e-mail me. I'm sure this post was dry and uninteresting not intentional I think maybe just my mood. Thank you again for all the support.
Semper Fi!
Roodawg OUT!