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Where are the Herwigs?
Well, we are back at Camp Fallujah Iraq and I admit, I have been TERRIBLE about keeping in touch with all of our friends and
loved ones. I promise to try to do better!
Just to update everyone on our trip back to the states in November….. I first must apologize to all of our friends and
family that we did NOT get to visit. The time went by so quickly. I returned home a week a head of Chris. I was so happy
to be back in the states! As we were landing in Charlotte NC, I could not contain my excitement at the sight of all the GREEN!
It felt so good to be back in the US! Chris arrived a week after I had returned. We had lots of things to do to allow us
to come back out for another year (if we decided to stay out). After Chris had been home for only a week, we received word
from the Lt Col that ONE of us was to return immediately. I was so mad. I wanted to just quit. But of course, Chris, being
the person he is, reminded me of how irresponsible it would be…. But then, me, being the person I am, finally convinced
him to be mad – lol. So we debated on what to do. Should we return early? And “suck it up” as the Marines
so often say. Or should we say NO – we quit…. Or should we say NO and risk being fired? We both really wanted
to stay home and say forget it – but we had also just signed papers to buy 11 acres of land and knew that once we closed
on the sale, we would be broke again. So, Chris returned to Camp Fallujah after only 3 weeks at home. He returned first
so that I could finish the dental work I was having done. Is he a good husband or what?
I was not looking forward to returning –it took everything I had to board that plane to leave. Then, when I got to
Charlotte, when they started calling for volunteers to give up their seat – I was the first up there – lol. I
almost was able to give my seat up…. There were lots of volunteers – but when I told them I was going back to
Iraq and would LOVE to be able to stay in the states another day – they moved me to the top of the bump list. The plane
had already boarded and I was the one person not boarded – they were having me wait for them to give me the information
of where I would be staying for the night. Then, they came and got me and said there was room for me after all
I would be lying if I said I was not highly disappointed. So – off I went back to the kitty litter box…….
Of course, when I returned, I had to go to my boss’ office and hear him lecture me about how disappointed he was that
I did not returned early when he told me to. I guess he got me confused with one of the Marines that say “how high”
when he says “jump”. So, I sat there patiently while I was reprimanded, saying only yes sir the entire time,
never actually apologizing. Yes, I know – I know – I am a rebellious soul…. About a week later, the same
boss came to our office, sat down and just totally lit in to me – railing on me…. I swear I think I still have
a piece of my behind missing…. He basically told me that he “knew” I was not happy here and was planning
on leaving and he needed to know when. He also told me that my job was in jeopardy and that I was not pulling my weight.
I just sat here – shocked at everything he was saying. Especially, since Chris and I had already decided to stay until
December 1 – plus our weekly reports showed all the work I had been doing. Had he not read those? He went on to say
that he could tell I was not happy from the look on my face at the moment. I was thinking, duh? Would you be smiling if
someone came in your office railing on you? But once again, I sat while he said what he wanted to say. He finished by saying
that he was planning on separating Chris and I and that we had 5 days to decide what we wanted to do and get back with him.
I kept my composure until he left, but then, me being the sensitive girly girl I am, I started crying. I could not believe
that he had 6 days left out here – and he was going to pull that crap. That night, Chris went to pay him a visit.
Chris told him that we did not need five days to decide - If they separate us, we are both gone. We would give a two weeks
notice – but not even CONSIDER staying longer to train anyone. He also went on to point out our weekly reports and
reminded the Lt Col of all the work that I had done. Believe it or not, the Lt Col came down and apologized to me the next
day. He brought a Marine along with him, who come to find out, had told the Lt Col that I was going home and told him that
I was not pulling my weight. We still are not sure why that Marine did that. Especially when he had asked me before I left
if I was coming back and I told him YES. I guess some things will always remain a mystery. Of course the same day he came
to apologize is the same day that he informed me that I was to leave ASAP to go on a mission. It was pretty obvious that
it was my “punishment”. Especially since the place he was sending me was not even in the area that we cover.
But I held my head high…. I kept my chin up and my head down as I carried out my mission. The mission I went on was
NOT “outside the wire”. I simply took a couple helicopter rides to get to a small Forward Operating Base up north
near the border. The base did not have flushing toilets a year ago…. But I was happy to see how many improvements and
upgrades they had made in the past year. There was one latrine trailer for females AND one shower trailer for females too!
They had a new chow hall and an MWR building with air hockey, ping pong, and pool tables. The Marines there really treated
me well (as they always do). They sure look after me when I fly or travel and even while I am here at Camp Fallujah. I stayed
in what they called the “DV” (distinguished visitor) quarters. Hehe – imagine that – me – a
distinguished visitor. Of course compared to standards at home – I was slumming it – but by Iraqi standards –
it was not a bad place to stay. It was a very small room – but close to the bathrooms which is an added bonus. I worked
out of my room – staging computers in a small work area. I worked day and night – sleeping while I waited on
systems to update. I was extremely busy which made the time pass quickly. There were a few other people in and out of the
same building throughout my stay. There were also a few little four legged beady eyed guests too…. And of course, every
time I saw them I screamed. I would hear the Marines in the other rooms laughing at me every time I screamed. I am glad
I could provide them with entertainment….
The best part of the mission was that the unit I went to support sent lots of praises back to my bosses. So, now we have
a new boss who seems AWESOME. Work load is still crazy, but supposedly, they are trying to get us some help.
As of now, we plan on staying until December. But that is always subject to change. We will NOT stay any later than that
– but we could always decide to come home sooner. Things are always subject to change out here.
Remember the geese? They have gotten so big that you can not tell the babies from the adults. I still feed them on occasion
– they have no fear of anyone out here. There are SO MANY people who feed them daily. ONe day a Marine was out feeding
them bread while another Marine was close by smoking a cigarette. The geese actually went up to the Marine who was smoking
and tried to take the cigarette out of his hand. He said “Hey – stop throwing bread!” to the other Marine.
Yep – the geese bring us joy and humor out here. It is fun to show pictures of the babies to the new people.
They are amazed at how tiny the geese were just a few months ago. I was so sad today when I heard that a certain Marine
officer was talking about making the geese “disappear”. That would be a horrible thing. I hope that he has a
change of heart and realizes that we really do NEED the geese here. It is fun to have them around and gives us a sense of
normalcy in an otherwise gloomy environment. I will keep you updated on what happens to them….
As always – there is not much to do out here besides work. We are in the process of planning some R&R vacation trips
which gives me something to look forward to. We have completed over 460 days and we only have 298 days to go…..until
then – keep smiling and remember we love and miss you all!
~~Hugs
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