Any Citizen

Lately, we've been receiving letters addressed to any soldier. I am replying to any citizen who cares to read.

Dear Citizen,
Thank you for your letters of support and the numerous packages you send our way. Your support makes our war effort possible. The cookies fill the stomachs of the soldiers who receive them and the letters fill their hearts. We laugh with delight when your children write us and study the pictures they draw and the photographs you send with intense interest. Soldiers amuse themselves by responding to your correspondence and even if you receive no response do not assume that your letter was not appreciated. Our duties sometimes make us forget our manners but we never forget your gifts and letters.
There are those of you who question our involvement in Iraq and wish us to come home immediately. Most soldiers would tell you this is impossible. We believe that we are here because we must be here. Our involvement is necessary for your safety, for the safety of the world. Whatever the reasons that soldiers originally entered Iraq, soldiers must stay now for the good of all involved. We are here planting the seeds of freedom in Iraq just as the first American soldiers planted them in America so long ago. Even if we could be persuaded to abandon the work we have started we could not leave. To leave would be to disgrace the blood of our brothers in arms who have died or been maimed fighting here before us. We have to make their sacrifice worthwhile.
Citizen, don't know me, you will probably never meet me but if you read what I have written and understand the sentiment behind my words you will have done me a great service. Thank you.

SPC Idaho Edokpayi 1-503rd INF REGT US Army

Simple Pleasures

Idahosa is a happy soldier today because he just took a shower and is going to take another in a few short minutes. The warm spray of a strong shower head over filthy skin is a dramatically sensual experience when one has been taking cold showers for 3 months. Add hot chow and life just does not get better.
Have I said anything about how the Army gets too little good press and the Marines get way too much? I'd say more but...
Somebody just destroyed my month old Xbox while I was out dodging bullets. I hate people sometimes. If I could find that person, I would personally ensure that they suffered a horrible, agonizing death involving clever misuse of medical equipment and the blunt end of a 9mm Beretta. I am a medic after all.
By the way, here's a note to all the girls out there just dying to hook up with a soldier: if you get within ten feet of an infantryman in any branch of the service you will get pregnant instantly. I promise.

War is Hell

There is a joke going around that Time magazine has voted the installation currently housing the 1-503rd is the worst place to live in the world. The problem with the joke is that any reporter visiting from Time magazine would be blown to smithreens, shot, or kidnapped before he ever actually walked in the gate.
I have a few projects in mind with regard to this blog. I plan to get some web space and get a domain name. I also plan to get a digital camera so you can see me win the war in Iraq single handedly or rather so you can see me pose for silly pictures with bewildered Iraqi children. What this means for the blog in its current incarnation is nothing. Even when I start the new website I will still be posting to this blog. The new website will be this blog, just on steroids. I like self-promotion over the internet.
Life in Iraq is well, life in Iraq. It sucks. It sucks a lot. We just installed electricity and I saw the CO building a shower behind the building so things are looking up. Hot chow has been more regular lately, I might stop losing weight. I also took a shower today so I am feeling extremely chipper.
Send food.
(I can't eat money.)