Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: Iraq Update - Hello from the surface of the sun edition.

  1. #1
    Senior Member SapperDawg's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    The HSV
    Posts
    711
    vCash
    1005147

    Iraq Update - Hello from the surface of the sun edition.

    Outdoor Dawgs - hello from the surface of the sun. It has definitely reached oppressively hot, with the daily high near 120 and the low in the mid-90s. One day last week it was 107 degrees at 9:30PM. You all have probably been following the news, and know that Mosul was recently liberated from ISIS. The final phases of this battle of good vs evil has officially commenced, with the liberation of the city where Al Baghdadi declared the caliphate, and the ISIS capital of Raqqa under siege. Much fighting remains, but the end is in sight.

    On February 10, 2007 I attended the change of command ceremony where an amazing leader, General Petraeus, assumed command of the Multi-National Force Iraq in Baghdad. I can still remember writing that letter home, noting how I was standing at rigid attention in the cool morning air, while the Iraqi and US national anthems were played. Almost 10 and a half years later, I stood again in Baghdad on a hot summer day listening to those same anthems while another amazing leader, Danger 6 - Major General Joe Martin, bid farewell.

    I am continually impressed at the abilities and capacities of these great leaders to condense complex thoughts into just a few, impactful words. I carry this line from GEN Petraeus' 2007 speech with me every day: "The way ahead is hard, but it is not hopeless." I will now carry one from MG Martin: "I am proof that average leaders can accomplish great things when surrounded by extraordinary people."

    We are officially on our downward slope here, having only a few months to go before we return to our families. This is what we have looked forward to since December, and it is strange that a sense of nervousness sets in as that time approaches. Will my youngest daughter remember me, or be shy when she sees me? How do I not insult my wife as words can't describe the amazing job she has done managing our household, full time job and two rambunctious little girls and all their activities for a year? What will our new normal be?

    This nervousness has my Team on edge, and it is getting a bit chippy around the office. If we can make it through the next two weeks without incident, we will be able to cruise to the finish line. That's kind of a downer, but I tend to get retrospective after these events. Those questions will work themselves out soon enough.

    I have thoroughly enjoyed keeping up with the C&D threads, and look forward to adding my contributions again when I get home. I should have several weeks off to resume my kitchen experimentations, restarting the weekly bourbon posts, and getting some hunting and fishing in before fully returning to normal life. I am really hoping for a mild end to the summer, and cool early fall. I will be completely over the heat once leaving here.

    Here's to watching Freeze buckle during the Q&A this week.

    MAJ SapperDawg

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2013
    Posts
    101,295
    vCash
    3800
    Thank you for your service.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Posts
    1,065
    vCash
    7855
    Sapper, thanks for the update. Hope the next few months go quickly for you. I fully sympathize with your family concerns. That exact situation you're concerned about with your daughter was the final straw that killed the Army life for me. Fortunately it didn't take her long to become Daddy's Girl. Give your wife extra Kudos from me. Military spouse is the toughest job in the world and they deserve every bit of praise they get.

  4. #4
    Senior Member SpeckleDawg's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Coast
    Posts
    1,081
    vCash
    3100
    Really enjoy these updates Sapper. I certainly can't complain about the heat down here after reading. I hope these last few months get by quick for you. Thanks

  5. #5
    Super Moderator BeastMan's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Posts
    7,504
    vCash
    3100
    Awesome update. Really enjoy these

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Posts
    19,805
    vCash
    3100
    Thanks for everything you do.

  7. #7
    Senior Member Barking 13's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Bulldog Hill, AL
    Posts
    1,843
    vCash
    3200
    Thanks, Sap.. see you in a few...
    cautiously optimistic

  8. #8
    Senior Member BrunswickDawg's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Home of Slay, GA
    Posts
    11,917
    vCash
    1746501
    Godspeed Sapper!

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Disclaimer: Elitedawgs is a privately owned and operated forum that is managed by alumni of Mississippi State University. This website is in no way affiliated with the Mississippi State University, The Southeastern Conference (SEC) or the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The views and opinions expressed herein are strictly those of the post author and may not reflect the views of other members of this forum or elitedawgs.com. The interactive nature of the elitedawgs.com forums makes it impossible for elitedawgs.com to assume responsibility for any of the content posted at this site. Ideas, thoughts, suggestion, comments, opinions, advice and observations made by participants at elitedawgs.com are not endorsed by elitedawgs.com
Elitedawgs: A Mississippi State Fan Forum, Mississippi State Football, Mississippi State Basketball, Mississippi State Baseball, Mississippi State Athletics. Mississippi State message board.