Scott is in Iraq

[Crankin]

My son, Scott, arrived in Iraq on Thursday, after spending a week in Kuwait. He is in Fallujah, which he said is very quiet now. He also said it's hot, but not hotter than h*ll, yet (and that being a native Zonie would help, since some of the guys were already complaining about the heat).
After he told me about the amenities of the base, I wondered: Why does the military think a Burger King is necessary? It seems like they are promoting bad eating habits.
He will be out and about, talking to the locals (he's in intel.) Not combat duty, but still dangerous.
If anyone is interested in sending care packages, PM me. He would appreciate any cycling mags, and news of the racing season as the summer progresses. Actually, he would appreciate any reading material. He's a history buff, also. He will be there until the beginning of October, so we are trying to focus on the future, planning a trip to see him in San Diego, for Thanksgiving.

Thanks,

Robyn

[Pax]

The military does things like Burger King to offer a little bit of the familiar (home) to the troops.

I hope your son has a safe tour, I'll be thinking of him.

[SheFly]

Robyn - keep us posted on Scott's progress if you can. I'll pull some things together, and maybe we can get together for coffee.

SheFly

[Veronica]

It's funny how many things have changed since the first Gulf War. Thom was there 8/90 - 3/91. Calls and letters were few and far between. Most of the time I had no idea where he was.

I'm not sure which is better - knowing your loved ones are in danger or not knowing.

I hope all goes well.

V.

[Crankin]

Yes, we've already had 3 phone calls and some IMs. I missed his first call on my cell phone because I was outside with the kids at school on a break. When I got back to my room, my phone was blinking, so I glanced at the number and almost deleted it! It was a local area code, from the next town, and I thought it was a wrong #, since I don't usually call anyone from that area code. But somehow I remembered that his calls get routed through Hanscom AFB, which is about 5 miles from where we live. At least he left a message.

[roadie gal]

My thoughts and prayers are with you for him having a safe tour of duty. My appreciation for his service.

[Tuckervill]

The military has BK because no one I know is going to look a soldier in the eye and say (if they can help it), "No, you CAN'T have anything from home, because it's just not good for you."

And because Burger King wants to make a buck.

Sending out vibes for his continued safety and swift return!

Karen

[OakLeaf]

Thoughts and prayers for him and you.

[Trek420]

If anyone is interested in sending care packages, PM me. He would appreciate any cycling mags, and news of the racing season as the summer progresses. Actually, he would appreciate any reading material. He's a history buff, also.

Robyn, I was just 'bout to send a batch of cycling magazines to our other cycling soldier, MSG Hall. If I send them to Scott, when he'd done can he send them to MSG Hall? Is there something like regional mail?

[Crankin]

I don't think they have "regional" mail.
Why don't you wait a bit to send the next batch to Scott? You should send MSG Hall his stuff. Or, you could send Scott a Passover package!
Let me know.

Robyn

[Triskeliongirl]

Hey Robin, I have some fairly recent VeloNews and Bicycling I'd be happy to send. I also have some cycling books (written by cycle tourists if you think he'd like that). What kind of history is he interested in? My son also has a pretty good collection of books on history, military history in particular, and I could select something from his bookshelf as well to include. PM me with the address.

How are YOU doing? As a mom, I can only imagine what you must be going through, and hope your whole family can find peace, and of course that Scott is not injured and returns home soon. How long is expected to be deployed?

[Bad JuJu]

The Chief and I both hope for a safe tour for your son, Robyn. We both spent 20 years in the navy (which is why I still call him "the Chief" :cool: ), so we empathize with you in this time of family separation.

What historical period is your son most interested in? I have an assortment that ranges from Victorian England to 20th-century U.S. (including a lot of POW narratives from the Vietnam war era).

[Crankin]

Trisk and Ju Ju,

To answer all of your questions:

I am actually doing fine. Maybe there is something wrong with me, but it doesn't feel different than any of his other deployments, which were not in dangerous places. When it comes to really "bad" things I am usually very strong; after going through all of medical stuff last fall, I have a better attitude toward everything! I am very busy right now, having gone back to teaching at my old school until the end of the year. Right now it's testing season and we are writing our last essay. Then I am going to do Shakespeare with them and do a performance of "A Midsummer Night's dream," something that I said I would never do again! Of course, it's the beginning of the cycling season, and I have a considerable amount of work to do to get back in shape. Oh yes, and PT and acupuncture. So, I am busy and tired at the end of the day.
The Marines do deployments for seven months, so he will be back in October. He told us that he is sick of having to always come here to see us and he will be taking a vacation somewhere else when he gets back. So, we are planning a trip out to San Diego to see him for Thanksgiving. I understand that; he wants to travel. My dad and brother live there, too, so it will be a family type vacation. I am just happy that he is talking about "when he gets out," which won't be for 4 more years, but he is talking about it. When he was home, we did talk about him going back to school, which I have to tread lightly on. It's hard for me not to go on my Jewish mother rampage about quitting college! I think he may end up in Boulder or Flagstaff, which would fine for him, since he's so athletic and outdoorsy. He's jokingly never forgiven us for leaving Arizona (he was five). It's harder for me to accept that someone of his intelligence would want to enlist than for me to accept that he is in Iraq. And that's not even going into my anti-war years marching on the Boston Common. I am over that.
OK, off of my soapbox. He would love reading the Viet Nam era stuff and he also likes European history. I bet he would enjoy getting packages with anything. I did tell him some crazy cycling women might be sending him stuff.

[Trek420]

Does he like art? I have a fairly hefty amount of art history.

[Crankin]

He is not really into art, but he doesn't "dislike" it, either. The breadth and depth of his knowledge never ceases to amaze me, so if you have some art books focusing on historical periods, that would probably be OK.

[Trek420]

Lemme see what I've got, might have some Bauhuas history, the famous German school of art that founded so much of modern design was closed by the Nazi govt.

[KnottedYet]

Holding your son in my thoughts, along with my brother (who is also a bike nut).

We usually aren't allowed to know where my brother is, which is nerve-wracking, but he's on a supply ship full of explosives at the moment so it's probably best that is kept secret.

I'm glad you'll get to see your son at Thanksgiving!

[Crankin]

I empathize, Knott. Although we know Scott is at "Fallujah Base," he spends most of his time off the base, interviewing locals for help in locating "bad guys." He is not allowed to tell us anything. On the other hand, I am glad he is no longer the guy whose head is sticking out of the top of a Humvee, with a machine gun.
Of course, I was the mom who allowed no war toys...

[tulip]

Of course, I was the mom who allowed no war toys...

Funny how that works. I have a friend who didn't allow her daughter to play with Barbie dolls; in fact, my friend actively ranted against Barbie at every opportunity. Now her daughter is 15 and is a complete Barbie doll! My friend is beside herself, of course.

Best wishes and thoughts to your family, Robyn. I admire your level head.

[Crankin]

Thanks, Tulip. Your story reminds me of someone I know. Actually, Scott's little girlfriend from pre school in AZ. Her mother is an archeologist, more comfortable slogging about on dig sites than wearing make up or doing anything girly. She never encouraged any girly stuff for her child. I laughed out loud years later when I found out that she (the daughter) was a model all through middle and high school. In fact, when Scott saw her when he was a senior in high school, his comment was, "She's hot, but ditzy."
OK, enough off topic.

[Trek420]

Crankin,

Scott rides? Seems he can run there too:

www.competitornorcal.com/features/welcome-to-the-camp-fallujah-race-series.html

[bmccasland]

My former boss did a stint in Baghdad, as a civilian (Corps of Engineers), and he wrote us about the races they'd have, at that time the civilians could run in typical running gear, but their body guards would run in full battle dress, trading off as the race around the Green Zone would progress. He was humiliated and in total awe at being passed by a woman soldier/guard. Just when you think you're hot stuff, being passed by someone wearing an extra 45 pounds... :eek:

[Crankin]

Scott was a Cat 3 racer at age 16. He was the #5 ranked junior in the US for 2 years; he rode for the same team as SheFly. When he did his brief stint at U of A he rode with the team a bit and did several trips up Mt. Lemmon with various pros who live in Tucson.
He didn't ride at all from the time he enlisted in 04 until last winter (07) when he brought his bike to San Diego. He rode a bit with a club, but said they were all my age! It was kind of hard for him to find time to ride, too. Then he went to Virginia for schooling for almost 5 months. We did ride together last summer when he was home and I must say, he is still a flying machine, even on his old Serotta that is sitting in our bike shed. He has been running and swimming since he enlisted (this from the kid who cried through all swimming lessons) and he runs like a 5:45 mile...
I don't know how many of these races are in Fallujah. I think most of them have been on Army bases, not Marines. But, I will definitely tell him about them.
One of the things he noticed when he was riding here last summer was how many more women are riding now, compared to 6-7 years ago. In his words, "Man, all I have to do is sit with my bike in Concord Center and the women just come up and talk to you."
Of course, those are the words of a 23 year old.