Posted August 24, 2005

August Update -- by SGT Ray T

August has proven to be a very successful month for the 507th.
Mission after mission the service members of the 507th from the
Army and the Air Force have worked with passion and drive. The
bridge repair missions have continued and recently the 659th and
the USAF Det. 6 teamed up to do some road work and bridge approach
repairs in a city just outside the base. We continue to be
assigned many different construction projects and this has
required many of the Service Members from non construction based
units to start swinging hammers. Again these soldiers go above and
beyond, working in the heat and dust to do their part in the
accomplishment of our mission. Recently we finished up a water
well project in West Iraq near the Syrian border. The soldiers of
the 425th En our water Well Drill Team were accompanied by CSM
John G from the HHD and some airmen from the Det. 6 to spend weeks
in the middle of the open desert sleeping on cots, in their
vehicles, and later in some tents they put
up, eating MRE's and the ever-popular pre-packaged T-RATIONS for
every meal. They have returned to the joy of hearing that the next
project will be just as fun. Our unit, the 659th Engineers, have
pushed forward with the operation and upkeep of both a rock
crusher and an asphalt production plant. These facilities have
played key roles in the success of the missions given to the 507th
by the U.S. Army. The 502nd Engineers out of Germany have nearly
completed their stay with us and have begun the final preparations
to leave. Personally I can say that it has been a pleasure to work with
these soldiers and I wish them the best as they get home to see
their wives, kids, family and friends. I have to admit that I am
very jealous but understand that my time will come soon enough.

For the HHD, we have been busy as always. Still sending soldiers
home and to Qatar on R&R. As always it is a thrill to hear the
stories of each other's experiences. The S-1 has continued the
awesome job of tracking all of the personnel and personnel issues
in the HHD and in the entire battalion. In addition SPC Lindsay W
has taught a Yoga course and SGT Sarah D. has been the battalion
coordinator for both the Softball tournament that was a success,
and a 3 on 3 basketball tournament within the battalion. The S-2/3
maintains our primary operations focus as well as construction
management and intelligence research. Our section has seen a lot
of change. The R&R program has forced the section to shuffle its
soldiers all over. For three weeks we had a soldier working in the
Intelligence section, for one week we had another soldier working
in the same section. Then we had another solder moved from
operations to Construction Management. The next week we had
someone to move from Construction
management to Operations to fill a void left by a soldier on
leave. SPC Brett M has been tapped by the battalion to teach the
soldiers of the Battalion the ins and outs of Microsoft Excel. SGT
Billy B. has taken the time to continue to offer all of the
units a class he prepared on Financial Planning and Money
management. The S-4 section is one of the busiest in the unit. Not
only are they tracking the parts, equipment, and materials for
every unit in the battalion they have been working with the 502nd
to assist and learn things from them as they head home. This is to
be better prepared when it is time for us to go. They have also
been proactive in readying our supplies and equipment for when we
do. SGT Angela H. has been the catalyst for a recent interest in
step aerobics. She has gotten Officers, NCO's, and enlisted into
the gym to sweat, work, and enjoy the opportunity offered by our
base gym. SFC Pat C has been teaching a multi day course on
Woodcarving. This was such an
adventure for those that participated. Each day the members of
the class from the HHD and other battalion units showed off their
creative abilities. He hopes to continue teaching as time and
opportunity is given to him. The S-6 section stays on top of all
the battalion communication issues. Recently they have made a
switch on our information server to a larger network which is
hoped to better communications and information sharing throughout
the entire theater of operations. SPC Nick B has spent much of his
time assisting in battalion morale functions which have been a
blessing to all of the HHD. SGT Scott C has become involved in the
Base Praise and Worship service on Sundays. He is the sound
manager for the service. This project consumes a large amount of
his personal down time. The Headquarters section has stayed
involved with the upkeep and maintenance of all of the HHD's
Equipment and Records. Aside from that, SPC Shannon M. and SPC
Mark P are very active in bringing Morale and
welfare events to the HHD. SPC Mark P and several others from all
of the sections have committed much of their time to building a
retreat deck behind our motor pool. Equipped with picnic tables,
a grill, mini pool, ping-pong table, soda bar, shade, music, and a guaranteed good
time, this deck has been a place of relaxation for our soldiers.

An update on the region and the war: From my personal perspective
things are looking up still. Overall Morale is high throughout the
ranks. The Iraqi Constitution and all of the madness that has
surrounded it has increased our awareness and threat level. From
this side of the world it is very different to see the changes
taking place. From my perspective most of the soldiers can't wait
for the details of the constitution to be worked through. That is
all I will say without getting into politics. I just want you to
know that most of the soldiers that I come into to contact with
are excited to see the continued development of liberty, freedom,
and peace in this region. I look forward to stability in this
region and hope that our presence continues to make the same
difference it has over the past several years.

Thanks for everything! again! From IRAQ-- Ray T

Posted August 4, 2005

I can't believe it's the beginning of August. - By SGT Ray T.

I can't believe it is the beginning of August. The start of the 8th month of the Deployment. It is still hot outside. When you step out of the door to go outside it feels, at times, like you are checking a cake in the oven. You can actually feel the heat rushing over your cheeks and stinging your eyes. The evening cools off to 100 or so and that makes for better working conditions. Many of the projects that are underway on our Engineering and Construction missions have rotated to a night Work-day. Many, but not all; some still have to brave the heat and dust to accomplish the mission they are given.

The sacrifices are running very deep. As time creeps on I am seeing so many of the soldiers that I serve with giving their all to accomplish our mission. It is awe inspiring to see. Anytime I see a group of 18-60 year old men and women loading up their up armored vehicles to head out on a convoy somewhere in Iraq you can't help but admire them. The roads of Iraq are the most dangerous place to be. Backed only by their fellow soldiers, vigorous training, the best intelligence about the enemy offered and their human instinct, these soldiers face danger and adversity and display courage second to none in the world. As a battalion we have soldiers in three regions of this country, the past month or so we have had a convoy out on the road almost everyday. As a unit (The HHD) we have had our soldiers back and forth from project sites and bridges on a regular basis. Serving with these heroes makes me proud to be right here where I am at.

Beyond the danger, beyond the bombs that are used to break our spirits, beyond the heat that makes this place undesirable, we have each other. We as an HHD have a responsibility to hundreds of other soldiers to insure they are prepared, informed and well managed before we can ever think of ourselves. This small group has quite the burden on our shoulders. Somehow we pull it off day in and day out. We are lauded by those we serve. That is an accomplishment in itself. It is very cool to be a part of this team. Sure we have our drama, and no, we don't save it for our momma(though I am sure they hear about it), we soak it up and feed our curiosity with it. We argue, and fight, and disagree, and there is even our fair share of dissention stemming from our arguments. Than we laugh with each other, we play practical jokes, have meaningful conversations, share our lives, our hopes our fears dreams and goals. When it matters, when it all boils down, we are a group of people, soldiers, from more than 20 different towns, more than 10 different states, from varying social and financial backgrounds, all coming together as friends and doing great things.

I like to look at the pictures that have been taken over the past 9 months. From the ones of us praying together, in Camp Grayling Michigan, before we left our families, to the shots of us loading the bus as we moved to our Mobilization site in Wisconsin. I get misty eyed as I look at the pictures of the soldiers reading letters from their kids, girlfriends, and spouses on the bus to Wisconsin. Looking at the dark green uniforms we wore as we trained at Ft McCoy Wisconsin, in the snow, always brings up hints of nostalgia. I remember when we first got our Desert Uniforms issued to us and how exciting it was. I remember the pain and agony that we went through getting used to wearing all of that body armor and equipment. The pictures of us in the Desert uniforms for the first time are always fun to see. It was like Christmas (Oh it was Christmas) with brand new clothes to go and show our friends and family. Some of us hated the things but most of us were very proud to be seen in that Uniform. Some of the most treasured photos are the ones of us leaving the hanger and getting on to the plane to head to the Middle East. You can see a degree of excitement and fear in most of our eyes. From Kuwait and training to convoy to Iraq and actually and driving out of the front gate, locking and loading a magazine with your eyes trained on the horizon for the enemy. We have experienced some things together. We have several more months of memories and experiences to share with one another. So far it has been more than a journey it has been an EPIC and I can't wait to push forward to more missions, more success and more chances to represent the greatest country on this planet.

War is sacrifice after sacrifice with hero and heroine, winners and losers, good guys and bad guys all sacrificing some thing. I read about and see the people of Iraq wanting to be great. I see them wanting more out of life. The locals, regardless of age, know all about America and what it and its ideas have to offer. They come up to us begging for our things, wanting to sell us everything and trying to act and talk like us. They see us as a chance to better themselves in life. For some it lessens them because they become beggars, for others it strengthens them because it provides a chance for advancement and hope. Many of the children and the adults are taught or are learning English. They have our pay tables memorized and know the prices to offer on the goods they sell based on how much they know you make. Its like a marketing class taught by Iraqi locals. Its is even cooler that many of them believe in the cause. They talk of growing up and becoming Iraqi Soldiers. Everyday many of the volunteers for the Iraqi National Guard and Army are murdered for standing up for that dream. The insurgency attacks the lines outside the recruiting stations and will do anything to stop the spread of liberty. Our presence here is encouraging and providing hope. As we rebuild bases and maintain bridges and roads, as we roll up and down their street unmoved by the threat of attack we are all building on something that I pray will become a strong nation, that the kids we give shoes, candy and dolls to today, can be proud of tomorrow. Our sacrifice, your families' sacrifice and their sacrifice all can add up to greatness.

To those that are part of the EPIC, if you read this web posting, mail a package to a soldier, spend time at your local food shelter in a soldier's honor, write a letter to someone serving their country, or simply bow your head and say a thoughtful prayer for safety health and peace. I am honored to be experiencing all of this with you. To the taxpayers that buy soldiers coffee, offer them discounts, give them hugs or simply shake their hand, it is you that keep us smiling and remind us why we do this. To all of you husbands, wives, children, girlfriends, boyfriends, grandmas, grandpas, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, bosses, coworkers, neighbors, distant relatives, mailmen, doctors, and the guy at the family reunion you hope isn't just there to eat. All of you: Thanks.

RAY T

Posted July 18, 2005

Whats going on in the 507th -- By SGT Ray T.

The heat is severe and annoyingly intense, having spent much of my teen years in the desert of Phoenix AZ; I thought that I would have a leg up on the climate change that faced us by coming over here. The average high is expected to be 120-125 for the next month and then it gets really hot in August. It has not rained in months and I remember back when we could not wait for it to stop. Everything is dry and the wind that blows across the base is filled with dust and sand and feels like a giant hot blow-dryer set to high that you can't get to turn off. It makes for pleasant walks in the evening. Or just the opposite. Most of the unit retreats to our living areas and avoids the outdoors during our down time. Some meet in the morning to work out and some socialize on Sundays at Church or at the pool, but for the most part we hide from the heat. 

Enough about our misery, we have so many great things that are going on in the battalion. We have passed the 6th month mark and are overjoyed. It makes you feel closer to completion when you reach a time pinnacle. The summit of what we have endured is sweet and we are all looking forward to the downhill trek into finality. Things have become so familiar. We have been tested in so many ways. We have learned the way things work over here and are getting our job done fast and efficient. Overall the battalion stays very busy and projects keep coming down. As projects get shuffled to the units the soldiers perform their duty with pride and honor that any American would be proud to stand behind. 

We still are sending soldiers home on R&R and have really enjoyed the stories when they return. Having just returned myself I finally understand some of the stories that had been shared over the past months. The travel is hard and slow, the process is smooth but leaving a combat zone has its fair share of red tape. Being with your loved ones is a miracle and every moment is something to be treasured. Then you have to leave again and the pains of separation set in as you board your plane. Travel back is just as hard but the excitement of reunion is not there to numb you. So as you travel back into Iraq you have your memories to keep you and that is it. It is hard to get back into the swing of things and wearing that body armor and carrying your weapon is very different. The hardships of travel make it very exciting to return to your friends here in Iraq and sleeping on cots in Kuwait make the thought of an Air Conditioned room in Iraq very appealing. Then you have the pictures and memories from your Rest and Relaxation to fuel what is left of the time you have.  

As far as missions are concerned we have had a very successful past few months. We completed several bridge repairs and missions. That is something we will continually have for the rest of the cycle. We have more recently finished a well drilling operation south of Baghdad, and with its success we are moving forward with additional well drilling projects to provide water in much needed areas of Iraq. An exciting mission recently completed was one to demolish some of Saddam's bombed out castles in Northern Iraq. There are a number of these castles that were beyond salvaging and served as more of an eyesore. These were destroyed for the Iraqi people and left area to build on in the future. It is exciting to know that we are helping to rid the Iraqi people of the memory of Saddam's ruthless reign. 

In a recent message to everybody I made a plea to all the friends and family of the 507th to send supplies for our MWR events and company get-togethers. Though the Army takes care of us very well and the Chow here is great, there is nothing like coming together and enjoying fresh cooked food and the company of your coworkers and friends. I provided a short list of things that might be helpful and hoped we might get some of the supplies we had hoped for. I really did not expect what happened next. I and others as well got a flood of emails from people promising to send anything we would need. Then in the next few weeks boxes started pouring in. It a short time we had more than enough to have several pancake breakfasts, company parties and events. If only the schedule worked out better. Our operations spiked about that time and we had very little down time. We still had the 4th of July set but were unsure of the likeliness of that date. The military works to stay a step ahead of the insurgency so they increased our threat level and we had to change the date of the event. 

Then this past Monday, July 11th, we were able to throw a monster pancake breakfast. Driven by the junior enlisted council (E-1 to E-4), and supplied by friends and family, we were able to hold a Pancake Breakfast, and make the fluffy buttermilk treats available to the entire battalion. We prepared for 100 or so to show up, so SPC Shannon M., SPC Mark P., and SPC Nick B. whipped up hundreds of pancakes, served with an assortment of syrups and topped with Michigan Cherries, and raisins, or if you so desired JIF Peanut Butter. They woke up early and brewed a large pot of hot coffee, set up a tea pot and had Hot Chocolate available with marshmallows, cream and sugar to finish off the drink menu. It was a nice break from the chow halls and to make it even more convenient to the soldiers of the Battalion they moved the operation to the hallway of our Administration Bldg. They lugged Hotplates and supplies along with power converters and utensils to our hallway and started mixing ingredients. The smell filled the hallways and soon people from our unit, our sub units, and even the Commanding Brigade wondered down and had a plate full of Pancakes. It was PANCAKE Mania. 

The three Chefs served for over 2 hours and easily fed 5000 people (okay that was Jesus, but we fed over a hundred) from the Army and the Air force, and from all of the different units that serve under the 507th Engineer Battalion. Those that could not make it were mourned and if you are worried that their pancakes weren't eaten I was there and I ate two plates full. One for me and one for those that couldn't participate. In response to this event's success I would like to thank everyone that sent the party supplies and I wanted to make Honorable mention to a few. There is a group from NAMR(North American Market Research) that held a silent auction within their organization that raised over a 1000 dollars to use toward sending care packages to us over here. The senders were Amy M. and Kelly K. who packaged up the supplies and sent them but to all who gave and were involved I would like to personally thank and send a thank you out to you from the Battalion Commander and the soldiers of the 507th engineers. SPC Nick B's family has really been supportive and goes above and beyond what we ever would expect. To those that sent him packages for us, the same applause and thanks is sent out to you. I wish that I had the memory and the time to name each School, Church, company and individual that has blessed us in so many ways but know that your names are shared and every soldier in the 507th is thankful for it all. 

If you are looking for things to send to help us out until they build the Super Wal-Mart (J/K) there is a list on the website and our Party planners are organizing a new list to aid groups in their shopping. To family members looking for some ideas of what we might need over here. I wanted to let you know that we are taken care of very well we have a PX that supplies us with many of the necessities, and we have small AFFES shops to purchase much of the other Basic Needs that arise. Movies and Music as well as small handheld games are great time passing tools. Nearly every soldier has a way to watch a DVD and with the heat, that is the pastime of choice. I had heard that protein supplements are hard to find for the Gym Buffs but I am not sure about the details of what is needed. If you know a subject matter expert then that would be a good idea of something to send. Chocolate melts before it gets to us now so I look forward to the fall when it cools down and we can have that sent to us again. I personally would like your thought and prayer and am certain I am not alone on that. If you are reading this give yourself a pat on the back because your patriotism and support is more appreciated than you can ever imagine.

That's it for now... RAY T

Posted June 30, 2005

Message from Ray

Well hope everything is going well in Iraq and the World. I have had a
great time so far. Time is moving slow... the Island life is for me....
Meg and I have swam with the Giant Sea Turtles... drove through a rainforest... Flew over a Volcano.... (You could see the Lava Flowing into the ocean).... Flew over lots of waterfalls ( We just happened to be the only ones scheduled the day we went so it was like a private tour of the island)..... We went to a Luau on the beach and danced to Hawaiian Music....One day we rented Little scooters and zipped around the Island.... THen Got adventurous and rode them 25 miles up the coast to a little town and watched the sun go down.... Wish I did not have to come back to Iraq and could Honeymoon forever.... But I will have to go back to the desert....TO all of the Taxpayers that made this trip possible THanks.....It has been a dream...

Ray T

June 14, 2005

I am here in Honalulu, HI.... Two hours till I see Meggie, I have been so blessed like I said earlier, THings are beautiful here... Very Green...... Everywhere you go in this uniform people want to do things for you and give you things..... You feel like a celebrity... You guys want to join My fanclub.... Just Kidding.... The flight across the pacifc was long and I have slept litttle.... I am excited and nervous, I got to see my sister in Dallas after all.....SHe drove up and ditched class and we spent a couple of hours together and caught up..... Took Lots of pictures..... I Journaled the whole experiance in pictures for the famlies and the soldiers that have been to share with the families...... I will be excited to get those out.... But first is Megan..... Have a good time in Iraq without me..... SGT RAY T