JULY FRG NEWSLETTER

Good Morning Spouses and family members of 3rd Platoon, 58th CEC,

Fourth of July is behind us already, and the time has flown by so quick that we all will be going home before we know it. The Platoon and Company continue to do very good work in Iraq. We are discovering IEDs and making the road safer for Coalition Forces and Iraqi civilians to travel up and down Main Supply Routes everyday. The situation in Iraq is getting better and better and the results are direct changes in the way we conduct business for the better. We all know that there is work to be done and the tasks are mounting, but we continue to march on one step at a time. And of course, Iraq is a much better place now than 6 years ago. I’m very excited with the contribution to help turn this country to its full potential.

The platoon had 4th of July day off and we had a platoon BBQ. It was a good day for all of us as we were able to take some time off, hang out and relax. We ate some burned food and played a few games of volleyball. It actually turned out quite good and SSG Wilhelm gave it a 9 out of 10. There were music, food, nonalcoholic drinks and steaks, ribs, hamburgers and hotdogs. I asked him why not 10 out of 10, and he plainly told me that because there were no beers. With that, I give up and there is nothing I can do about.

The weather in Iraq is actually not too bad at all. I though it would be a lot worse that what it is actually is. But as of now, 10th of July, the temperature has not reached 120 degree Fahrenheit yet. The forecast for the next five days will be high of 111F, 113F, 115F, 115F and 115F. Fort Irwin is probably hotter than COB Speicher.

We are also living in the Crack House with MWR 30 meters away from the Barrack, chow hall 500 meters away, Shoppe 75 meters away, laundry service 150 meters away, Shower 50 meters away. All rooms accommodate maximum of 2 Soldiers with Air conditioning running full capacity and work order for broken AC 24 hours away from notification, we are, indeed, in good company. Internet is working, and we continue to rotate Soldiers home on R&R leave. I truly believe life at COB Speicher is actually not that bad; it is actually good except for being so far away from families for so long.

It is almost an embarrassing thing for me to say that, since taking over the platoon more than 5 months ago, my patrol has encountered only one IED incident and resulted in a broken mirror. To say that does not mean that the threats are not there. We continue to find IEDs and the enemy is still out there trying to hurt us everyday. We have been extremely blessed by the good Lord on the route everyday. So keep the prayer coming as it really works.

Please check out the website (www.wardawgs.blogspot.com) as I periodically post pictures online and update what is going on with the WARDAWGS and RED DEVILS while we are in Iraq. You all have a wonderful day and we will see you real soon.

Sincerely,
2LT Pham, Tho
Platoon Leader, 3rd Platoon, 58CEC