Where in the world....

So after all the talk of going to train in Texas for two months before heading to theater-I find out I was misled. You see the Army has a large (approx. 200 miles from south to north) base outside the city of El Paso, TX-- Ft. Bliss. In fact, Bliss is the largest military installation in the Army, and quite possible the world. It an old, but a very nice post. They have many modern amenities like, for example a large, well-stocked PX (Post Exchange, basically a mall for service members were everything is tax free- a welcome change from Chicago's 10.25%), movie theaters, restaurants, gyms, golf, etc. I'm not there. About 35 miles north of there, across the border of New Mexico, is a small base camp in the middle of the desert that happily used to be part of some missile training site. The closest thing to the camp is the New Mexico Max Security Prision just two miles down the road. Fun Times.

Speaking of boarders, El Paso and Ft. Bliss boarder the city of Juarez, Mexico- home of one of the most power drug cartels in Central America. Apparently more than 50% of dope in the US is courtesy of these ambitious folks. As the ailing economy has no doubt effect this trade as well, the city of Juarez has plunged into a wave of violence over the last few years that only a surge of police and military forces could confront (hmm, sounds familiar). In fact, Juarez had 1600 murders last year, and is already well on that pace this year. To put in in perspective, it could be argued that Juarez is a more dangerous place than the combat zone I am head to in just a few short weeks. So thanks, Uncle Sam for the free trip to paradise in the Southwest!

One last thing, I feel like I have to make a brief comment on the President's recent pledge, plan, miracle, or whatever it is being called to pull "all combat troops out of Iraq by August, 2010." Sounds great for the press, Sir, but there's one problem- we're all combat troops! Does that mean we're all going home and politicians are falling-in?

Fish Bear Goat Disease

About two years ago we learned that Kyle has Gill Barr disease. After talking to several medical professors and doing our own research we discovered that this rare disease alone is really no big deal. When Kyle gets a blood test done his billyrubins (not sure on the spelling?) always come up as elevated. In the medical world this always causes concern until they learn that its just the Gill Barr disease.

Kyle went to have his pre-deployment medical check-up and to my delight he was red flagged after the blood test! Could Kyle possible be un-deployable??? Unfortunately (or fortunately...since its his health and all) he was stamped as healthy enough to deploy.

Kyle and I nicknamed the disease the "Fish Bear Goat disease" so that we could remember the name of it.

Fish = because they have Gills
Bear = because Barr is prenounced like Bear
Goat = as in billy the goat so to remember the billyrubins

Happy 2nd Birthday, Gavin!

If I can't be with Kyle, then here with my family celebrating my nephew's birthday is exactly where I want to be.
I went walking the other morning along the water. I walked for miles just taking in the sites when I realized that I couldn't see a building or a person in either directions for miles. I smiled and thought, "Wow, beautiful." I continued on my walk for another 10 mins when panic hit and I realized, "Oh my God! I can't see anyone for miles!" This is when I turned back and my pace quicken until I felt like I was within yelling distance of others.

Below are some pictures of the beginning of Kyle's mobilization. A United 747 airplane was chartered to take them down to Texas. Kyle was happy to get a seat towards the pointy end of the plane:) He describes his current accommodation as better than a prison cell but worse than a dorm.

MOB pictures

Small Pox

Today Kyle will be receiving a small dose of small pox for vaccination purposes. Because small pox is highly contagious he will be given around 30 band-aids and is suppose to change it every few hours. If he doesn't do so the small pox could continue to spread down his arm or to other people...During his last vaccination cycle his arm swelled up to the size of a baseball at the injection point and was tender for weeks. That cycle included anthrax and five other shots...

Cheeze-its

Its the first day of Lent...and I have decided to give up cheeze-its. ALL cheeze-its, Hot and Spicy, Parmesan Cheese, White Cheddar and my favorite Cheddar Jack.

This is going to be a tough 40 days!

~Kathy

Kyle's Address

Kyle left for Texas today.

Here is his mailing address for March/April in Texas:

1LT Kyle Hartman
Mobilization Deployment
BDE, HHC 1-128 IN
Bldg. 2453
Ft. Bliss, TX 79916

Why Blog?

This way, we can share our experiences and stay connected while Kyle fights terror, sand, heat, and inevitably sun burn in Iraq-- and Kathy & Simba hold down the fort at home.