To start
with I would like to thank everyone, but especially my wife Angie
for this past year. It has not been easy but with her help, and
all of your help, we are making it just fine
The McGurk Christmas missive like
all great letters is always started too late, and possibly too
long, but here goes anyways.
Last year was a wonderful Christmas;
we traveled over the river and through the woods to Litchfield,
Connecticut, home of my parents. It was a good chance to see
the family and to catch up with some of my old friends. New England,
for those who have not been there, is a magical area at Christmas
(and pretty good the rest of the year too!).
We had snow and pine trees and
lights in the windows of colonial houses. Quite the sight to
see.
After we got home we enjoyed the
warmer, but wetter weather of Virginia. Angela had the travel
itch going full speed so we were off again, this time to southern
Spain. We caught a free flight with the military Space-A
out of Norfolk, Virginia. A few struggles but we got on the flight
(half empty) and flew into Rota, a Navy base in the SW corner
of Spain. From there we rented a car and spent a wonderful week
driving to Grenada (Al-hambra is not to be missed) , Cordoba
(go see the mosque) and off to Seville (Plaza despagne).
It was only about 8 days but a fantastic trip with wonderful
sights, food, and people. We highly recommend the region.
Spring crept up on us and before
we knew it, it was early summer and the heat was starting. Michael
has never been one for the heat. He much prefers the winter snow.
So, what does he do? Michael got
the travel bug too but to a sunny summer garden spot called Baghdad,
Iraq. Not what Angie wanted or even fully understood but like
always, she supported Michael. Why for Michael was fairly complex
but it was part guilt, part adventure, and a lot of duty, honor
country mixed in. After over 20 years in uniform when the country
calls you, you have to go.
So he packed his bags and off he
went, leaving Angela to tend to the home fires. (OK, the real
reason is Michael was the SGS (Secretary General Staff) at Accessions
Command, the West Point Society of Hampton Roads Representative,
and on the Vestry at church, much easier to go to war than do
all that work!)
So Michael was off to the big desert
sand-box (in July of all months) to start the 6 month weight
reduction program. Not that he needed it mind you.
Iraq has been better than expected
and worse than expected at the same time. Michael has written
a whole series of emails and promises to keep them coming. The
adventures have been few and far between and life in Iraq is
pretty much like the office in Virginia (ok a few more booms
and bangs but not that different).
Living conditions in Iraq, for
the US Soldiers are up 200% since last year and getting better
all the time. Michael shares a trailer with another LTC and they
have a shared shower with two other officers. For a war zone
the living is pretty easy. The food is good and if anything too
plentiful. Not much weigh loss going on for anyone here. Hard
to work out as we must wear 35 lb. body armor and you cant
run 2 miles in that! At least not fast.
Michaels tour of 6 months
was extended into January to provide a transition for the new
arrivals. Michael hopes to be back home by late January of 2005.
In the meantime, Michael is at the US Embassy compound in the
Green Zone of Baghdad.
( LTC Michael McGurk, MNF-I STRATCOM,
APO AE 09316 : Dont mail anything after 20 Dec; it takes
2-3 weeks to arrive) |