Monday
I forgot to mention that in Baghdad they have gas stations. You would not believe this. One day as we were traveling to the police station there was a gas line that went on for miles! Here in Iraq people will get up and spend the entire day waiting in line for what they call ‘Benzine’. As we travel down the road all of the cars are in single file and their owners have stepped outside the vehicle to talk with one another. I know in America this wouldn’t go over well but after watching this week after week I’m starting to understand. This is the time that the people use to catch up with each other about current events, politics and of course gossip. From where I’m sitting they don’t seem too angry about it. Our interpreter tells us that Arabic life is not like American life. Arabs don’t rush around like Americans do.

Tuesday
Today is a day off. The team really needs one. We have been going at it for about eight days straight. Our team isn’t hard to figure out. When they are tired the guys will start to ‘snap’ at one another. For me today I’m going to clean my room, answer e-mail, get a haircut and watch some DVDs. I noticed one thing recently. I don’t dream American dreams anymore. What I mean is that my dreams aren’t of the places that I am familiar with back home.

Wednesday
Back in the saddle again; we have a free laundry service that will wash our uniforms and other laundry. It is a two day turn around time. After one day of being on patrol my uniform has a light coat of dust. I try to at least wear a uniform for two days before it hits the laundry bag. I also noticed that (I don’t mean to be gross) that when I clean my nose out there is a black film of dirt that I have been breathing in all day. The last thing that I notice is that when I use a baby wipe to clean my face there is a dark film of dirt there too. This place is so dusty. The heat isn’t here yet. They say that the heat will come in May. I’ve lost about seven pounds. I know when the heat gets here I will lose more. The truth is that the food in the mess hall is getting to me. It doesn’t taste right. Don’t worry about me, I have food in my room. Man I could use some of my mom’s macaroni and cheese right now!

Thursday
We are on patrol with our National Police unit today. My optimism is slowly fading. I can’t help but feeling that I am in the middle of something that I can’t control. There are two large factions here that don’t like each other. What concerns me is that I don’t want to give anyone the impressions that I support either side of the argument. It is a shame how these people survive. I have gone inside so many houses to find that the stoves are running on butane tanks. In some neighborhoods some of the residents have gotten together and purchased a big generator for electricity that runs on diesel fuel. I look at these people and in my heart I want to do more but I don’t know how to help them. It is no doubt that many of us have said that if Iraq could get things under control this place is a gold mine for tourism. There are so many palm trees here. Also in some of the yards there are orange trees! It was the first time that I have seen an orange planted on a tree! The weather is a nice 80-85 degrees until May. This is truly a beautiful place to visit.

Friday
Today was a bad day. We were patrolling on foot with the National Police just when some shots rang out. My team member and I were just coming out a house that was just searched. All of a sudden I found myself pinned down behind a wall with bullets flying over my head! We took cover in the courtyard that surrounded the house. I remembered thinking about the kids and my wife. I also remembered thinking to myself “I hope this is over soon.” I could hear some of the bullets hit the wall that I was crouched down behind. My heart was racing and my mouth was dry. I couldn’t believe that I was in this situation. Then without a warning I heard our 50 cal machine gun return fire. When I heard its loud and booming sound this seemed to calm me down. My teammate and I were pinned down. I knew that I would have to leave this courtyard and when the time came to do so, I got up and in the first time in my military career when I left the courtyard, I had my rifle pointed up and my thumb on the safety selector switch ready to fire my weapon!

Ask Sgt. Roy
Q. What are the Iraqi people like?
Jordan – Charlotte, NC

A: The Iraqi people for the most part are very nice. When you come to an Iraqi home they are very big about hospitality. Conversations are always over a glass of chai (Iraqi tea). To refuse hospitality is received as disrespect. Their culture is built on respect. If you can’t do something it is better to say ‘IN SHAW LAH’ This means ‘God willing’. Also I have been teased by my teammates because when the men greet each other it is with a ‘kiss’ on each cheek. I have done this and the Iraqis are impressed because they know that American men find this custom offensive. The Iraqi people really want this war to be over but their allegiances to their religious group prevent such a unity from happening. When Saddam was in power they weren’t allowed to watch television. Now that he is gone satellite dishes have gone up all over the country. They love American television shows. They are very nice people. I wish we would have met under better circumstances. I told some of the Iraqi officers that they are invited to Charlotte and they can stay with me and family. Who knows anything is possible!