Thursday, November 27, 2008
THANKFUL
Today is Thanksgiving Day. A day to be with family & friends. A day to give thanks for the many blessings we enjoy as free Americans. I really wish we would recognize everyday as Thanksgiving Day, but today is the day set aside by our Government to stop what you are doing and take the time to recognize and enjoy the abundance of blessings.So I too, even in Iraq, will stop to consider all I have to be grateful for.
I am thankful for family. I am not with my natural family today and those of you reading this know that. I miss them terribly and wish to God I could be with them, but I cannot and they know and understand that. Nancy, Evan & Emily I love you all very much. I am however, with my adopted family, the United States Army. As Christians we understand the meaning & importance of adoption. We were orphaned to this world, but loved by a great God who pursued us and adopted us in to His own. Here, I could easily be lost, alone and hungry for companionship, but not so. My adopted family has taken me in as one of their own and I have come to realize the significance of belonging to the "Band of Brothers". Here they take care of one another. They make sure you are included, and well fed I might add. They genuinely care for you and want you to feel as if you belong to their family. With this comes a significant sense of duty. This, perhaps, is the core reason they are willing to lay down their lives for one another. They know how to love, they know how to live.
I am thankful for traditions.Today was the ceremonial Combat Patch Award Day. A day when every soldier who wears the uniform is presented with their brigades combat patch. They earned it the day they set foot in the theater of war. These brave men & women receive a patch from their commanders that tell the world that they are combat veterans. Again, my family did not forget me. I too received my combat patch.
I am thankful for the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner that our military cooks made so well. If you are eating it at home today, the chances are we are eating it here as well. We even have something most of you back home don't. We have a real turkey (Iraqi Turkey) in a cage just outside the mess hall. Don't worry, he received a Commander's pardon.
I am thankful for my Country. I am thankful to be able to wake up as a citizen of the greatest country on earth and enjoy my freedom, liberty and ability to worship freely without the threat of persecution. I am blessed! Who would have thought that a small group of pilgrims on three relatively small ships would have endured so much, with so little, in the pursuit of freedom and evolve in to the greatest Nation in the world?
Against all odds we survived and prospered with only one explanation. We were blessed as a Nation from our humble beginnings by a God that loved us and desired for us to be free to worship Him.
I am thankful for all the men & women of our Armed Forces. The country and the freedom we enjoy was certainly not free. It has come at a huge cost. Many American lives have been lost over the years to maintain Her and to leave Her for others to enjoy. Men & women willing to lay down their lives for you and for me. Wow, that kind of reminds you of Christ's love for us. He willingly took the punishment of the world and died on the cross that we may live. So what does God say about the kind of love demonstrated by our military? "This ia how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."
He also says there is no greater love. That is strong, Army strong ( I may be somewhat biased, but that does add a nice touch, doesn't it?)
So today as you celebrate with friends and family, as you eat way too much and over indulge in the NFL, take just a moment to thank God for everything you have been given, for family and friends, for the men & women who are full of love and willingness to sacrifice, and most of all for a God that loves us so much He sent His son to die for our sins.
Today is a day to be thankful!
I am thankful for family. I am not with my natural family today and those of you reading this know that. I miss them terribly and wish to God I could be with them, but I cannot and they know and understand that. Nancy, Evan & Emily I love you all very much. I am however, with my adopted family, the United States Army. As Christians we understand the meaning & importance of adoption. We were orphaned to this world, but loved by a great God who pursued us and adopted us in to His own. Here, I could easily be lost, alone and hungry for companionship, but not so. My adopted family has taken me in as one of their own and I have come to realize the significance of belonging to the "Band of Brothers". Here they take care of one another. They make sure you are included, and well fed I might add. They genuinely care for you and want you to feel as if you belong to their family. With this comes a significant sense of duty. This, perhaps, is the core reason they are willing to lay down their lives for one another. They know how to love, they know how to live.
I am thankful for traditions.Today was the ceremonial Combat Patch Award Day. A day when every soldier who wears the uniform is presented with their brigades combat patch. They earned it the day they set foot in the theater of war. These brave men & women receive a patch from their commanders that tell the world that they are combat veterans. Again, my family did not forget me. I too received my combat patch.
I am thankful for the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner that our military cooks made so well. If you are eating it at home today, the chances are we are eating it here as well. We even have something most of you back home don't. We have a real turkey (Iraqi Turkey) in a cage just outside the mess hall. Don't worry, he received a Commander's pardon.
I am thankful for my Country. I am thankful to be able to wake up as a citizen of the greatest country on earth and enjoy my freedom, liberty and ability to worship freely without the threat of persecution. I am blessed! Who would have thought that a small group of pilgrims on three relatively small ships would have endured so much, with so little, in the pursuit of freedom and evolve in to the greatest Nation in the world?
Against all odds we survived and prospered with only one explanation. We were blessed as a Nation from our humble beginnings by a God that loved us and desired for us to be free to worship Him.
I am thankful for all the men & women of our Armed Forces. The country and the freedom we enjoy was certainly not free. It has come at a huge cost. Many American lives have been lost over the years to maintain Her and to leave Her for others to enjoy. Men & women willing to lay down their lives for you and for me. Wow, that kind of reminds you of Christ's love for us. He willingly took the punishment of the world and died on the cross that we may live. So what does God say about the kind of love demonstrated by our military? "This ia how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers."
He also says there is no greater love. That is strong, Army strong ( I may be somewhat biased, but that does add a nice touch, doesn't it?)
So today as you celebrate with friends and family, as you eat way too much and over indulge in the NFL, take just a moment to thank God for everything you have been given, for family and friends, for the men & women who are full of love and willingness to sacrifice, and most of all for a God that loves us so much He sent His son to die for our sins.
Today is a day to be thankful!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Home Far Away
I am hoping soon we will be able to post new pictures for you to see. However, in the absence of pictures I am going to try to describe the place I live.
FOB Mahmudiyah is a small base 19 miles south of Baghdad. It is actually shaped kind of like a baseball field and not much bigger. There are some beautiful palm date trees and some weeping willows, cork screw willows I believe. I have even found a Formosa tree here. There is no grass. Mostly it is just rocks and sand. When the sand storms kick up it can be pretty miserable. When it rains, which isn't much, the sand becomes a very heavy mud and it is everywhere.
I am blessed to have a private room in the B-DOC, or Base Defense Operations Center. It is much bigger than I thought probably measuring somewhere around 15 x 12 feet. It used to have windows, but they are all boarded up. Windows is something we don't have the luxury of with the threats we face. The B-DOC is where they monitor the perimeter with video surveillance and other means. The soldiers here are responsible for base security. Here too is the FOB Mayor. You see the Army runs their bases very much like small towns. Someone has to field complaints and make sure all infrastructure issues are working as they should be, such as water, showers, toilets, food, electricity...This is not an easy job.
I work in the main building which is a short walk from the B-DOC. I work in the TOC, or Tactical Operations Center. Unfortunately, I can't tell you what I do. I like to tell people it is GS-13 Classified. My rank equivalent is GS-13 and the work I do is classified. I work both with Military Intelligence and Military Operations.
I can tell you that I enjoy my work. I am often bored with little to do, but that is actually a good thing when you are in a war zone. On the other hand, being bored often leaves me with too much time to think of how much I miss my family. I have to constantly be on guard and focus solely on Jesus for my comfort and strength.
Having read Rick's opening sermon for 40 Days of Purpose, I can tell you that out of necessity here it is easier to give yourself completely to the Lord. He is all I have. Don't wait until you are in the desert to give yourself completely to the Lord. Do it now. Enjoy all that He has to offer and don't miss out on a thing.
God bless you and may you walk with the Lord always!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Old Guys Rule!
Haji Abbas!
Recently I was having chai tea with a Colonel from the Iraqi Army. If you have never had Chai, it is the Iraqi equivalent to ice tea only with a lot more sugar and served hot. I have grown quite fond of hot tea. Anyway, when I was introduced with 30 years of experience in law enforcement, he smiled and gave me the name Haji Abbas. The interpreter tells me that Abbas simply means name. Haji, on the other hand, loosely translates to "here Old guys really do rule." The word actually refers to ones wisdom and they do believe that wisdom comes with age. It was a title of honor and I was grateful for his kindness and respect.
I met recently with the local Judges for our area. They certainly looked the part of western judges. They were very friendly and once again my old age came in to play and very much worked for me. They respect our military, but most of these Officers are still young men so when I am there it actually seems to help.
I am so grateful for this experience and the opportunity to serve along side our military, the Iraqi military, the Iraqi Police and the citizens of Iraq. It is a country much improved from times past. I often think of the blood shed in order to make this place the place it is now. It is not completely safe, nor is any American City, but when you see the crowded markets and commerce and government being carried on, it really makes you think about the sacrifice of those that shed their blood for this day. People are walking, playing, going to school and doing business on streets that not that long ago were battle grounds. Evil had taken over, but good overcame and in the end God will have His victory.
God bless you all and God bless our Country
Recently I was having chai tea with a Colonel from the Iraqi Army. If you have never had Chai, it is the Iraqi equivalent to ice tea only with a lot more sugar and served hot. I have grown quite fond of hot tea. Anyway, when I was introduced with 30 years of experience in law enforcement, he smiled and gave me the name Haji Abbas. The interpreter tells me that Abbas simply means name. Haji, on the other hand, loosely translates to "here Old guys really do rule." The word actually refers to ones wisdom and they do believe that wisdom comes with age. It was a title of honor and I was grateful for his kindness and respect.
I met recently with the local Judges for our area. They certainly looked the part of western judges. They were very friendly and once again my old age came in to play and very much worked for me. They respect our military, but most of these Officers are still young men so when I am there it actually seems to help.
I am so grateful for this experience and the opportunity to serve along side our military, the Iraqi military, the Iraqi Police and the citizens of Iraq. It is a country much improved from times past. I often think of the blood shed in order to make this place the place it is now. It is not completely safe, nor is any American City, but when you see the crowded markets and commerce and government being carried on, it really makes you think about the sacrifice of those that shed their blood for this day. People are walking, playing, going to school and doing business on streets that not that long ago were battle grounds. Evil had taken over, but good overcame and in the end God will have His victory.
God bless you all and God bless our Country
Friday, November 7, 2008
In His Care
Hey guys! I know it has been a while, but the Internet is not so good where I am. Thank God that Nancy has learned how to post for me!
Things are good here, but missing home is common and sometimes downright depressing. I have very good days which go right along with very bad days. November 4th was not such a good day. I'm missing home terribly and I find out our Country has elected someone whose ideas scare me. He looks presidential, sounds presidential (at times) and has the presidential picture perfect family. However, his views are sharply in contrast to my more conservative views. What can I do? Trust God and pray that President Elect Obama does a terrific job. Pray for President elect Obama to have great wisdom and pray for his protection. This is an unprecedented, historical event which will bring out the worst in some, and hopefully the best in others.
November 4th was also the day Kitty Hawk Elementary School elected Emily Hamilton to serve as the 5th Grade Student Body President. Wow! I couldn't be more proud of her. The way I see it we are batting .500 in Presidential races.
This past week my son, Evan, turned 16! I am so proud of him for the young man he has become. He loves the Lord and is very active in Church, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and hanging out with well grounded young people. He is also an honor student and often takes the opportunity to share his faith in the classroom. Many of you don't know that because the other thing that makes me proud is his humility. He never speaks much of his own accomplishments. He cares deeply for others as Emily does.
Nancy, my wife, also turned....a year older this week! Certainly you didn't expect me to reveal her age? Oh how I wish I could have been there. So, while missing the events in my wife and kids lives is hard I know I am here for a purpose greater than me. I can't claim to know all the reasons I am here, but I am sure that God has a plan for me, just like He does for you, and it does not always involve comfortable surroundings. It may simply be a time of growth. A time to grow closer to Him without all the distracting comforts of life. All I know, is just like with the election, I choose to trust Him. Trust Him with my family, trust Him with our nation, and trust Him with my loneliness . I choose to give it to Him for His purposes and for His glory.
Things are good here, but missing home is common and sometimes downright depressing. I have very good days which go right along with very bad days. November 4th was not such a good day. I'm missing home terribly and I find out our Country has elected someone whose ideas scare me. He looks presidential, sounds presidential (at times) and has the presidential picture perfect family. However, his views are sharply in contrast to my more conservative views. What can I do? Trust God and pray that President Elect Obama does a terrific job. Pray for President elect Obama to have great wisdom and pray for his protection. This is an unprecedented, historical event which will bring out the worst in some, and hopefully the best in others.
November 4th was also the day Kitty Hawk Elementary School elected Emily Hamilton to serve as the 5th Grade Student Body President. Wow! I couldn't be more proud of her. The way I see it we are batting .500 in Presidential races.
This past week my son, Evan, turned 16! I am so proud of him for the young man he has become. He loves the Lord and is very active in Church, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and hanging out with well grounded young people. He is also an honor student and often takes the opportunity to share his faith in the classroom. Many of you don't know that because the other thing that makes me proud is his humility. He never speaks much of his own accomplishments. He cares deeply for others as Emily does.
Nancy, my wife, also turned....a year older this week! Certainly you didn't expect me to reveal her age? Oh how I wish I could have been there. So, while missing the events in my wife and kids lives is hard I know I am here for a purpose greater than me. I can't claim to know all the reasons I am here, but I am sure that God has a plan for me, just like He does for you, and it does not always involve comfortable surroundings. It may simply be a time of growth. A time to grow closer to Him without all the distracting comforts of life. All I know, is just like with the election, I choose to trust Him. Trust Him with my family, trust Him with our nation, and trust Him with my loneliness . I choose to give it to Him for His purposes and for His glory.
Soldier's Poem
I found this today on the wall in a bunk room where one of the soldiers from another assignment slept.
A Soldier's Poem
An Endless Beach that has no Ocean
Where Beauty and Peril Lie
Uncertainty at a Market Place
The Smell of Emotions Tide
Exotic Scents and the Stench of War
Blend in Desert Haze
A Token Gift to a Grateful Child
Shortens a Long Weary Day
Over the Din of Soldiers Voices
Floats a Sweet Familiar Tune
It Transports our Flagging Spirit Home
Across the Hot Wind Swept Dunes
Just for a Minute you Feel Yourself
Safe In the Warm Embrace
Comforted by the One's you Love and
Memory of Each Caring Face.
Author Unknown Soldier
Plan your next
A Soldier's Poem
An Endless Beach that has no Ocean
Where Beauty and Peril Lie
Uncertainty at a Market Place
The Smell of Emotions Tide
Exotic Scents and the Stench of War
Blend in Desert Haze
A Token Gift to a Grateful Child
Shortens a Long Weary Day
Over the Din of Soldiers Voices
Floats a Sweet Familiar Tune
It Transports our Flagging Spirit Home
Across the Hot Wind Swept Dunes
Just for a Minute you Feel Yourself
Safe In the Warm Embrace
Comforted by the One's you Love and
Memory of Each Caring Face.
Author Unknown Soldier
Plan your next
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Letter From Iraq
Hello Everyone. Dale has limited access to the Internet right now so I am doing a guest post. I have attached a copy of a letter that Dale wrote to Evan's Highschool Creative Arts Class at First Flight High School. The students in this class all wrote letters to Dale before he left to go to Iraq and his response to those letters is not only touching, it is very insightful and powerful. It is the best letter that I have ever read.
Enjoy your day everyone and please take some time out of your day today to VOTE!
Blessings,
Nancy Hamilton
Dear Ms Leatherwood & Class,
I want to thank you for all the letters you wrote to the soldiers in my Battalion. I took the time and read every one of them, and I am sure the guys will be impressed and moved by your support of them. Some of you pointed out that you either disagree or have reservations about the war, but still shared your support for the men & women defending our Nation. I am impressed with your honesty and your willingness to see beyond your personal feelings about why we are there. Our soldiers need and appreciate your support. Let me share a little about them and what they do.
Our soldiers are doing a job few are willing to do. The decision to join the military should never be one taken lightly. It is not for everyone. I once read that the bravest thing a soldier will ever do is sign up to serve, the rest is simply their duty. You should know that our young men and women are eager to serve their Nation even when death is starring them in the face. They believe there are things worth dying for and our way of life is one of them. I am not a soldier, but I am proud to be serving beside them. For the most part, they are unshakable in their commitment to making Iraq a safe place for families to live, play, and go to school, things we take for granted.
There is something else you should know. I have been on several missions with the units over here and they do a lot more than defeat the enemy. On one mission they traveled into hostile areas to deliver a wheel chair to an 8 year old girl who has never been able to walk and who is totally dependent on relatives to carry her if she moves at all. On another mission they delivered school supplies to two local schools. Things like back packs, chalk, pencils and paper. Again, things we take for granted. They check to make sure local health clinics are safe enough for people who need medical attention can go without fear. What they do is really incredible. They have even built schools and clinics when none exist or they are destroyed.
I am telling you these things because I think it is important to know that our Country does more than defeat the enemy. One thing that separates us from all other countries is our humanity and compassion for others. We may destroy, but we never leave without rebuilding and often leaving a nation better than it was to begin with.
I am so proud of our Country and the young men and women who defend her. I am also mindful of the many who served so valiantly yet never made it home to see the great things their sacrifice made possible. Next time you see a soldier thank them. They won't expect it and they don't do it for your thanks. They do it because they believe in something bigger than themselves. They believe in this great Country and they believe in you. They know that your freedom of speech is important, that your right to choose how to worship, where to live and what to become are important. They know how much you are capable of accomplishing when able to do so free of fear.
What our soldiers do and why they do it has nothing to do with politics. To engage in war is not their decision, that is left to our elected officials. However, our soldiers stand ready at all times to defend our freedom and the freedom of anyone who can't defend themselves against tyranny and oppression.
You can have no worse enemy or better friend than the United States Military. When duty calls they will be there.
Well I guess that is enough for now. In closing, I pray our soldiers will all come home safely knowing that many will not. I pray also for you. That you would honor their sacrifice by being the best you can be at whatever you choose to do.
God bless you all,
Evan's Dad
Dale Hamilton
1-63 CAB HHC LEP
FOB Mahmudiyah
APO AE 09322
Enjoy your day everyone and please take some time out of your day today to VOTE!
Blessings,
Nancy Hamilton
Dear Ms Leatherwood & Class,
I want to thank you for all the letters you wrote to the soldiers in my Battalion. I took the time and read every one of them, and I am sure the guys will be impressed and moved by your support of them. Some of you pointed out that you either disagree or have reservations about the war, but still shared your support for the men & women defending our Nation. I am impressed with your honesty and your willingness to see beyond your personal feelings about why we are there. Our soldiers need and appreciate your support. Let me share a little about them and what they do.
Our soldiers are doing a job few are willing to do. The decision to join the military should never be one taken lightly. It is not for everyone. I once read that the bravest thing a soldier will ever do is sign up to serve, the rest is simply their duty. You should know that our young men and women are eager to serve their Nation even when death is starring them in the face. They believe there are things worth dying for and our way of life is one of them. I am not a soldier, but I am proud to be serving beside them. For the most part, they are unshakable in their commitment to making Iraq a safe place for families to live, play, and go to school, things we take for granted.
There is something else you should know. I have been on several missions with the units over here and they do a lot more than defeat the enemy. On one mission they traveled into hostile areas to deliver a wheel chair to an 8 year old girl who has never been able to walk and who is totally dependent on relatives to carry her if she moves at all. On another mission they delivered school supplies to two local schools. Things like back packs, chalk, pencils and paper. Again, things we take for granted. They check to make sure local health clinics are safe enough for people who need medical attention can go without fear. What they do is really incredible. They have even built schools and clinics when none exist or they are destroyed.
I am telling you these things because I think it is important to know that our Country does more than defeat the enemy. One thing that separates us from all other countries is our humanity and compassion for others. We may destroy, but we never leave without rebuilding and often leaving a nation better than it was to begin with.
I am so proud of our Country and the young men and women who defend her. I am also mindful of the many who served so valiantly yet never made it home to see the great things their sacrifice made possible. Next time you see a soldier thank them. They won't expect it and they don't do it for your thanks. They do it because they believe in something bigger than themselves. They believe in this great Country and they believe in you. They know that your freedom of speech is important, that your right to choose how to worship, where to live and what to become are important. They know how much you are capable of accomplishing when able to do so free of fear.
What our soldiers do and why they do it has nothing to do with politics. To engage in war is not their decision, that is left to our elected officials. However, our soldiers stand ready at all times to defend our freedom and the freedom of anyone who can't defend themselves against tyranny and oppression.
You can have no worse enemy or better friend than the United States Military. When duty calls they will be there.
Well I guess that is enough for now. In closing, I pray our soldiers will all come home safely knowing that many will not. I pray also for you. That you would honor their sacrifice by being the best you can be at whatever you choose to do.
God bless you all,
Evan's Dad
Dale Hamilton
1-63 CAB HHC LEP
FOB Mahmudiyah
APO AE 09322
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