I was recently rolling with one of our teams on a mission and just kind of watching in awe the way they go about their business. I almost used the word "casually" to describe the way they went about their duties, but this would not be the correct term to use. Nothing these men and women do is casual. They train hard, they prepare hard, they even rehearse hard and then they go on mission with the confidence of a warrior who knows he is prepared for the battle which may lay a head. The gunner is constantly rotating the turret back and forth scanning for the possibility of hostile engagement. The vehicle commander is constantly scanning a computer for updates as well as communicating with other members of the team by radio. The driver is always looking for any small sign of a well placed, well hidden explosive that could prove deadly to the convoy. There is no time to relax, no time to day dream, unless you're the one guy looking on in awe, no time to think about the problems you have at home. These guys are the real deal! No lip synching allowed. When these guys are called they don't play. They are here to defend & protect you and I from enemies foreign and domestic. You can have no better friend than the US Army, or if you choose so, no worse enemy. They don't pick their fight, but they certainly don't run from them either. In fact, from the well known story of David and Goliath, these guys run in to battle with the confidence that David had, knowing that the victory has already been won.
Enjoy today, enjoy school ( I know the kids are saying "yeah right"), enjoy work, enjoy time with friends and family, but never forget who stands guard while you enjoy the good life we've been given.
Before I go I want to encourage everyone reading to contact someone they know that could use a little lift in their day. I know many back home who are suffering from the economy, or they are suffering from a loss in the family, illness or perhaps simply lonely. You can make a big difference with a small act of kindness. Prepare and commit yourself this day, to doing something for someone else. Sacrifice is not just for foreign battlefields, but something Christians are called to do wherever they are.
God bless you always
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
MAIL Call!
Election Day!
Hello All! While we have a new President and our national elections are well behind us that is not the case here in Iraq. Today is the first provincial elections to take place across this country since I believe 2003 shortly following our initial move into Iraq. You might be very surprised to know that country wide there are over 400 seats to fill and more than 14,000 candidates willing to fill them. Unlike in the US, becoming a candidate for election here is often very bold and dangerous. People are willing to risk their personal safety for a position of influence in their new government. Today is also a pivotal day in the security of this country. As I write this it is currently 1:13 in the afternoon and all is well. I am praying that we make it through the day and I can still say that. The Iraqi Army is prepared and deployed in force along with their police counterparts to ensure the elections go smoothly and safely. Their success may have a lot of influence on when our troops are coming home. Pray with me that the elections and the days following are filled with peace and politics not blood and war.
On another subject entirely. Not long ago, my Pastor Rick, wrote in his blog about his concern for those in the congregation slipping though the cracks and how important it is for all members of the body to stay active and alert in helping to make sure this does not happen. He pointed out how difficult it is for him personally to monitor the growing flock and how each of us should be accountable to each other. Well, these may not have been his exact words, but I agree with his message in its entirety. We should take care of one another and that can be done in a relatively simple way as Pastor Rick goes on to describe in his bullets. Personally, I love getting letters, packages and cards from our Church. It is the one way I stay connected from 7,000 miles away. I also know of at least one Mother in the Church whose son is currently serving over here in Iraq. I encourage you to find out where Cindy's son is and drop him a note. Perhaps you have never met him, but I can assure you he will appreciate getting your mail. Over here mail call is the most exciting day of the week. Nothing tops the feeling of getting a note or box from home no matter who it is from. We would probably get excited receiving the junk mail we so hate to get back home.
Funny how something so small and simple can make such a big deal in the life of another.
God bless you all and thank you so much for the letters and goodies provided by some of our small groups and friends. I can assure you everything you send is much appreciated and finds it's way in to the hands of a soldier needing that pick me up at that very moment in time. Keep the letters and cards coming...it is almost time for MAIL CALL!
Dale Hamilton
1-63 CAB HHC LEP
FOB Mahmudiyah
APO AE 09322
Hello All! While we have a new President and our national elections are well behind us that is not the case here in Iraq. Today is the first provincial elections to take place across this country since I believe 2003 shortly following our initial move into Iraq. You might be very surprised to know that country wide there are over 400 seats to fill and more than 14,000 candidates willing to fill them. Unlike in the US, becoming a candidate for election here is often very bold and dangerous. People are willing to risk their personal safety for a position of influence in their new government. Today is also a pivotal day in the security of this country. As I write this it is currently 1:13 in the afternoon and all is well. I am praying that we make it through the day and I can still say that. The Iraqi Army is prepared and deployed in force along with their police counterparts to ensure the elections go smoothly and safely. Their success may have a lot of influence on when our troops are coming home. Pray with me that the elections and the days following are filled with peace and politics not blood and war.
On another subject entirely. Not long ago, my Pastor Rick, wrote in his blog about his concern for those in the congregation slipping though the cracks and how important it is for all members of the body to stay active and alert in helping to make sure this does not happen. He pointed out how difficult it is for him personally to monitor the growing flock and how each of us should be accountable to each other. Well, these may not have been his exact words, but I agree with his message in its entirety. We should take care of one another and that can be done in a relatively simple way as Pastor Rick goes on to describe in his bullets. Personally, I love getting letters, packages and cards from our Church. It is the one way I stay connected from 7,000 miles away. I also know of at least one Mother in the Church whose son is currently serving over here in Iraq. I encourage you to find out where Cindy's son is and drop him a note. Perhaps you have never met him, but I can assure you he will appreciate getting your mail. Over here mail call is the most exciting day of the week. Nothing tops the feeling of getting a note or box from home no matter who it is from. We would probably get excited receiving the junk mail we so hate to get back home.
Funny how something so small and simple can make such a big deal in the life of another.
God bless you all and thank you so much for the letters and goodies provided by some of our small groups and friends. I can assure you everything you send is much appreciated and finds it's way in to the hands of a soldier needing that pick me up at that very moment in time. Keep the letters and cards coming...it is almost time for MAIL CALL!
Dale Hamilton
1-63 CAB HHC LEP
FOB Mahmudiyah
APO AE 09322
Monday, January 19, 2009
Inauguration
Tomorrow we will inaugurate Barak Obama as President of the United States of America. While some of my fellow conservatives might be surprised, I am excited and hope to witness the Oath of Office on the Armed Forces Network here in Iraq. No, I didn't vote for him, but it makes little difference at this point who I voted for. Tomorrow it will be President Barak Obama who is sworn in as our 44th President. The President of the United States deserves our respect and support. These are tough times and tough decisions will have to be made.
That's one reason I did like George W. so much. He was never afraid to make the tough decisions. He didn't seem to care about the poles, just doing the right thing for the American people. President Obama comes into office during very troubling times and will need all the help he can get. The economy is a mess and getting worse. We are engaged in war in two different countries and there are signs of trouble brewing in others. What a heavy burden it must be to assume responsibility for the most powerful Nation in the world during these times. Well then, why am I excited?
I am excited because, political affiliation aside, America will make history tomorrow by electing her first black President. I don't know about you, but as troubled as this world still is I find comfort in the fact that we have come this far regarding race in our country. Today MLK would be celebrating one special birthday. I am certain he is smiling in heaven, but also hoping and praying that we continue to reconcile our differences. I am also excited because there is always something alluring about change. After 8 years we have a new President who has the opportunity to guide us in a new and more prosperous direction. Only time will tell if it works out that way, but for now I choose to hope and pray for his success. I can't imagine anyone wanting our President to fail, but I am sure there are. That is why I ask you all to pray for the Obama's and our country. The President needs our prayers. Prayers for protection and prayers for wisdom and for seeking God's guidance in all he does.
I just hope we can unite together and all share in this exciting time in our history. Don't forget the bottom line...God is in control. Assurance of that should leave us with little to worry about.
That's one reason I did like George W. so much. He was never afraid to make the tough decisions. He didn't seem to care about the poles, just doing the right thing for the American people. President Obama comes into office during very troubling times and will need all the help he can get. The economy is a mess and getting worse. We are engaged in war in two different countries and there are signs of trouble brewing in others. What a heavy burden it must be to assume responsibility for the most powerful Nation in the world during these times. Well then, why am I excited?
I am excited because, political affiliation aside, America will make history tomorrow by electing her first black President. I don't know about you, but as troubled as this world still is I find comfort in the fact that we have come this far regarding race in our country. Today MLK would be celebrating one special birthday. I am certain he is smiling in heaven, but also hoping and praying that we continue to reconcile our differences. I am also excited because there is always something alluring about change. After 8 years we have a new President who has the opportunity to guide us in a new and more prosperous direction. Only time will tell if it works out that way, but for now I choose to hope and pray for his success. I can't imagine anyone wanting our President to fail, but I am sure there are. That is why I ask you all to pray for the Obama's and our country. The President needs our prayers. Prayers for protection and prayers for wisdom and for seeking God's guidance in all he does.
I just hope we can unite together and all share in this exciting time in our history. Don't forget the bottom line...God is in control. Assurance of that should leave us with little to worry about.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Back In Iraq
Hey guys! It's now been a little over a week and I am settled in again in my temporary home. I can't say I am glad to be here, but I can thank God for the opportunity he has given me along with the employment. It saddens me to think of the financial stress many of those I care for back home are having to endure right now. My prayers are with you all and especially with those out of work right now.
Here the work is plentiful. Not necessarily for me all the time, but for our soldiers the work is never done. I wish I could send you the long list of projects they are working on for the people of Iraq. I know I have shared some of what they do, but you would still be amazed at the rest of the story as Paul Harvey always says. These guys and girls are the best in my humble opinion.
As for me, every day is a blessing and a sacrifice. I miss my Nancy and the kids so much, but I know God is blessing us in ways we may not be able to understand just yet. I will hold on to that belief and to the faith I have that He never, ever makes a mistake or does anything without a purpose. After all, "Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him." Colossians 1:16
Keep believing and never doubt that God is in control.
God bless you all
Here the work is plentiful. Not necessarily for me all the time, but for our soldiers the work is never done. I wish I could send you the long list of projects they are working on for the people of Iraq. I know I have shared some of what they do, but you would still be amazed at the rest of the story as Paul Harvey always says. These guys and girls are the best in my humble opinion.
As for me, every day is a blessing and a sacrifice. I miss my Nancy and the kids so much, but I know God is blessing us in ways we may not be able to understand just yet. I will hold on to that belief and to the faith I have that He never, ever makes a mistake or does anything without a purpose. After all, "Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him." Colossians 1:16
Keep believing and never doubt that God is in control.
God bless you all
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Closing Thoughts for 2008
As I prepare to leave and return to Iraq and 2008 comes to an end I wanted to reflect on my time here with family and friends. I didn't get to see as many friends as I would have liked and certainly didn't spend as much time with family as I wanted, but I am thankful to have been allowed to spend this Christmas with my family while many serving our Nation could not. In my nearly 28 years of marriage I have never missed a Christmas because of work. I've been called in and had to leave for a few hours, but never have I missed Christmas. Many of you probably have also never missed Christmas or other important family events. That is not the case for our military and the many support personnel that serve with them. While some do get the opportunity to come home the vast majority do not. Pray for them as this year comes to a close and the new year begins.
My time home was wonderful, but not as you might expect. To be honest with you the separation from Nancy and the kids has been so difficult the thought of returning to Iraq often consumed me. It was, at times, hard to focus on what was going because my mind was on having to return. Nevertheless, my family and I had a great Christmas and are trying to get excited about the New Year despite my leaving here on the 3rd of January.
I met a friend of mine for breakfast this morning and had a great time of fellowship and sharing. During our time together he explained to me that unhappiness and even depression are natural responses to very difficult times. He also reminded me that although God never promised that we would at all times enjoy great happiness if we trust in Him, He did promise to never leave us and to never forsake us and that nothing He does is by accident and without purpose. Thank you Sam.
Twice this week I had the opportunity to play golf with another friend of mine. One day was as pretty as a golf day could be and the other was played in near hurricane winds (not really, but it was really blowing). How we finished I'll never know, but finish we did and had a great time. While our score keeping is a little more relaxed than the PGA I'm pretty sure I won. Don't worry George you'll get another shot at me when I return home in June.
Friday I will meet my Pastor for breakfast. While I don't know yet what all we will discuss I am grateful that he has set time aside for me before I leave. Until you leave for a long time it is hard to understand how much you miss and how important people are too you. I often wonder how difficult it must have been for our soldiers during WWI & II and even through the Vietnam War. There was no Internet or cell phones, just the mail and even now that often takes weeks to arrive. Talk about lonely. These guys had little or no contact for months and sometimes longer, and their deployment periods were often much longer. Such sacrifice is amazing to me.
My hope and prayer is that all of you had a wonderful Christmas and will experience the full extent of God's blessings in the new year. I am posting a picture of the Christmas tree the guys back in Mahmudiyah erected prior to my leaving. While it is nothing spectacular it signifies a strength and resolve to celebrate our way of life no matter where we are or what our current circumstances may be. I hope that no matter your situation God finds you and me faithful and clinging to the hope He has promised us all. Sometimes life is not so good, but God is always great!
Happy New Year!
My time home was wonderful, but not as you might expect. To be honest with you the separation from Nancy and the kids has been so difficult the thought of returning to Iraq often consumed me. It was, at times, hard to focus on what was going because my mind was on having to return. Nevertheless, my family and I had a great Christmas and are trying to get excited about the New Year despite my leaving here on the 3rd of January.
I met a friend of mine for breakfast this morning and had a great time of fellowship and sharing. During our time together he explained to me that unhappiness and even depression are natural responses to very difficult times. He also reminded me that although God never promised that we would at all times enjoy great happiness if we trust in Him, He did promise to never leave us and to never forsake us and that nothing He does is by accident and without purpose. Thank you Sam.
Twice this week I had the opportunity to play golf with another friend of mine. One day was as pretty as a golf day could be and the other was played in near hurricane winds (not really, but it was really blowing). How we finished I'll never know, but finish we did and had a great time. While our score keeping is a little more relaxed than the PGA I'm pretty sure I won. Don't worry George you'll get another shot at me when I return home in June.
Friday I will meet my Pastor for breakfast. While I don't know yet what all we will discuss I am grateful that he has set time aside for me before I leave. Until you leave for a long time it is hard to understand how much you miss and how important people are too you. I often wonder how difficult it must have been for our soldiers during WWI & II and even through the Vietnam War. There was no Internet or cell phones, just the mail and even now that often takes weeks to arrive. Talk about lonely. These guys had little or no contact for months and sometimes longer, and their deployment periods were often much longer. Such sacrifice is amazing to me.
My hope and prayer is that all of you had a wonderful Christmas and will experience the full extent of God's blessings in the new year. I am posting a picture of the Christmas tree the guys back in Mahmudiyah erected prior to my leaving. While it is nothing spectacular it signifies a strength and resolve to celebrate our way of life no matter where we are or what our current circumstances may be. I hope that no matter your situation God finds you and me faithful and clinging to the hope He has promised us all. Sometimes life is not so good, but God is always great!
Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Letter to Emily's Class
Emily's 5th grade class wrote letters to the Soldier's in Dale's unit and I thought I would share Dale's response with you all:
Dear Mrs. Whitehurst & Mrs. Hancock,
Let me begin by telling you how much I appreciate the letters you and your students sent. I will be giving them to our US Army Chaplain who distributes them to just the right soldiers.Your students have done a marvelous job writing them and a great service to our country. That's right guys, I know you may not realize it, but when you write letters of encouragement you lift up the spirits of our troops and help them to carry on and complete the mission. That is a great American service that makes me very proud of each of you.
I also appreciate your prayers. Prayer, for me in my family, is a big part of our lives.
Iraq is a small country with lots of sand and rocks. Some places remind me of home without the ocean. However, I have visited a part of Iraq that is lush with beautiful orange groves, grape vineyards, apple, pear and palm trees. As far as the economy goes, the Iraqi people are typically very poor. A lot of homes I have seen are made of mud bricks and some even have thatched roofs. On the other hand I have seen beautiful palaces made for Kings.
Our conditions here are pretty good right now. A lot of the soldiers do sleep in tents, but they are equipped with heat and air conditioning. Not quite like the tents you may have camped out in. Our food is good, but not as good as it is back home. We don't have restaurants we can go to and that is a real bummer! I especially miss the pizza back home and can't wait to have one!
I want you guys to know that our soldiers, (and girls, you will be proud to know there are a lot of girls in the army), are doing a great job of keeping peace and helping the Iraqi people to have a better way of life than they did before the war. Our soldiers are full of love and compassion and work very hard to keep the Iraqi people safe from terrorism. Besides building and supplying schools they also help establish businesses, and water & power plants. They help build bridges, roads and even parks and zoos (They helped re-establish the Baghdad Zoo). They do so much more than fight and you have a right to be very proud of them and of being an American citizen. Our military is the only one I know of that just doesn't beat the enemy and leave. They always help the people rebuild their lives. They are tough guys and girls and they are doing as well as can be expected being away from the home they love so much.
Like me, they miss their families very much, but they know that what they do is important to everyone back home. They believe in our Country, our way of life and more importantly they believe in you. These warriors do get scared from time to time, but they never let fear stop them from doing what is right. That is what true courage is and you don't have to be in war to be a warrior possessing true courage. Being a true warrior is an achievement of character. It is standing up, at all costs, for what you believe. You too can be warriors at home and in your classroom. Have discipline, respect those in authority and always tell the truth even when it may cost you. You do those things and you too will be warriors.
In closing, Mrs. Whitehurst, it is very tough being away from those you love. You have a certain little red head in your class that I love and miss dearly. Please give her, and all your students in fact, a big hug from me. I look forward to seeing their smiling faces when I return.
God bless you all,
Dale Hamilton, Emily's proud Dad
1-63 2BCT 1AD
APO AE 09322
PS: Emily, I'll see you on the 18th. Love you
FOB Mahmudiyah, Iraq
Dear Mrs. Whitehurst & Mrs. Hancock,
Let me begin by telling you how much I appreciate the letters you and your students sent. I will be giving them to our US Army Chaplain who distributes them to just the right soldiers.Your students have done a marvelous job writing them and a great service to our country. That's right guys, I know you may not realize it, but when you write letters of encouragement you lift up the spirits of our troops and help them to carry on and complete the mission. That is a great American service that makes me very proud of each of you.
I also appreciate your prayers. Prayer, for me in my family, is a big part of our lives.
Iraq is a small country with lots of sand and rocks. Some places remind me of home without the ocean. However, I have visited a part of Iraq that is lush with beautiful orange groves, grape vineyards, apple, pear and palm trees. As far as the economy goes, the Iraqi people are typically very poor. A lot of homes I have seen are made of mud bricks and some even have thatched roofs. On the other hand I have seen beautiful palaces made for Kings.
Our conditions here are pretty good right now. A lot of the soldiers do sleep in tents, but they are equipped with heat and air conditioning. Not quite like the tents you may have camped out in. Our food is good, but not as good as it is back home. We don't have restaurants we can go to and that is a real bummer! I especially miss the pizza back home and can't wait to have one!
I want you guys to know that our soldiers, (and girls, you will be proud to know there are a lot of girls in the army), are doing a great job of keeping peace and helping the Iraqi people to have a better way of life than they did before the war. Our soldiers are full of love and compassion and work very hard to keep the Iraqi people safe from terrorism. Besides building and supplying schools they also help establish businesses, and water & power plants. They help build bridges, roads and even parks and zoos (They helped re-establish the Baghdad Zoo). They do so much more than fight and you have a right to be very proud of them and of being an American citizen. Our military is the only one I know of that just doesn't beat the enemy and leave. They always help the people rebuild their lives. They are tough guys and girls and they are doing as well as can be expected being away from the home they love so much.
Like me, they miss their families very much, but they know that what they do is important to everyone back home. They believe in our Country, our way of life and more importantly they believe in you. These warriors do get scared from time to time, but they never let fear stop them from doing what is right. That is what true courage is and you don't have to be in war to be a warrior possessing true courage. Being a true warrior is an achievement of character. It is standing up, at all costs, for what you believe. You too can be warriors at home and in your classroom. Have discipline, respect those in authority and always tell the truth even when it may cost you. You do those things and you too will be warriors.
In closing, Mrs. Whitehurst, it is very tough being away from those you love. You have a certain little red head in your class that I love and miss dearly. Please give her, and all your students in fact, a big hug from me. I look forward to seeing their smiling faces when I return.
God bless you all,
Dale Hamilton, Emily's proud Dad
1-63 2BCT 1AD
APO AE 09322
PS: Emily, I'll see you on the 18th. Love you
FOB Mahmudiyah, Iraq
Monday, December 1, 2008
The War
When you think of our soldiers in Iraq you obviously think about the trials they face in a war torn country and rightly so. These young soldiers risk their lives daily for us. They do it without hesitation because they believe in something bigger than themselves. They find themselves running into the face of danger with great courage and no regrets. They fight a war between good and evil and unfortunately it is not the only enemy they are confronted with.
The war between good and evil rages on inside of them as well. Many of these young soldiers came over here without question knowing that it was their duty. Yes, they did it because they had to, but what they didn't have to do is sign on the dotted line. Remember this is an all volunteer army.
However, their loved ones didn't always sign on with them. So many of our young soldiers face the enemy we know as terrorism, and the one we know as divorce. It is so sad to see and hear about young men going through agony because they can't be home fixing something that just isn't right. Chances are they wouldn't be able to fix it anyway with no more commitment than that, but they are here and they cannot leave their post.
The other night we had a young soldier threaten suicide by leaving a couple of notes for friends. Thank God they were real friends who knew to report it immediately. He was found signing out ammo from the supply office. Who knows what would have happened if they had just hesitated for but a while. That young man is now in observation. I am not sure what is going to happen to him. He'll probably be sent home and may even lose his military career, but at least he is alive.
There are many other stories, but I am not going to share them all here. I really hate to write about the negative and I know that is not what you have come to expect from me. Typically my writings are all positive, but this is a reality that will not go away by wishing it so.
So next time you pray for our soldiers pray for more than just their safety in war. Pray for their spiritual health, pray for their families and loved ones at home, pray for them all to have the courage, commitment and love for one another that binds them together. Pray that they all know or will know our Heavenly Father who loves us so much and who has promised to never forsake us.
I am so glad I am among a fellowship of believers who know how to love because we have been shown how to love by the one who loves us.
God bless you all and God bless our American Soldiers
The war between good and evil rages on inside of them as well. Many of these young soldiers came over here without question knowing that it was their duty. Yes, they did it because they had to, but what they didn't have to do is sign on the dotted line. Remember this is an all volunteer army.
However, their loved ones didn't always sign on with them. So many of our young soldiers face the enemy we know as terrorism, and the one we know as divorce. It is so sad to see and hear about young men going through agony because they can't be home fixing something that just isn't right. Chances are they wouldn't be able to fix it anyway with no more commitment than that, but they are here and they cannot leave their post.
The other night we had a young soldier threaten suicide by leaving a couple of notes for friends. Thank God they were real friends who knew to report it immediately. He was found signing out ammo from the supply office. Who knows what would have happened if they had just hesitated for but a while. That young man is now in observation. I am not sure what is going to happen to him. He'll probably be sent home and may even lose his military career, but at least he is alive.
There are many other stories, but I am not going to share them all here. I really hate to write about the negative and I know that is not what you have come to expect from me. Typically my writings are all positive, but this is a reality that will not go away by wishing it so.
So next time you pray for our soldiers pray for more than just their safety in war. Pray for their spiritual health, pray for their families and loved ones at home, pray for them all to have the courage, commitment and love for one another that binds them together. Pray that they all know or will know our Heavenly Father who loves us so much and who has promised to never forsake us.
I am so glad I am among a fellowship of believers who know how to love because we have been shown how to love by the one who loves us.
God bless you all and God bless our American Soldiers
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