BACK IN THE USA!

Several days away from a computer that would allow access to blog...but anyway..

BACK IN USA....home in a few days...

WOO HOO!

Politics....Work....Home...

It's hard to believe this journey is coming to an end. The real indicator is how my incoming emails are now changing.

Initially when I left it was proud....prayers....and "keep your head down".

Now my emails are political stuff from home, stuff from my work, and what needs to be done at home when I return.

I'm READY!

chip.

Honor

I had the honor of attending a service for a fellow soldier who lost his life serving his country. The service was a reminder of the cost of war. To attend the service for this young soldier was quite emotional. Pray often.

Oh Canada

Today was working with a vendor from Canada. I asked him if he had ever been to the US. He told me almost every state, he then asked where I was from. I said Mississippi. He said, I remember building some temp churches in MS back when they were having some church burnings, I ate the best steak ever in a place called "Corinth". That place would be Russell's on Hwy 72.

Funny eh?

Chip

40

I've been running since I've been out here and the past few weeks my left knee has been acting up. After a day or so it's back to normal but it happens every time I run so I went and visited the Doctor.

After examining my knee and making me do all kinds of bends etc, she said "It looks like a serious case of turning 40 to me".

Happy Birthday Hollie!

Missed my soon to be 8 year old daughters birtday party last night. Wendy sent pictures but sure wish I was there.

We are making great progress on various projects on our mission here in Afghanistan. I'm proud to be a part of the Seabees and the work they do. It's amazing what can be done in a few days and then off to another mission.

I'm looking forward to heading back to Corinth soon.

Chip

Election 2007

Just finished voting in the 2007 Alcorn County Election via absentee. I read on www.DailyCorinthian.com that the turnout appears to be large. Great !

Being here in Afghanistan away from the happenings of the City of Corinth has been difficult to say the least. I get emails from the Alderman and they have been good at keeping me up-to-date.

I understand bids have been received regarding trash/waste collection from 3 companies, however none submitted for leaf pickup by the stated deadline. This is an important issue for many Corinthians and I hope we can develop a plan to get a vacuum in place. Any ideas or suggestions would be appreciated.

I do have access to the Internet and email, so please email me and I will respond as soon as I am able to:

cwood@corinth.ms

Wish I was at the White Trolley having a Slugburger.

Chip

Routine

Each day goes as follows:

Wake Up in tent with same guys
Brush Teeth
Go to Breakfast with same guys
Go to work with same guys
Go to lunch with same guys
Go back to work with same guys
Go back to dinner with same guys
Brush teeth, shower.
Go back to tent to sleep.
....start over again....

Fellow Seabees & Soldiers are great, but seeing the same faces 24/7 for over 180 days is getting OLD OLD OLD.

I want to see my Wife...I want to see my 3 daughters..... and I want to get a haircut from my sister and not some LN who doesn't speak English!

Oh yeah... good VP candidate for the next presidential election:

http://www.gov.state.ak.us/

I'm doing AOK..

Chip

Two Digit Midget

After 5 months, we have finally hit the less than 100 days to go. Today marks 99 days left. Woo Hoo!

Our work is going well at our current location and I'm sure we'll be moving again the coming weeks.

They found a Krait snake here the other day. Apparently one of the most deadly snakes there is. At night it's pitch dark here, and I mean pitch dark. No lights what-so-ever. Walking to the latrine is fun, hoping you don't step on one.

99 Days......tomorrow is 98.

chip

Looks who's coming to Dinner

These guys are preparing to come over to the Middle East, then get here and a few weeks later, I'll be home !!!

http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070615/NEWS/70615011/1001/MOMS

Outback in Afghanistan

I bet I had a better dinner than you tonight.

Outback, yes the steak house franchise brought steaks, fixins's and carrot cake for all the Seabees & Soldiers to eat. It was quite an elaborate setup.

Quite the moral booster for all.

Chip

NMCB 28 Website

I found this via Google.com

It's NMCB 28, but once again, it's not where I am and it's not what we are doing... ENJOY !

www.nmcb-28.com

chip

Letter Burning

Because of security issues, we are required to destroy the return address on envelopes, packages etc. What has happnened in the past is that the envelopes and packaging gets thrown in the trash and then the Taliban goes through the trash and suddenly they have the name & address of a Seabee/Soldier's family.

So it was a rather weird feeling today to burn my mail, I felt like I was destroying something I shouldn't but space and security comes first. So to all that have written, thanks but your mail went up in flames this morning.

I made it to church service again today, sermon was on the Trinity. Interesting and well explained. Chaplain kept asking "Is your God big enough?", by the end of the sermon there was no doubt indeed he is.

chip

Fred Thompson

Well the not so secret is soon to be offically out. Former TN Senator/TV & movie star Fred Thompson is announcing his run for the presidency.

For those of you who want a true conservative but scared of the fact Gov Mitt Romney is a Mormon, well now you have your man.

So, the perfect ticket as of today.... Romney/Thompson or I'd be satisfied with Thompson/Romney.

Rudy was a great leader during the days following the 9/11 tragedy but he leans way too much to the left for me.

Chip

Memorial Day

Just attended a service in honor of Memorial Day. It's a rainy day and initally the rain held off, but in the middle of the ceremony the rain began to pour. All soldiers & seabees in attendance held their formation & stood motionless at attention.

The chaplain's words and reading of the names of those who have fallen was quite an emotional time. In this time of support dwindling and a political mess, there is no doubt these men died with honor protecting their country before self.

What normally is burgers on the grill & a day off from work, this Memorial Day in Afghanistan will surely be the one I remember the most.

chip

Bon Jovi

For those of us who lived through the 80's MTV Generation, we all remember Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer".

Well I'm glad to say this week, we passed our 1/2 way point of our mobilization.

Thus we are "Half way there, ...ahhh...Living on a Prayer".

Needless to say, many prayers are said here. It's encouraging to see how openly folks pray, before chow etc. I was asked by someone during chow the other day, "What do you pray for?". I looked directly at him and said, well I thank God for the food and day, and I pray that he keeps You & I safe also. He seemed shocked that I was praying for him , but then he said. "Oh...Good...Thanks."

I've been fortunate to attend some type of service most every Sunday that I've been deployed. One of the things I look forward to upon my return is the old time traditional hymns. I guess to attract the new generation, the new songs are the "in thing". I can't wait to hear Brother Ted Avant sing the wrong verse at Waldron Street Christian Church of an old hymn.

It's been over a year now, since Pop died. Now that I've hit 40 years old, I'm sure losing folks close to you will become more often. Well that stinks, but how blessed we are to have our children running around. My brother and I always bought Pop a Zippo lighter from our duty stations, now my brother will have to receive the next one.

chip

Toby Keith

Toby Keith and the "Easy Money" band arrived & played with the USO. Of course the crowd & myself enjoyed the show. Toby has performed over 100 of these shows in Germany, Cuba, Iraq and Afghanistan over the last 5 years.

For those who think he's always in the Green Zone, I assure you he plays where you don't want to have a picnic. This year/tour he's as deep in with the Cowboys/Indians as any of the military.

Doing way more than his part, Toby Keith is a true American Patriot for taking his time to come see the troops right in the foxholes.

Thanks Toby !

Uniforms 24/7 ?

I just received an email asking if we wear uniforms 24/7.

Well yes & no

Not including the time in the rack which can be anything from a sleeping bag, cot or a twin size bed with mattress dependent on your current location, we wear one of two uniforms. The first is the Desert Uniform which you would think we would wear. Our only other choice is our PT gear which is either a Navy Blue sweat suit or Navy Blue shorts and our brown t-shirt. That's it, no otherchoice of clothes what-so-ever. This does make it easier for laundry etc, so no big deal.

It will be rather odd when I return home and have to choose what to wear.

chip

Uniforms 24/7 ?

I just received an email asking if we wear uniforms 24/7.

Well yes & no

Not including the time in the rack which can be anything from a sleeping bag, cot or a twin size bed with mattress dependent on your current location, we wear one of two uniforms. The first is the Desert Uniform which you would think we would wear. Our only other choice is our PT gear which is either a Navy Blue sweat suit or Navy Blue shorts and our brown t-shirt. That's it, no otherchoice of clothes what-so-ever. This does make it easier for laundry etc, so no big deal.

It will be rather odd when I return home and have to choose what to wear.

chip

DOD no access to My Space or You Tube

The rumor was true, all Department of Defense computers are now blocking access to MySpace.com and YouTube.com. The majority of people serving are 1/2 my age and thus spend more time on MySpace than they do anything else. To say this is a moral buster is an understatement. One soldier said " I lost all my friends". Ah the return of email?

New Blog Home

Blooger.com is part of Google/Gmail so it should be "good", many of you didn't like going to MySpace anyway so maybe this will be better.

We shall see.

MySpace is huge for moral of the SeaBees and Soldiers, DOD making a big mistake removing the access from computers.

chip

Mail

Mail to:

A.L. "Chip" Wood, III
PRG 6-1
APO AE 09354-3005

Takes apporximately 5 to 10 days.

NOTE: No "Navy", no "Seabees", no Rank, no Rate, No submarine SS. Just my name.

Don't ask.

Thanks,

Chip