The New Year!

Operation New Dawn and I have entered into the new year. So here we go into the 4th quarter of the Iraq war and really work the transition back to the Army and people of Iraq. Since my last post we have stayed pretty busy getting everything working in the new building. The electronic age makes a move like this very difficult. We run two seperate internet system on called low (unclassified) and one called high(classified) so it takes a lot to move these systems and get them back up and running so we can not only send emails but video chat with slides over a secure network with people from all over the world. Technology has become so much more advanced from when I was in the desert for the first time 20 years ago. As I write this I am wathcing discovery, blogging on my Dell, with my Ipad sitting on the bed. I just got off my home phone in my room which has an Oregon number. The internet and technology is great and we can really stay in touch with friends and family.

On New Years Day I was invited to attend a couple of promotions over at the Al Faw palace. Saddam build a palace complex after the Iran/Iraq war to celebrate the victory.  The main palace is great with beautiful marble and other features, though when it turns out its decent materials but the construction of the place is pretty poor and falling apart. There is a beautiful swimming pool, though we don't use it. I do remember hearing the story but forgot the circumstance as to why we don't use it. The grounds around the palace had wild game and each lake was filled with fish. Aparently it was used more by the boys and not by their dad and you can see how a couple of wild boys could have fun around this place.

Here is the swimming pool bit in use.

The place is nice and I wouldn't mind hosting some get togethers there with a few friends, after all there are 65 rooms and 29 bathrooms. Here is the surrounding lakes and smaller villa's. we use the villa's for some of the other joint staff that are not housed in the palace.

 Here is a swimming pool we do use over at a place called Freedom Rest. It's a place where soldiers can stay a few days and relax without being on duty.

Here is a video from the 3rd floor balcony.

I had a chance to get a picture with the commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division. I was glad that he would entertain my request for a picture, he is an extremely busy man and has a huge schedule of events every day.

Saddam was given a throne by Yassir Arafat. The emblem in the middle is a representation of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem; also known as the Dome of the Rock. The inlay says “Holiness to us” on the sides. The top of the chair is inscribed with “victory from God and success is near.” The book at the top has a verse from the chapter of the Koran Entitled “The Israelites.”

The last set of pictures is a palace or villa over on Lost Lake that had some remodeling done by the US Air Force, they do a great job!

So here we are at the end of my post. It's been a pretty busy 2 weeks and I think it was due to many hours at the work place keeping my mind off of home. Jessica and the kids had a great time in Texas and they will head back home on Monday to begin the New Year. We really do love Hawaii and the great sense of family and the wonderful weather year round.

Please have a wonderful safe New Year and enjoy every minute with your friends and family.