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Soldiers together on convoy to Mosul
IRAQ -- Many Southwest Nebraskans were part of a 1013th Quartermasters' convoy from Kuwait to Mosul the week before Christmas.
Lee and Linda Maiden had three children on the Army Reserve convoy, Kyle and Kevin Stritt and Steph Maiden.
Linda Maiden shared this letter with family and friends, as well as our readers:
"Thought I would update you all and include a photo that Kevin sent back.
"It is from their convoy up from Kuwait. You can see the herd of Camels (much like we would see a herd of cattle here!) and if you look in the rear view mirror on his truck you can see the convoy behind him. After the attack in Mosul we found out that when we were told that they were "across the street," that refers to the fact that the two camps are across the street from each other.
"However, from their sleeping quarters in their camp to the mess tent in the other camp it is actually closer to two miles. The kids said their camp is several miles long. I know when they are visiting with us by phone or computer they are quite some distance from their quarters.
"Kyle's recent e-mail gave us an idea of what it is like.
"We are living in two man cans (conexes) that are 6 feet by 15 feet. They are pretty small, but we have heat and air. I am rooming with Aaron. We have a refrigerator and a TV that Aaron bought today. It is nice not having to live out of a bag like we were in Kuwait. We have wall lockers and little dressers. It is nice. We have nice bathrooms and showers right beside our rooms."
(Of course they should since they are in charge of bath and laundry!)
"We no longer have to use port-a-johns and always have hot water. The chow hall is only 200 yards away so we don't have far to walk to eat and the food isn't bad. The gym is there also, but it has been closed so I haven't been in it yet, but hear it is nice."
Kyle, Kevin and Steph's rooms are all within a few doors of each other. Steph said Kyle checks on her daily and Kevin has been helping her with her laundry duty. That is her assignment right now. The boys have been pulling some guard duty while waiting on their assignments.
Sounds like it will be convoys starting early January. Kyle said it has been pretty quiet there lately. The only mortars they hear now are the "ones we shoot at them."
And, he has become used to that. He mentioned how he has always liked to watch war movies and how they never seemed real -- just on TV. Now it is real!
And they do learn to make the best of things. Kevin and another soldier, Eric Foster, set up a casino in their cans for New Years Eve and invited soldiers over for a little "Vegas" activity to celebrate.
We have talked to Steph and Kevin by phone once, but most of our communication is via e-mail or MSN Messenger.
And with three of them over there we probably hear more often then most soldier's family's do -- at least every week. Plus, Carissa, Kyle's wife, and Heather, Kevin's girlfriend are great about calling us when they have heard from them.
In all my conversations with them they still thank you for your prayers and ask that you continue to pray for their safety. I second that request!
-- Linda Maiden