Well folks,
Tomorrow I leave for Iraq. Just a few last minute packing things to go. We will fly from Cherry Point, NC to Ireland for a layover (!) and then on to Kuwait. From Kuwait to Al Asad. The good news is that I will get all of January tax free because I will make it to Kuwait before Feb 1.
Thanks to all those who have sent me there well wishes; thankfully I will only be in country for about 4 months. I have apparently been in Camp Lejeune for so long that they are bring me back in June to go to a new job/duty station.
I will keep everyone updated as to the goings on over here and post a lot of pictures.
By the way, if no one answers the movie I posted, it's over to Vee!
Capt Todd
Our very best wishes & prayers follow right along with you Captain Todd!
A "lay over" in Ireland! make sure to tip your hat to all your O'Brien ancestors - especially in Co Clare (the great Clan O'Brien stronghold).
I hope you at least will have time for a Guinness!
oorah!
mary ann
Todd 
I will await your news impatiently and from France you will always be in my thoughts and prayer .
I hope that you will have a good flight and that all will go well there low!!
With all my affection
Vee 
With tons of love and best wishes. Godspeed, soldier.
Will look forward to your posts and emails. I hope the days pass quickly for you, so you can come home and be re-united with your family.
From all of us, to you!
YES CAPT. OBRIEN, GODSPEED AND MAY HE WATCH OVER YOU.
Stopover in Ireland,huh. Maybe same place the 34th Divn. went and
prepared for No. Africa. Roque
Stopover in Ireland,huh. Maybe same place the 34th Divn. went and
prepared for No. Africa. Roque
Well, I'll read all about it in DFWSTT (Dogfaces Who Smiled Through Tears for the uninitiated). I'm bringing it with me. I'm not going to be able to smuze with the local ladies like you did every night, however!! 
Well, I'll read all about it in DFWSTT (Dogfaces Who Smiled Through Tears for the uninitiated). I'm bringing it with me. I'm not going to be able to smuze with the local ladies like you did every night, however!!
It's tough when a married guy goes yonder and
not 20 yrs. old. I'm happy that you are taking the
book with you. Rocky.
It's tough when a married guy goes yonder and
not 20 yrs. old. I'm happy that you are taking the
book with you. Rocky.
Rocky,
I have no doubt that you can still get into trouble if left to your own devices.....You give me hope....
Rocky,
I have no doubt that you can still get into trouble if left to your own devices.....You give me hope....
HOPE? hmm----just, a hot tomale. rocky-- 
Some of you have seen these before, but I wanted share for the group some pictures from Iraq. I was waiting until I was able to load them up to Picasa and just add the links here.
Here's me at Camp Virgina, Ku. I had been there in 04 but it was "Camp Victory" at the time.
Here are my living quarters at Al Asad. They are appropriately called "Cans" - the walls seperating the three rooms in the one bigger unit must be made out of aluminum. You can hear the guy in the next room breathing at night. Last time I was in a squad sized tent for 8 months so no complaints here. Rocky, sure beats a mud whole, yes? I remember those days when I was in artillery.
Outside
Inside (I didn't bother to clean up.)
The base mosque (off limits)
Another view
Need any more proof men run Islamic society?
One of the MRAP vehicles
The Cinnabun (yes, Cinnabun) and BK.
And if you are saying to yourself, "Well jeez! It's so sad they can't have pizza and fried chicken, too!" don't worry. . .
And finally, this is a bunker and the basketball court (just past it in the flood lights) at night in a sand storm.
I'll have more later. Signing off from Iraq. . . .