In the deserts of Kuwait and Southern Iraq, the nights
come quick. It’s as if you can watch the sun go down in a mater of minutes.
It’s a quiet peaceful time. There may be trucks in the motor pool prepping for
missions, and the constant drone of the camp generators in the background, but
while watching the sunset on the front porch of the Squadron headquarters, all
is quiet. There’s a war going on, but not right there, not on my front porch.
When the night comes, the temperatures cool some, but not
enough, at least not this time of year. Sometimes, when I can break from the
Squadron Headquarters, the sounds of metal on metal and the glow of the
maintenance tent draw me out to see the troops. Like the Cavalry of old, skilled
tradesmen are working through the night to make sure our horses are properly
shoed and feed. They must work swiftly and smartly as the night doesn’t last
long. By 4:30 the sun is peaking the horizon and the heat of the day is not far
behind.
Hopefully very soon thought I’ll be leaving my desert for
a little bit. If all goes well tomorrow’s sunrise will be over the US. I’m
heading home for my R&R Leave, Rest and Recuperation as they used to call
it. Refit and Recovery in the new Army speak I suppose. Either way, it doesn’t
matter. With the grace of God, a little luck from Boeing and a tailwind I’ll be
back home with my wife and children in a day.
We haven’t told Evan that I’m coming home and Camden is
too little to understand. For a long time I had said that I wasn’t going to
come home for leave. I think I said something to the effect of “After the last
tour I can do this one standing on my head.” Well, I can’t do headstands. Even though I said I wouldn’t come home, I
am. And I’m pretty excited about it, so is Beth. We didn’t tell Evan because we
didn’t want to get his hopes up to have them dashed by me having to stay here
for some reason. At first Beth was concerned that if I came home and then left
again, Evan wouldn’t understand. But I think we’ll be alright. Evan’s pretty
smart for his age. He knows that Daddy is a long way away helping people. He
knows that’s what Army men do, help people and chase bad guys. He’s only 4 and
he gets it. Too bad some other people still don’t.
If time allows, I’ll post while I’m home. We’ll see. I
know from last time that even though I say I won’t, I’ll be watching the TV
while home, looking for my Troopers and listening for anything to do with
Soldiers from Michigan. If all goes
well, I’ll return to the desert in a few weeks and pick up where I left off.
Watching the nights come quick and the days come quicker. But that’s okay. The
quicker they come, the sooner we get to all go home.
CM, Micah
