Life's Highway - The Randy Helms Express

Well hello everyone and I hope your Thanksgiving was good. We had a nice turkey, ham, stuffing, gravy, and corn on the cob meal. I do have a lot to be thankful this year, and I made sure that I thanked the good Lord above for all my blessings. The reason why I have not updated this blog in awhile was due to the fact our Internet has been down. Just came back up a couple of days ago, but it has been running extremely slow.

The three retirees on my team departed from here about a week ago and will be leaving the country soon, headed back home. I wish them success in their civilian life. As a personal note to Joe L., “Thank you for everything the last year. We started out rough, but quickly worked it out, as NCOs and professionals due. I have learned a lot from you and will use it to my advantage when dealing with troops in the future. Now go ahead and get that ‘Jersey Waste Management’ thing working again.” (Inside joke)

I am on the midnight radio watch. I work from 2100 (9:00 pm) to 0900 everyday. Much safer, since I do not got out into sector. I figured since I had to stay until early JAN, I might as well take it easy. This can be boring at times, just trying to stay awake, but it beats dodging bullets.

Isabel and the boys are doing well, from what she has told me on the phone. I am glad to hear that. I truly miss the three of them, and really cannot wait to hold them in my arms. This has been a long year, but it will soon be over and I will be back in Texas.

Until I write again,

Randy

Posted by Randy at 1:36 PM | Permalink | Comments

One of our Terps came back today from leave. He looked upset to me. I asked him if he was OK. He told me not really. CPT O talked with him and found out the following weird story. It seems he was upset, because he is 23 and has not completed his college work like many of his friends. Then CPT O said he went into some crazy spill about he thinks he is possessed by demons and witches. He said that some demon like creature had been following him. I told CPT O that I do know that this Terp listens to some weird Heavy Metal. I hope he gets it worked out.

The night air around here is cold as the dickens. Reminds me of when we first got here.

I pulled out a gray hair today from my eyebrow. I am getting old. I have let my hair grow out some, and I keep seeing more and more gray everywhere. I guess mother nature is showing her way with me.

Later,

Randy

Posted by Randy at 1:52 PM | Permalink | Comments

The team that is replacing us arrived on Sunday night. We have begun training them on what it is they will need to do for the next year. Of course with this, comes long hours, because we only have ten days to train them. On the sixth day, they will assume all responsibilities and will take the lead.

When we are finished training them, I will move over to the Brigade team and pull the midnight radio watch. I figured since I have to stay until JAN, I might as well take an easy job and relax.

Take care,

Randy

Posted by Randy at 7:01 PM | Permalink | Comments

Well I hate to write this, but unfortunatley we have been told that we will have to stay until early JAN before we can leave. I know it stinks for Isabel and the boys and I wish it was not true. I have sat and watched numerous others leave here anywhere from 30 to 90 days before they are suppose to. For me and the others it appears this dark cloud just looms over us. I am sad, but I will not let it get me down. It could be worse, I could be one of those guys who got home and then was told they had to come right back for additional four months. I saw that happen since I have been here. I called Isabel and she understands that is how the Army and the Military rolls sometimes. Good thing is when I get home in JAN, it will just make our reunion stronger.

Funny thing happened last night. I was up at about midnight and guess who was roaming the halls? Our adpoted dog Sadi. She was just walking around like she owened the place. One of the MAJs and I chased her down the hall a couple of times, before we caught her and took her back outside. I really felt sorry for her, because it has gotten kinda cold outside at nights. Someone said today they are going to build her a little house. I really hope they do.

Take care,

Randy

P.S. Spellcheck is not working

Posted by Randy at 2:38 PM | Permalink | Comments

Well on Sunday, I guess everyone saw the news when you woke up. We immediately left to go into our area. There was a lot of gun fire, but I was very safe. I was sitting with my team inside a secure area waiting to see if the Iraqi commander we work with wanted us to help him hold down his area. We sat out there for nine hours. Heard a lot of gun fire, but none directed at us.

Not much else going on.

Randy

Posted by Randy at 5:56 AM | Permalink | Comments

Well we are on Red Cycle today. That means we have pull duty most of the day in the Radio Room (TOC), clean the bathroom, and get fuel for the generator. This duty bites big time. You seem to do nothing but run around all day.


Yesterday they gave us the news we have been waiting on. I will be home for Christmas. Please keep your fingers crossed that they do not change it. Also do not say anything to Caelan or Ryleigh if you happen to talk or see them. I do not want to get their hopes up and then it back fires on me. I cannot gives specific dates, just know that we have been told we will be home for Christmas. Thank you Lord.


Now I just have to hang in there and keep watching mine and my buddies backs.


Later,
Randy

Posted by Randy at 5:12 AM | Permalink | Comments

For the past three weeks, things have gotten really busy. We have a new Brigade team in charge of our Battalion. Even though they are Advisors like us, they still seem to call the shots over our team. Of course, since they are new, they are buying into the woe'st me routine from the Iraqis. So we end up doing a bunch of junk that we really do not need to do. I can only hope that the next two months go by quickly and I can get out of here.

Not to much to write about, so this one will be short. Just now that I am doing well and watching my back.

Later,

Randy

Posted by Randy at 4:00 AM | Permalink | Comments