War Is HellSend this fellow Hoosier a note of support.
http://www.timjeffers.com/mailing.htmCapt. Tim Jeffer's of Coatesville IN current residence is Baghdad, Iraq.
Last entry July, 19
Dear Friends, Family and Fellow Patriots:
I just returned from Doha, Qatar on a four-day pass which turned into a six day pass because of sandstorms in the Baghdad area. I was accompanied by two fellow officers, CPT (P) Larry George (VA) and MAJ Jason Cawthorne (CA). Larry was recently informed of his pending promotion, so as tradition dictates, he had to buy all the beer. Well, not really but it sounds good! We were allowed to buy three beers a day. We were joined by two native Hoosiers, CPT Joe Ryser (a Lawrence North graduate) and Marine SSG Ronna Weyland from Daleville, IN (near Muncie). Joe, a proud member of the Fighting IRR, lives in Cincinnati with his family where he sells pharmaceuticals in real life. It was nice to get away and feel like a human being again, although we weren’t exactly free to roam the city. The R& R program is pretty structured. We stayed in a warehouse divided into 12-man bays on a large military installation in the middle of nowhere. We took it easy reading, watching movies, playing x-box, swimming, and even managed to get off base to play golf three times. We were very lucky to secure a sponsor to drive us off base. Otherwise, the only way you can escape from the base is to take a prearranged tour….which didn’t include golf! We played at the Doha Golf Club, home of the Qatar Masters…whose 2005 winner was Ernie Els. It was VERY hot.
Things back in Iraq haven’t changed much. The violence and tragedy continues daily, and we continue to train and equip Iraq Security Forces which now number over 172,000. The good news is, the 80th Division is starting to arrive to relieve the 98th Division (the Rochester, New York headquartered Reserve Army unit to which I am assigned). Unfortunately, I am scheduled for the 4th rotation out which is likely to be in September as opposed to August. It’s just a delay of two weeks or so, but when your life has been put on hold since September 2004, you tend to take it personally. Stay tuned.
I was relieved to hear that Jim Zarzana (husband of my first cousin Marianne Murphy Zarzana) and his brothers escaped from London safely after having made a key decision not to stay over night in downtown London before their flight home to the United States. Evidently, they would have been using the train that was bombed. Good judgment and good luck often make good companions! In a similar circumstance, 2005 British Open victor Tiger Woods also was surprised to hear that his mother was in proximity to one of the explosions. Indeed, it was another impressive win for Tiger and his 10th victory in a major tournament.
Congratulations to Ben and Kate Schreiber who moved into their new Irvington home over the past weekend. I’m sure Owen and Brendan are very excited and are busy preparing a room for Baby Schreiber!
Very special greetings go out to my three favorite lakers: Chris, Jacob and Miss Kylie…and a shout out to all the Ramsey and Schepman Clans. Finally, I am happy to announce my friend Mike O’Connor is running for the Heritage Lake Property Owner’s Association. Good luck Mike! You’ve got my vote.
Soon.
Tim Jeffers
Hoosier Citizen Soldier
LLAFR