Buffiniraq

Had a great 3 days R&R trip to Baghdad last week to see my nephew Garrick. He and I got a tour of Saddam's Al Faw palace out by the Baghdad International Airport. Quite an experience to say the least. Suffice it to say, the man had a penchant for spending money on his and his son's life style at the expense of his countrymen regarding schools, water and sewer plants, roads, infrastructure etc. There's so much to do and so much we're doing it's just overwhelming and will you breathless just describing it. Be that as it may, be confident Iraqis I've come in contact with are extremely grateful for what we are doing and the way our soldiers are treating them. It's was written long ago and is really simple: "To those of us that much is given, much is expected" and rest assured our friends, neighbors and soldiers are doing just that. It is an honor to be part of this history making exercise. Our kids and grandchildren will be the benefactors and the example our people are setting here is truly a beacon for the rest of the world. They are special and really appreciate your prayers and support. Hope you enjoy a few of the pics...

These pics are of my nephew Garrick from "dondabayu, yeh cher"...He's stationed here in the western suburbs of Baghdad and an Army Intel guy (garrick. You can imagine what that entails and thank goodness he's "up for the occasion". With guys like him over here doin their thing, we can all rest a bit easier. Wish I could tell ya more but take my word for it...the media isn't telling us "the rest of the story" by any means! Yall have a wonderful CHRISTmas and say a prayer for Garrick and his mates. Also, if you see a soldier back home, be sure to say, "Thanks for your service", they appreciate it more than you know, Lord knows they deserve it...

Already Christmas will be here next Sunday 1 week from today. Gosh, it seems like yesterday I was riding to Winchester with Marissa's Godfather to begin my crash 1 week course preparing me for Iraq. So much has happened in that time I cannot begin to try tell you here. Soon , February, good Lord willing, I'll do my best to share all this with you. In the meantime, I'm headed for Camp Victory, another FOB on the outskirts of western Baghdad to visit with my nephew - a marine Intel guy from dondabay, yeh sher ("down the bayou, right friend" for my academic friends...LOL) Chopper ride won't take but half an hour and then after a day or so, I'll chopper over to GRD "Washington" - helo pad in the "Green Zone" to visit Tony G my ole buddie from TAC training. He's from Mass with a bride and 2 younguns about William's age so we'll "console" each other about missing Christmas this year with NA Beer...wooo wooo...LOL Anyway, I'll be back Thursday and have neat pics for ya next weekend for my Christmas present to yall. The pic is my guys opening their gift of goodies from the 4th graders at St Peter's. Thank you Lisa for lookin after William and makin this a memorable learning experience for him and his classmates...

Here is a pic of Harly and I at the conference room during his recent "visit" from beyond Kirkush. Harly is a Resident Engineer from San Diego I mentioned earlier whom I hooked up with during my crash course at TAC in Winchester before coming over here. He has been in the Corps 37 years and knows a bit about how it works and how to get things done. His job is to teach/train Iraqi engineers how to build and manage construction projects on their own. As the Iraqi soldiers have been trained by our troops, so too have professionals like Harly undertaken the task of training engineers to continue on with the the re building efforts in this country after we're gone. I am very proud to count him as a dear friend and citizen soldier. I can't wait to tell yall the things this man and others have done the past few years here. The real story is how American ingenuity and unselfishness in helping others in need once again triumphs. We all have so much to be thankful for...Merry Christmas all and thanks everyone for helping the DeLeo family make it through our first Christmas without Dad. I couldn't have made it without ya....

It's really only week 19 but I may be very busy next week so I figured I'd write now. Past few weeks have been as busy as ever for me. Medical Warehouse is finished and punching out to be sure all systems GO. Postal facility in final stages of construction and it punches out in January. After that the Waste Water Plant punches out in Feb and I'm gonna miss that - I hope. When I return new projects going thru design review stages now will be on my plate and the craziness of keeping up with the pace and safety of each will make the last few months go really fast. In case you've been keeping track, I've been away almost 5 months Dec 10 and that leaves only 7 to go...Christmas is upon us and Advent is special. I get to think about the most important part of the year for us all. This year will be different in that I'll be here and MY "GIRLS" and my "soldier" will be half a world away. With your help and prayers we'll be together again soon. Yall keep the Faith and not to worry. Things are goin better than ya think ...or see...