Buffiniraq

This past week was special as I spent it with my 10 Iraqi engineers about 75 mile east of here at an Iraqi Army base (used to be ours) . They all came from all over Diyala province and Baghdad to spend a few days with me to hear my last words on what I expect of them and what this experience has meant to me. It was bittersweet as you can imagine as I have become very close to these guys who risk it all every day driving around the Province to see our projects in order to keep us informed as well as learning to see construction thru our (my) eyes and using the technology we've given them to do it. Years from now the "seeds" they are planting in this re construction will make them proud they were the "first" engineers to make the rebuilding of their country a reality for generations to come. They were and will always a very special group of individuals. The example they are setting for their countrymen is nothing short of awesome. What they bear each and every day is indescribable as you might imagine. Just going to work and risking never coming home again is too unimaginable for us to even contemplate much less truly appreciate. I have been honored to serve as their mentor and thank God for having had this time in my life with them. Now as I begin to look forward to seeing my bride and children whom I've missed dearly this past year, I have come to know "bittersweet feelings..."