Onward to Iraq (Updated Dec. 18)
Thursday, December 18, 2008 11:02 AM PST
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E-mail this articleCompiled by The Daily News
Editor's Note: The following comments represent journal or blog entries from members of Longview-based Bravo Battery and their immediate family members.
Part of the U.S. Army National Guard 81st Armored Brigade, Bravo left July 12 for its annual training in Yakima. After a brief stay back home, Bravo members left for Fort McCoy in Wisconsin on Aug. 22.
In November, the unit deployed to an undisclosed location in northern Iraq. It traveled to Saudi Arabia for its first Iraq War tour in 2004.
Included are comments from Sgt. Josh Albright and wife Sung Ja Albright of Kelso, Spc. Chris Merwin and wife Alicia Merwin of Kalama and Spc. Tutulu Kaumatule of Vancouver and Sfc. Christopher Bailey, the Readiness NCO and senior full-time member of Bravo Battery.
Previous Bravo Blog installments:
Training at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin
Training in Yakima
Related articles:
Local guard gets second call to war (March 21)
Bravo to Iraq: Local Guardsmen prepare for looming deployment (June 15)
Bravo Battery headed to Yakima before Iraq deployment (July 12)
Related tdn.com videos:
Bravo Battery Prepares
Bravo to Iraq 1
Bravo to Iraq 2
Bravo to Iraq 3
Posted Dec. 18
Sung Ja Albright (Dec. 14)
Christmas is approaching, and I can't believe that the year is almost over. It's been a time of mixed emotions — talking to Josh about the holidays is hard on him, and makes him sad to know all that he is missing which in turn makes me sad. This month has been particularly hard for our little family — our daughter was diagnosed with some physical delays, and now is having to start therapy. On top of our oldest sons delays and therapies, I am now worried about my daughter's development as well.
It's hard to not have Josh to help with the kids, and it's a struggle for me every day to find enough time to work one on one with my kids on their various therapies, on top of keeping up with my 2-year-old, and keep up with my house, laundry, dishes, etc. I find that lately I'm just feeling a little bit lost, and overwhelmed with it all. Each day seems like it's harder than the next, and I'm struggling to feel like I'm "staying strong" for my family, when I feel most days like I can't keep it together. It is times like this that I wish our families were just a little closer, so we could have their help, but for now I'm just trying to make do with what I have. Christmas has always been a time for family, and it's hard when you know your family just isn't complete.
We have been fortunate enough to have our Webcam conversations, and the kids love seeing themselves on the computer, as well as seeing Josh on a regular basis. Now my 2-year-old can say "daddy Iraq" and I have a sneaky suspicion that he thinks our computer is Iraq! My oldest son likes to talk to Josh and tell him all the things he's learning in school, and I have been sending Josh some of his homework pages. Both the boys like wearing the headset microphone and talking into it to their daddy, and a favorite game of the boys is who can make the funniest faces in the camera. Payton enjoys looking at her daddy on the computer, but sometimes I can see that she doesn't quite know who she is looking at. I try and show her pictures all the time, and have Josh talk to her as much as possible, so that when he comes home he won't be a total stranger. We struggled when Josh came home from his first deployment with Dylan re-adjusting to having Josh around, and I am hoping to avoid that this time around. It's hard when they are just babies, because they don't have the memories like older kids do to remind them.
It's been very lonely preparing for the holidays, as Christmas is a favorite in our house. We are not having a tree this year, as we won't be home for Christmas and I just feel like it would be too hard with all the kids. I did put up our house decorations, but somehow this year it didn't cheer me up like usual. I think of what Josh will do on christmas, and it makes me so sad to think that we are separated yet again for another holiday. He has been saving all the presents that myself and our family have been sending him, so that he has a little something to look forward to. I am looking forward to tomorrow evening when my best friends and I are going to celebrate our christmas "Girls Night Out", and I can enjoy an evening with grown up conversation, and feel a little bit normal.
I hope that this holiday season people will really enjoy spending time with their families, and remember that not everyone is fortunate enough to have that gift. I hope that all the soldiers know that they are dearly missed, and greatly appreciated. Thank you to all in the community who have supported and prayed for our guys, and I thank all my great friends and family for the support and prayers. I would ask anyone who reads this that if they know of a family with a loved one overseas, to reach and support them in anyway possible during this holiday season.
Posted Dec. 11
SSG Josh Albright (Dec. 11)
Well it is almost Christmas and as I'm sure you can all imagine there is a fog of sadness over everyone's head. I have been in Mosul for about two months and just recently settled into my permanent housing and mission.
We are living in buildings (sort of a one-story apartment building) that have been modified by soldiers over the years with plywood and 2x4s so that everyone has their own room.
Most of us are very excited about our mission. We are conducting recovery security, which means that when something breaks down in or around Mosul we escort the tow trucks to the vehicle, secure the site, and escort them back. We spend most our time on standby waiting for someone on the other end of a radio to alert us of a mission. Some of the training we received for this mission included riding along with route clearance learning the different roads and exploring the city.
One thing that really shocked me was how the people of Mosul react to violence in their city. For the most part they pay very little attention to explosions and seem to not even notice the sounds of gun fire. I also noticed that kids are kids everywhere. Little boys playing "sword fight" with sticks, and kicking around a soccer ball. Little girls dressed up in pink picking flowers, and everyone of them waves and smiles when we drive by.
I hope everyone enjoys their holidays and gives thanks when they can be with their loved ones.
And don't think it is warm here just because it's the desert. Tonight the temperature dipped down to 31 degrees.
Posted Nov. 18
Sung Ja Albright (Nov. 18)
It's been a very busy time for our family these past few weeks, and while it was nice to stay busy, it seemed to make the separation a little bit harder. There were so many days that would have gone so much smoother had Josh been here to help with the kids, help around the house, and just be here in general to talk to.
The nights are still very lonely, and I think that is something that won't ever change. Since the guys have changed their mission, at least I have somewhat of a schedule that I know when I will hear from him. We have been able to talk on the phone, and on the computer, which has been nice. The boys enjoy seeing him on the computer, and still don't quite understand how daddy can be on the computer at the same time that they are! Cayden still asks about him and where he is, but now my 5 year old always tells him "daddy's in iraq", even though he really doesn't know what that means. He has just heard me say it so many times, that is the response that he knows.
Every once in awhile, Cayden will creep into our room and look under the covers, expecting to find Josh there, but I have to tell him that he's gone. It's frustrating to see the disappointment on my children's faces, but I know that it will be over soon. I look at the calendar and realize that we are almost halfway through the deployment, and while it has gone by fast, it has also been very slow.
I've been fortunate enough to have some great friends to help me get through this, and for that I am very thankful. Although they don't really understand what it's like, it just helps to have them there. I have been trying to keep Josh updated as much as I can with pictures and video. The biggest change has been Payton. Babies go through so many changes in the first year, that it's been hard for Josh to see her each time looking so different. We have just entered the solid food phase, and I think to myself that Josh will never have to feed her baby food- by the time he gets back she will be eating big girl food. Not that it's a big deal, but it makes me realize just how much he is missing.
When I tell him what the kids are up to, it's both a happy and sad time. He's always grateful to hear about the kids, but I know that it makes him sad to think that he is missing so much of their lives right now. I'm just trying to stay busy, and stay focused on being there for my children, so that Josh doesn't have to worry. It will be nice when we know the exact date he is coming home, and will help give us something to look forward to. For now though, I am just going to take it one day at a time, and hope that he is staying safe.
Posted Nov. 17
SFC Chris Bailey (Nov. 17)
It has definitely been different than any of my other deployments thus far. At first it was fairly slow as we started on our original mission of convoy security. But my platoon has begun the transition into an entirely different job, and the planning and coordination process has helped to pick the pace up a bit.
We are now moving into a recovery role, which will be totally separate from the rest of Bravo Battery.
Of course we will still be in close proximity to them.
Alicia Merwin (Nov. 15)
Things have been very busy around here. Keeping moving helps to make the days go by faster which is very helpful. I have been keeping very busy with Lilea, and family. It helps that Chris does have the internet we can chat and we have a webcam. He also has a phone through his computer so that he can be in his room and talk to me. We get to talk for about an hour in the morning and sometimes at night, which is very nice.
The most difficult part of him being gone is the companionship and Lilea’s daily life. She is changing so much and there are many choices that I have to make on my own. I miss Chris being there to say, no, not sweet potatoes tonight, how about some peaches and some yogurt. I am just trying to keep him as involved as possible in the things that she does, although now she is excelling very quickly now we are keeping up with her together.
With some of the other wives I find comfort that everything will eventually be just fine and Chris will be home before I know it. People who know my situation and what is happening are also very helpful and are always reaching out to help in any way possible.
Posted Oct. 20
Sfc. Christoper Bailey (Oct. 18):
I can tell you that we are in Kuwait right now in an acclimization status, and will be moving to our position in Iraq within a couple of weeks.
Things are not bad here. We are living in tight quarters for the time being, but that should change a little once we move north. Soon we will begin a final phase of training just to "polish" skills we have been working on for the last nine months, which will include a final live fire of our weapons to ensure they funtion properly, as well as conducting drivers training on some new vehicles that have been added to the inventory here in theater.
For now that is about all I have to share for the unit. I can send more information once we push north.
On a personal note, things are not bad. I miss my wife and family greatly, but that is to be expected, I guess. we have now been apart for the better part of three months, but it feels like years already. I do hope that when the tempo picks up, it will be easier to cope, and that I will not worry so much about how everyone is doing back home as much, allowing my focus to be elsewhere. Though that will never truly be the case.
Posted Oct. 17
Sung Ja Albright (Oct. 16):
I'm typing this right now, thinking of Josh as he heads off to Iraq. He got just a few minutes last night to call me as they were catching the flight from Maine to Germany. I'm guessing he's in Kuwait right about now, then off to Iraq.
Things have really gone by fast, but at the same time I feel like time is just dragging! It was especially hard to say goodbye to him on the phone last night, not knowing when he'll get the next chance to call me. Things were different while they were in Wisconsin. They had cell phone service, e-mail, and I always knew that he would always try and call me everyday. Now I have to sit and wait, not knowing what time, what day I'll hear from him. It makes the waiting a lot harder, and even longer.
He asked me to tell the kids goodbye, and it just made me so sad that I wasn't able to see him off, or that he wasn't able to see the kids one last time before he went. I've been trying to e-mail pictures to him, and we have received videos of him so that I can show the kids. Both the boys love watching the videos each day, and point out "daddy!" each time he comes on the screen. Payton doesn't really know him, so she sees him, but I don't know if that recognition is there or not.
I will continue to show her the videos, and if possible have him talk to her on the phone so that she is somewhat familiar with him once he comes back. She's already grown so much, and I know that just talking to Josh about the kids makes him sad that he's missing so much. It's a fine line —wanting to tell him about all the new things the kids are doing, but at the same time not wanting to make him sad and lonely....it's so tough.
It's hard trying to cultivate a marriage and raise your children via phone and e-mail. It's hard always being strong, but everyone expects you to be strong for your family, for your husband....sometimes I feel like "why do I have to be the strong one??"
I have had a difficult time with my 5-year-old acting out at school, and it all started once Josh left. I can't tell who it's hardest on — me or the kids. Sometimes I think it's easier for the kids because they don't quite understand what's going on ... but on the other hand, it's hard on them too, for the same reason.
I'm trying to keep myself busy as much as possible, and I'm hoping it will pass the time. My family doesn't live around here, nor does Josh's family, so that makes it difficult as well, not having that support system nearby. It's a lonely life sometimes, and I find myself going stir crazy just for some adult conversation! I hope that all the people who read this realize just how much is sacrificed for soldiers and their families. It's a scary thing to have to go through, but hopefully the time will fly by, and they will all be home soon.
wowwow wrote on Oct 27, 2008 12:34 PM:
Your married to a hero and we applaud you and your family. Everyone goes thru lonely times and you will be rewarded with much happiness. Take care and God Bless you and your family greatly. "
bretharte wrote on Nov 18, 2008 2:42 PM:
CC Longview wrote on Nov 18, 2008 4:58 PM:
May the Lord bless you and fill your hearts with peace; blessings to all. "
doc jones wrote on Dec 16, 2008 3:49 PM:
I wanted you all, vets and family, to know that my wife and I are thinking of you.
There are many ideas that can be taken from the Christmas scene in our front yard. It seems that everyone who looks at it has their own story or thoughts.
I wanted to send a picture to you but this site will only allow a link to on of the local news station.
http://www.katu.com/younews/36132014.html
There are two pictuers there to look at.
To you all, I wish a safe holiday. To the boys, keep your head down; and "DRINK WATER"
Doc "
bbfan wrote on Mar 3, 2009 4:08 PM:
We can't wait to see you and your troops get back home. It will be a tough year without you in the dugout to help me. Make sure we know when you have your feet on the ground at home, and we will have the whole team there to meet you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your troops.
God Bless
Coach "
columbian wrote on Mar 3, 2009 10:26 PM:
beenthere wrote on Mar 4, 2009 8:34 PM:
It is nice to see some northwest units in Mosul, been working there two years, so I can really appreciate who is on the wall I hide behind. "
Hrzbyz wrote on Mar 6, 2009 2:24 PM:
Sounds like its not so bad there. Baseball is about to start and we all wish you were here to coach us but we are all so dang proud of you! Not one day gos by without us thinking of you and praying for your safe and secure return home. Next year we will have you back and that rocks! Eventhough we could be brats we could not of had a better coach, you were not only a coach but a friend, something that will last forever, not just a season!
God Speed Coach - Can't wait till you come back home so we can terrorize you :) "
WalkerClan wrote on Mar 18, 2009 6:10 AM:
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