29 Days / 5500 Miles
On the map, a thick black line indicates the Transpenninsular Highway, or Highway One, which spans the length of Baja –A long, variegated peninsular separated from mainland Mexico by the tepid, life-rich waters of the Gulf of California. Highway one is Baja’s main highway, and beyond a few shorter routes from border towns to tourist […]
How to Build a Guitar Gun Case
In lugging my rifle & shotgun cases to the range, and worrying about leaving them in my truck afterwards I had a thought. Why not a guitar case? I’m thinking an El Mariachi-style case, not really a Desperado one that can be used to shoot from within. A quick Google Search shows many many folks have thought of this before, […]
Peace is Hell
I can’t recall everything we did at the Palace Complex. There were several in the area so I don’t recall the name of the one we were in. Here is an article on the complexes. Apparently they had been built for large numbers of important Sunni Baath Party members as vacation homes. It was at this time that […]
Baghdad or Bust
Apparently while we were stumbling around at night in sandstorms, getting ambushed, the brass heard there was a thousand-vehicle strong Republican Guard element heading south to intercept the Marines, who were closing in on Baghdad. We were sent to intercept them, in a place called Karbala. Everyone in ACE squad was suddenly clamoring for more firepower, […]
Fun & Games in the Desert
Key to understanding what life was like in the US Army is the realization that, for the average GI, going off to war is a relief and a welcome diversion from the monotony and regimented busywork of garrison life. Perhaps someday I’ll write up a lengthy listing of what life was like for me in […]
Iraq at Last
Finally, on the evening of March 18th(I believe), we listened to the general in charge of the Cav tell us we were at war. We abandoned our comfy positions and lined up to “cross the berm”. We waited for two hours, during which time something(SCUD? Big mortar? Accidental discharge?) sounded off nearby and nearly made […]