At the airfield, just waiting

It's official. We transferred our authority over to the 366th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. I'm sure they will do a great job, but it's hard to leave. A part of me will always be in Iraq, writing stories for the Iraqi people and the American soldiers and their families...

His ankle was bandaged and he was being carried to the Stryker vehicle to be evacuated to the hospital. I don't know what happened to him, but from the looks of it, his heel had received a bullet or some shrapnel. I was on the same Stryker convoy, only I wasn't going to the hospital... I was leaving Camp Freedom for the airfield to wait for a plane. As I stepped onto the Stryker, I looked at the crowds of soldiers walking by and I couldn't help but to feel bad. Here I am, leaving and they're staying. I know, I've put a year's worth of blood, sweat and tears into this place, and I didn't leave anything on the battlefield, but I feel like I'm leaving people behind. I'd stay, if my commander would let me. "We came as a team and we're leaving as a team." Two of us, including me, attempted to receive extensions for six months, but our commander denied the requests. He's in charge, so he knows what's best.

Yesterday, my bags were packed and although I've been outside the wire more than anybody in my unit, I didn't do a very good job. I packed the equipment and clothes so tight that I had to pull everything out this morning just to take a shower. I also forgot soap and towels. So, after I jumped out of the shower, I dried off with my dirty brown T-shirt... gross.

Right now, I'm at FOB Diamondback, which is like 50 times better than my normal post. We watched two movies -- Good Will Hunting and High Fidelity -- in the FOB's Movie Theater. The place gives you popcorn, a drink and has a huge cinema-like big screen with surround sound. As I sat back in the chairs and enjoyed the picture show, I was lost in the movies and with my feet propped up on the empty seat in front of me, I comfortable... I didn't feel like I was in Iraq. My buddy said he felt the same way. "The only thing that was missing was my wife. The whole time I had such a yearning to have her next to me, holding my arm and just touching me." Soon, my friend, this will be reality. Soon.