Doubledog
11-22-2001, 11:04 AM
Hope this finds all of you doing well this during this festive holiday.
Things here in Germany are pretty good for now. I've just came back to the office with a tummy full of good cookin' at the Dining Facility. They really put on a good spread as always. I'm talking the works and of course my fav, crab legs. Umm. I even got a few 'to go plates' for snacks tonight. Called home just now and the family has a mess of blue crabs and deep fried turkey. My cousin caught a nice sized shark that was going on the grill also. Shoot, I could go for another plate full right now.
We've been keeping up with the news and whats going on back home. News topic this morning while biking was how old Flink-'em wants his buddies to put a bullet in his head instead of facing capture by Americans. (Thanks old Beenie Head for giving me something to get pumped up about during my workout). Don't really know what to say. I can't speak for soldiers in other units but from our standpoint we're just living life one day at a time, pulling our "EXTRA" duty (thanks to numb-nuts). The biggest and most dangerous hassle is when we go out shopping, taking trains, bars, etc... we really have to watch our six as if we were on patrol. I have friends that have their families with them and they say that they try to not make themselves a target by trying to blend in. So then I ask them to tell me is that really how they feel and most all will say that they are extremely concerned for safety. Showing fear is a sign of weakness, so you do your best and drive on.
We rode up to Wal-mart the other day (yes they have them here and in Korea) and as we walked in this guy came up and started jerking on my backpack. I liked to have dropped a load right there thinking the worst was happening. After trying to collect my thoughts to come up with the words in German, the gentleman told me that they were just taking precautions and having everyone with fairly large bags to tag them and keep behind a counter till leaving. Whew! That evening I called home and told the family what had happened.
Going back a few weeks, my commander and I were talking and what he told me was very disturbing. He's been here a few years and is married to a National and therefore has German friends as most of us seem to around here. He said that the topic had steered toward the bombing and it seemed to him that most of them figured America deserved it!!!??? That is what gets me. I've learned from being overseas first in Korea and then here, is that we are not liked one bit. These countries like the American Dollar but that's it. I've tried over and over to put myself in his shoes when he heard those words spoken. Someone telling me that they're happy to see such destruction. What tha' hell? The word HATRED really kicks in and makes me cringe. I know it all stems from our free society and how most countries are jealous of it and so forth, but let us live in peace. My family taught me that two things we would never discuss; Religion and Politics. There was no need for us to force our "opinion" on someone else and end up making enemies out of everyone we meet. If you believe in something, then stand up for it and be prepared to fight, but if you can live with your decision, be humble inside and relax realizing that the bigger man doesn't have to fight to prove a point. This might've raised a few eyebrows. So be it. We call them opinions right? Gang, I'll end this part here for it would surely turn into a novel at a moments notice. Heck, I figure after reading that great letter about "Appologies" last night I may as well unload myself, and besides, Skip asked how was I doing.... lol.
Now, not wanting to sound all mushy gushy, Thanks for keeping us in your prayers also.
Have a wonderful Turkey Day and may all your days be filled with rich blessings. Jamie
Things here in Germany are pretty good for now. I've just came back to the office with a tummy full of good cookin' at the Dining Facility. They really put on a good spread as always. I'm talking the works and of course my fav, crab legs. Umm. I even got a few 'to go plates' for snacks tonight. Called home just now and the family has a mess of blue crabs and deep fried turkey. My cousin caught a nice sized shark that was going on the grill also. Shoot, I could go for another plate full right now.
We've been keeping up with the news and whats going on back home. News topic this morning while biking was how old Flink-'em wants his buddies to put a bullet in his head instead of facing capture by Americans. (Thanks old Beenie Head for giving me something to get pumped up about during my workout). Don't really know what to say. I can't speak for soldiers in other units but from our standpoint we're just living life one day at a time, pulling our "EXTRA" duty (thanks to numb-nuts). The biggest and most dangerous hassle is when we go out shopping, taking trains, bars, etc... we really have to watch our six as if we were on patrol. I have friends that have their families with them and they say that they try to not make themselves a target by trying to blend in. So then I ask them to tell me is that really how they feel and most all will say that they are extremely concerned for safety. Showing fear is a sign of weakness, so you do your best and drive on.
We rode up to Wal-mart the other day (yes they have them here and in Korea) and as we walked in this guy came up and started jerking on my backpack. I liked to have dropped a load right there thinking the worst was happening. After trying to collect my thoughts to come up with the words in German, the gentleman told me that they were just taking precautions and having everyone with fairly large bags to tag them and keep behind a counter till leaving. Whew! That evening I called home and told the family what had happened.
Going back a few weeks, my commander and I were talking and what he told me was very disturbing. He's been here a few years and is married to a National and therefore has German friends as most of us seem to around here. He said that the topic had steered toward the bombing and it seemed to him that most of them figured America deserved it!!!??? That is what gets me. I've learned from being overseas first in Korea and then here, is that we are not liked one bit. These countries like the American Dollar but that's it. I've tried over and over to put myself in his shoes when he heard those words spoken. Someone telling me that they're happy to see such destruction. What tha' hell? The word HATRED really kicks in and makes me cringe. I know it all stems from our free society and how most countries are jealous of it and so forth, but let us live in peace. My family taught me that two things we would never discuss; Religion and Politics. There was no need for us to force our "opinion" on someone else and end up making enemies out of everyone we meet. If you believe in something, then stand up for it and be prepared to fight, but if you can live with your decision, be humble inside and relax realizing that the bigger man doesn't have to fight to prove a point. This might've raised a few eyebrows. So be it. We call them opinions right? Gang, I'll end this part here for it would surely turn into a novel at a moments notice. Heck, I figure after reading that great letter about "Appologies" last night I may as well unload myself, and besides, Skip asked how was I doing.... lol.
Now, not wanting to sound all mushy gushy, Thanks for keeping us in your prayers also.
Have a wonderful Turkey Day and may all your days be filled with rich blessings. Jamie