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November 24, 2005
Thanksgiving in Iraq
Last year, 1/7 Marines on patrol in Husaybah celebrated Thanksgiving huddled around a campfire, eating MREs. This picture was taken by PFC Rael, Bravo Company, 1st Platoon, 3rd Squad.
This year, the Marines of 3/6 on the Syrian border
have heard rumors that they might get a break from MREs today.
There's a rumor circulating among the Marines of the 2/6 that "hot chow" is coming.
The fervor with which Marines here talk of the possibility of a hot meal - roasted turkey, steaming stuffing, and tart cranberry sauce - being delivered to their sandy, remote outpost in Iraq's Anbar Province from the nearest base for Thanksgiving is understandable, especially when you taste what they've been eating.
There are stacks of Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs) around but most marines can't bear to even look at them. They've already spent months eating Country Captain Chicken and Vegetable Manicotti from hermetically sealed brown plastic bags. Inside: "wheat snack bread," "jalapeno cheese spread," or "pumpkin pound cake."
But few of the Marines here of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment were even aware that Thanksgiving was approaching until asked by this reporter.
Capt. Brendan Heatherman had just finished a long morning of raids, jumping rock walls, and racing through houses looking for insurgents. "It's in two days? Man, snuck up on me," he said, incredulous. |
Here's a glimpse of life at in the most remote region of Iraq:
They run patrols on foot and sit in humvees 24 hours a day and race out on raids, following tips on insurgent movement.
Back at base, they have no running water or electricity. They live in giant metal containers and sleep on wooden bunks they built themselves.
Captain Carabine is considered fortunate because his camp already had one half-built rock and a cement structure when his group arrived. Now it serves as the headquarters.
If the turkey and stuffing doesn't arrive, Captain Heatherman's company has already a contingency plan - a local turkey farmer. "The Iraqi [soldiers] say they'll [cook] it, and we've got some guys from down south who know how to clean it and have already volunteered their services," says 1st Sgt. William Thurber
Posted by Deb at November 24, 2005 12:11 PM
Comments
this pic was taken by Pfc.Rael 3rd squad 1st pltoon, for the record, conrad had nothing to do with this pic. Richard Ramos 1/7 Wpns Co. Scout Sniper Plt.
Posted by: richard ramos at November 27, 2005 10:41 AM
Thanks Richard - I thought that was one that I got from Shane. I'll correct the post.
Happy holidays.
Deb Conrad
Posted by: Deb at November 27, 2005 11:31 AM
Mine and my family's heartfelt wishes are with you all during the holidays and everyday of the year! You are our heroes!
Posted by: Carmen at February 21, 2006 07:40 PM
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