Happy New Year everyone! This is the second time I've had the oppurtunity to celebrate the coming of the New Year in Iraq. It was just like the first one, uneventful. My collegues will have to forgive me if I don't share in their festivities. This includes the "stocking party" held on the 24th that I was forced to attend, eventhough I am not a Christian. For me the holidays are about family. My family is in Virginia and Germany. This extended Army family is a poor replacement. That said, I have made some excellent friends over the years I've spent with the Army unfortunately most of their schedualing is prohibitive to "hanging out."

Well, today I read in the Washington Post that George W. Bush has spent 365 days in the past five years at his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Well I've spent approximately 455 days in the past 3 and a half years here in Iraq. The actual title is "Down on the Ranch, President Wages War on the Underbrush." Well, I would just like to say "Thank You Sir!" for doing your part. HOOAH!