Freedom!

New year, new pictures

2006-01-13T11:31:00.000+03:00

Well, 2006 can only be better than 2005. Not too much news, more of the same old missions. We've gotten some new people, I'm working on getting pictures of them all. And since the old pictures page was full, I started a new one. Check it out!!

Later,
Trey

Merry Christmas/Happy New Year...

2005-12-27T23:57:00.000+03:00

...back to Iraq for me. Tomorrow I fly back to Iraq, but in the meantime, I've posted a bunch of pictures on the other site. Sorry for not posting when I first got back, but I've been spending lots of quality time with Linds!
Steph: I'm ok. If you don't hear from me, that means that I'm ok!
Later everyone
Trey

Suicide attack?

2005-11-05T20:06:00.000+03:00

Two saboteurs came into our compound tonight. They were small furry creatures determined to kill us and destroy our way of life. The two cats crawled under a transformer and bit through the wires killing all the power at Camp Justice. And that's when one of the cats caught on fire.

Our dog buck started barking, and that's when we noticed that the large transformer was engulfed in flames. We put the burning cat out with a fire extinguisher...three times. It just kept catching on fire. After the third time, the other cat crawled out and ran off, quite literally, still smoking. Other than that, not too much going on. Thank you everyone who has sent stuff. Anything I haven't needed has been given to other soldiers who do need it. Thank you everyone for your support.

Later,
Trey

Elections be gone!

2005-10-17T18:00:00.000+03:00

So Iraq can go back to a dictatorship now. I'm JOKING. But seriously, these things involve quite a bit of work, and we get to do it all over again in two months. Oh boy. I think we're all still coming up for air, and since there were no major attacks, we think that they're still looming on the horizon. There could well be a big one in the next couple of days even! So we'll be careful and stay as safe as possible.

Sgt. Evenson renlisted today. Congratulations, I guess. We all joked with him that he was "taking one for the team". The pictures have been posted, hope you like them.

Lindsey's birthday is nearly here, and I won't be there. Which sucks. So I'll eat ice cream for every meal this Thursday in her honor. Aside from that, not much is going on.

Later, Trey

Constitutions and such

2005-10-13T13:21:00.000+03:00

Well, here we go. Getting ready for the referendum has been a major full time job. I'd estimate that we were working something like 80 to 90 hours each week for the last couple of weeks just to get ready for this stupid thing. So once life settles down to a more normal (whatever that means) pace, I'll try to update this site more often. I really would like to post more often, but I have to have at least 5 hours of sleep each night or I'll fall asleep on patrol! I posted 4 more pictures today on the other site. And I'll post more here as soon as I something newsworthy happens.
Later,
Trey

Laundry and poop

2005-10-05T20:43:00.000+03:00

If you're still reading after a title like that, I'm impressed with your fortitude. More pictures are on my other website. A quick warning, stop reading this posting at any point in time. It gets grosser by the line, only read what you can handle. That said, on to the laundry. I'm out of the clean stuff, and living in the dirty stuff. My laundry is done, but we've been out so much that I can't get to the laundry place while it's still open to reclaim my clothes! Oh well. It's not like they're going to stay clean when I wear them...

And now for the poop. This is a two part story. The plain gross will be first, then the funny part. We went to a part of town that had so much sewage in the road that it lapped up to the base of the doors on our trucks. And it wasn't just a small puddle, it was a series of puddles that were from 50 feet to 300 feet long, and were up to 24 inches deep. It was all bright green like antifreeze and had floating matter in it. I'm am SO grossed out. I don't know if anyone reading this is familiar with the story of the sand I dug up in Nice, France, but this smell was even worse than that one. (Mom, Dad, Rachel and Jim, now you know I'm serious!) I nearly puked off the roof of my truck.

So here's the funny part about poop. There was this little naked baby playing beside his house, and he squatted down to pick up a rock. As he squatted he pooped right there between his feet. Like it was an afterthought while he was busy playing. He stood back up with the rock, and dropped it...right in his pile of poop. In order to pick it up, he moved over to the side, stepping in his poop. Then he picked up the rock, wiped it on himself, and walked through the poop. It was SO gross and SO funny. His parents were horrified. I wish I had some baby wipes with me to give to them. But it was funny. Now we know why babies wear diapers.

Know what? While we're on the subject, I'll throw in a freebie! This story is a true story from Sgt. Herrera who was in Afghanistan a year or so ago. They were out at this distant camp in the middle of the mountains. The place had like 2 porta-johns, and they'd been out in the hills for weeks. So he gets all excited about sitting on a toilet seat and gets in line. Once he's in and seated, that's when a mortar attack starts. The rounds started landing VERY close to his location. So, in order to save his life, he pulled up his pants and ran from the crapper...without wiping or finishing his work. There was poo spread all over his butt, leg, back and thighs. He ended up not being able to change clothes for several weeks after that. He was wearing his only T-Shirt, and cut off the entire bottom of it to clean himself off with. Now THAT is a war story! You can't make that stuff up.

If you're still reading and actually laughing, your name is Nick or Ox. Laters,
Trey

Pictures, dogs and packages

2005-10-03T21:33:00.000+03:00

I got the digital camera!! Jim and Rachel helped me buy it to post pictures for everyone to see, and it arrived in the mail from Lindsey today! So here's the most recent pictures, I'll keep posting the new ones to my "We Rock Out" site as I take them.

Some of the pictures are of Buck, the dog. Sgt. Huff chose the name, since he loads his shotgun with Buckshot. While technically a stray (due to Army policy), we're going to make sure that Buck is a well cared for stray. He's still really tiny, but didn't seem to mind us kidnapping him from his mother at all.

Finally, thank you EVERYONE for the packages. I have more mail than everyone else in the entire Squadron. It's GREAT. Thank you so much for your support, letters, cards, books, candy, rags, and all sorts of stuff! I'm going to try to write thank you notes to everyone...but that may just be good intentions that get squashed by the realities of being in a combat zone. I'll try.

Laters,
Trey

Soap opera?

2005-10-02T18:36:00.000+03:00

Well, we've been here a while, and the novelty of it all is wearing off. Actually, it's long gone. But the good news is that the weather is cooling down, and time is passing. Slowly.

The story of the day is about an Iraqi man who is in the Iraqi National Guard. His wife is in the same unit. As I was exiting the laundry facility today, he came up to me and tried to tell me something, but without an interpreter, we got nowhere. So he called over a boy who speaks about 5 words of English and I heard this exact phrase from the young man: "Durka Durka man work Durka Durka Sgt. Major No Good Durka Durka work here Durka Jihad." In other words I understood NOTHING.

Fortunately (or very unfortunately) a real interpreter was walking by at the time and we waved him over. The man spoke rapidly to the interpreter for about 10 minutes without pausing to breathe. When the interpreter finally stopped him, he explained to me that the man had beaten his wife (acceptable by Arab culture, shocking to me) and was very upset that a high ranking officer was interfering with his personal life. This particular Iraqi Colonel had seen her bruises, and used them as an opportunity to start an affair with his wife. When the upset husband had gone to his office to tell him to stop, he was confronted by his wife and the Colonel. His wife told him that she wants a divorce (presumably to be with the Colonel) and the Colonel told him that he must give her the divorce and never tell anyone about the incident or he'll throw the man in jail on charges of being a terrorist, or have him killed in an operation.

Now how do you explain to a man who's just told you all of this information that you're just a Private. You can't make anyone do anything, and you're lucky if you get your own work done without getting yelled at? So I dutifully wrote all the names down on a sheet of paper and presented them to my Section Sgt. He laughed and said that he was NOT the man for the problem, because his solution would be to shoot the Colonel. I don't need to tell you in which part of the body he planned to shoot the man, but I can assure you that the Sergeant was more that willing to do it. And I can't really say that he's wrong. He sent me to our Captain that advises the Iraqi National Guard, and hopefully everything will get resolved. Strange story about abuse of power. A strange thing to get involved in while dropping off laundry. But the real question is if a man will abuse power for sex, what will he do for money or for more power? Is this a passionate mistake, or just a piece of a life of corruption? And the guy is supposedly our ally.

Later
Trey

Birthdays, things and stuff

2005-09-25T16:04:00.000+04:00

Yesterday was an unremarkable birthday, fortunately my cousin Julia vindicated me by having an exciting wedding. Congratulations! Hope you all have a GREAT honeymoon!

Everyone has been asking what we do all day that keeps us so busy, and I really can't give details about that. I can say that we drive around all the time! And you can't even imagine the amount of time we spend on vehicle maintenance. I guess when you drive like it's a demolition derby, you can expect to spend all of your free time working on the vehicle. Our policy is to drive like we have a death wish, then maybe they'll leave us to our own devices.....

As for the "uproar" about the British attacking the Iraqi Police, I can't say I blame them. There are some great Iraqi Police out there, but there are plenty of crooked ones as well. The police are aware of nearly half of the roadside bombs that get placed in Baghdad. The insurgents just pay them off. So I would not be the least bit surprised if the British found the police opposing them. On the other hand if you read the account of the British, you will quickly see that they were up to something suspicious. I'm sure that after a solid investigation, both parties will be found to be at fault. Enough of that.

Linds emailed me an AP article about more prisoner abuse. It should be noted that CNN chose NOT to post the article. Apparently it is at least somewhat suspect of being fake. It claims that soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division abused prisoners near Fallujah on a regular basis with their chain of commands approval. But it also refers to them as "elite" and says that smoking a prisoner means beating him until he passes out. The 82nd Airborne is not an elite unit, just an Airborne Division (we call them the 82nd "Airplane"). And anyone who has spend more than 15 minutes in the Army can tell you that smoking someone has NOTHING to do with physical beating, it's just being forced to exercise until it hurts. I'm sure that there is some small element of truth to the claims, there usually is in these matters, but it's time to quit adding to the truth to make news more sensational. The truth is news enough.

Most importantly I would like to say that the claim that the abuse in Abu Graib was carried out by "military police and military intelligence personnel" is a complete lie. It was ONLY the military police. Everyone wants to blame the interrogators because they're an easy scapegoat, therefore I will repeat myself...

Quit adding to the truth to make news more sensational.
The truth is news enough!!

Short nights and crazy days

2005-09-22T23:21:00.000+04:00

First I'd like to apologize for not finding time to post something sooner. We've been SO busy lately that I've been getting 5 hours of sleep or less. We're not out the entire time, but we work like 16 hours, then it takes time to wind down, let the adrenaline die down, shower and then finally sleep. But I'm going to try to make updates a priority, it's only fair to all of you.

Bad news first. Lindsey was hospitalized yesterday, she had extreme abdominal pain, and it turns out it was from a cyst. I didn't even know about it until about an hour ago. I feel so powerless and like a deadbeat husband. I'm out running around Baghdad and my wife can't even get hold of me to let me know that she's sick. She's getting better now, and they're going to try to figure out what caused it.

Now for the good news! I'm starting to get packages! The APO address does in fact work, and thank you everyone for sending stuff! I've been getting books and food and rags (very important, I need them to clean weapons and stuff!). So thank you to everyone who's taken the time to send me stuff. I promise to share with the other guys.

Well, it's late, and I've got to get some sleep. Later,

Trey

Taxi service

2005-09-18T19:30:00.000+04:00

Just a quick story since I don't feel like writing too much. This one is a GREAT one though...
So we were down in the Green Zone running some errands for an officer of ours, and were stopped outside a very important anonymous building waiting for the officer to come back out, and we noticed a Lt. Colonel walk by. We saluted, "Good afternoon, Sir," whatever.... etc... He sort of lingered in the area for a while and took a sip of some water from his water bottle and then finally came over to us and asked us, "Are you here to pick me up from my briefing?" We told him that we're not here for him, and so he walked away. A few minutes later he came back and asked us if we're from Camp Victory, so we told him that we're from Justice. He wandered back off again.

Some Marine came by and talked to us for a few minutes, and then the Colonel came back again asking where we're headed to next. We told him that we're headed back to Camp Justice. He asked if we needed to go to any meetings at Victory. We told him no, that we're done for the day after this mission. He left, then came back and asked if there were any other people from our Divison at Victory, we told him that, yes there were. He left again. Finally right as we were about to leave, he came up and directly asked us if he could get a ride to Camp Victory. We were just shocked. A random Colonel was hitch-hiking a ride to Victory from the Green Zone. It's unheard of. We had no CLUE who this guy was, but what the heck, we're on the same team, so we went ahead and dropped him off. It was hysterical. And it turns out that he was a really nice guy. Strange things happen here.

Trey

Bombings and more

2005-09-14T16:48:00.000+04:00

Today was a nasty day in Baghdad. CNN has the full official story, but it should be noted that more happened today that they have even found time to report. I believe the count is up to 6 car bombs, 2 suicide bombers, one roadside bomb, and countless firefights. The majority of the deaths, as usual have been of innocent Shiite civilians. It begs the question, when will they start to turn in the insurgents?

The site of the largest loss of life, at the Kadhimiyah "gathering of laborers", was more accurately right on the front steps of the Kadhimiyah shrine. This is the same shrine that received mortar fire just a few weeks ago at the Death of the Seventh Imam celebration, and was the destination of the crowds of people who were killed in the tragic accident on the bridge. The shrine is right outside the gates of our camp, probably no more than 800 yards from the front gate. So another deadly tragedy has struck the neighborhood of Kadhimiyah.

I visited the hospital this morning, just a few kilometers from the shrine. Bodies of the dead were stacked up in the back of a flatbed truck, at least 40 of them. People who were just out minding their own business, but were chosen by some fanatic to die.

Update on Sept. 15 2005 @ 7:15 am
Yes, the Iraqi people know who the insurgents are and could easily turn them in to us, but are fearful of reprisals against themselves and their families. The cycle of fear has paralyzed this society.

Enough for now,
Trey

Hitchens vs. Galloway

2005-09-13T20:03:00.000+04:00

Get ready for the fight of a lifetime! Christopher Hitchens and George Galloway are scheduled for the debate of a lifetime tomorrow at 7:00 PM. I don't know if it will be televised nationwide, but if it is, WATCH IT! In his most recent article in Slate magazine, Christopher Hitchens gives some background on the anti-war "tour" that Galloway is undertaking, and slices Galloway to ribbons. Be forewarned that the language can be a bit rough, but the debate is excellent and the topic is of the utmost importance to the future of the Middle East and the United States, if not the world. I won't be able to watch it, but I'm sure that the transcript will be posted somewhere, and I'll make sure to provide a link to it once I find it on Hitchens website. That's all for tonight, do NOT miss the show tomorrow!

Trey

Who is the enemy?

2005-09-13T18:13:00.000+04:00

In the past few days several incidents have made me think a bit harder about what we're doing here, why we do it, and what makes us different from the enemy we fight. The anti-War crowd cries all the time about how we are the enemy and compares our war here to the attacks on our sovereign nation on September 11th. They accuse the solders here of killing indiscriminately and say the US is responsible for atrocities to the Iraqi people every day. That we are no better than our enemy.

Recently, while we were all sitting around in some of our precious free time, a call came in over our radios saying that they needed two people from our section for some helicopter mission. Not knowing what was going on and wanting to get a ride in a blackhawk, everyone volunteered. Two people were chosen, and I drove them from our housing area over to the small LZ (Landing Zone). When we arrived at the LZ they informed us that it was a prisoner that we were transporting. He was severely wounded in a firefight the night before, and he was being Medevaced to a state of the art hospital to save his life. The man was brought out in extreme pain, with casts on both legs, placed on the helicopter and flown away. He arrived at the hospital and is currently undergoing treatment. He is expected to live.

Now this was a man who was wounded while firing at American and Iraqi soldiers with the intent to kill us. Looking at the man on the stretcher, I knew that if he were not so severely wounded and under guard, he would without a doubt attempt to take my life that very instant. This man hated me and was my sworn enemy, yet I was willing to escort him to a hospital where they would perform surgeries to save his very life. And my government who he despised had payed to transport him by helicopter and for his comprehensive medical bills.

The question raised is this: If I were injured in the exact same way and left in a back alley of Baghdad, how would I be treated? And THAT is why we are entirely unlike our enemy. I will no longer tolerate the argument that we are just as cruel as the insurgents who place roadside bombs on the streets of this city.

More later,
Trey

APO problems FOREVER!!!

2005-09-09T19:01:00.000+04:00

AUUUGGGHHH. I've reached the last little limit of my patience with the Army. The APO address that they just confirmed as correct is WRONG. So don't send anything for a couple of days, they're supposed to give us our FOURTH and supposedly final APO address in 3 days. Please please please call a recruiting station, get the number for Fort Drum, and complain to them 2 to 3 times per day. Make up wild stories, cry on the phone, throw a FIT. We aren't supposed to even leave the US soil until we have an APO address, and I've been out of the country for over a month now.

Angry words,
Trey

The end of APO problems?

2005-09-09T10:47:00.000+04:00

Well, our "games with the postal service" may be finally coming to an end. Jaira (my adopted Oregon mother) decided to end the frustration once and for all by calling Fort Drum, where they confirmed that the address that I just posted is in fact CORRECT! BUT the zip code has not yet been registered at all post offices quite yet. Someone out there is completely stupid, and I hope that they go a month without mail sometime.

Lindsey is actually on a first name basis with the people in her local post office. They even know MY name. She's been there every day for over a week. Thank you US ARMY and thank you US Postal Service.

This morning we had the distinct pleasure of escorting a garbage truck to the dump. There is no dignity in escorting garbage trucks, and even less if we earn purple hearts while doing so. What would the citation say? "...was shot while heroically defending a heap of garbage..."? What insurgent would even attack an Iraqi trash truck driven by and Iraqi driver? This place is nuts.

I know what else you can send in packages, if anyone is interested. Individually wrapped candy and small cheap flashlights, the ones that you pinch to turn them on that cost like 50 cents or so. The kids here LOVE flashlights, and will take any candy we give them! They always ask for chocolate, but in this weather, there's no way it would be anything but a bar of mush!

I posted a picture of myself in the turret of my HMMWV on my other website. It's over there because I need a specific piece of software to post pictures here, and I can't install it on these computers. I'll try to get a few more pictures up in the next few days. Meanwhile, a digital camera is on it's way so soon there will be plenty of photos.

More later
Trey

The Army is so organized!

2005-09-07T21:03:00.000+04:00

Well, here we go again, the APO address has changed AGAIN. So here we go, hopefully for the last time.

PFC John Merrell
1-71 Cav HHT (PSD) 1/10 MTN
APO AE 09376

Someone will be decapitated if they change it ONE MORE TIME. It's been a day, and I'm out of things to discuss for the moment. My friend Dixon is going to download some pictures from his digital camera pretty soon, so I'll try to get a few of them posted here for you to enjoy!

Later,
Trey

The end of Warblogging

2005-09-07T12:18:00.000+04:00

Last night was a sad night for free speech and responsible behavior. The Warblogging website has been taken down indefinitely due to an unfortunate series of events. Although I did not agree with the opinions of the editor, I enjoyed his forum since it allowed people of all opinions to express themselves responsibly and to continue the social debate about the condition of our nation.

Unfortunately someone with a political agenda and a grudge against the current administration crossed way over the line by posting pictures of the dead bodies of people killed in Katrina. The editor of the site removed the pictures out of respect for the families of those who were killed, and then the person who had posted the pictures went nuts. He accused the owner of the forum of hypocrisy and began revealing personal information about him and generally defaming him. As a result Warblogging.com has been rolled back to the old version, and may never return. So I'll have to find another forum where I can fight the hypocrites and frauds.

It's sad that the partisan outburst of one individual can ruin an outlet of free speech for everyone.

Trey
PS. I'm sure that my posting of Christopher Hitchens article didn't help calm anyone down, but everyone should be required to read it!

Less war, more debate

2005-09-06T23:08:00.000+04:00

In the spirit of true escapism, I've started posting at Warblogging to balance out their comments, and to keep my mind busy arguing and not worrying about what is out of my control. My username is CavScout, if you visit their site, please don't be offended by the language or opinions of those who express themselves there. It's a public debate forum, and some people are less appropriate than others.

Also, my sister Stephanie has started her own blog at Xanga and I posted a comment (it's underneath her excellent posting) on her site that I should have saved for those stupid people at Warblogging. Auuggghhh... They frustrate me, but I'm so glad to have found an argument!

Enough for one night,
Trey

One messed up day

2005-09-05T13:06:00.000+04:00

Wow, yesterday was pure insanity. It all started at 6:00 AM when I was woken up two hours early for the mission that we'd been told about that night before. We were going to pick up critically injured people from the bridge accident at an Iraqi hospital down the street, and take them to the Airport so that they could be flown to Spain for medical treatment. Sounds like a good wholesome mission, but for some reason we left earlier than we had originally planned on.

We got to the hospital and waited there from 8:10 until sometime around 10:00 when they finally told us that they weren't going to be ready to move the patients until sometime around 5:30 or so. So we came back, ate lunch and got ready to go again. Wouldn't you know that we had to wait another 2 hours at the hospital in the afternoon. Once they finally had everyone loaded up, we drove out with our 33 vehicle convoy and it took nearly 3 hours to make a 30 minute drive to the airport, thanks in part to poor navigation skills of someone that I will thankfully never have to deal with again.

At the airport, right before we pulled up to the terminal, one of the 13 ambulances broke down. A HMMWV towed it back up to us, and we waited for 2 hours while they offloaded everyone just to discover that the Spanish officials wouldn't take certain people. Either their injuries were to serious, not serious enough, or were clearly unrelated to the bridge incident. I don't know exactly how many people were turned down, but it was enough to piss off the Iraqis.

At this point it was like 9:00 PM and we'd been going non stop for 15 hours, so we tell the Iraqi vehicles to go ahead and go back to the hospital, we'll call it a night. They radio back that that's what they'll do, goodbye and thank you. But then a half hour later when we try to leave we find them pulled over on the side of the road waiting for us to escort them back. And then they starting fighting with each other over what little water they had. We aren't supposed to share our water, or they'll drink all of it and we'll all get dehydrated, so we just had to stand by and watch the mess. And that's when our second truck decided to break down.

So there we were with 13 ambulances and a bunch of Iraqi civilians and vehicles, with a broken ambulance and HMMWV. They're all pissed off and need water, and we can't leave because we don't have enough vehicles for security or to even transport all of our people back to the camp.

That's when a cool Iraqi officer decided to step up and save the day. He's my favorite guy ever. He offered to escort the ambulances back without our help, which would free us up to take care of our downed vehicle. So the Iraqis left and we waited until 2 AM until the recovery vehicle arrived. At 3 AM we found ourselves at our motor pool and we had to perform maintenance checks on ALL of our vehicles, and finally at 4 AM we made it back to Camp Justice.

And that's just half of the stuff that went wrong. But the good news is that we all stayed rather positive and got the job done in a professional manner. The Major who was with us was impressed with how alert and attentive to detail we were in spite of our setbacks, and at the motor pool, we got back my HMMWV that broke down several days ago. So I guess that all's well that ends well. And we learned how to deal with the worst of all possible situations.

Enough for now, I'll try to post some pictures soon.
Trey

APO troubles and breakdowns

2005-09-02T17:53:00.000+04:00

We'll start with the APO business. The "new" and "improved" APO address we've been given won't accept packages until September 6th, but it is in fact the correct address, in spite of what the US Postal Service may have told some of you. At first I was frustrated with the Postal Service, but then I remembered how efficient and professional the Army is. Meaning that I'm sure that the Army dropped the ball on this one. Oh well, I just don't care.

If any of you want to know what to send, send me a book. I don't need candy, or civilian clothes. Don't need gum, chocolate will melt, in these temperatures a brick can melt! If any of you have a compact stack of clean rags, I know it sounds ridiculous, but we can use them. Now don't everyone send PILES and PILES of rags, but if you throw one or two torn up clean T-shirts, my weapon and vehicle will thank you.

Now about my vehicle.... My truck is sick today. Its fuel injectors have overheated (due to the climate, not poor maintenance) and have consequently messed up the fuel pump. Today it wouldn't go any faster than 50 MPH and so the mechanics are looking at it. I don't even want to think about driving any other truck.

Quite a few explosions around Baghdad today. Didn't see any, but we could hear them all day. Stupid insurgents don't realize that we're not going to leave as long as they keep this up, and we'll just chase them down with more determination (because we want to go home!) and more numbers. It's sort of funny, because if they fire at a truck, we call in a Bradley, and if they fire at that, we bring in tanks, and if they're crazy enough to shoot at the tanks, what the heck, we send in attack helicopters. These people (not the Iraqis but the mostly foreign insurgents) are just not that bright.

More later,
Trey

The death toll rises

2005-09-01T08:39:00.000+04:00

This morning was a very quiet morning in central Baghdad. Everyone is mourning the death of well over 900 people in a stampede over a bridge. In Louisiana, there was a similar loss of life, and a HUGE destruction of property by hurrican Katrina. But CNN "International" had 6 articles about hurricane Katrina and it's swath of destruction, and only mentioned the tragedy here at the bottom of it's headlines. Perhaps they should call themselves "CNN Pseudo-International (with an American worldview and focus)".

The article about Baghdad did briefly mention several important pieces of information, that I felt should have been clarified. First, the bridge is usually closed because it presents and constant security risk to our camp. It had been used numerous times by snipers and insurgents with rockets and RPG's. Due to the security risks in reopening the bridge, there were barricades to prevent car bombers from driving over the bridge, and checkpoints at both ends of the bridge. The article did not go so far as to suggest that there should not have been checkpoints and concrete barricades, but cast subtle doubt on their necessity. They are in fact vital to the security of Camp Justice, and this entire Shiite neighborhood.

The other side of the river is the part of town we call Sadr City and is very hostile to both US forces and Shiite muslims. It was unwise to open the bridge, since it drew thousands of Shiite muslims into a Sunni neighborhood, causing tension and fear in both groups of people.

Scouts out,
Trey

This place is messed up

2005-08-31T21:41:00.000+04:00

First of all, let me say that I, and everyone else in the US Army is completely OK. But there are a lot of torn up Iraqi families in this part of town right now. The Shiite Muslims are having their "Death of the Seventh Imam" celebration right now, and it is centered on a shrine which is probably 1000 yards down the road from where I'm sitting right now. There are an estimated 4.5 million people within 1 square mile of this location, all peacefully celebrating their religious event.

Well, you can't let people do their own thing in peace and security, so the Sunni Muslims mortar and rocket attacked the shrine this morning. I don't know if anyone was hurt by those attacks, but we anticipated the attacks several days ago. There is a bridge over the Tigris river that is about 50 yards outside the gate of Camp Justice. Usually the bridge is closed to all traffic because the insurgents were using it to launch rockets into our camp, but for the celebration, the bridge was reopened to pedestrian traffic so that the Shiite Muslims on the other side of town could get to their shrine.

Sometime after the mortar attacks, while the bridge was crowded with what had to be thousands of people, someone spread the word that their was a suicide bomber on the bridge and everyone panicked. We didn't have any idea of what was going on at the time, we can't see outside the protective walls of the camp, and even if we had seen it, there is nothing we could have done. At least 650 people were killed and 180 injured in the stampede and by being thrown off the bridge into the river.

The news release gives a bit more detail. I am continuously amazed by how these people treat one another, and the level of fear of the general population of this city.

I'm going to sleep tonight disgusted at the brutality of mankind.

Later
Trey

Death of the Seventh Imam

2005-08-30T23:03:00.000+04:00

The Shiite Muslims have an annual festival commemorating the death of their seventh and last Imam, the descendent of Mohammed. And since the Sunni's get all worked up about Shiite festivals, we were supposed to stay in the camp. I just didn't work out that way. Apparently returning a laptop, a 9mm, and sending some money Western Union for some Iraqi to get a US green card was more important that the lives and safety of 20 American soldiers. But it did make for an interesting ride.

Regardless, all's well that ends well, and nothing of any importance whatsoever happened. Hopefully tonight will be quiet, and there won't be any fundamentalist secretarian violence in this part of town tonight. Here we are risking our lives to help these people build a country, and all they can think about is fighting each other.

Actually the story about the Iraqi needing us to send money Western Union to the Department of Immigration could turn into quite the story. He's been helpful to us, and a price was put on his head for his cooperation with the US forces. So he applied for political asylum and somehow the application was processed by a Sergeant Major. Part of the process was to pay a fee of $120 and he gave the Sergeant Major the money quite some time ago. Well, the money seems go have gotten lost in someone's pocket, so some guys fronted him the money and sent it tonight, which was the deadline. If the Sergeant Major doesn't pay some people back, there may be a criminal investigation into the stolen money. We'll see what happens as I get more info.

Oh, and we have a state of the art phone center here, with no long lines, and plenty of phones. Only the satellite uplink is down most of the time. (Sorry Linds, I tried!) Well, that's enough for one night.

Later Everyone

Trey

Another day, another mortar attack

2005-08-29T10:24:00.000+04:00

Yesterday was exciting. We made 3 trips around town, drove through what we were told was a firefight (NOTHING was actually going on), and had 5 or 6 mortar rounds land in our camp (I don't think they hit anything). So basically it was a long day with plenty of adrenaline, but not too much really happened.

I don't have an APO address yet, once they tell me what it is, I'll post it, I promise. Sometimes the Army just takes its time. For instance, for the next few days, Iraqi people will be celebrating the "Death of the Seventh Imam". So we're trying to be out of sight out of mind for a few days. Oh well, I won't complain.

More info later,
Trey

Greetings from Camp Justice

2005-08-27T17:48:00.000+04:00

Hello everyone! I know it's been a while since I've posted, but life has been CRAZY for the last 3 weeks. I've finally gotten to where I'll be for a while, perhaps for the entire deployment, time will tell. Kuwait was by far the WORST place I've ever been. I can't even describe the incredible desolation of the camp we stayed in.

Iraq has a much better climate, and time seems to go by more quickly here. Camp Justice is not very large, and lacks some of the facilities that are found at Camp Liberty (like the nice chow hall, swimming pool, PX/store, etc...) but makes up for it by having more phones and computers per capita than any place I've ever been. And the building we live in is actually pretty pleasant. Instead of trailers, it's like one big building with everything in it. The place could use some work, but it's quite nice.

Everyone has been asking about an APO address, but I still don't have one. Well, I do have one, but it's going to change in a couple of days. The APO that we were given went to Qatar instead of Iraq, so everyone who had stuff sent to them won't get it all until the end of September. In a couple of days I'll have a new one and I'll try to get it posted here.

More later,
Trey

August 21 Phone call to Trey's Parents

2005-08-23T01:06:00.000+04:00

Sunday our soldier telephoned. He has left Kuwait and gone to Baghdad. He had been at a camp in Kuwait in the middle of nowhere. He told us that as far as eye could see there was nothing but sand, sand, and more sand in a full 360 degree circle. Trey said, when the sand storms start blowing, there is nothing to do, but put on your goggles and breathing masks, and QUIT. It was 145 degrees on the high desert plateau. They slept during the day, and went out at night in full body armor, and had 4-5 hours of rifle practice. They slept on cots, no Air conditioning, and sweat like pigs. He said they drank around 5 gallons of water per day! The water tanks were filled twice each day for showers, etc....and the water lasted about two hours in the morning and two hours at night. ALL the water was hot water because the sun beats down so hard, so no one had to worry about getting a cold shower. The portable toilets were disgusting because though they tried to keep them clean, the heat made a smelly mess of everything. Sooooo, needless to say, he was glad to get out of Kuwait, which he considers the end of the earth.

Trey said Baghdad (at 112 degrees today) is a noticeable cool front! The soldiers are reveling in the wonderful 'cool' weather!! In addition, there are only two men per air conditioned room in the barracks and there are real beds. He seemed very impressed with the REAL porcelain toilets that flushed! He also reported both hot and COLD running water, 24 hours a day!

Seems the base is modern with lots of amenities -- stores, shops, internet access, and satellite phones (that is how he called us -- only 25 cents per minute). The base 'store' has everything American from Oreo cookies to potato chips. They have hired Iraqis who work on the base and who are also the cooks. His big disappointment is that the food is all American - and he loves ethnic food. He said it tastes exactly the same as all the bases and he seems to think they must have certain recipes and every base uses the same ones. He said the food is very very good - better than many restaurants.

The training and practice is now over....and in the next few days his platoon will be going outside 'the wire' (the perimeter of the safe zone) as observers to accompany the platoon they are replacing. As soon as they have observed and learned all they can about security from the current platoon those men will go home and his platoon will replace them.

WE do so appreciate all of your prayers for both him and his darling new bride, Lindsey. She needs your prayers as much as he does. Thank you, thank you.

As of this date we have no APO address, but he should be sending one shortly.

Stay tuned.
John and Ruth

What little news I have

2005-07-10T05:09:00.000+04:00

Well, nothing much is happening here at Fort Drum. But here's the little bit of information that I do have. I'm assigned somewhere in 1st Brigade, which will be depoying to Iraq sometime in the next few months or so. I'm looking for an apartment for Linds and I. And that's about it. Really.

Hopefully I'll get a more specific unit assignment by this coming Wednesday. I'm sorry that nothing newsworthy has been going on, once normal life resumes, I'm sure I'll have more to say.

Aaah, Fort Drum

2005-07-01T01:52:00.000+04:00

Here I am at a base known for it's extreme cold, and I think I may sweat to death. Aparently upstate New York is also known for it's opressive heat and humidity.

The prelimenary indication is that I'm goin to be in the HHC (Higher Headquarters Company) of the 1st Brigade Combat Team. Yup, I have NO idea what that means. It could mean that I make coffee all day, or it could mean that they don't know where in 1st Brigade to send me yet. Or they could change their minds altogether and send me to some place like Fort Stewart, GA. That's mostly joking.

If I deploy with the rest of my unit, I'll be leaving for Iraq before the end of summer. That's not set in stone, everyone else who just arrived in 1st Brigade won't be leaving until fall, but anything is possible.

Besides that, I'm doing well, and enjoying myself as best as possible. Linds is signed up the the Army healthcare system, and all is well.

More later,
Trey

Here we go again...

2005-06-27T09:11:00.000+04:00

Well, today is my last day in the world of the free and the sane. I suppose that sounds a bit pessimistic, and actually I feel rather excited and confident about beginning my career in the "real" Army (as opposed to the strange world of training). Tomorrow I'll fly to New York, spend the night in the Syracuse airport, and catch the Greyhound the next morning.

Linds is NOT happy about us being apart, but she's being tough and is looking forward to being with her family. Her grandmother died 2 days ago, and she'll be a huge help and comfort to her mother and the rest of her family. It sounds like the funeral will be late on Wednesday, so we're going to try to get her back in time for that.

Bonnie and Harry gave us the biggest blessing of a gift I've EVER gotten. We needed a kennel to put Frank (the Rott/hound) in for his airline trip back to Detroit. And we couldn't find anything his size for less than $80. Bonnie and Harry don't have big dogs either, but somehow they had a kennel that fits him exactly and they gave it to us. That was the most stressful thing that we've had to deal with, and they took care of it so effortlessly. It was incredible.

Well, I'm going to go to bed now. Tomorrow should be a good and miserable day of travel. Laters,

Trey

I made a Calendar!

2005-06-25T04:55:00.000+04:00

So a couple of days ago I decided to start another website on a free server, so that I could post all of the wedding pictures. Blogger is great, but just isn't equiped to handle lots of photos. And after I got the pictures up, I decided to try to write a Calendar application. I THOUGHT that the sever had PHP or something, but after a bit of research, I realized that it did NOT in fact have anything of the sort. So I wrote the whole thing in JavaScript. Yup, I have WAY too much time on my hands. After about 6 hours of work, I present to you my calendar. And believe it or not, it's actually not even that hard to update.

So here's the new website (with wedding pictures):
http://werockout.atspace.com/
Here is the source code for the calendar app. (Needs a bit more documentation...):
calendar.js

You'll have to deal with any quirks, the code comes as is. I never got around to checking for the year of the event, because if you plan less than a year out, it shouldn't be a problem, but the data file is set up for it anyways. I didn't implement a system to check more than a month ahead of time, but the actual calendar function is fully capable of doing that, I just didn't want to mess with cookies or passing variables through an URL. Call me lazy, call me sane.

Trey

Wedding Pictures

2005-06-22T07:33:00.000+04:00

I've started posting wedding pictures at another location. This blog just isn't set up for it, so I put everything in a new domain http://werockout.atspace.com/. Enjoy the pictures, I'll post more as soon as I get them!

Oh, and sorry that it looks so crappy, I'll work on that later.

Trey

Trey vs. The Oregonian

2005-06-22T01:59:00.000+04:00

The Oregonian is a JOKE of a newspaper. All writers have their own views which shade their writing, but this whole paper is full of pseudo-news. "News" that isn't news at all covers the front page. Whole headline articles about an opinion, presented as news, when nothing new has actually happened. One particular article attracted my attention. It isn't really about anything that just happened, but expresses concern about National Guard deployments. News would be something like, "The Oregon National Guard deploys on Tuesday...." But this was more of an opinion/editorial based on current events, and it was THE MAIN HEADLINE on the FRONT PAGE.

After reading the article, and noting that it was the second in a three part series on the National Guard, I decided to write a letter to the paper. Unfortunately that was a catastrophic mistake, since the editor rewrote my entire letter and published it without making any mention of their changes, all under my name. I'm aware that there are probably no more than 20 people who will ever read this site, and that only a fraction of these people even live in Oregon, but I will use what voice I have to be heard, thanks to the ultimate tool of equality and democracy, the Internet.

While the Oregonian may have published a bastardized version of my letter, here is the original copy:

SIR – The recent article concerning the role of the National Guard depicted it as a local AmeriCorps. It should be noted that the full name of this organization is the Army National Guard, which reflects its primary purpose as a reserve component of the Army. While the stateside activities of the National Guard are very important, we must keep in mind that these citizen soldiers are not community service volunteers but rather soldiers with duties to both their state and their country.

Army Basic Combat Training is required for all Guardsmen, and teaches them to survive in the modern battlefield and to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemy in close combat. Some of these soldiers go on to become Infantrymen, Scouts and other combat related specialties. Needless to say, this training does not have anything in common with their civic tasks in a time of crisis. Your article described the loss of equipment being sent to Iraq, which you find necessary to perform these community services; night vision goggles, machine guns, trucks and radios. Perhaps a future article could explain how some of this equipment is necessary for fire fighting and filling sandbags, and what these “stay-behind units” could possibly use them for.

In summary, for years we have paid the National Guard to prepare for war and the time has come for them to serve their country as they have sworn to do. While their civic functions remain important, it is a secondary duty. Plenty of local clubs and organizations such as the Red Cross and Volunteer Fire Departments exist solely to assist in times of crisis. The National Guard is not in crisis; they are being deployed to fight the battle that they have trained for.

PFC John Merrell
Cavalry Scout – US Army

I'm back, married, and ready to move!

2005-06-21T22:56:00.000+04:00

Cake at the wedding!

Well, Fort Knox is now a thing of the past, thank God! The last week of training was chaos and I didn't write anyone. In fact, the last two weeks were chaos. We spent a week in the field doing day and night exercises, in which the more "experienced" inserts kept getting everyone lost or killed. And the last week was 20 hours each day of cleanup. We cleaned so much STUFF that I may never clean anything again. It was completely ridiculous.

After graduation I jumped on a plane and came back to Portland. I did two weeks of hometown recruiting, which was interesting. Basically it was my job to hang out in public places and talk to people about the Army. It sounds like most people don't really do anything at all, but I actually worked on it quite a bit. Portland is such a difficult place to recruit from, and it was extremely frustrating. What amazed me is that the Army hadn't figured out a better way to use us. It would have worked WAY better if the recruiters had taken us to schools and places like that. Instead, we just wandered through malls all day.

Oh, and my truck decided to die. On the way down to Woodburn to check on our wedding rings, the water pump went out, it split the radiator and broke the exhaust manifold. We had the truck towed to Chuck and Jaira's, fixed it, and then two days later, the alternator died. So I fixed that in the driveway. After all that work, the truck had better last a few thousand more miles.

Lindsey's grandmother nearly died, so Lindsey went out to Michigan for a few days. As soon as she got back, it was non-stop wedding preparations until the 19th, when we got married. I'll post another posting on the wedding, because I just got back from our honeymoon, and have quite a bit of stuff to do. But thank you to everyone who was there and everyone who sent such supportive cards and thoughtful gifts.

More later,
Trey

P.S. I will be maintaining this site now that I'm back, so you can all expect more updates!

2005-05-17T23:37:00.000+04:00

Trey & Lindsey at Graduation from Basic Training

Mother's Day call

2005-05-17T22:44:00.000+04:00

Trey called his mother and father on Mother's Day (the day after Stephanies wedding). Not only to wish his mom a happy Mother's Day, but to break the news that he had asked his girlfriend, Lindsey Charette, to marry him on June 19th, 2005. He will be back in Oregon on a short leave before reporting to his home base in Fort Drum, New York. Trey asked his dad to perform the wedding which will take place at beautiful and breathtaking Ecola State Park overlooking Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast.

Not only does Trey have a new brother (in-law) but Stephanie is going to have a new sister(in-law) and Trey's parents get both.

May 5, 2005

2005-05-17T22:26:00.000+04:00

Mom & Dad,

Happy Cinquo de Mayo! I know that I killed the spelling! But the Army has never been accused of making people smarter.

So, tomorrow will be the 15km road march. I'm a little bit nervous about my hip, but I'll be taking a Motrin right before we start, and hopefully all will go well. Even if I hurt a bit, I have finished this and the final PT test in order to graduate. There is also a 20 km march that I don't have to do, but if I don't do it, I won't earn my crossed sabers for my uniform. It's a really big deal.

I guess what I'm saying is that I'm on the home stretch and I'm determined to finish strong. Pray that I can stay healthy and strong.

Today our Drill Sgt. took us out to do PT which we usually don't like all that much, but instead of normal stuff, we competed with each other at crazy races. We bear crawled, crab walked, ran backwards, etc... All the losing groups did pushups, and it was GREAT fun. So, we've learned that PT isn't necessarily a BAD thing.

Well, its time for mail to go out for the night. I love you both. I hope and pray that Steph's wedding is everything she's wanted!

Love you! Trey

footnote: Trey called on Mother's day to say that he had not only completed the 15k march but by the end, led the entire troop!

Letter dates 4/26/05

2005-05-03T22:11:00.000+04:00

Well, today the Drill Sgt has already smoked us 3 times. It’s punishment for the article 15’s. And it sounds like we won’t get any personal time tonight, which is why I’m writing this letter from the bathroom. I’m rather exhausted. I was a bit stressed when I went to sleep last night, so I woke up over and over again in the night. And all of the smoking has sapped my energy. What’s crazy is that this was supposed to be an EASY week.
And tomorrow it sounds like we’ll either be doing hard labor for Fort Knox, yardwork and landscaping outside the barracks, or cleaning inside. Whatever it is, I’m sure that the Drills will smoke us periodically since we’re not going to be in important classes.

Letter dated 4/25/05

2005-05-03T22:00:00.000+04:00

Today was the “great contraband search of ‘05”. 18 people in my platoon got article 15’s for cell phone use and tobacco products. Don’t worry, I’m just fine. Needless to say, we spent the whole day tearing up the entire barracks and then putting it all back together. It sucked, and I can’t even BEGIN to describe the destruction I’ve witnessed. Craziness.
I saw the physical therapist today. He’s letting me carry a small amount of weight in my rucksack, for which I am grateful.
Tomorrow we’ll learn how to assemble, disassemble, install, repair, shoot and clean the machine gun on the Bradley. It should be pretty cool. Although, I do NOT like the Bradley at all.
I can’t wait until I get to Portland. Oh, and news about coming back to Portland. I’ll need to somehow buy a ticket from Louisville to Portland, and from PDX to NY. I’m not exactly sure about flight times or even arrival dates in NY, but I’ll know once my orders get here. The army will reimburse me for the cost of going from here to NY.

Letter dated 4/21/05

2005-04-27T02:04:00.000+04:00

What could possibly be worse than being stuck with a bunch of retards in a small building? AAHH! We had a class today about the history of Cavalry and nobody in my platoon can freaking read!! I swear I’m in an elementary school remedial reading class! I don’t think I learned much of anything. Oh well.

Today we had flag detail. Interesting how every Drill Sgt does it slightly different. We’ve gotten pretty good at it, and I almost wish we could do it a few more times.

We also did a cool class on unexploded ordinance, land mines, improvised explosive devices, booby traps, and anything else that goes boom. The idea was to teach us how to avoid getting killed by stupid stuff. My squad set a new course record as the best ever to finish our lane, we were done in 25:37 sec and we only lost one person. We rock. He also said that I was the best radioman he’s EVER had in his career as an instructor. I rock.

Letter dated 4/19/05

2005-04-27T01:50:00.000+04:00

Sometimes the army sucks and sometimes it’s not so bad. Most of the training this week is being done by civilian instructors, so it’s WAY more relaxed and I learn way more than I could from Army instructors. I’m so sleepy; I just fall asleep on every break.

11:00AM and now I am starting to wake up. I’ve been awake for 6 hours and will probably eat lunch in an hour, which will promptly put me back to sleep. But I guess that’s just the way things work.

Ah, army lunch. I had corned beef, mac and cheese, green beans, a banana, a salad and chocolate milk. The annoying people here just get more and more annoying. Our PG was on bed rest and Marchand took his place. I like Marchand, but he’s SO bossy. I’m just ready to be rid of the immaturity. But enough of that…

So we just changed over to black phase. The only additional privilege is that we may now go and run on the track with our battle buddy without the supervision of a Drill Sgt. Good, but not exactly an exciting change.

Letter dated 4/18/05

2005-04-27T01:38:00.000+04:00

Well, Sweetie, we just watched “We Were Soldiers” and I really need to write you. First, even if you’ve seen it before, DO NOT see it again until AFTER I leave the army. That said…Wow, war is hell, and I’m so glad that the training we get here is so focused. What makes the U.S. Army such a formidable force is its dedication to being the most well trained army on earth. I’m so proud to be a soldier, and will be even more proud to be a scout!

It’s lunch time here, and we’ve been learning how to call for artillery fire. Quite a good class, and VERY important.

2005-04-23T01:11:00.000+04:00

.50 cal M2 machine gun

Letter dated 4/18/05

2005-04-23T00:44:00.000+04:00

Well, no PT test this morning. I guess the Drills are a bit disorganized at the moment. So we can this morning and I’ll take the PT test Wednesday.

In a few minutes we’ll be headed to the motor pool to learn how to use the .50 cal M2 machine gun. It should be interesting.

We had one kid go AWOL over the weekend (Absent Without Leave). So stupid. The hardest part is over, but he decided he just couldn’t take it anymore. And a bunch of other Privates were spotted downtown in civilian clothes, but they haven’t been identified yet. But given time the Drills will figure out who it was. I just hope Pedersen and McWalter don’t get into any trouble.

Well, it’s off to the motor pool, and for the record, I hate the other people here.

Well, the .50 cal was ok. It’s SO big though. It’s about 5 feet long and weighs 80lbs. Not exactly a personal sidearm. Drill Sgt Fenech may let us watch a movie tonight, which is cool. I’ll probably skip it and take the free time instead. I need to catch up on my letter writing.

Everyone is pretty tired. Most of these guys partied all weekend and can hardly keep their eyes open. I’m tired, but rested and ready to finish my training. Only 45 days until I get to see you! Isn’t that exciting! And my FINAL PT test is in less than a month. I’m so ready to get out of here.

2005-04-19T07:00:00.000+04:00

PFC Merrell (in his Class "A's") and Lindsey

2005-04-19T06:57:00.000+04:00

The very handsome PFC Merrell

Lindsey's thoughts on the weekend

2005-04-19T06:36:00.000+04:00

It has now been a full 24 hours since leaving Trey once again. Everyone says that leaving gets easier but I can’t imagine that ever being possible.

I had a wonderful weekend with Trey, Friday at about noon until 4:30PM on Sunday, in Elizabethtown, KY. I don’t know if I can even articulate just how proud I am of him. Trey has always been an amazing person, everyone agrees, but now I am filled with SO much pride. His patience has increased 100 fold! Trey’s attention to detail now is astonishing. Trey is making the transition from a searching kid (said very affectionately) to an incredible and determined man. I only see positives and I’m excited to see them already being incorporated through our relationship.

We relaxed, swam in the hotel pool, ate lots of good food, had fantastic long conversations both about his experiences these past 10.5 weeks (yes, it has been that long!) and the future. Trey was able to enjoy time with his friend Garth, who drove from Fort Campbell in Kentucky to visit, able to speak with his family and his adoptive Oregon mother Jaira, and his friend Nick at length on the phone.

It was short visit but so worth the travel. To be able to see him and touch him for that short time will keep me going for the next 45 days (Trey and I are counting) until we are together again here in Oregon.

Take care and thank you everyone for all the prayers! I’ll keep posting as the letters come.

Love,
Lindsey
(the girlfriend, if you don't know me :)

2005-04-19T06:31:00.000+04:00

Bradley Fighting Vehicle in action

Letter dated 4/12/05

2005-04-19T06:20:00.000+04:00

So tomorrow we both do the same thing, go to the doctor. My appointment is to monitor how well I’m healing. Tomorrow I’ll take the PT test again to complete the run. I’m pretty sure that I have to score a 200 to be eligible for EIC (Excellence in Cavalry). I’m pretty sure the criteria are 1. No article 15 discipline problems, 2. Must shoot at least sharpshooter level, 3. Must score 200 on initial basic PT test and 4. Must be approved of by Drill Sgt. Should be interesting.

So I also found out today that one of the trouble makers in our platoon is being recycled. Oh. It’s SO good to hear that. We’ve lost quite a few people since we’ve been here. I think a total of 7 in just my platoon of 31.

Tomorrow we’ll start and stop Bradley Fighting Vehicles for the first time, practice for family day and get ready to leave for the weekend.

Letter dated 4/9/05

2005-04-19T06:05:00.000+04:00

Well Sweetie, its pseudo semi-official, if nothing changes I’ll be going to Fort Drum, New York. That means that I would be part of the 10th mountain division and may eventually get to go to air assault school and military mountaineering school. But that is all pretty much meaningless. I was really counting on Fort Lewis but NOBODY from my platoon was sent there. The two main places my platoon is being sent are New York and South Korea. Of the two, it’s definitely better.

Bad news…I have poison ivy. It sucks soooo much. Actually, it’s starting to go away a little bit; yesterday I thought I would die! Our new Drill Sgt, Drill Sgt Fenech got me some cream for it, but it hurts SO badly. I guess that happened while we were out in the field, I crawled through some (there weren’t any leaves on anything, so it would have just been a stalk of it).

Today was really cool; we repelled down a 60 ft tower and climbed across ropes and rope bridges. Nothing too extreme, but it was fun and way easier than what we’re used to (i.e. basically no discomfort or pain).

4/6/05

2005-04-19T06:03:00.000+04:00

Just a quick letter…I just got back in from 3 days in the field. It was VERY cool. On Monday I got to play with demolitions and blow things up. It may have been the single coolest thing in Basic. Tuesday was also AWESOME, instead of doing what everyone else in Basic does, since we’re Scouts, we ran recon patrols. Basically sneaking up on some instructors who were dressed like the enemy, and then observing their actions.

Then today we hiked back 10km. And my hip is sore, but I’m ok. I didn’t have to carry my rucksack though.

Letter dated 4/3/05

2005-04-19T05:52:00.000+04:00

The time change and the candy yesterday have destroyed me. I’m a broken elf.

This week should be a bit crazy. You won’t get any letters for a few days because we’ll be in the field for 3 days starting on Monday.

Letter dated 4/1/05

2005-04-19T05:40:00.000+04:00

Well, today has been rather eventful. Today we were issued our Class “A” uniforms. We almost feel like soldiers instead of a bunch of privates. And then I spent all afternoon cleaning machine guns. It was one of those weird things where I thought we were getting screwed by having to clean weapons while other people got to stay at the barracks. As it turns out, they had to carry sandbags for hundreds of yards in the rain, while I enjoyed cleaning guns. So it all worked out.

Right now I’m on CQ duty. That means that I sit at the main front desk and keep track of who goes in and out of the building, where the Drill Sgt on duty is, and generally stay alert. And I’m allowed to write letters. Drill Sgt Mabe just told me that Drill Sgt School lasts nearly one year. It amazes me how much they have to know, and how responsible they have to be. A Drill Sgt is a squared away individual.

2005-04-19T05:38:00.000+04:00

M203 grenade launcher

Letter dated 3/31/05

2005-04-19T05:36:00.000+04:00

I’m so tired of some people’s voices. The same people just run their mouths ALL the time. But I don’t need to keep thinking about that.

So, I probably will not be allowed to call you on Sunday. I just need something. My hip is messed up. Not broken, not fractured, but somehow the bone is “bending”. And they might have to recycle me, or they might not. I won’t know until the 4th of April, IF then. So frustrated. I’m going to try to stick it out. But here’s what’s up, I can’t run, carry a rucksack, or jump. I feel so devastated.

So…today I shot the M203 grenade launcher, and a bunch of dummy AT-4 (anti-tank) rounds. And that wasn’t nearly as cool yesterday. Yesterday, we shot the M240 B machine gun, and the M249 SAW machine gun. And after we shot up the entire place, we put night vision scopes on them and shot them with tracers in the dark. It was super cool.

I’m tired. And we get to go to bed one hour early tonight, so I’m off to sleep.

Today, I feel like I’ll never leave this place. But I know I will, it just doesn’t feel right.

Letter dated 3/29/05

2005-04-12T04:55:00.000+04:00

Well, what a day. I miss you so much. And the pace of training just keeps picking up. We’re going crazy.

Tomorrow we’re going into the field to Day and Night fire M249 SAWS, M240B, M203, and AT-4’s (machine guns, grenade launchers and anti-tank rockets). It should be super cool. But I am still on profile. And my hip hurts so badly.

Today was hand to hand combat and I missed it. I think it’s sort of good and sort of bad. It’s definitely good for creating a combative attitude, but I’d probably just been injured worse. So I kept my appointment at the hospital. They did a bone scan, and the tech said she could see something. I have no idea what that means. So I’ll find out in 2 days.

Lunch at the hospital was great. I ate so much food. Partly because no one was making me eat fast, so I took my time. Oh, it felt so good. All I could think of is how nice it would be to be back with you. Being at the hospital made me almost feel like a free man.

Letter dated 3/26/05

2005-04-12T04:41:00.000+04:00

Today we phased into Blue phase. Actually, it was a couple of hours ago. And for a Saturday it has been quite relaxed. We did a living quarter’s inspection this morning and seemed to do alright. The drills said it looked like crap, but they didn’t yell, smoke us, or keep us from phasing over. Which probably means that it looked great but they didn’t want to admit to it.

Here’s a poem Stephanie sent to me, it’s perplexed me for quite a few years:

Invictus by William Ermest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole;
I thank whatever Gods may be,
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance my head,
Is bloody but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears,
Looms but horror of the shade;
And yet the menace of the years,
Finds, and shall find me unafraid:

In matters not how straight the gate,
How charged with punishment the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Interesting, eh? So defiant. I don’t particularly like defiance, but this has such an interesting feel to it. What I like in spite of the dark defiance is the willingness to take personal responsibility for consequences, even in the face of tough decisions. The last stanza is everyone’s favorite but mine is the 3rd.

Letter dated 3/23/05

2005-04-12T04:25:00.000+04:00

Well, today was messed up pretty badly. As a group, we all kept screwing up, even though many individuals were doing everything right. Today was learned more about land navigation, learned about the M249 SAW machine gun, and got smoked rather badly. Another one of those smokings where we go to the back room in full sweat suits, close the windows and doors and start up the human furnace. But it all works out.

My knees, hip and ankle are killing me again, so I’ll be going to sick call tomorrow. But I will hold on until family day. It’s too important for me to give up!

And the not so good news is that I’m a squad leader. It would be a good thing but the squad leaders get yelled at ALL the time. So hopefully I’ll do my job well and everyone in my squad will cooperate as well with me as I have with them.

I’ve been keeping up on our bible reading and I’m really enjoying Mark. I haven’t read it in quite a while so it has a different feel than the other gospels.

Carrying a weapon everywhere is strange. We sling them around our legs while we sleep, we clean the barracks with them, and we shave with them and brush our teeth. They come to the dining hall and toilet with us. It’s crazy. 4 places they don’t go…in the shower (they stay with a battle buddy), to church (we check them in Saturday night), to the little PX, and outside of the brigade’s training area (which is basically half of Ft Knox). We all have 5 blank bullets, and lock and load them every time we leave the building, and then clear them every time we go in a building. The idea is to teach us excellent weapons discipline now (with blanks in a safe training area) so we won’t accidentally shoot people or get shot at in Iraq.

Letter dated 3/22/05

2005-03-31T22:41:00.000+03:00

Lindsey,
Today was the start of land navigation, which I’m already good at. Some people have NO idea what they are doing. I wish we could just let them get lost in the woods.

Everyone in my platoon is SO noisy. We keep telling them that if a drill catches them they’ll get smoked. And now an interesting change of events could just screw us all. 1st platoon from downstairs has been moved up to our floor. And they have the meanest drills in the troop. So now the noisy people are certain to be busted. And we’ll probably be smoked for it. Basic training doesn’t have to be hard; we make it hard on ourselves.

So on family day…you’ll need to be here on base sometime around 10am. There will be an hour long presentation and then I’m all yours. So, a quick list of what I want waiting in the car…
1. You
2. My mom
3. Chili cheese Fritos
4. root beer [editor’s note, the request has now been changed to Dr. Pepper]
5. powdered doughnuts

On Saturday I want to take you and my mom to the PX on post. And then to wherever. I’d like to eat Vietnamese food, but I’m sure you can’t find that in Kentucky.

In a couple of days we’ll be fitted for our class A uniforms. That should be cool. And once basic is over we’ll be treated like and called soldiers. WOHOO!!

So starting on Sunday we may be on blue phase. We’ll be able to have an hour or so off on Sunday afternoon. So you may get a second phone call. We’ll also be allowed to eat snack food at the store only. So I may get a bag of chips.

Lucas is waiting for a letter from Emily, the girl he’d like to hook up with. He thinks he may want to marry her, we’ll see what happens. He’s anxiously waiting for the letter. I’m waiting for a letter from one of Musser’s friends, he’s sending me info on prices for a good combat knife. Musser is waiting for a letter from my cousin, Connor is 14, and she got a letter from him. Blatchley is waiting for a letter from a girl he’s never met, and Lucas is waiting for a letter from you containing the price of a spider monkey. Wow. We’re so pitiful.

Yours,
Trey

Letter dated 3/21/05

2005-03-31T22:14:00.000+03:00

Linds,
I just got your letter with the word search. You’re so silly. This letter won’t be long because it’s been a messed up day.

Weapons immersion started today. As much as I love you, I’m married to an M16 now. Pray that I don’t mess anything up, because there are no second chances with the m16!

Today I was on flag detail. Probably one of the only ones we’ll have while here at Fort Knox. Our new drill sgt, drill sgt Fenech led it, and he’s pretty cool. Dorky, but in control and he DEMANDS discipline and respect, which is what quite a few guys need most.

We also had a class on the fundamentals of recon and security. Wow, our first scout specific training. It feels SO good.

Letter dated 3/20/05

2005-03-31T21:52:00.000+03:00

Lindsey,
I’m in church, and the chaplain is singing again. He really should just stop it.

So, this is all just a rumor but supposedly, according to who knows…most of us will be stationed in Hawaii or Alaska. Sounds like BS to me, but who knows. Oh, and more importantly, the cav troop that is 5 weeks ahead of us found out where they would be stationed in week 9. So I may know on family day. The week 9 bit is the only fact. Hawaii and Alaska is just speculation, which seems to run rampant here.

This week we’ll get our Class “A”’s which will make us feel rather manly.

Oooh, and guess what else I did today. I talked to Nick for about 10 minutes and my parents for about 10 minutes. I didn’t think I’d have time to do it, but the line at the PX was short.

I really need to work harder on my physical fitness. I’m not a wuss but I’m nowhere near where I’d like to be. Pederson did 120 push ups in one sitting yesterday. That’s just crazy! He will probably max out his PT scores. PT scores aren’t very important to me, but they are important for promotion, so I need to get it in gear. My next PT test is in 2 weeks, so I should crank it up a notch.

Pederson was VERY happy that you looked up the info on Bora Bora. He’s pissed that he’ll have to fly to LA first. He’s a fruitcake.

OH…AND NEW INCENTIVE NOT TO RECYCLE!! From now on, scout training will be 23 weeks long instead of 16. That’s nearly 2 months longer! I want to come HOME!! I’m not a big sissy, but they don’t make it any easier for us either.

If they’d let us have cell phones in AIT. It makes no sense not to let us. But Drills don’t want things to be any easier than they have to be.

Love you,
Trey

Letter dated 3/16/05

2005-03-31T21:40:00.000+03:00

Linds,
Today was wild. Grenade day was a day of excitement, drudgery, thrilling highs and crushing despairs. The actual grenade portion was SO cool. Everything from the instructors, the content of the course, the grenade course, and the live grenades was exciting, fast paced and geared to really teach. I was so stressed because I can’t throw if my life depends on it. But I still managed to hit every target but one, so I easily qualified.

The live grenades were crazy. The goal of the grenade is to cause mass casualties, and it is completely effective. I’ll now be comfortable carrying them, but have a VERY healthy respect for the damage they can do. Not something you play with, or get too comfortable with.

This morning we found out some great news, Littlejohn, the guy who is so much trouble was moved to another platoon. And this afternoon, the drills changed their minds. So now he’s here, and the drills think we’re being unfair to him. I could go on at length about his behavior, but in short, he should be kicked out of the army.

So now we’re stuck with Littlejohn and facing the toughest 3 days of basic training. I’ll be sleeping for only 2 or 3 hours tomorrow night. I pray that I have the strength and energy to do this and stay motivated.

Letter Dated 3/15/05

2005-03-26T07:38:00.000+03:00

Lindsey,
Today was the big rifle qualification day. I did not shoot as well as I wanted to, but I easily qualified with 34 shots out of 40 on a target. The targets range from 50 to 300 meters, and some of them pop up 2 at a time. Shooting has been fun, but I’m bummed that I didn’t do any better.

Tomorrow, we start and finish grenade training. It should be interesting, but I have no throwing ability whatsoever, and this will require some skill.

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday will be spent in the field, and we will get VERY little sleep and the training will consist mostly of crawling for hundreds of yards in the dark. This training is specific to our cavalry scout OSUT.

My battle buddy, Lucas Pederson, from Iowa, has decided that he wants to marry a girl he dated a few years ago, and is actively pursuing a relationship with her. Life changing stuff for him.

On a sadder note, a buddy of mine Sean Nesvold has become very depressed here and will probably be sent to a psyche ward in the next few days. It’s amazing how different people deal so differently with stress.

That’s all for now,
Trey

Letter Dated 3/14/05

2005-03-26T07:37:00.000+03:00

Linds,
We’ve been sitting here talking about life in the normal world. Wow. It all seems so distant. And at this moment, it’s all I want. I miss listening to the music I like. I miss my good books. I miss interesting movies. And most of all, I miss you.

Oh, Proverbs tonight. Read chapter 14 and see what verse doesn’t fit in. Seriously, do it now before you turn the page……….Verse 10!!! It’s such a strange thing to find in Proverbs. It would fit in Ecclesiastes or Lamentations, but Proverbs? Soon we’ll get to the chapter about the wife of noble characters. Oh, lights out in one minute. Read Romans 3:21-31. It’s tough, so you’ll need to study it a bit, but a VERY significant verse.

Love You,
Trey

Letter Dated 3/13/05

2005-03-26T07:36:00.000+03:00

It’s so weird buying stuff at the PX, because everything we want, we can’t buy. Everything we don’t normally think of is what we need. I spent $13 and got some strange stuff…shoe polish, cough drops, etc.

A bunch of people here are so stupid. They’re buying rings (like high school and college rings) that say Army and Cavalry. They’re buying yearbooks, pictures, frames. Just a bunch of crap. Like basic training is the biggest thing in the world. Oh well. I suppose a bunch of them need this experience, even if it costs them $1000 on crap.

To the subject of motorcycles…could you cut out a small piece of the newspaper with Honda motorcycles that are for sale for me? I’m not supposed to get clippings but nobody has gotten in trouble for it yet. I just want to check prices. Also, could you send written info on what it takes to get a motorcycle license and insurance (from Progressive). I just want to be able to budget for it.

Love You,
Trey

Letter Dated 3/12/05

2005-03-26T07:35:00.000+03:00

It snowed 4 or 5 inches last night. And they decided to not make us run the obstacle course, thank God! I’m tired of this stupid Kentucky weather.

We’re supposed to have platoon photos today. I think it’s a waste of money. We’ll have plenty of time to take pictures on family day.

Oh, and yesterday we did a preliminary rifle qualification and I scored 37 out of 40 shots, which makes me an expert marksman. Hopefully I’ll do that well on the actual test.

Thank you so much for sending me the poem [If, Rudyard Kipling] I love it.

Wow, you would not believe the stuff I’ve heard here. So many of these guys do/have done lots of drugs…I’m amazed. The current conversation is about how to use drugs and raise kids without the kids knowing about the drugs. It’s so messed up. I never want to live that kind of life.

Today has been the best and most lazy Saturday ever. We’re doing radio testing right now, and we’re all feeling so lazy.

Sometimes things happen so quickly and sometimes they just crawl along. All I think about when we’re not training is how excited I am about family day. Oh, and I spend a good bit of time thinking about sleep. Precious sleep.

So we just had our troop photo. Bah. I’ll get one on family day.

Love You,
Trey

Letter dated 3/11/05

2005-03-26T07:33:00.000+03:00

What have you been thinking about Proverbs? We’ve been having MAJOR inter-personal problems in my platoon, and nearly the entire 10th chapter of Proverbs was about controlling the tongue, and it completely applies to this messed up situation.

The guy that I have told you about, Littlejohn, is such a jerk. And the Drill Sgts keep telling us about teamwork, and about how we have to accept each other, but he’s the one who won’t work as a team. We’re all trying. Oh well.

Next week is supposed to be VERY hard. We’ll see!

Yours,
Trey

Written 3/13 Received 3/22

2005-03-23T00:38:00.000+03:00

Mom and dad,

It’s so good to be getting letters from you. I like getting cards, but nothing compares to a real letter. Every evening, mail call is the best part of each and every day.

I can’t wait to see my mother on family day, but what about my dad? I know you guys are busy, but it’s nice to see you both. Another Cavalry Troop is getting back from family day weekend today. They must be very sad about returning to Fort Knox.

I’m so glad you enjoyed Christopher Hitchens’ book. I knew you would enjoy his unique perspective on world politics. He obviously has no respect whatsoever for the French, and supports war in the defense of human rights. I agree with him on the importance of human rights, and so does Army policy, but there are a lot of stupid soldier here who just want to kill and raise hell. They blame all Arabs for everything, and think that all Muslims are sneaky, violent killers. And there’s no way to convince them otherwise.

As for Christmas. I would love to spend I with you guys, but I have no idea what the Army has in mind for me. Once I know what unit I’ve been assigned to, I will BEGIN to get a general idea, but I won’t know for sure until September of so.

I’m going to write Papa back today, and I received a letter from Uncle Jay and Connor this week too.

Thank you so much for sending news updates. I don’t hear about anything here. It would make sense to me if they provided us with a Sunday newspaper. How are we supposed to be ready for war if we have no idea what’s going on in international politics?

Oh, and when you get here, we can go to the HUGE PX. I’m not allowed to go until then so we’ll get to explore it together.

I love you both!
Trey

Written 3/10 Recieved 3/22

2005-03-23T00:36:00.000+03:00

Mom and Dad,

I’m starting to get mail from you! I’m so excited when I get mail. It’s definitely the highlight of each day.

You’ll be relieved to know that my sinus infection is going away and that my ankle and knees are starting to heal. This week is BRM week (Basic Rifle Marksmanship), so instead of running in the morning, we draw our weapon from the orderly room, and head over to the firing ranges. Shooting is so much fun.

Pray for the tension in my platoon. We’ve got racists, both black, white, and otherwise. We’ve got bad attitudes, liars, slackers, and deceivers. It’s not hard for me to do the right thing, but people dislike it when you never compromise.

The Army tries to teach 7 core values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage. Some of the guys here will NEVER learn or live by them all. But I’ve noticed that nearly ALLL NCO’s ( Non-commissioned officers, i.e. Sgts and higher) do live by the values, so I’ll just have to get promoted into leadership and better company.

You’ll do pleased to know that I have two SOLID Christian friends, one in my platoon named Matthew L. He’s got a Masters in Theology and is a Baptist. And my friend Brady B., who isn’t in my platoon, but is one of the coolest people I’ve ever met. He reminds me sooo much of Chris Koeshall!!!

I have to go to bed now. I love you both!

Your Son, Trey

Written 3/6 Received 3/22

2005-03-23T00:31:00.000+03:00

March 6, 2005

Mom and Dad,

How are you both? A bit jet lagged? I can hardly keep up with you guys! It’s been a bit strange getting letters that are postmarked Hawaii!

Basic training is going well enough. My ankles and knee have given me a bit of trouble, but nothing too serious. Lindsey should have posted some stores of the training by the time you get this letter.

Next week (starting tomorrow) we’ll begin the process of qualifying on the M-16’s. Pray that I do VERY well on this, because it will get me promotion points, favor with the Drill Sgts, and the opportunity to go to some specialized schools. I know that I can pass, but I want to shoot expert, which is 36 out of 40 shots at 300 yards.

Stephanie (Trey’s sister) wrote me a letter a few days ago. It was very cool! I’m going to try to write her a letter tonight.

The protestant Sunday school here is decent, but the service is terrible. So this morning I went to the Catholic service. And that was just plain different. I’ll write more later! I love you!
Trey

3/9/05

2005-03-23T00:19:00.000+03:00

Linds,
Today may suck. We’re in trouble pretty much all night and all morning. One guy named Littlejohn is such a jerk. We’re trying to get the drill sgt to kick him out of the army. His attitude just sucks. He insists on being belligerent and defiant.

And last night we kept getting in trouble. First, people were sleeping in their sleeping bags. Second, people were sleeping in unused bunks. Third, two guys were sleeping on the floor. Fourth, our fireguards were nearly asleep on duty.

They haven’t smoked us yet, but they will, oh, and someone had their running shoes stolen, which has the drills SUPER pissed. Then the gay kid, Labato, refuses to put on his Kevlar helmet.

This afternoon we have a 5KM road march, and we’re supposed to be studying until then. AAAAGHHH!! Sometimes I just hate people. The Army gets the strangest people.

Littlejohn left for a while, but he’s back. He keeps pounding two pieces of metal together three times. It’s the sign of a chemical attack, but he’s doing it to be annoying. God, I hate the army sometimes.

We worked out this morning, it was 21 degrees outside!! So the drill sgts made sure to keep us warm…we did so many pushups that we just about fell down.

Another quick note today…I was reading Proverbs, Chapter 9 and I found the motto of basic training. Read verses 7,8,9. Wow! That’s half the problem here. Everyone tells everyone what to do, and that’s what gets us in trouble.

Oh, and the other army verses were Proverbs 4:25-27. It describes the position of attention and how to march.

Lunch was great today. Corned beef, mac and cheese and green beans. Soooo good.

And I found out that we won’t have to wear our rucksacks for the march today, just our jackets, dummy weapons and LBE.

Trey

March 20 Phone Call

2005-03-20T22:51:00.000+03:00

Ruth and I got our first call today from Trey since he entered the Army. Ruth sure was excited (not to mention dad) Living in Madrid Spain means that we feel even more isolated from Trey. Here are some paraphrases from our conversation.

He really was appreciative of everyones prayers on his behalf - especially for physical strength and healing for his knees and ankles. He marches and drills with his "ruck" which weighs up to 70lbs - that's half his body weight. So his ankles and knees have taken quite a beating. His ankles and knees have been improving until an 8 mile march last week. He asked that we keep praying!

He also said that the Army has started a new program and they are the first unit to be involved. It's called "weapon immersion." From now until he graduates from advanced training, June 2, they are with their weapon (M16 rifle) 24/7 (they sleep, eat and ... with it) and it has five blank rounds. At the end of their training, they must have all five rounds or they lose a rank and pay grade.

When I asked Trey if he was bulking up with all the excercise, he said only as much as needed. But his battle buddy, Lucas, is a real physical guy. The Army requires that you do 72 pushups in 2 minutes. Lucas did 120 in 2 minutes!

Trey sounded good - like a young man who knows where he is going and is succeeding.

Letter dated 3/7/05

2005-03-20T04:17:00.000+03:00

Lindsey,
White phase is here!! In the army training is divided into phases, red, white and blue. Each of these are 3 weeks long, and after 9 weeks the basic portion of training is done, and I will be considered a soldier. Then we’ll start the advanced Scout training, which is divided into black and gold phase. Yesterday (Sunday March 7th) was our first day in white phase, and white phase is wonderful. The biggest difference is that the Drill Sgts only yell at us when we mess up now. In red phase, they yell for fun. Now, it’s limited to when someone messes up. And with this group of people, we still get yelled at quite a bit.

The two worst punishments are “The Pit” and “Victory Trace” (which I accidentally called Victory Hill in a previous letter). The pit is a 50 by 50 meter area filled with sawdust and bordered by sandbags. We’re forced to crawl, run, dive into and drag and carry each other through it. Victory Trace is the worst for me. We have to load 240lbs onto a stretcher, and with ONLY 4 people, and ONLY one hand per person and slick gloves on at all times, and our 15lb Kevlar helmets, we have to carry it around a ¼ mile track twice in 12 minutes. And if we are too slow, or if anyone drops it, they add a lap. Once we did 8 laps. While half the squad does that, the other half carries only ONE 40lb water jug with ONLY one hand with slick gloves using only the handle about 300 yards. They keep moving it back and forth until the people with the stretcher are done.

Oh, and then there is stair PT (physical training). The drills have us assemble outside the barracks and tell us to go back upstairs to get some specific item. They give us about 2 minutes to do it and get back outside. Then they say we were too slow and make us do it again. We did 21 trips up and down one night, carrying everything we own.

The food here is actually very good. Nothing is even close to gourmet, but it is well prepared, low in sodium, and VERY well balanced. We all live from chow to chow. Which leads to a very strange phenomenon…every day seems like 3 days. “Morning” seems to be the first day of the 3. It doesn’t start when you wake up, it starts AFTER you leave breakfast chow and you spend the entire period anticipating lunch. It ends at lunch and then the second day, “afternoon” starts. Afternoon-day lasts until after dinner chow. Then from dinner until breakfast in the morning, it’s night day.

Night here is a strange hallucination. After dinner, we change into our sweat suits, and shine our boots. Then we spend 2.5 hours cleaning our barracks. It actually only takes 1 hour, but we aren’t allowed to do anything but clean, work out, or study army materials. So we act like we’re cleaning. Then we have to get up in the night, 2 people each hour, and perform fireguard. Fireguard us a one hour shift in which you must count everyone to make sure nobody runs away, clean a designated portion of the barracks, and of course watch for fires.

Wake up is ALWAYS at 5AM and we have 15 minutes to all be shaved, changed and ready for the day. Then we do our morning PT which feels like being in a twilight zone version of purgatory. You aren’t awake, it’s dark out, you’re getting yelled at and your body hurts. Then you snap out of it after chow and start another 3 cycle day/

I have to go to bed now, I’ve stayed up after my fireguard shift to write this with a flashlight, and tomorrow is a big day, we will shoot our m-16 for the first time and our barracks will be inspected by the Brigade Command Sgt Major. If we don’t pass his inspection we will be put back in red phase.

Please keep sending letters; they’re what keep me motivated. And please include any news in the world and please send pictures.

Later,
Trey

PS. In 16 years, my Drill Sgts had never seen anyone bayonet themselves in the throat…until a stupid kid in this troop managed to do it. He’s ok now, but very embarrassed.

Letter dated 3/6/05

2005-03-20T03:47:00.000+03:00

Lindsey,
We've been cleaning this afternoon. Good times. I'm pretty sure that Drill Sgt Dow is going to make us do bunk drills this afternoon (i.e. make the bunk, tear it up, make the bunk, tear it up...not fast enough, do push ups, make it, tear it up, push ups.

While I was waiting in line to call you, a bird crapped on my friend in line. I guess it's all fun as long as nobody gets hurt.

Two stories:

The guy ran the obstacle course with the bayonet and was ok. Once he was done he forgot to take the bayonet off and he bent down to pick something up and stabbed himself in the throat. He's ok now, but has a big bandage on his neck and feels stupid.

Then last night everyone was blowing CS gas out of our used filters. People (myself included) had snot running down their faces, eyes were swollen shut. It was a BAD idea.

Love,
Trey

Letter to Chuck and Jaira

2005-03-20T03:45:00.000+03:00

Chuck and Jaira,

Good times at Fort Knox. Last week, we learned to use our NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical) masks, and on Friday they gassed us with CS gas in the gas chamber. CS gas is nothing to be toyed with. Not kind to people, cruel stuff. But it only lasted a little while.

We ran the bayonet course on Friday and one kid impaled his neck. That made up late for dinner, because they had to close the course until some commander approved the course to re-open. The kid is OK now; he just has stitches, and people think he’s stupid.

Tomorrow is the beginning of BRM (Basic Rifle Marksmanship). We’ll spend the whole week qualifying on our M-16s. Should be a good week.

We are now in white phase, which means we aren’t treated like complete idiots anymore. But we ca be taken BACK to red phase anytime we mess up. We’re guessing that we’ll be back on red in 2 to 4 days. We have some VERY stupid people in our troop.

I’ve also discovered that scouts measure distance and time differently than the rest of the Army. For Scouts, a 10 minute walk becomes a 20 minute run, and a 3 km march becomes a 5 km march. It’s always something like that. So we’ll be in pretty good shape when we get out of here.

Say hello to Todd for me. Hey, any news on the trebuchet? I either want to see it at work, or at least get a video of it! Andy did Nick get the Job?????? He hasn’t’ written yet, and I’m dying to know. Lindsey enjoys going to church with you, but she hates the drive. Thank you so much for encouraging her. We’ve been reading through Proverbs together, and will probably read Mark next. Speaking of which…. Please read Proverbs 4, the last 3 verses. It perfectly describes the position of attention and proper marching. I laughed SOOOO hard when I read that.

Alright time to go clean the barracks.

Love you guys,

Trey

Letter received 3/8/05

2005-03-08T23:34:00.000+03:00

Feb 28

Mom & Dad,

Thank you so much for sending mail. Every letter brings a smile to my face. I got my first letters Tuesday, and I was so happy that I almost cried!

As you know, there are some real losers in the Army, but the Drill Sgts. are all excellent soldiers. SO obvioulsy the Army takes flawed people, turns them into disciplined soldiers, and only THEN does it promote them.

I've written letters to Jim & Rachel, both grandparents, Stephanie, Chuck and jaira, Nick, Lindsey, and Garth, and Sgt. Heller. And I've gotten quite a bit of mail back. It's hard to find time to write because we only get an hour each day, and some of that time is for showering/personal hygeen.

In fact, a good 50% of the letters I've written have been written with a flashlight in my bunk, in classes, or in the bathroom. So there, you always said it was BAD to sit in the toilet for a long time, but that's how you're getting this letter!

Basic is tough, but not nearly as bad as it could be. The only thing that makes it different than a Twin Arrows Boy Scout Leadership Camp is that I'm surrounded by stupid people & losers (which means frequent group punishment) and that we train for war here.

I need to get back to my squad.

I love you both.

Trey

Letter received 3/7/05

2005-03-08T20:04:00.000+03:00

3/3/05
Linds,
I'm sitting in the medical clinic right now. My knee and ankle are hurting too badly for me to keep up on the ruck marches and runs. Last night I told Drill Sgt Dow about it, I told him that I didn't want to miss any training, but he told me that if I don't go to sick call, and I hurt myself worse, that I won't be able to stay in the troop and would be recycled. He said that if I go to sick call, and the doctors say not to run or ruck march for a few days, that he'll arrange for me to make any training that I miss.

I'm so paranoid about being recycled. It would mean not seeing you for another month. I really don't want to deal with that. And the thought of having to have all new ANGRY drill sgts and all new platoon full of strangers. UGH! And having to repeat all the training I've already had. It would crush me. I just need to heal and then catch up. I hope I can do this. Please pray for me. I'm feeling so beaten down.
Trey

3/4/05
Lindsey,
I was put on profile yesterday. It says that I can't jump, squat, kneel, run and walk faster than my ankles and knees can handle it. They also gave me motrin, tylenol and some cough drops.

But we had 3 REQUIRED events today, so I just had to be tough and make it happen. SO I ran, marched, jumped, squatted and kneeled quite a bit. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

Yesterday after sick call I was taken to meet up with the rest of my platoon. We were out in the woods and taught the basic methods we will use to conduct foot patrols, react to ambushes, recon areas, and respond to indirect fire. So basically, we walked around in the woods all day. Back at camp we were taught how to set up a 360 perimeter, to build fighting positions, and how a patrol enters and exits friendly lines.

AT night we marched around and patrolled some more. When we finally went to bed we were put on 25% alert. Which means that every hour one of our 4 squads had to be awake and patrolling our perimeter. Each squad had two shifts. And it was about 15 degrees outside!! Quite a fun outing, but COLD!!

This morning we ate breakfast and pulled out. The first required event was the bayonet assault course. 3 minutes to run with a bayonet on a rifle through an obstacle course, and to kill all of the dummies on the course. Since we had a time limit to pass, I ran HARD, and my knees and ankles hurt. But I easily passed on my first try.

The second required event was the NBC Chamber, or the gas chamber. I didn't puke, but I will never underestimate the power of cs gas again. That stuff is unreal.

And the last event, with the cs gas still in our eyes and on our skin, was a 3km ruck march. UGH, long day. Tomorrow is Saturday and I plan on taking it as easy as possible. Tomorrow is the day of the 1st big test...BCT 1. Just a simple test to see if we're learning the basic skills we've been taught. It consists of:
1. basic first aid
2. assembly/disassembly/functions test on our M16
3. knowledge of rank/structure and chain of command
4. knowledge of army customs and courtesies

If we all pass the test then we will be put in the "white" phase of training. Which means more freedom and privileges. I hope we all pass.

I need to go to bed now. I'm totally exhausted and I have the 4:00-5:00 fireguard shift Tonight,
Love,
Trey

Poem requested by Trey

2005-03-08T20:03:00.000+03:00

Rudyard Kipling

If

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

Letter received 3/4/05

2005-03-05T05:28:00.000+03:00

3/1/05
Lindsey,
Seriously, lots of the things we have to do are very draining. And when I have no motivation left, I do my best to make you proud. Today was one of those days. Today was bayonet training and pugil stick fighting. I had to fight a guy who outweighed me by a good 40 lbs. He nearly knocked me unconscious 3 times. But I did not quit or fall down until the Drills said stop. And all's well that ends well, and I'm all ok.

But there was also good news today. Our platoon is responsible for setting up the activities for the whole troop this week. And my legs (knees and ankles) have been killing me. I had no idea it would work out this way, but by volunteering to set all the stuff up I was transported by truck to and from everything all day, instead of walking. And I think that now my body will be able to heal.

Oh, and great news. Sgt Heller slipped hometown recruiting into my ACTUAL CONTRACT!! If I don't act like a retard, I'll be back in Oregon for 20 days and only have to work weekdays!! And it won't count towards time off!! Whoopee!! For most people it's kind of hard to get, but I'm a shoo in!!

I think I got paid today. I should get a pay stub sometime soon. You should probably get hold of Garth so that we can get adjoining hotel rooms or a suite or something. He might actually be able to pick you up at the airport (no need for a rental car, perhaps).

I have to go shower
I love you,
Trey

PS I'm going to read Proverbs 1 tonight

Graduation/Family day is April 15th, noonish. I'm also off the 16th and most of the 17th.

Letter to Jaira Hill

2005-03-05T05:26:00.000+03:00

Well, good times at Basic. Chuck, you’ll be interested in knowing that I probably ate in the same D-Fac that you did, and they still have the metal compartment food trays (dated 1942).

We ran an obstacle course the other day. The first time was easy and fun. The second time felt like being impaled. My forearms are crushed. The food at my main D-Fac (Dining Facility) is actually rather good. Nothing like Chuck’s food, but better than I expected.

Today was our official Day 8 of Basic, and we were issued our M16’s. Of my platoon of 32, 2 have dropped out, and a couple more are trying to leave. It amazes me, because this is designed for the average person to succeed. And people who are stronger than me are trying to leave. No backbone.

I miss you guys. It’s strange having to find things in common with people who are NOTHING like me. Chuck, if you want to know about anything specific, let me know. I’ll see you later. Love You, Trey

Letter received 3/2/05

2005-03-03T22:20:00.000+03:00

2/27/05
Lindsey,
I slept under the covers last night. The first time since I've been here. It felt great.

Most of the guys in my squad decided to go to the Muslim service today. No real reason, just because they say they need to "know their enemy". Even the most intelligent and well educated person here (well, I'm smarter; he's more educated :) who has a masters degree in theology thinks that you can't trust any Muslims. It's so frustrating. Everyone says "You'll be killing Muslims soon." But that isn't the point at all. Sure, that's one thing that all the insurgents have in common. But all of the peaceful Iraqis are Muslims too. I prefer to think that we are hunting and killing violent, subversive, fundamentalists. But that is too abstract for everyone here. Even the drill sgts.

Back from breakfast. Oh, I get paid in two days! It will feel good to know that I've made some money here.

My battle buddy - Lucas Pederson - has been getting in trouble lately. He smarts off to the drills. Even thought I disapprove of his being a smart aleck, it's funny to watch.

Oh, and I've discovered that a good 60-70% of the guys here either have kids under the age of 2, or their wives/girlfriends are pregnant.

Please, please tell me what you are reading in your bible. I'd like to read the same things. Perhaps you and I could both read a chapter of Proverbs each day of March. There are 31 chapters, so I per day.

This coming week we'll learn to use our gas masks, and on Friday we'll go to the infamous gas chamber. I think we may stay out all Thursday night. That would be very cool.

Rumor has reached us that about 50% of us will be going to Fort Hood, TX. I also heard 2 conflicting versions of when we find out. Some people say on week 8, others say week 15.

Please send me a photocopy of the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling. Also send me any interesting poems or anything cool like that.

I'm thinking about where I'll get stationed, and I don't really want to go to N. Korea. It's damn cold! But the food would be good and I'd get to choose any duty station I want after serving there.

Just got back from Sunday school. Good times. Blatchley and Fread are both in 1st platoon, and I'm in 3rd, so I only get to hang out with them on Sundays.

1st platoon has 2 drills that just SUCK. Drill Sgt Price and Drill Sgt Felosi. They're evil and consistently beat the living crap out of everyone in 1st. I'm SO glad I'm in 3rd platoon.

While I was in Sunday school the guys finished cleaning the room. SO I think I might get a phone call!! With any luck, we'll be talking in a few hours. I'm so excited!!

Well, I missed the freaking Protestant service. After lunch I went to the bathroom, talked to my friends who went to the Muslim service for like 1 minute, and they left for the service without me.

On a brighter note, everyone who went to the Islamic service had a great time and now understands that all Muslims are not fanatics and terrorists. I had 2 burgers and fries for lunch. Quite relaxing. I usually avoid them to stay healthy.

How are Amelia and Frank doing? Anything new in the news? We're going to the PX soon. I don't really need to buy anything. I just need a haircut.

Tomorrow will probably suck, but if we can get everyone to study and get ready for the upcoming test we will be ok.

I love you,
Trey

Letter received 3/2/05

2005-03-03T03:13:00.000+03:00

2/26/05
Linds,
Tomorrow is Sunday, so it should be (relatively) relaxing. I'll try and catch up on letter writing.

One guy in my squad (of 7 men) is probably being kicked out for being gay. Our drill sergeants were pissed off because someone made fun of him and verbally harassed him about it, which is a military crime. I may have to make a sworn statement that he announced it to our squad.

We've been learning about marching in formation today. It's actually fun stuff.

Oh, and it should be known that I am injured. Not too bad and I hope to be better by Monday. It's just pain in the ankles and knees because I'm not used to the impact of running.

We've been working on breaking down and putting together our M16's. Drill Sgt. Ward is actually enjoying this a bunch. We have each squad (8 per squad) in their room, and he's going from room to room timing people. I'm not the best, but I'm in the top 90%.

My friend McWalter, from south Boston, is having a hard time with his M16. He's pretty smart but has a QUICK Irish temper, especially with himself. And when he's frustrated it slows him down.

I love you,
Trey

Letter received 2/28/05

2005-03-01T02:04:00.000+03:00

Linds,
I got all of your letters last night and only had 20 official minutes to read them before lights out. So on fireguard shift I went to the bathroom and read some more.

You asked about fighting and beatings [if it took place]. NO WAY. 5 to 10 years ago, I don't know, but this army wouldn't put up with ANY of it. Our drills would destroy us with push ups if they found out about ANY of it. SO there is no fighting, just teamwork.

About guard duty/fire duty. It isn't really "guard duty". We don't guard the gate to Fort Knox or anything else, just each other and it is used for 2 reasons. One is to keep people from sneaking out to buy candy, make phone calls, or go AWOL (leave the army). The second is to teach us the importance of duty. It's tough to get up in the middle of the night, just walk around the hall, but if you learn to do it, just because it's an order, you learn the meaning of duty. The third "secret" reason is because it keeps us tired, which makes people break more easily.

You also asked about why the army will let people go. You sounded surprised that 2 people had already left, but they are the ones who completely broke. Both of them were let out because they went literally crazy. There are about 10 more in my platoon of 30 that have tried to get out by asking to leave, but they can't.

I love you,
Trey

PPS I got all of your mail - my first letters since I got here, on Tuesday after President's Day. We had just been TORTURED with PT. Were taken into an empty room in our hall wearing full sweat suits, the door was closed, and blinds drawn. Then we did push ups and sit ups for 90 minutes until the floor was slick with sweat and humidity that we couldn't stand up without sliding. And it was 100 degrees in the room by the time we were done. That sucked. And I got your letters for encouragement 5 minutes later, while still drenched in sweat.

Letter received 2/27/05

2005-02-27T15:13:00.000+03:00

Feb 16, 05
Mom & Dad,

Today was the third day of official training. We've been here a total of 6 days (at the 6/15 Cav.) and it's been tough, but doable. Yesterday felt like death itself, but when you only get 6 hours of sleep or so, nothing feels too ... permanent? I'm looking for a good description.

We get up at 4:45-5:00 or so, and do a morning workout, eat breakfast at 6:30 or so, and then do a morning of some activities or instruction. Lunch is at 11:30 to 12:00ish, and then we have an afternoon of classes. By the time dinner time arrives, it feels like two whole days have passed.

I have a feeling that our training is accellerated in order to emphasize certain tasks that are a priority for Cav Scouts. Our Drill Sgts. are all Scouts, and they've already made it clear that we will not be doing nearly as much marching and cleaning and "filler" as people who undergo regular basic training. We will be getting our rifles tomorrow,on day 4, instead of week 4. We've already done a 3-4 mile rock march, and done the most terrible things they can make us do, "Victory Hill" - which is government funded torture. All the other trainees who are further along than us, say that after 3 weeks it's not too bad at all. And for me, it's never been ridiculously tough. Hard, yes. Impossible, not even close.

I miss Lindsey tons. But that's how life can be. I've got several good friends. One kid from Oregon named Brady Batchley. He's a good Christian, reminds me of Chris Koeshall.

I have to go to bed now, but I love you VERY much.
Love you, Trey
P.S. Do NOT send any food or candy!! And tell anyone you give my address the same thing. They will punish me if you send it.

To Mom & Dad Feb. 6

2005-02-27T14:58:00.000+03:00

Today was probably the best day I'll have for the next few months. I was truly impressed with the Army. We woke up at 4:10am and were actually taught something ... the basics of marching. Breakfast was great and we really didn't have too much supervision. We all sat in a big room all morning, went to lunch, then I went to church. Quick funny story ...

The Drill Sargent announced that the Protestant service would be at 1:00pm, and also mentioned times for Catholic, Jewish, Islamic, and Mormon services. Two (obviously highly religious and intelligent) soldiers asked when the Christian service would be, and another guy was angry because he was surrounded by heathens because nobody announced a Baptist service. And the real kicker ... one guy said that the service was called the "prodigy" service.

Then this evening they led us to a big room and served us pizza - delivery pizza, not mess hall - and soda and chips and let us watch the Super Bowl. And my Eagles lost.

Tomorrow I'll get a series of shots and all sorts of uncomfortable stuff. But today was great. God Bless.
I love you, Trey

Letter received 2/26/05

2005-02-27T08:56:00.000+03:00

2/21/05
Linds,
Tonight has been majorly messed up. From the moment woke up stuff has been strange.

Every morning the drills inspect the barracks and mess up anything that isn't done right. So this morning, they threw the entire contents of two wall lockers out the 3rd floor window. Into the mud. Little did we know, but they also took every single thing that wasn't nailed down, and threw it down the hallway. They even wrote on the floors with permanent marker.

So we cleaned that up. And went to classes. But classes ended 2.5 hours earlier than they were supposed to so we cleaned the entire hallway. But for some reason the drills decided to take away 30 minutes of our free time to make us clean more. But there was nothing left to clean.

I'm frustrated. Teach me to survive and win wars; don't waste my time, stupid army.

Lights out and I still have to shower.

Miss you and love you,
Trey

-Another note included-

Linds,
Today they tried to run my bloody legs off. Felt great after we were done.
Since I've been here, I've realized what terrible shape I'm in. We're in better shape than the general public, but not in great shape. And in a couple of years it will be harder to get into shape. I wish I had started working out before I got here.

Today the classroom session was about racism and sexism. We have had several race based arguments in our platoon, and hopefully this will help fix the problem.

My sinus infection is still bad, and my cough is getting worse. I just need some sleep for once.

I love you,
Trey

Letter received 2/24/05

2005-02-24T23:44:00.000+03:00

Trey did not say to post this, but he did not specify not to, so...
2/19/05
Today they tried to kill us. But they can't. I may not be the fastest or the strongest, but I have the will.

When we sit down in the classrooms we have to chant in unison:
Scouts on the warpath, scouts on the hill
Scouts in the desert, racking up kills
Two sets of tracks, staking out the sides
I'm a badass mother, I'm a Delta by God
We are the cavalry, mount up!

For an hour and a half they ran us up and down a sawdust pit. By "ran" I mean crawled the entire time. Then we dragged each other, then we carried each other, then crawled. I crawled over 1.5 miles today. But I won't quit. Lights out, more in the morning -

2/20/05
Well, Sunday school was good but church service was boring as can be. The Chaplin tries to make the service generic for as many different denominations as possible, so none of it was particularly good, mostly just generic stuff that nobody has any problems with.

There was a fire alarm in the barracks today, so that was exciting. We've had some nasty weather lately, and I have had a terrible-awful-disgusting sinus infection for at least 4 days now. Sometimes I can hardly breathe.

Quick funny story. The drill sgts in the 1st platoon here are VERY mean, and one kid lost one, just one of his boots. Drill came down the hall looking for the boot yelling, "Are you telling me there's a one legged private in here?" One smartaleck kid stuttered back, "Drill Sgt, that's impossible, drill sgt." I thought that was hysterical.

Anyways, we have about 6 privates out of 31 who are just plain stupid. Seriously, just incredibly dumb. A drill sgt in reception called cav scouts "tank targets", meaning that enemy tanks are afraid of and will fire on scouts. One kid in our platoon asked one of the drill sgts a week later, based on that statement, if OUR tanks were going to use us for target practice.

I'm crossing my fingers and hoping that I'll be able to call you today. By the way, any phone calls you're going to get from me WILL be on Sunday. By week 6 or so I'll be able to talk about 10-15 minutes per week. I'm hoping for 5 minutes today. If I don't get you I'll call Nick. But I want to talk to you.

I love you,
Trey

Letter to Jaira Hill

2005-02-17T21:52:00.000+03:00

Feb. 7, 2005

Well, the weekend is finally over and we did some processing today. First we had a bunch of lectures about what we will be doing the next few days. I will probably get my first and last phone call tomorrow.

After the lectures it was time for pain and agony, so we got our shots and blood taken. 7 shots total, 2 in the right shoulder, 1 in the right tricep, 3 in the left shoulder and 1 in the left forearm. They needed 2 vials of blood from me, one for a drug/HIV test, the other to use to keep my DNA on file to identify any remains. It started to rain then, so we went back, cleaned the barracks and had lunch. There are people here who are SO VERY stupid. Literally dysfunctional and stupid.

Lunch went by quickly and so we went and got our real clothes and boots. (We have been wearing the same exact clothes for three days now, and our civilian shoes were soaked from the rain.) We all feel way better and more confident now that we have our boots. All the stuff issued today has a value of over $750.00.

Some kid took a package of crackers from the mess hall, which is considered theft by the entire US army. We all had to do RIDICULOUS stuff because of that. Pushups, but SO slowly that they killed us all after 5 of them. Evil leg lifts, and held out our arms for so long that they still hurt. Oh, and some stupid kids knocked over a full mop bucket and flooded the barracks.

As I’m writing this, there is an incredible conversation going on. An 18 year old that I outrank is insisting that I’m 17. Another kid is explaining to everyone that “college goes Associate, Degree, Bachelors, Masters, PhD, and Doctorate, and one guy has all 6.” Simply some very stupid people.

Please post this on the website for me, and call Lindsey to tell her I’m okay, and that a letter is on the way for her. Tell Chuck that the mess halls are probably the same ones he was in. I miss you all very much.

Love you, Trey

PS. They let us watch the Super Bowl! Tell Nick that he’s lucky the Eagles lost. Go team Elf!!

Trey's address

2005-02-17T02:28:00.000+03:00

2/16/05
I put his address on the sidebar, tried to fill in his blanks, but it looks strange because it was done through some strange computer commands script and his address isn't anything like he thought it would be. So here it is again, and he wants everyone to know not to send packages or food of any kind because he will get in trouble. Just send letters until he says otherwise.

PFC Merrell, John
I Trp. 6/15 Cav. 1st ATB
3rd Plt. Undertakers
Fort Knox, KY 40121

He wants letters so please write him as often as you want!
Thanks,
Lindsey

Letter, received 2/8/05

2005-02-10T19:41:00.000+03:00

Trey writes 2/5/05:
Well, now I know why everyone says that reception sucks. First of all, we basically have nothing to do all day. It's partly because we got here on Friday and nothing happens on weekends. We spent the whole day "cleaning" the already clean barracks. Woke up at 4:25AM instead of 5:00AM because some kids didn't show up for their guard duty, so they woke everyone up and made us stand in the cold until 6:30AM. At this point, the only uniforms we have are one pair of sweat pants and shirt, and one pair of shorts and t-shirt. It was below freezing outside (all of the puddles were frozen solid) so it's easy to see that we were all VERY cold.
Secondly, everyone here is an "expert" about the army. Everyone wants to tell you what to do, when to do it, how to do it, when you'll ship out, and what to act like when you get to basic. The trouble is that these "experts" are lower rank than I am, and have only been in the army 1-2 days longer than me. Since the sergeants that run reception just want to keep the peace, they let the bullies pretend they're big and important. Once basic starts, that should all change.
So far the food has been reasonably good. We don't get much time to eat, but we get plenty of food. Mis-information and dis-information abound, people tell everyone, with great confidence, that "your training doesn't start for 2 months." But I have yet to meet anyone who's been here for more than a couple of weeks. I'm confident, handling the transition well, and I can't wait to actually DO something. I'll get you an address ASAP.
Later,
Trey

Phone Call

2005-02-10T19:35:00.000+03:00

Trey was able to call for a few minutes on Tuesday February 8th. He asked how everyone was, if there was any major news. He said that reception is so boring but that he has met a few guys. A group of the guys are all from Oregon so they are all trying to request Ft. Lewis in Washington together. He said he should have an address in a few more days. Someone in the background said time's up, and he said his goodbye.

Lindsey

He's Gone

2005-02-04T08:11:00.000+03:00

Hello everyone, this is Lindsey! I'm writing to update the past 24 hours of events and I will be updating this site everytime I receive word from Trey. With the exception of this post (and maybe a few others if I hear from him by phone this weekend) I intend to uphold the integrity of his letters and simply communicate verbatim what he writes and wants me to share. I hope others who are lucky to get snail mail will do the same and share with everyone; we are in this together!

So, Trey was picked up by his recruiter Tuesday afternoon at about 3:15PM. He signed him in and dropped him off with his roommate, Rob, who we both know from REI, at the hotel. Trey waited at the lovely, 70's deco Thunderbird Hotel while Nick and I were stuck in traffic until about 5:30PM. When we arrived he was in great spirits and excited to get things rolling. Trey, Nick, Rob and I took off to the Denney's close by where he feasted on a gi-normous breakfast platter. We were joined by a few of Rob's friends. We hung out, kept conversations light and positive. At 8PM we headed back to the hotel and said our goodbyes. We tried to keep them brief since it was pretty difficult and stressful for everyone. Nick gave Trey some going away Funonions (spelling?)and I got a huge hug and kiss and a promise to keep in touch, keep me in his heart and his prayers. I told him I was proud of him, love him and that I'm praying for him. He watched us pull out of the lot, waved and walked away with his head held high.

Trey was able to phone me this afternoon and we talked for about 20 minutes. He insisted on knowing how I was and what I did today(but I won't bore you with my day). He said his day went as follows: woke up 4:30AM, went to MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) at and basically waited all day long. He said he had to sign some papers, get checked out by the doctors to make sure are limbs were accounted for, all which should've taken 30 minutes. However, he was there until 1. He got his first test of patience with some guys that couldn't comprehend or grasp concepts such as passing papers or waiting for their name to be called. He was quite frustrated. There are 3 other guys at the hotel that are going to Ft. Knox and Trey was told that he was in charge of them since he has the highest rank. Two are cabs as well and one is a tanker. He leaves Friday morning on a plane to Dallas at and then onto Ft. Knox, Kentucky. He will be in reception from Friday to next Thursday. That was it for today but if he calls next week I will certainly post. He is supposed to let me know as soon as he gets all of his mailing information. Keep him in your prayers!
Love,
Lindsey

I'm out!

2005-02-03T01:27:00.000+03:00

Sgt. Heller will be here to pick me up in 30 minutes. I'd like to thank everyone for the support and encouragement, I'll be thinking of you all and doing my best to make you proud. I'm ready and eager to get started, may God give me the strength.

Trey

Ready to go

2005-02-02T03:50:00.000+03:00

Well, today was busy. Something about leaving everything behind that makes packing take a while. First I went and picked Lindsey up and took her to the DMV to register the truck in her name. Amazingly, we were in and out in under 30 minutes. So we ate breakfast, purchased more postage stamps, and then headed out to the airport to meet Lindsey's dad.

They went to her house, and I spent the afternoon packing up the last of my things and filling out my tax returns. Dropped everything off at Linseys, and went to Target. Tonight Chuck and Jaira are meeting Linds and Nick and I at Applebees.

Tomorrow will be just a weird. My recruiter is required to deliver me personally to the hotel that I ship out from. So Nick and Linds are going to pick me up from the Hotel and we'll hang out until 10:00 when I have to be checked back in. Once they do that, I'm GONE.

I'll try to post again tomorrow during the day.

Laters,

Trey

The going away party

2005-01-31T00:03:00.000+03:00

Scotty, Me, Nick, Kat, Leah, and Wayne Newton

Nothing like a good pre-army hazing.
I didn't even have a fighting chance.

So last night was the going away party. It was great, a few people from REI showed up, and a bunch of my friends from George Fox. Petey even came from Idaho and brought his dog. We ate 6 huge pizzas, and generally had a great time.

After a couple of hours, everyone came downstairs, and while I wasn't paying attention moved all of the furniture to the sides of the room. Then Darren tackled me and everyone held me down while Scott wrote on me with permanent marker. Had NO idea it was coming.

In the process, I kicked Kat (Sorry Kat, I thought you were Nick! - Nick, I kill you!) And we also got a picture of Darren, which may be the first picture any of us have EVER gotten of him. I don't think his mother even has any pictures of him. So here it is for all of you to see.

Today, I'm moving my stuff out to Bonnie and Harry's place and I've already taken a load of stuff to Lindsey's apartment (bookshelves, etc...) Tonight we're going back out to Chuck and Jaira's and I'll get to see Todd before I leave.

Later,

Trey

The death of the Jeep

2005-01-28T17:25:00.001+03:00

Me by the truck

The now dead Jeep

Well, The Jeep is officially dead. After quite a bit of thought and research, Lindsey agreed that the easiest thing to to is for her to learn how to drive a stick, and use my truck while I'm away for training. So last night, Nick and I jump started the truck, inflated the flat tire, and the truck has be brought back to life.

I'm getting very excited about shipping out for OSUT (One Station Unit Training - Basic and Advanced training combined). I'll probably spend the day packing things up and hopefully pick up some book boxes from REI. My friends Paul and Joey are coming down from Seattle to see me before I leave and will get here tonight.

I've also decided which duty stations I'm going to request once I'm given the chance. The Army lets soldiers pick 3 CONUS (Continental United States) and 3 OCONUS (Non Continental) bases. My CONUS choices will be....

Fort Lewis, WA

Fort Drum, NY - 10th Mountain Div

Fort Campbell, KY - 101st Airborne

And my OCONUS choices:

Southern European Task Force (Airborne) - Vicenza, Italy

Fort Wainwright, AK

Bamberg, Germany - 1st Infantry Division

Fort Lewis is an obvious choice. It's close to all my friends and family in Oregon, and I LOVE the Northwest. The 10th Mountain Division is an easy choice because they train in Colorado and Alaska and are the only mountain division in the Army. And Fort Campbell is a good choice because the 101st Airborne is a great unit, and my friend Garth is stationed there.

The OCONUS choices were a bit more tricky. The first one in Italy is a fery small contingent, and would be nearly impossible for me to get into, so I placed it first because I'm pretty sure I won't get it. Fort Wainwright in Alaska sounds GREAT to me for several reasons. First, it's Alaska. It may get cold, but I like cold and I love snow. Second, it's not far from Oregon. And finally Bamberg Germany would be simply great, because I'd be back in Europe again.

Nothing is ever easy

2005-01-28T00:04:00.000+03:00

The new Army Stryker vehicle.

Well, today my mom left Portland. We had a great time while she was here.

But nothing can be too simple, so Lindsey's Jeep broke down, and it sounds like it won't be worth repairing. Her grandmother is being put in a nursing home, and I leave for the Army in less than a week now. So Lindsey is VERY stressed, which means I'm very stressed.

Hopefully we'll be able to find her a new vehicle and be able to sell the broken Jeep before I leave.

Some links, just because....
172nd SBCT @ Fort Wainwright, AK
10th Mountain Div. @ Fort Drum, NY
Improvements to Cav Scout training

Duty stations

2005-01-25T10:54:00.000+03:00

A genuine Argentine BBQ

The Army lets each soldier request 3 US duty stations and 3 overseas duty stations. You actually get to choose a Division sized unit, and each unit has an assigned base. Since so many of my friends live in Portland, I'm going to request the Stryker units stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, which are only a few hours north of Portland.

The 1-14 Cav @ Fort Lewis
The 2-14 Cav @ Fort Lewis

The Stryker is the Army's newest fast and mobile attack vehicle. It is an armored wheeled vehicle that comes in several variations, of which I will probably be using the reconnaissance version.

Information on the Stryker

Hey everyone!

2005-01-24T10:25:00.000+03:00

Grandpa Groot and me

Hey, this is Trey. I just set up this blog to keep everyone up to date on what's up with me during and after basic training. Linds will update it all as often as I can write her. Today I went to the Hills house and Chuck took the time to teach me (very patiently) how to take apart an M16 (actually an AR-15, but the exact same firing mechanism).

I'm very excited about heading out to basic, and pleased that my mom is here right now to visit for a few days before I ship out. Everyone has been super supportive, so now I just have to start getting in shape in the little time I have.

More later on what a Cav Scout is and does.

Laters,
Trey