Military stories from past to present, both wars.

Finally home in Texas

October 31st, 2008 Posted in The SandGram v1.0
Hey Gang,
I’ve been home for a week now and apologize for not getting a post out sooner. The trip home is a long and painful process that included a four day visit at Bagram Airbase north of Kabul, then a four hour flight over to Kuwait and out from there. Now that I’m home, I guess I can let you in on some of my stuff and I will be posting stories about my time there that I just didn’t have time to write or didn’t feel it was appropriate to write about at the time.  I worked for the US Embassy in Kabul and drove by myself everyday to a base close by, so hence the need for OPSEC to preclude me from being another video on YouTube if the bad guys got frisky and tried to kidnap me or set up an ambush. 
 
Driving was interesting to say the least since 90% of the locals in Kabul don’t know how to drive and those that do, don’t do it very well.  It always cracked me up to be stuck behind a donkey cart with a young boy on the front begging his animal to move along.  There were bicycles everywhere and you had to dodge them constantly and also watch out for the possible suicide bomber sneaking up next to you using his bike or motorcycle as two wheeled death machine.  Putting on 70 pounds of gear has compressed my spine about a 1/2 inch I think, but I sure don’t miss that part of driving around. I loved the tunes that Natzo, a supporter from Iraq sent me, especially the Grateful Dead.  The guards who inspected your car before you could enter the base parking loved it too!  I would crack the door and crank the music as they looked all over your car for any bombs that might be lurking underneath.  I always wanted to put some playdo in a plastic bag attached to an old cell phone with a bunch of wires sticking out just to see what they would do.  There is a form of social welfare in Kabul where they give you a uniform and an AK 47 and declare you fit to guard the streets. You could count on there being one or two of these guys every twenty feet or so down the roads.  I didn’t feel safer because who was the guy in the uniform? You never really knew.
 
I have to go help out at my girls school today, but promise I will write more. I just needed some down time to decompress here at home and unpack.
S/F
Taco

  1. 29 Responses to “Finally home in Texas”

  2. By Mrs G on Oct 31, 2008

    Glad to hear. You take all the time you need.

    Welcome home Taco!

  3. By LT Nixon on Oct 31, 2008

    Welcome back! We missed you at the milblog conference.

  4. By GunnNutt on Oct 31, 2008

    WELCOME HOME, TACO!!!!!

    Yes, we’ve been miffed at you for not writing, but knowing you’re home makes it all OK.

  5. By Helen Chen on Oct 31, 2008

    Welcome back. ;-) I was about to post a question asking if anyone had heard from you… So happy to know that you’re home.

  6. By Murphy on Oct 31, 2008

    Welcome home.

    No need to apologize, I’m sure there’s just a few things to keep you busy…

  7. By Mrs. Diva on Oct 31, 2008

    WELCOME HOME!!

    You’ve been missed :)

  8. By al gore on Oct 31, 2008

    Well THAT explains the 2 earth quakes in your area last night…right??

    Welcome home!

  9. By Sammy D on Oct 31, 2008

    Welcome home, Taco. I’m sure Tee and the chicks and Taco, Jr. are thrilled to have Daddy back in the nest. It’s been somewhat of a wild ride for us at home with unsettling events political, economical and family wise. Even if I neglected to write, I thought about you every day, and prayed for your safe return. Will look forward to your insightful, side-splitting chronicles in the months ahead. God Bless you for your service.

  10. By Leta on Nov 1, 2008

    So happy for you, T and the little ones that you are home SAFE and SOUND. We’re not going anywhere. Take all of the time y’all need to get settled in and catch up on that important family stuff.

  11. By Karen I. on Nov 1, 2008

    Welcome home and thanks again. So glad you’re home safe.

  12. By Taco Bell on Nov 1, 2008

    Hey guys, thanks a ton!! Got home to a house full of sick kiddo’s. One has Strep throat,the other bronchitis and then Jake has Roseola (sp) I love being able to share the pain with the wife…ha!! talk to you all soon.
    s/f
    Taco

  13. By Maj Pain on Nov 1, 2008

    WELCOM HOME!!!! I have a stoagy for ya!!!

  14. By ACE CT Troop Supporter on Nov 2, 2008

    Hey LTC B: Glad to read that you are now on Good old American Soil, There’s No Place Like Home For The Holidays, Enjoy.

  15. By Becky Krizan on Nov 3, 2008

    Welcome Home…. Bless you for the sacrifices you and your family have made, and bless those little ones that they might be well soon. What a NORMAL thing to come home to…. yeah, it’s a butt-kickin up and down all night thing, sick kids, but it’s so normal….. so very far removed from over there. And a very good reason to shut out the world and just nest with your family – something I’m sure you wanted, anyway. May He hold you and yours in the palms of His hands, and grant you peace and rest. And thank you.

  16. By lela on Nov 3, 2008

    Taco…welcome home!

  17. By linda on Nov 3, 2008

    Good to know you’re safe at home with your family!

  18. By cary on Nov 3, 2008

    Welcome Home, Taco!

    Semper Fi!

  19. By Old Soldier on Nov 5, 2008

    Welcme home, and well done. Looking forward to some stories.

  20. By ABWF on Nov 5, 2008

    Welcome home! I look forward to reading the stories you’ll be posting now that you are back. Hopefully the kids are well on the way to recovery by this point.

  21. By asupporter4ever on Nov 6, 2008

    “WELCOME HOME” TACO!!!!

  22. By asupporter4ever on Nov 6, 2008

    OOOOOPS!!!!Got so excited you were home jumping up and down that I posted before I was finished! (Laughing) It’s good to have you back and I’m sure the family is happy to have you home.
    Linda P. :)

  23. By Some Soldier's Mom on Nov 6, 2008

    welcome home, Taco! Enjoy that wonderful family!

  24. By Cathy B on Nov 6, 2008

    Welcome home!! Your postings to Any Soldier were quite interesting and informative. Hope the kids get better quickly and you get some decompression time.

  25. By seaurchin on Nov 7, 2008

    WELCOME HOME TACO!!

    It’s good to hear from you again! :)

    Keep taking care of your beautiful family. There’ll be plenty of time to catch up!

  26. By Nat on Nov 8, 2008

    Hola, Taco —

    I’m so glad you’re back safe and sound. Glad you liked the tunes, too. Let me know if anyone else needs music love. I love to make CDs. Have a good one. Yeah, Marines!

    – Natzo

  27. By Natzo on Nov 8, 2008

    PS: The burka was a hit at school.

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/phatnat/2797178197/

  28. By Karen I on Nov 10, 2008

    Happy Birthday Marines, with thanks!

  29. By ellen on Nov 10, 2008

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS….SEMPER FI

  30. By Susie M. on Nov 10, 2008

    Hi Taco! Let me add my good wishes for a happy reunion with your family. We are so glad you are safely home. Thanks for everything you do. Happy 1st Birthday to Jake and Happy Birthday USMC!

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