A diary of my adventures 2006-07-07T20:31:44-04:00 Copyright 2004-2005 Ublog Reload 1.0.5 admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=43 2006-05-24T22:00:00-04:00 2006-05-24T22:00:00-04:00 2006-05-24T22:00:00-04:00
The post is in about the middle of the state. The largest town nearby is La Crosse to the west. Those of us who mobilized through Ft. Bliss are getting a lot of dumb looks when we go to turn in our issued equipment and nobody knows what to do with us here. Those of us who mobilized from other bases are getting especially vacant responses. The weapons guy had no idea we were on the way until the bobtail van backed into his warehouse loaded with all our weapons. I'm trying to see how to get back to Ft. Bliss but it's going to take some time. Right now the unit has been released to go drink beer so things are pretty quiet here...for a few hours. I'm going to take a loooong shower (anything over the four-minute desert shower is long, but this is going to be loooong) and read myself to sleep after a long, long day.

Love to all,
Charles
]]> admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=41 2006-05-19T13:18:22-04:00 2006-05-19T13:18:22-04:00 2006-05-19T13:18:22-04:00 [Editor: from Charles' email 5/19/06]
The Navy's CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters landed at Camp Bucca this afternoon and gave us the best sight of the post we've seen in a year - the FOB from the back of a helicopter...slowly growing smaller in the distance. We're at Camp Virginia now in Kuwait. The Army units here are much more laid back than those in the combat zone - looks like we're the only ones carrying weapons and wearing the Army P.T. uniform. The D-Fac was full of US service members (all services) but the ones not in duty uniform were wearing civilian clothes (against regulation at Camp Bucca). There were plenty of Australian troops, Japanese and also Bosnian.

The rest of our unit will be here in pieces by Monday from Abu Ghraib. We remain hopeful about how things will go . Our flight to Ft. McCoy should be leaving sometime next week.

Love to all,

Charles
]]> admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=42 2006-05-18T13:23:57-04:00 2006-05-18T13:23:57-04:00 2006-05-18T13:23:57-04:00 [editor's note: John Philips owns Premier Transfer & Storage, with locations in Blacksburg and Salem, VA. He has served with Henry & Charles Bass at Va Tech Army ROTC, and deployed to Iraq close to when Charles deployed, but served much further north.]

To my many friends, family, and wonderful supporters:



Greetings from Al Kassick, Iraq. I have not written everyone in a very long time. The weeks are moving along and the end seems to be in sight. I am relieved to be able to count significantly less than 100 days remaining in my deployment. Everyone has been wonderful in providing email, packages, letters and encouragement. It makes a difference that is hard to understand until it is experienced. Thank you! I am doing fine thankfully with only the normal hassles that come with Army life. Our area has become significantly more remote but the Iraqi Army is stepping up to the plate and doing a good job helping out. This letter is slightly different than my past letters. After weeks of watching the media attempt to destroy the success America has had in Iraq I decided I had to finally express my own opinion.



This morning I woke up and looked at the internet and saw what looks like will be a terrible story of Marines killing civilians last November. It made me extremely mad and very upset. I am getting close to serving more than one complete year of my life for this war and I can see first hand the incredibly positive difference we are making in the lives of the Iraqi citizens. I want to tell you why that is and hope that you will continue to support the troops in Iraq.



Before we were here this country was not peaceful it simply lived in the fear of death. Imagine that the policeman on the corner of your neighborhood was doing more than watching for speeding cars. That policeman was talking to your neighbors about you, or talking to your children about you, and trying to determine if you represented a threat to the government. It did not take much to win the attention of the police. If you didn’t like the fact that you did not receive water from the water truck but your neighbor that was bribing the water man did receive water – you represented a threat to the police. If you took initiative or tried to improve your situation and someone else was jealous – you represented a threat to the government. Most likely you would be sent to prison. If you did end up in prison there certainly was nothing called human rights. Torture was a routine not an exception. Numerous Iraqi soldiers I live with have spent time in prison simply because of their nationality. Some don’t hear, some are nearly disabled and every one of them has direct relatives that were killed by Saddam Hussein’s secret police or army. It was a horrible place.



Now, we did make some mistakes on how we took over this country. Everyone agrees. There is no such thing as a perfect war. In fact, war is the last thing anyone ever wants to happen. However, we also did many things correctly.



We should look at what this country is going through right now. We have an entire country that is learning about human rights, civil rights, capitalism, and democracy at the same time. I have heard it described as taking the American Revolution, our Civil War, our Civil Rights Movement, and the 1930s depression and hosting them all at the same time in the same country without an existing government --- pretty tough to do all of that, form a new Army and expect it all to be nicely fixed in a year or two. This might work on television but not in real life.



School children go to school here every day. There is a harvest that is looking like it may be a record harvest because of a good season of rain. Iraqi Army units are taking over parts of the country and relieving US units of ground responsibility every month. The markets are open. People line up and sheiks beg for the ability to put more young men into the Iraqi Army. In fact, where I am located we had a recruiting drive for the Army and on the second day we were sadly stuck by a suicide bomber killing 40. The very next day we limited the number to 100 and turned away tractor trailer loads of people. The terrorist failed in their attempt to scare off the recruits. In Northern Iraq, the Kurdish area, it is like being somewhere in Europe. All nationalities move freely. It is fully secure. There are no IEDs. There are no suicide bombers or midnight attacks, or execution squads or kidnappers. Thanks to the 1991 Gulf War and 10 years of no-fly zone limitations, the Kurdish north lives under a democratic government and maintains a very safe region.



There is much to be improved in Iraq. There is much to be improved in America. The vast, vast, vast majority of Iraqis live very peacefully minding their own business much more worried about surviving their poverty and illiteracy then about the “war.” There are places where this is not the case. In those places the minority wields incredible power over the majority by the use of force and intimidation. Regretfully, this is what we read in the newspapers and see on television. Naturally we apply this situation to all of Iraq regardless of where it might be limited. Two things give Americans eschewed outlook on the Iraq war – the media and our natural instinct to compare the daily existence of Iraqis to our own situation. The media is a business – it must sell and it certainly is easier to sell sex and violence than peace and routine. And finally, the Iraqi citizen is not living a life that is much worse off than citizens in many African countries, Egypt, Pakistan, India and other locations where poverty beats down hope and initiative.



I sometimes wonder if anyone has paused to compare our situations very openly. Yes, there are insurgents in Iraq trying to gain power through violence and intimidation. How is this different from the gangs in America’s own inner-cities? I wonder if we really recognize the number of people in the United States murdered everyday and compare that to the number of people killed in Iraq – yet it is Iraq that is the location that is at war?



If you travel north entering the peaceful Kurdish region it is an epiphany of sorts. I found myself without body armor, without my long rifle, eating among a nationality that is among the most respectful, hospitable and caring in the world. Everyone wants their picture made with a soldier. People give gifts despite their economic circumstances. Appreciation for what the United States has done flows wherever we go despite our Army’s embarrassing mistakes. Someday most of Iraq will be like this and another culture will wake up from tyranny, fanaticism, sectarian violence and recognize that freedom has its own struggles but is incredibly worth the price. The people to thank when this happens will be the citizens of the United States of America where we believe that free and individual rights are worth the sacrifice. I just pray that we will have the patience to understand that this type of revolution and revelation both take time – perhaps an entire generation.



There are places in Iraq where urban combat is an hour to hour situation. I spent some time in one. But do not forget the Iraqi people and their desire for peace. Do not be misled by our own sensationalism and desire to see those in our own country in power to fall for whatever reason.



Remember, the vast amount of soldiers understand why we are here, are proud of their service, can recognize the positive difference that is being made, and fully understand the difference between right and wrong.



I work with an Iraqi Army General everyday. I am incredibly proud of him and his unit and all that they have accomplished in a short time. Today we spoke for nearly an hour about Iraq’s future. While it is easy to see the darkness he looks around and sees the light of Japan, Germany, all of Europe and the horrible histories they endured, the positive impact the US had on their history and the struggles they endured to get to their current situation of freedom, peace and prosperity.



I think he is right, although it will not happen quickly, Iraq now understands there is a future that is bright with peace and for a change, with patience, there is hope again.



Thank you for your support to me, my fellow soldiers, and all of the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

John.

John S. Phillips
Major, SC

]]> admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=25 2005-11-01T12:42:06-04:00 2005-11-01T12:42:06-04:00 2005-11-01T12:42:06-04:00
We have an addition to the staff here at the clinic, which is a relief. There are ordinarily six on my staff at the TIF to work with detainees - two psych nurses, three techs and me. A nurse and a tech are on leave and another tech is on pass. The other nurse had foot surgery today and is going to be convalescent for a few days. So, my NCOIC and I are joined by 1LT Barry Zablenski. He's on loan to us from the 785th MPs and, due to his master's degree and doctoral work in counseling it is befitting that he do something more mental-health-flavored than being an MP. The position of "medical liasion" is new and unique, so we're creating an answer to a need. He's going to patrol (lurk, really) around the compound and pounce on anybody who looks remotely glum, shake them violently and shout, "How do you feel?!?"

Really, he's a fine soldier and it's helping me out a lot that he's going to do this and put himself in more places that it's possible for me to do. Most of the people who need mental health services won't go in until they are given a direct invitation.

Hope y'all are doing okay back in the States. The site www.timeanddate.com tells me it's 110 days until the Army lets me see my wife again on my mid-tour leave.

Love,

Charles
]]> admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=21 2005-10-14T15:33:37-04:00 2005-10-14T15:33:37-04:00 2005-10-14T15:33:37-04:00
THAT, in turn, made the American service members pretty upset. We've been over here for the last four years trying to make this country a better place to live, with voting being somewhere near the top of the list. We persuaded everyone to allow free, secret voting for all Iraqis. The United Nations has oversight for the voting to ensure it remains fair and legitimate.

The purpose of this referendum vote is to approve or reject the new constitution for this country. When it is approved, Iraq will be official as a nation.

Yes, the detainees voted. Even Saddam Hussein voted from his jail cell near Baghdad. As none of them have yet been convicted of any crimes, they are all priviledged to vote. Shoot, even I voted (well, for a Nov. 8 constitutional amendment vote in Taylor County, Texas, through absentee ballot...). Iraqis living abroad are not given the absentee voting option, interestingly enough. All the details are at the White House site: http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/iraq/

Anyway, it made for a quiet week. The security around the TIF (Theater Internment Facility) was about ten times the normal (a factor replicated this week through much of Iraq), since the elections also fall on the Muslim observance of Ramadan, which ends on November 4. Since Camp Bucca is one of the larger cities in Iraq (i.e., its Iraqi population of 6,500 exceeds about 90% of the cities, towns and villages in this country), steps needed to be taken to ensure good order and safety of all residents. Only emergency care was provided from the hospital, so things stayed thankfully quiet all week.

The switching of brigades happened this week, also. We and four other hospitals (serving a total of eight locations) were under the 44th Medical Brigade from Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. We're now part of the 30th Medical Brigade from Heidelberg, Germany. Seems the 44th served their year and is pulling out. Makes no real difference to us - we just send our weekly reports to different e-mail addresses now.

Because of the increased security, convoys are very limited at the moment. Mail hasn't come for a week. The Internet at the hospital is still down because of a faulty router. The replacement has been sitting in Baghdad for a week and continues to gather dust until the convoy routes open again. Fortunately, this computer on the other side of base is on the Internet via a different connection, though it is only available for me to use well after midnight.

The book-of-the-week is *Dragon*, another of Clive Cussler's. It's about a devious Japanese plot to financially bring America to its knees. It's impossible to read this and not think about Mike Shaffer, who would doubtlessly enjoy this novel and agree wholeheartedly with the conclusions it draws.

Hope all is well in Alaska, Texas, Virginia and Florida. It certainly would be worth a lot to me to be in any one of those states, but that's going to have to wait a little longer.

Love to all,

Charles


]]> admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=13 2005-09-22T12:42:09-04:00 2005-09-22T12:42:09-04:00 2005-09-22T12:42:09-04:00 admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=12 2005-09-08T21:32:44-04:00 2005-09-08T21:32:44-04:00 2005-09-08T21:32:44-04:00
I've submitted all my requirements for Phase I of CGSC. I have to get it all done by Sept. 30 or face dis-enrollment as the Army converts to the ILE (Intermediate Level Education) course. I'd rather be CGSC.]]> admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=11 2005-09-03T21:28:14-04:00 2005-09-03T21:28:14-04:00 2005-09-03T21:28:14-04:00
The hospital commander was here from Abu Ghraib this last week. Sort of an odd fellow - spent all his time in the administrative section with the hospital officer-in-charge. Maybe we expected too much for him to be walking around the hospital and meeting those he commands.

E-mail came from Betty & Russ to say they are doing all right, very minor damage from the storm. The news paints a bleak picture of New Orleans right now. We understand gas prices have reached $4/gal in some states. Fortunately, there's not much of a commute to work in these parts - gas is still a nickel a gallon for the folks around here.

So, we're in the 344th Combat Support Hospital at Camp Bucca, commanded from Abu Ghraib and split between the two locations. Above us is the 44th Medical Brigade. Above them is Task Force 134, commanded by MG Brandenburg. He took interest in a 10-year-old Iraqi girl in Umm Qasr who was burned while trying to light an oven - 20% burns covering her torso. She was sort of "dumped off" at the front gate in April and the hospital policy is "life, limb or eyesight," so the doctors here treated her. MG Brandenburg put her and her mother on a plane to Boston to get treatment at the Shriner's hospital there (no charge). Now she's back and needs a little mental health work at the general's command. The whole family came yesterday - father, mother and all four sisters. It was surprisingly easy to round up an interpreter. The girl is being seen by the social worker, CPT Melissa Lee, which left me to sort of escort the folks around post. The first order of business was to get a medical exam. Her mother took her to see LTC Greefkens (developmental pediatrician), CPT McCain (pediatrician) and LTC Chapman (our chief nurse with extensive burn ward experience). After that, the girl and her mother went to CPT Lee (A female interpreter named Paris has been dedicated to that mission. She's Chaldean, that is to say an Iraqi Christian, and her first language is actually Aramaic.). My NCO popped in a Disney cartoon, which took care of the three sisters and I got to talk with the father (it was surprisingly easy to rustle up an interpreter this time).

His family has been from Umm Qasr for a long time (the port town was created during the 8-year war with Iran because Saddam needed a port outside of Iranian mortar range) and works for a company driving a truck. His brother was a general for Saddam until he was executed in 1991 because he felt it was wrong to go into Kuwait. Another brother died during that war. Another brother (there were five brothers and ten sisters) is a sheik in Basra and is in charge of about a million people. That brother was quick to offer assistance to the British forces and the father had a copy of the letter of appreciation (which also serves as a sort of security clearance) that the British Black Guards wrote. The father is also a "number one farmer" and remembers when this region was lush with vegetation...before Saddam diverted the Tigris River and destroyed a 3,000 year old system of canals, leaving this place the desert it is now and rounding up all the farmers to move to the cities (it is easier for a dictator to control people living in cities; farms are more independent). Still, one can dig to find water at about 70 feet, though it is only good for irrigation because of its saltiness. He no longer lives in fear since Saddam died and things are quiet in his town.

The girl and her mother will be back for weekly sessions, but it was interesting to hear about it from one who has lived it. It was by far the bright spot of the week, likely so for all of the professional staff here. The father would very much like to kiss President Bush and is totally sold on the idea of America after the staff here took care of his daughter. In contrast are the detainees, who now have air conditioning, three squares a day, water, a place to sleep and NONE of the summary executions and abuse for which Uday Hussein was known. They can do nothing save for complaining about their miserable treatment at the hands of the Americans. My guess is that when this place is handed over to the Iraqis next year, their complaining will grow quiet. For us, however, oversight by the Red Cross must be considered.

Mother, do I remember correctly that I mailed a box to you just before I got on the plane over here? If so, would you please look through there and see if there are manila folders in it? If so, is one of them labeled "OERs" or "Evaluations?" I'm trying to find an Officer Evaluation Report signed by a CPT T. Hill at Ft. Bragg, about January of 2001. Should you find it, could you please scan it for me? If I have that I might be able to make it count towards my psychology board certification.

Hope everyone is doing fine in Abilene. Any word about Uncle Grant? How are Grandmother Mary's ribs? Any more back problems for you? Mary Kate is going to visit Dr. & Mrs. Shaffer in Merritt Island and Rick was able to come up from Palm Beach Gardens.

Love to all,

Charlie
]]> admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=10 2005-08-29T21:25:56-04:00 2005-08-29T21:25:56-04:00 2005-08-29T21:25:56-04:00
Charlie
]]> admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=9 2005-08-28T21:21:04-04:00 2005-08-28T21:21:04-04:00 2005-08-28T21:21:04-04:00 Date: Saturday, August 27, 2005 6:01 pm
Subject: Update on ACI and Virginia Basses

> We received a surprise package of Iraqi-labeled softdrink cans:
> Iraqi versions of Coke, 7-Up, Fanta, and four or five others! The
> kids, Lisa & I are thrilled, but wondering how to display this
> treasure!
> Love,
> Henry
From Charles:
How to Display Arabian Soft Drink Cans

Most find that the refrigerator makes for an attractive display. Cans should be displayed there for 12 to 24 hours. The next part of the display is mostly interactive...


Seriously, those cans are free for the taking...one just needs to get to the D-Fac at Camp Bucca and take as many as one pleases. Gatorade, near-beer (O'Douls and such ilk), cold 1.5 l water bottles and Baskin-Robbins ice cream are all there, as are the milk boxes (full cream, half cream, skim, chocolate, strawberry and my personal favorite banana milk).

I went onto the Virginia Diner Site and got some cashews. Good luck to the boys in their fundraiser. [ed: on the Virginia Diner web site, select the region as 'Virginia - Christiansburg' then select the organization as 'Christiansburg Primary and Elementary School PTA' .]

Henry, the loss of ALTESS is certainly news to make a person sit up and take notice, but you've told me of numerous frustrations on that end already. When one door closes, another will open. You've got real talent for Web programming and managerial/business skills. You'll do fine.

Mary Kate is in Orlando now staying with friends there. We're planning a mid-tour leave in Aruba in February.

I'm still in Iraq. Who knew? Today marks my sixth Sunday here. COL Martin (TF 344 MED task force commander) is here this week. He spends most of his time at Abu Ghraib with the rest of the hospital (the 344th is split between the two - it's about a six-hour convoy between locales). He's my senior rater.

Thanks for the photo of the Gates sign board. Take care.

Charlie]]> admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=8 2005-08-17T21:15:16-04:00 2005-08-17T21:15:16-04:00 2005-08-17T21:15:16-04:00
You [ed: Rev. Bill Libby] have certainly been on my mind and many prayers have included your brother's spirit and your family's peace.

Thanks for copying me on the Methodist bulletin. Yes, working with my lay ministry certification would be a great pleasure to me. CHP (1LT) Berkemeyer is the hospital chaplain (Catholic) and CHP (MAJ) Peters is with the 105 MP unit (Baptist). They conducted a memorial last night for an airman who nearly lost his life in a vehicle rollover last week ("up-armored" HWMM-Vs have 800 pounds over "light" HWMM-Vs and roll easier, especially at fast speeds). The airman is at Landstul now and the Army is flying his wife over there. We have a bona fide chapel here and one of these kids is pretty handy on the keyboard.

The news about your European trip was certainly interesting. My father dragged us boys to Normandy while we were living in Paris in the mid-1970s. We only remember Omaha Beach as being freezing and windy (it was March at the time), but I do remember the scene there and the quiet solemnity of the cemetery. Henry, of course, was stationed in Augsburg for three years, so Eagles Nest and Berchtesgaden are familiar to him.

Hope all is well in Abilene. Mary Kate arrived safely in Aruba last night. Take care. God bless.

Charlie


]]> admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=6 2005-08-14T19:36:32-04:00 2005-08-14T19:36:32-04:00 2005-08-14T19:36:32-04:00
Myrna Tromp
Italia St. #6
Eagle Aruba
Netherland Antillies
Carribbean
Phone: 011-297-582-2316

This week I learned that my job here is going to be removed from the clinical care that got me into this job and is far more an administrative position - counting numbers of contacts that my people generate and reporting it to higher headquarters. Oh, well. At least it's called "mental health."

Robbie Rhodes (the guy I'm replacing) is not going home as anticipated. He will instead transfer to another unit here in Iraq. There are currently six or seven psycho vacancies in theater, indicative of a short supply.

HOWEVER, after this year-long tour, I will have 24 months of active duty. Mr. Rumsfield has said that's all Reservists get to do, so the Army will leave me alone after this. Robbie's problem is that, even if he were released today, he would only have 11 months total (and this is his second tour).

Thanks, Mother, for keeping an eye on the mail. Have you spoken with Bernice in Boca Raton?

Love to all,

Charles
]]> admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=5 2005-08-07T19:33:57-04:00 2005-08-07T19:33:57-04:00 2005-08-07T19:33:57-04:00
We're not allowed to pass anything to the detainees. For food, things are pretty well set (hard to beat Baskin-Robbins in the D-Fac). They give us all the Cokes and Gatorade we want. Sometimes soldiers could use drink mix packets. Water always comes in 1.5 liter bottles (about 1 1/2 quarts). There's a lot of it, but some drink mix would help it along.

My section is 13 soldiers, all told. It's great of you to ask.

I tried calling Mother on her birthday but missed her. Mary was in and said Uncle Grant is doing better. Mother wrote that Lisa put together a collage with some old photos - can't wait to see it! Hope things are good in Christiansburg - please send my love to everyone.

I need to get in the phone line and try to get a hold of Mary Kate. Thanks for the note!

Love,

Charles]]> admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=4 2005-07-31T19:25:18-04:00 2005-07-31T19:25:18-04:00 2005-07-31T19:25:18-04:00
The first picture shows what we wear in the detainee compound. However, we check our weapons at the front gate before we go into the internment facility. The body armor is a little warm and bulky (40 pounds), but the stuff works. This was taken at our living area, which is about a quarter-mile from the internment facility. Naturally, as everyone might guess, the Secretary of Defense has clamped down on the taking of pictures in internment facilities!

The other picture shows what we more often wear - desert battle dress uniform with the "boonie" hat and sunglasses with padding around the eyecups to keep out the blowing sand. Behind me are the Hesco sand berms and concrete overhead covers to keep us safe. There is a pallet of water bottles - the Army makes sure it's available everywhere on this post. Some Army trucks are behind that and then the horizon shows the guard towers at the internment facility.

At the hospital the surgeons let me watch their work - very interesting and something that would not be possible in a civilian hospital. They may one day let me assist. Seriously, the medical standards here are uncompromisingly high and the detainees are getting better medical treatment now than they ever will again in their lives.

Physically we're located about five miles west of Umm Qasr, which is the port city for Iraq. Once is a great while the wind direction shifts and the humidity goes from zero to about 90%. Fortunately, it's not often.

I'm living in a pod - one of those buildings in the photo. Really it's a shipping container with two beds, couple wall lockers and a window. It's okay, though, and they haven't assigned me a roommate yet.

Yes, the weather is a little warm. It's usually 140F in the day, but cools to the 80s and 90s at night. This will likely start to settle down by September, though. October we'll have sand storms and can look forward to our eight annual inches of rain in December.

The psychologist I'm replacing is Robbie Rhodes. Interesting guy - his British ancestor was sort of the scoundrel of the family no one wanted to talk about who founded the African nation of Rhodesia through Machiavellian politics. Robbie was a band musician before he got into psychology in California and works as a civilian with the DOJ. He was in San Antonio until about a year ago when he transfered to another federal prison in Sacramento. He's about the most laid-back psychologist it's been my pleasure to know. He rooms with Sam Hoffman. Sam started as an Army infantryman, then worked through the enlisted ranks for 20 years in Naval surface warfare before re-treading a second time as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Oddly, he's the civilian boss in Baltimore of our XO, who is two grades above him. Sam is also the hospital finance officer, so getting supplies is a little easier for the mental health section. It's been a pleasure having their company.

Well, it would be great to type for an hour or so, but the time on the computers is limited. Happy anniversary to Henry & Lisa, who celebrated 16 this past week. Be good back in the U.S.

With love,

Charles
]]> admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=3 2005-07-22T19:20:57-04:00 2005-07-22T19:20:57-04:00 2005-07-22T19:20:57-04:00
Kate was wonderful during this time. I'd get a load of uniforms and she'd take them over to the PX alterations shop for patches. She went to Anchorage on Sunday to stay with some friends, then she goes to Aruba in mid-August to find a home for us. We celebrated one month of nupital bliss, then she left the next morning.

Ft. Bliss has been a new environment - often 110F+, but we did have a rain shower for five minutes one day last week. I'll have my 20 years three months of Army service after I return. I did put in for CGSC, though.

A website would be great - just going to take a while before I've got the gumption to put something cogent together. One of the key points will have to be that it can be updated from any computer with a password.

Well, the bird is leaving in about 12 hours. It's a charter flight, so we'll all board with our M-16s, M-4s and M-9 sidearms.

It's good to hear that things are going well at ACI. You really do have a lot going on and it looks like more and more are being attracted to your company. ACI's growth has always impressed me - wish I had even half of the business gene you got.

Please pass my love to Lisa, Ethan and Eric. Here's where I'll be for the next conceivable year:

NAME
TF 344th MED
Camp Bucca
APO AE 09375

Maybe I'll get some Christmas leave, though, and see what Kate's lined up in Aruba. You folks take care of yourselves in Christiansburg. Your family is never far from my thoughts.
]]> admin henry@aciwebs.com http://www.henrybass.com/cfbass/blog_comment.asp?bi=1 2005-07-14T18:34:18-04:00 2005-07-14T18:34:18-04:00 2005-07-14T18:34:18-04:00 Army assigment in Iraq .
His mailing address:
MAJ Charles Bass
TF 344th MED
Camp Bucca
APO AE 09375

email: cfbass @ yahoo . com]]>