Happy New Year-What a difference a year makes!

What a difference a year makes. Last year I was up to my arm pits in scum and now this year I will be up to my arm pits in rum!  I think of those still deployed this New Year, what a difference a year makes!

Semper Fi & Happy New Year!!

Major Pain

 

HAPPY NEW YEARS FROM IRAQ! (NEWS YEAR POST 2005)

BANG…..BANG BANG BANG!!...........Its 0001 Jan 1st 2006!!!! (eastern standadrd time + 8hrs)
Plan “B” - Things have been very busy here as we have been continuing to take the fight to Haji. You can’t stop the clock not even on New Years and so time continues to tick away at our fun filled adventure here in Iraq.

0530, alarm clock from HELL goes off, I use my panther like reflexes (not) to find the snooze button as wish I could sleep for another eight hours. Dash two alarm clock goes off and Im voicing some very colorful verbiage about this time and right out of a wake up scene from Bruce Almighty Im kicking, flipping trying to go back to sleep and ignore the clock.

Morning chow is a nice cup of joe and a strawberry pop tart (not only wrapped in foil but good for you too!), a couple vitamins and viola the day is under way. Alarm clock number one returns for a second butt kicking but Im ready and mash the Chinese made plastic. Scratch one alarm clock…toast!

Mission for the day is to take some VIPs to another base to show them some great things Coalition forces are doing. No problemo. We roll out to an undisclosed landing zone (LZ) where they will land at. We make our way through the city and its smells ok but here comes that dang short of breath again but I see a lot of little Iraqi ankle bitters (kids) out and about which is always a great sign and they are waving vise doing the IED detonator motion with their hands…also another good sign. We motor down the major highway past a couple M1 Tanks (checkpoints) that have black soot all over them from previous IEDs, RPGs and gas bombs….not so much a good sign Watching out in the distance and gutters for threats things look good and we seem to motoring well. We get to our LZ and are all set up but where we are the sniper threat is moderate to high so we want to keep our VIPs protected and get them in the truck as soon as possible. The aircraft come in and drop off our passengers (PAX) and we load them up to take them to another location for their visit. Things are great and going smoothly and now we have to transport them to yet another location for more information and now we are going to go through the FUN part of town. We begin to load up and one of the civilian passengers turns to me and says, this isn’t like a downtown city in the states; you guys are pretty serious here. I said, Yes Sir these Assholes are trying to kill us so we kill them first. Oh man he wasn’t ready for that answer as I helped him put on his body armor. He was then briefed to stay put in the hummer as the crew got out of the hummers to go to condition one and load all of our weapons. Here are these civilians sitting there in a beat up, shrapnel spotted hummer watching a crap load of Marine loading multiple weapons like we were about to fight it out at OK coral……..wait a second that’s exactly what we were getting prepared to do. We headed down our prescribed route and black smoke began to rise off the road a ways. Usually nothing, sometimes a signal to let scumbags know good guys are on the road near by We approached a bridge and the scout vehicle called back that “the bridge is blocked” as I saw a sheep truck crossways in the road with no driver which meant we would go to plan “B”. One of the PAX that heard the conversation over the cab speaker asked what that all meant. I looked back at them and said “nothing good, hang on” and we turned to another street. We approached another trouble spot and new something was not right with the blocked bridge and lead truck spotted an IED. We were headed into a freaking ambush bigger than monkey shit and the three Hajis scrunched down in their Mercedes confirmed it as they were probably the maneuver element of the IED ambush. With some good training and quick actions we called an audible and turned yet again almost back tracking. An Army patrol was on the scumbags and had them cuffed on the road as we passed. Our PAX’s weren’t to sure and weren’t saying a whole lot when they saw the detainees in the dirt. The best compliment Ive heard since Ive been here I think was when all was calm when we got on the next base. When we walked in and one PAX stopped me and said, Im really impressed, Im not sure what all happened on our way over here in the convoy but thanks, that was awesome. Holding back a smile of being proud of the guys, I said, you’re welcome the men did good today and left to check on our trucks status.

As we hear a small arms attack unfolding in the distance, tracers in the sky and New Years approaches here in Iraq, I only hope they very best for you and yours this New Year. A new start a new beginning, and time to move on and a time to remember the past year and to plan for the next year approaching. Be smart, be safe and have a plan “B”.

FOR OUR FALLEN:
(you may recognize the words to this bagpipe backed song as its taken from the movie “We were Soldiers Once and Young” )
Lay me down in the cold cold ground Where before many more have gone Lay me down in the cold cold ground Where before many more have gone When they come I will stand my ground Stand my ground I'll not be afraid Thoughts of home take away my fear Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears Once a year say a prayer for me Close your eyes and remember me Never more shall I see the sun For I fell to a Germans gun Lay me down in the cold cold ground Where before many more have gone Lay me down in the cold cold ground Where before many more have gone Where before many more have gone In memory of Sgt. Charles Stuart MacKenzie Seaforth Highlanders Who along with many others gave up his life So that we can live free We will remember them all.

Some of you may also read some posts from a buddy of mine. Major B aka “Taco”. (click here to read some of his stuff) Well you see he is over here with me but not at the same base. We both have been getting a lot of encouragement to write a book. Well were gonna do it. We are going to combine our stuff and let er loose! HERE is where you can help. We need a name for the book. Got an idea?? Email me with it. If we use it you’ll probably get mentioned in the book. The book will be one of many ways for us to give back to all of you who have supported us and help other service members to get the same support that we got. Get of yer butts and shoot us a title!

Capt B sends………………………I gotta go blow something up and bring in the New Year right!!!!

Semper Fidelis

Comments

Happy New Year, Sir. We all appreciate the great job our military is doing and the many sacrifices they are making every day to keep us safe. God bless you all.

[linda s.]

That was great, Maj P! Have a fantastic New Year with your family! God bless our troops.

[big bro jim i]

WAR IS WAR I'M THINKING? WHY CANT WE HAVE A WAR IN A MORE FAVORABLE CLIMATE, LIKE FLORIDA. WHY DO THEY ALL HAVE TO BE IN JUNGLES THAT ARE HOTTER THAN HELL ,OR DESERTS HOTTER THAN HELL,OR IN THE FROZEN CHOSEN, OR GERMANY IN THE BLACK FOREST.
BUT THEN AGAIN I THINK ,IF WE HAD WORLD PEACE THAT WOULD PUT 1% OF OUR PEOPLE OUT OF WORK.
THINK ABOUT IT I REPORT YOU DECIDE

[Mo]

Happy New Year, Major! Enjoy all the comforts of home and family this year, you certainly earned them. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those far away standing the watch to keep us safe. God Bless them all!

[FbL]

Yes, what a difference a year makes! I'm so glad you are here to enjoy ring in the new year in the company of your family and stateside friends.

To those of you still deployed, you are in our hearts today, as we ring in a new year that we hope will bring you home safely from successful missions.

[iris]

DEAD FOR USA !!! FREEDOM FOR THE WORLD !!!!

AMERICAN SOLDIERS ARE BLOODY KILLERS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN !!! LOOK AT HADITHA (THE BIG MASSACRE);LOOK AT ABU GHURAIB !!!! WHAT A SHAME !!!

AMERICAN SOLDIERS RAPE LITTLE GIRLS AND WOMEN EVERY DAY !!!IN ABU GHURAIB IS A IRAQI WOMAN RAPED BY FOUR AMERICAN JAILERS !!!!!WHAT A SHAME !!!!!!

USA LOST THEIR FACE !!! EUROPE HATE THE AMERICANS !!!AND THE WORLD TOO !!!

AND LOOK AT THE LITTLE DEAD IRAQI GIRL___RAPED AND KILLED BY FOUR AMERICAN SOLDIERS !!!!!

PFUIIIIIII !!!!!!!

I HOPE A LOT OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS DIE IN IRAQ

[Kathy]

I have several adopted Marines and some regular army soldiers in Iraq. I hear from them all via email everyday. I love them all dearly and would do anything humanly possible for them even though I don't know any personally. God bless our troops! Can someone please remove the last post from the dirtbag that wants our soldiers to die? Happy New Year to everyone who has our soldiers best interest.

[LL]

Nice. Some folks (shit sucking trolls) need an ass-kicking, even on New Years Day.

Major, I remember that post and I am glad you're not there right now. I hope you had some peace and quiet last night with few fireworks to make you flinch and lots of love and hugs from your family.

I'm wishing you the best for 2007. Take care of yourself.

Iris, do you have a Nazi hidden in your family tree somewhere? Do you hate Americans because they helped defeat the Nazis?

[jim b]

Iris ... nice trick ... Open your mouth and make your head dissappear.

But in truth a little comic relief is good now and then.

I for one vote that the next times some Nazi or Commie types overrun Europe ... we let em keep the place.

[Karen I.]

I agree with Jim B. Happy New Year everyone. On a lighter note, I would like to suggest a name for the book ....Ready?....

HELMUTS AND HARDDRIVES or
HELMUTS TO HARDDRIVES

Everybody- Vote for mine. Thankyou.

[gypsy]

Happy New Year Major Pain, to you and yours!! And to all the readers and commenters here, the same...except for Iris. Jeeez.

[Karen I.]

Fräulein Iris, Du bist ein Dumkopf.

[big bro jim i]

HEY IRIS, GO PISS UP A ROPE,OR COME OVER AND VISIT ME, IF IRIS IS YOUR REAL NAME, THEN GIVE US YOUR ADDRESS INSTEAD OF HIDING BEHIND A KEY BOARD...YOU PILE OF PUKE.

[Anita]

Only in America would 'Iris' aka Cindy Weller, aka???) be allowed to spout like that, thanks to our warrior heroes. Glad you're home to celebrate this year Major P and hopefully next year will bring more warriors home.

Kathy I know just how you feel, amazing how attached you can feel to someone you haven't actually 'met' and worry about and pray for every day. Warrior's families have to be the strongest people out there, may God Bless them all.

[big bro jim i]

I HAVE TO GIVE CREDIT FOR LETTING MAJOR P LET AN A/H LIKE IRIS SPEAK ITS PEACE,AFTER ALL ITS ALL OUR VETERANS FROM WW1 TO THE PRESENT THAT GAVE THAT F%^KING A/H THE RIGHT TO OPEN ITS SHIT FILLED MOUTH. I GET GET SO PISSED OFF WHEN I READ STUFF LIKE THAT. MUST BE SOME KID GOOFING ON THIS SITE OR SOME ILLEGAL ARAB READY TO TRY AND PLAN ANOTHER ATTACK ON US.WELL THEY ARE WELCOMED TO COME MY HOUSE ANY TIME,,, WE ARE WELL ARMED.
HEY IRIS, MAY THE FLEAS OF A 1000 CAMELS INFEST YOUR WHAT EVER YOU HAVE DOWN THERE AND YOU ARMS ARE TOO SHORT TO SCRATCH WHAT EVER IT IS.

[Karen I.]

Come on people let's ignore this dirty dogmeat, Cindy Weller, or her naughty child and not have this distract us from how happy we are that the Major is safer this holiday season than last and that he has a book coming out that I have revised my name of it to.....From Helmuts to Harddrives. Please vote for me. Thanks again.

Where is the voting booth (book title)?

[Anita]

Major P - Is your book coming out? Or did your reprint of last year's New Year's Post where you write about it, confuse?

I've been hoping you, Taco and Brian were working on it.

[Laura, Marine mom from Ohio]

Very sad comment indeed iris. And to think our troops defend your right to speak like that.
To you Major P and the rest of the gang: have a happy & healthy new year! You are so right in what a diffence a year makes! I love these holidays when our family can all be together! Take care all!

[texasdillo]

Iris is making the rounds on the milblogs. Best to ignore and let the website owner deal with.

[Clayton]

Good Grief. I'm just glad I don't have to call anybody "sir" anymore. I always hated that part. Having said that, there is no reason to go friggen BONKERS like some poster here.

[iris]

MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA----

SHIT DIRTY AMERICANS !!!!!!YOU ARE ALL SO STUPID !!!

I HOPE A LOT OF AMERICAN SOLDIERS DIE !!!Rapiest´s of little girls !!!And Killers of children and Women !!!

PFUIIIIII !!!!

I PRAY FOR THE POOR IRAQI PEOPLE !!!

AMERICANS ARE THE REALLY NAZIS IN THIS WORLD !!!

DO YOU WANT MY ADRESS Karen ???Iris Bazzanella,Stormstr.3,47226 Duisburg,Germany !!!!

[Sammy D]

Jim B - it's not Nazis or commie types who will overtake Europe next time. It is fundamentalist Muslims, and it is already happening, while Europe as usual buries its secular, socialistic head in the, uh, sand. Check out any reputable demographic projections for European countries - Iris will inevitably be wearing a burqua.

Dire prediction and one I wish I didn't believe. But I do.

And I'm glad Maj P let's the Iris's rant on his blog - lest we get too complacent reading only atta boy's and like-minded comments.

[Karen I]

I wonder if Iris is a fundamentalist Muslim guestworker/housekeeper borrowing her employer, Cindy Weller's computer. They have plenty of them in Germany. In any case, let's hear some more names for the book. I want to know what my competition is.