Tom's Great Adventure 2009

Wrapping it Up

2010-03-24T15:42:00.000-07:00

The new team is here. They have been introduced and in-processed. Team Eagle's job is done. Now it is time to record some memorable moments while we await the long trip home.

Top Ten Memorable Moments (in no particular order)

*Traveling 18 hours, getting off the plane and thinking "did we actually landed in Yakima Washington?"

*Meeting the wounded warrior

*Having General Patraeus walk into our office on New Years Day

*Getting coined by two Navy commanders

*Going to "surf and turf night," only to find out they cooked the lobster and steak to death.

*The sunset on Christmas Day

*Presenting an award to a Command Sergeant Major in front of 112 soldiers, only to find he'd left the room with the General.

*Tag-teaming the messages between Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait..and Everett.

*Peaceful, quiet sunrises on the desert

*Thank-you handshakes from countless soldiers

It is done.

Tom

The People

2010-03-18T10:58:00.000-07:00

Its all in the Culture

One reason I like to travel is so that I can experience the different cultures. While planning the trip to Kuwait with the Red Cross, I wondered how much of the local flavor I would see. It was clear that we would not be allowed to leave the military post and see the sights. But I was hoping to meet people of southwest Asia.

The Army makes use of local populations to provide services on post. At Camp Arifjan, the food and retail shops are run by men and women from Kuwait, and the workers are mostly from India, Bangladesh and Kuwait. There is a mix of Hindi and Muslim, and definite class differences among the workers.

The Army’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation center provides tours off post to Kuwait city. Before a person can go on the tour, you have to attend a cultural awareness class. In the class, it is explained what is, and mostly what is not allowed in Kuwait. Men might be seen holding arms or hands in a friendly way that Americans might think odd. They even touch noses or kiss each other when friends greet friends. You cannot stare at a woman (or girl). In particular, you can’t look in the eyes of a woman wearing a veil. If you do (or if you don’t, but she says you did) you can be jailed.

One guy I met who is an American contractor working at Arifjan, but living in Kuwait City, was walking down the street with his girlfriend. The girlfriend reached up and kissed him on the cheek . There was a police officer nearby, who placed his hand on the guy’s arm and the guy instinctively pulled away. The kiss and the pulling away cost three nights in the local jail.

A woman I know was reading a book I had loaned her while in a park in Kuwait City last week. Her kids were playing nearby and hubby had gone to bring back cool drinks when a man approached my friend and scolded her for reading that book in public. The title was must have offended him. My friend does not speak Arabic and the man does not speak English. He pulled out his badge and was about to haul her away when the husband came back with the drinks. He was able to explain in Arabic that the book was okay. The police officer released my friend with a scolding. The book now has a cover made of newsprint.

Yesterday, a women’s basketball team came to Camp Arifjan to play a game against the US military women’s team. I missed the game, and don’t know who won. But it was very interesting in the DFAC when the Kuwaiti women came in for dinner, all covered up and not making eye contact. Remember, we can’t look at women in Kuwait. They can’t socialize with boys. So they sat together, apart from the rest of us, with conspicuous intermediaries in between. But the Kuwaiti girls could not help noticing the young American women and men, dressed in PT shorts and t-shirts, sitting together, eating, laughing and talking in two’s and four’s around the dining hall. I would expect defectors in the near future.

The soldiers, sailors and airmen of the United States have ancestry from all around the world. Working and visiting with all the different colors, accents and points of view has been the favorite part of this experience and I am sure that this is what God wanted from me out here in the desert.

Spring is Fickle

2010-03-13T02:15:00.000-08:00

The Weather

The Kuwait winter was pleasant, all in all. Outside the 4 or 5 thunder storms, it was "shirtsleeve" weather. My coat got used once, for a few minutes. So far, the terrible blasting sandstorms have not materialized. The sandstorms we did have were relatively mild. It is amazing how long the sand can stay up there among the clouds, even after the wind has gone. One storm blew in from iraq and the skies were thick with sand for days.

March weather is fickle. Immediately following the last bit of cool weather and sand, the temp bumped up. March 12 was the first 100 degree day.

Stand by for two more planned blog postings before the adventure ends.

Tom

You Never Know

2010-02-13T06:45:00.000-08:00

Very interesting experience.

This story is a Must. A few minutes ago….12 February, a man named Fauji came in to the Red Cross office to admire a puzzle that had been put together by some troops and office staff. The puzzle is of a falcon. As Fauji…a Muslim, admired the falcon, I mentioned that my daughter Ann Marie has had experiences with falcons. I showed Fauji a photo of Ann Marie’s falcon and told him the story of the Sarvey Wildlife Rescue center where she volunteers. Fauji was very interested and asked several questions about Sarvey.

Fauji told me that he very much likes the way we in this office interact with people. He said we have changed his view of people (I believe he was referring to American). He likes the fact that Sarvey is a non-profit organization that saves wild animals. He did not know that that type of thing was done in America. Fauji told me of his theory that many years ago, when people used horses or camels, and there was no technology, people were much closer and it was good. Now, everyone uses computers and cell phones. Everyone is worried about profits and if someone has a problem, no one cares.

Fauji repeated that we here at the Arifjan Red Cross have changed the way he views people. Then he said he will try to find a stuffed falcon in Kuwait City for my daughter. In fact, with a smile, he said he will put a reminder in his electronic notebook so he won’t forget.

I like it

Half Way Point

2010-02-06T08:41:00.001-08:00

Photo: The Navy takes over the on-going puzzle project.

Photo: Tom with two volunteers Petty Officer 1st Class Clint Fielder and Army Captain Clarissa Cordon at the Camp Arifjan Kuwait job fair.

Photo: Grandma Kaiser's 102nd birthday cake.

Several activities since the new year have kept the 3-person Red Cross team busy. In addition to the emergency calls that stream in with regularity, we hosted a birthday party for Heidi’s 102- year old grandmother, collecting 120 signatures on her birthday card, and we sponsored a “belly-laugh” day that involved comedians on DVD in the Red Cross cantina. We participated in a jobfair, attended by 700 people. These events were hits with the troops. This may be a testament to the fact that anything out of the ordinary will fly.

With less than two months before this team leaves Kuwait, we look forward (me especially) to the transition with the in-coming group and our long trip homeward. Our Lead, Amanda has put together a very complete continuity book, describing everything the new team will need to know when they arrive. We used the theory that if we correct all the problems we had coming in, the new team will have a much easier time of it, considering they will be travel-weary like we were. That and the legacy of a new computer and hopefully a special, secure phone should have the next crew set up pretty well. Meanwhile, we continue to build relationships with military units and work groups throughout our jurisdiction.

Sitting here in the office, reading notes from school-aged children from Austin, Texas to the troops, I was laughing at some of them, and choking up at others. Then I remembered the soldier I sat next to at lunch today. He was sitting there alone, eating his french fries, looking like a 12-year old in uniform. It seemed funny at the time. Right now, it seems sad that a kid so young has to be in harm’s way. Here is a sample of the hundreds of notes:

“I have so many friends and family in all branches of the military. I know my words don’t mean much coming from a stranger….but thank you for your hard work. I know its not easy being away from the people you love (I couldn’t do it). But that just makes you a stronger person than me. Just get home safe and come back healthy in all ways possible. You know, for the people who matter to you. –Sarah V.”

“I am so proud of everything you have done.

”
“Great Job. God Bless.”

“Always in our thoughts. God bless.”

“I am inspired by everything you do.”

“We appreciate all the things you gave up to fight for our nation. You guys rock. XOXO” (and big lip prints)
“If your ever in Austin, your always welcome to visit Dave and Busters. Im always there. Thank you for all you do. Stephanie.”

You get the idea. There was a whole bag of these notes, along with care packages of candy, toiletries and other cool items.
Later--Tom

Today in Kuwait

2010-01-03T06:30:00.000-08:00

It is a beautiful January day here in Kuwait. The 70 degree sun comes through clear skies with hardly any haze. I was able to see farther away from the post than ever before. There is a hill out there toward Kuwait City, with evergreen trees and homes on it. Like Mt Rainier on a cloudy day, the hill is invisible most of the time.

The weather reminds me of the first nice spring days when I was groing up in Tacoma. It is not hot. There is a little breeze. The air is clean and it is good to be outside.

I am in the office for the remainder of the day. It will be dark by the time I go outside. But the bike ride across the meadow today was really pleasant.

What makes it all worthwhile.

2010-01-03T06:28:00.000-08:00

Something you don’t hear every day.

3 Jan 2010

US Army Lt Kirschner—wounded warrior from 2005, back in uniform, moving and talking slowly, and without use of his right arm (he shakes hands with the other one), just completing a visit to Iraq where he had been wounded, came through Arifjan today. Seeing the Red Cross sign on our door, he stopped in. Lt Kirschner said that while he was at Walter Reed, recuperating, the most important visitors he had were the Red Cross.

He said that the Red Cross was instrumental in making things bearable for him and his companions.

After leaving theater in 150 degree heat, he found himself lying naked in 60 degree temp in Walter Reed Medical Center. Red Cross volunteers came by with quilts and other items to make life easier. They would visit if he was lonely and find ways to make him more comfortable. "Those quilts."

Red Cross is awesome, according to Lt Kirschner. His repeated thanks is heartfelt. I told him I would pass it on.

Thomas

Christmas 2009 Camp Arifjan Kuwait

2009-12-30T09:28:00.000-08:00

Christmas has been an active time for the Red Cross "down range." We all missed our families. It is safe to say during Christmas, we were all alone together. The food and gifts always help to lift the spirits. Every picture tells a story.

Christmas Preparations

2009-12-23T12:41:00.001-08:00

Left: My buddies helping with Christmas decorations in the Red Cross cantina

Right: Coffee buddies with me and Amanda after decorations were up.

The decorations are up. Unit parties have been going on daily. The DFAC (dining facility) is decked out and so is the Red Cross cantina (lounge). My Indian coffee buddies watch us carefully, and jump right in whenever there is something they can help with. We store bottled water in the lounge by the pallet load. They push us out of the way so they can haul and stack it. When we began with Christmas decorations, they were all over it. The decorations lead to discussions about Santa, and eventually Christ. the Hindi men seem fascinated by everything we do, and take interest in our cultural and religious differences.

Every day at 4PM they come in for coffee. Actually, they come in for cream and sugar, adding enough coffee to make the mixture warm. Thanks to Bayside Marine and to Mountain View Presbyterian for the contribution of coffee condiments. We ernestly want to convey American generocity and friendly interaction with all the other nationalities we encounter here. It can never hurt, and who knows where it might lead...

Some of the Hindi guys speak a little Spanish, so we have fun with conversations around here.

Meanwhile, hundreds of soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen received care packages and Christmas gifts today from US citizen and Kuwaiti citizen donations. Our Red Cross volunteers passed out the goodies while a Christmas program was going on. It was a nice day, with sun and high-60's weather. We had a good turnout. Again, the generocity of Americans made it possible. Kuwaiti's too.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. The whole thing happened not too far from here. We can look up and see the same constellations that Jesus looked at. Very cool.

Merry Christmas

Random Thoughts

2009-12-16T00:40:00.000-08:00

The donations received by the American Red Cross in the US are generally directed to soldiers (sailors, airmen, marines). We get everything from foot cream to phone cards. The various contractors and vendors working on the military installations are not allowed to have the donated items, because they were donated specifically for the military. So when I leave food items obtained from other means out at the coffee bar, they are scarffed up quickly. It did not take long to make friends with the vendors who work near the Red Cross office. That was why I asked on my Facebook account for coffee mate and sugar. Thanks for the contribution.

One of our jobs as Red Crossers here is to visit the hospital several times per week. Wounded soldiers that are either not too bad off or are awaiting transportation to a bigger hospital in Germany come here to Arifjan. So we cruise through the ward and engage in conversation, supply books or puzzles, etc. Sorta like the "donut dollies" of the Viet Nam era (I don't look as good in a skirt however and I eat the donuts before I get there). On the way back after a visit to the hospital last week, it was around 9PM, and the lights were on at the football field. The spectators could be heard in support of their favorites. People were coming and going between buildings, but otherwise, it was quiet. It reminded me of college campuses at night. Even at night, there is always something going on around here. If it is dark and you can't see the cement barracades and bunkers, or the rows of gun trucks, the similarity is striking.

It must be tough being a soldier, deployed here for a year or more. Worse, I guess if it is your second or third tour, because you know what it will be like. We deliver the bad news to the soldiers when something happens at home. I can see now why there were long periods of time when Joe was here that we wouldn't hear anything from him. It must be lots easier to concentrate if you are not dwelling on people back home and how much it is missed. But when something bad happens, their focus switches to how to get home in time to help or be with the family. This week, I had to pass a message to a service member whose son had been shot to death on a city street in the US. Another time it was a fatal car accident. I am glad the Red Cross is here to do that, but sometimes it is hard.

Ah...now I feel better. Back to work.

Thanksgiving and Beyond

2009-12-10T13:48:00.000-08:00

Photo: Red Cross Lounge at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait(left)

Photo: The meadow we cross from our housing units to

the office (right)

The dining facility (DFAC) went all out for Thanksgiving in an effort to give the service members a special day in lieu of being with family. There were sculptures in butter, carved mellons, and all the food associated with the holiday. The noon time meal was served by the officers on the base. Otherwise, it was a work day for me. I wear my face out smiling at the troops walking around. They usually respond with a smile of their own....its what I'm here for.

Telling the vendors working in my building about Thanksgiving and about "black Friday" was a hoot. Now, we are into Christmas. As we began decorating, the vendors who have shops outside our door came in and all started enthusiastically helping. Hindu men decorating for Christmas! This leads into good discussions about Christianity. I can't wait to go through the story of Jesus.

Here's hoping you all had a good Thanksgiving. Please enjoy all the build-up to Christmas. I will be thinking about home.

Tom

First Week in Kuwait

2009-11-27T08:45:00.000-08:00

Chapter 3

First Week Completed

After a week in Kuwait, I still have not explored the whole base. It is not all that large and I have access to a car and bicycle. Time is the issue. There are no days off and only a few hours between sleeping and work. Some of that time is taken up with laundry, eating, etc.

The weather has been mostly pleasant. One day, there was a sandstorm. Early in the week, the temperature reached the 80's. Now, we are in the 60's. Some days sunny and some days rain or drizzle. The sand does not absorbe much water, so there was a creek through the meadow (sandy field we have to walk across to get to work...there is no vegatation there).

On Sundays, a bazaar happens near the office. The vendors are agressive in seeking U.S. dollars and making a sale. My favorite line as they swooped in on me was from one guy with a strong Indian accent..."Hook a brotha up!" Everything he sold was authentic camel bone...no plastic. Hand made. Hmm....I'm told the bazaar in Afganistan is much better than this one. I did consider the belly-dancing suit, but, no....

Work has been steady. There have been a couple birth announcements and way too many ill, terminal and dead relatives. The way I remain empathetic after delivering call after call from grieving families is to say a quick prayer before each case before getting down to business. The caselog is my prayer log. It represents a lot of hurting people who need more help than I can provide. That helps remember the reason I am here.

My shift is 2:30 to 11:30 PM, and we are 11 hours ahead of Pacific Standard time. Using Messenger Live, I can do video chatting with home. That is an incredible way to remain in touch. The internet is in deed a blessing.

Camp Arifjan, Kuwait is shared by all the branches of the military. The Army runs the place. The US Navy runs customs. The other branches do their part. The soldiers coming and going to Iraq and Afganistan come through one of the bases in Kuwait. Our jurisdiction for delivering emergency messages is Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emerides. We share the load with Red Cross stations in Iraq and Afganistan, covering for each other throughout the day.

I am still trying to get used to the various military ranks and insignias. Until those are clear, everyone is "sir " or "Ma'am" to me.

The end of the first week brings us to the first holiday....Thanksgiving in Kuwait.

Thomas

Traveling to Kuwait

2009-11-24T02:03:00.000-08:00

13 Nov 2009

"Oh-dark-thirty"

After an intensive week of in-processing, our Red Cross team of 17 and hundreds of others deploying to the war zones gathered with our duffle bags for the long trip to the Persian Gulf. There were a number of stops and processes to go through during the travel day. For the most part, our team tried to stay together until we reached Kuwait. At that point, the individual teams separated and went their separate ways. Most of the team members had deployed before. For us newbies, each process was a new experience. The one thing I hope I have learned is to be ready all the time. Just when it seemed there would be some down-time, we were often told we had 5 minutes to be in a line, with all our gear. Often, I had to scramble to get the computer shut down, grab up the novel and snacks, throw on my pack and move out.

The most memorable part of the 18-hour day was arrival at an east coast airport just before leaving the continental U.S. A long line of military veterans and their families greeted us with handshakes and hugs as we walked into the secured lounge. Each person had patriotic clothing, flags, hats, or service pins on. Apparently this community provides this greeting to each flight of soldiers going to war. It was a moving moment to experience this gesture of caring support for the soldiers and us. What an honor.

Arrival in Kuwait

The Kuwait experience began with an after dark landing at a very dusty, sandy place. After getting off the plane (a much quicker process on military charters than commercial liners. There is no fooling around in the isles. You just grab your carry-on and go. Very efficient), we had to wait in the wind and dust for our police escort from the airport to a military site for more in-processing. Unfortunatly, there was not much to see on ths 40 minute road trip, due to darkness. There was a striking resemblance to Eastern Washington in winter. The sand in the median and along the fog line reminded me of the light, windblown snow along I-90.

This is the point where the Red Cross split up, bound for the various stations around the Persian Gulf. All the dufflebags (3 to a person times 70 lbs for hundreds of people) had to be unloaded and sorted. Most of the Red Cross bags had big Red Cross patches attached to the bags and that helped. With the sorting done, Team Kuwait....Amanda, Heidi and I began the hour-long drive to Camp Arifjan in a new Yukon belonging to one of the officers and driven by Master Sgt. Wong. The conditions (wind and sand) reminded me very much of Yakima, WA in the summer of 1980 after Mt. St. Helens errupted.

By the time we got to sleep in temporary quarters in Camp Arifjan it was 0300hrs (3AM) local time...11 hours ahead of Pacific Standard time. By 0700 hrs, we were back up, meeting the team we were to replace and beginning the in-processing. As is Red Cross and military custom, inprocessing is confusing and frustrating. Our team agrees to be better prepared for the change-over when it is our turn to leave next March.

We have now moved into our permanent housing PODs (8 by 16 foot metal boxes), and have received our base drivers licenses and computer access rights. The previous team has left and we are on our own.

Until next time,

Thomas

Service to Armed Forces Center (SAFC)

2009-11-01T08:35:00.000-08:00

Emergency messages between U.S. families and their service members usually begin at the local chapter level. From there, the messages are verified and formatted, and sent on. The caseworkers at the Service to Armed Forces Center (SAFC) process hundreds of these messages each day, 24/7.

Our team of assistant station managers, training to work in Balad, Baghdad and Kuwait, spent a full week handling cases and delivering messages here in the center. It is safe to say we gained renewed respect for the full-time caseworkers in the centers and the commitment of the volunteers around the world.

Chapter 1-Preparation

2009-10-25T17:08:00.000-07:00

Tom's great adventure to the persian gulf with the American Red Cross begins with a month of intensive training in the art of emergency communication messages between U. S. military people and their families.

After two weeks of computer training and team building, the five of us new assistant station managers are beginning to find out what we don't know about Service to Armed Forces (SAF) casework.

Meanwhile, we are becoming close friends.

The most amazing thing I have learned so far is the number of emergencies encountered by the families of our service personnel. Basically, it seems to be hazardous to be a grandparent....they are dropping like flies daily!

The training facility in Virginia is well-equipped, and the hotel accomodations are exceptional. It is appreciated to have comfortable surroundings, pending our trip overseas.

The intensive casework that we will participate in during the next week will help us to be very, very familiar with the software and the protocols for a perfectly formatted message, with the goal of getting the message properly and efficiently delivered.

Stay tuned.