Rumored for a coupla weeks, and now confirmed, Spc. Michael Atkinson is sandbox-bound:
Due to recent events in the sandbox, my relaxingSo, yeah. I don't really know what to say about that. Mike is assigned to the 1st Armored Division, which has been deployed in Iraq for the past year and has, as he implied, been extended there an additional 90 days. Mike had arrived at the 1st's home base in Germany during deployment, and would likely not have seen Iraq if not for the recent turn for the worse there.
summer in Europe has been cancelled. I will be
spending a few quality months in Iraq instead. To
paraphrase Yogi Berra, if it's 125 degrees in the
shade, I hope I won't be in the shade!I don't know when I leave, but it should be a matter
of weeks.Remember, I should be more worried about you-- you
drive on America's freeways every day.later,
Mike
Here's hoping Mike spends his time in the sandbox safely tucked inside a Bradley fighting vehicle and comes home safe and sound.
On a lighter note, there's this. Check it while it's hot; only 2 hours to go.
Posted by FLOG at April 28, 2004 1:27 AM | TrackBackMike tells me that the 1st Armored Division has been stationed in Baghdad for the past year, but that's changing. Given the security along major roads throughout Iraq (ha!), Old Ironsides (quaint historic nickname for the 1st Armored) will now be redeployed to escort motor convoys everywhere. This should either ensure reduced attacks along the roads or act as a magnet for more. Thank God he has at least received a thorough course in conversational Arabic (covered in 2 days). Who says miniaturization hasn't thoroughly penetrated the modern Army. Returnees to Germany tell Mike that it gets into the 130s in the summer, and that's in the shade. (Yogi Berra, I believe, commonly gets credit for the tagline here: "if it's that bad, I sure don't want to be in the shade.") Dehydration is a greater health hazard than some others.
Well, let's all hold a good thought for Mike.
Posted by: The Father at May 8, 2004 4:10 AMGood grief, how embarrassing. I forgot that Mike had scored the Yogi Berra joke in his original e-note. Sigh.
Posted by: The Father at May 8, 2004 4:14 AM