We welcome Mark back!!
His old page is HERE
13 Jan 2009:
Wow, it is already January 13th!
We had a communications blackout for over 2 weeks here, and were limited to Intranet only, so I could not update here until now. Sorry for the delay.
We received several GREAT packages from loyal supporters since my last entry, and I will attempt to list the contributors and recognize the terrific contributions that all have made over the holidays.
First off, members of "The Church" in Norcross Georgia, and Rev. J. Williams! Holey moley! They sent several large boxes of hygiene items and candy and snacks! WOW!! We had two ships here over the holidays, the IWO JIMA, and the SAN ANTONIO, and I tried to share as much as I could with Navy personnel on those two. Members of The Church sent tons of candy, ramen soup, and various hygiene things. Much of the goods sent are difficult to get here, and ALL of us were so appreciative, that it is hard to describe. All their care packages were wrapped as Christmas gifts, and everybody thought that this was OUTSTANDING! It was obvious that some of the packages were wrapped and decorated by children, and it warmed our hearts during the holidays while we are separatedfrom our own kids. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Mary Pozzi, thank you for the hot chocolate, soups, tuna packets, and all the other GREAT items that you sent to us! Everything that you sent was divided up quickly and efficiently, and I have a dozen thank you's to deliver from several of my shipmates! So, THANK YOU!!
Lisa Mangum, thank you so much for sending drink packets and granola! We drink a lot, A LOT of water here, and it is nice to have mixes to give a little variety once in awhile. There is not much available to us, so it was definitely a FANTASTIC change! Also, the energy bars go a long way, especially when we have to stand watches. The night watches are cold, and long. Soooo, hot chocolate and energy/granola bars are IDEAL!!
To those at the Luling City Market Restaurant and Bar in Houston, your package was awesome! It looked as if you had several different contributors, as there was such an incredible variety of things. The entire package went fast, and there really was something for everyone. THANK YOU! There was so much good stuff there, and ALL left with something, and a big smile!
The Saint Francis Credit Union in Tulsa sent boxes of Christmas cards, which I gave to the Chaplain toadd to gift boxes that we put together for our shipmates deployed north in Kuwait and Iraq. The Chaplain, and the RP both told me to throw out a hearty THANK YOU, and Merry Christmas to you! The cards went north, as well as many of the snack items that I received from people listed here.
Our Chaplain here is involved with the COMREL program, and I have participated in a few of the outreach activities. We are very much into exploring the local cultures and attempting to show the positives of our own cultures as Americans. It is interesting to learn about the Moslems and their faith and practices. They are VERY interested in our religious beliefs too, and manyof them are very well versed in the bible and the teachings of Christ. It absolutely dumbfounded me to learn that they study the Bible and can quote scripture better than most of us!
As I have spent more and more time talking to the locals (Bahraini's, Saudi's, Jordan, Yemen, Kuwaiti's, etc), they become more comfortable talking to me about faith, and politics and family, and a lot of the same things that you and I would discuss at home. It is refreshing at times to hear a completely different race or culture discuss the merits of Christianity and peace. As I mentioned in a previous posting here, we are so quick to judge that which we don't understand. The main focal point that they all seem to agree on is peace. It seems that everyone is tired of war. The Middle Easterners want there to be peace just as much as we do, but just don't seem to know how to achieve it. They are quick to condemn radicals, even within their own factions, and THAT is a big stride. There are a lot of good people here that are torn between religion, politics, pride, values and culture. Hmm, sounds a lot like us at home!
Allan and Delores Smith-Dee, I continue to get your notes and letters, and I appreciate each and every one of them. I realize that you are probably right and I am probably lucky to be out of my relationship, but you are also right in the fact that it is still hard to get over, and that it still hurts. Thank you for caring, its always nice to hear a 3rd party perspective.
Amber Emerick, I received your package also, and want to thank you from both myself, and the Coalition Forces Component. I shared the Christmas candies with them and they asked that I thank you for them. It was very generous of you to send the snacks and candy, and they were here when the package arrived. Since most of them are non-Christians, I found it somewhat ironic that they got such a charge out of "Christmas" candies! So thank you again from all of us.
Oh yeah, and Brad Said, of the Dosey Doe coffee company! I ordered more coffee from his company, and he AGAIN paid the shipping on my package! THANK YOU! For those of you who may read this and enjoy a good cup of coffee, give theirs a try, I have yet to be disappointed, and they are a small town/customer service driven shop that really seem to care, and support us soldiers and sailors. It is cold here, and coffee is like a religion some days!
I have to get back "to work", so I will wrap things up. I am sure, as always, that I may have forgotten one or two of you, and if I did, I am sorry. There are like 12 things going on around me at once, and I try to remember everyone but sometimes I may miss someone. Just know that I, and everyone else that I share your packages and boxes with ABSOLUTELY and TRULY do thank each and every person that has a hand in helping us and supporting us. We get down sometimes, and feel forgotten, but the support that we get from YOU at home can make a bad day, or even a bad week a little better. I know that I speak for myself, and those around me and we cant begin to thank you at home enough.
Sleep well, we Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen have the watch, and we won't let you down!
Happy New Year,
OS2 Mark Johnson
15 Dec 2008
AWESOME!
I received a package of tuna lunchables! They vanished before my eyes! OUTSTANDING!! A big thank you to Stanton Station, In PA!! We eat a lot of stuff like that here, since microwaves are hard to come by.
Again, thanks to Dr. Ronald S. in Apple Valley, MN for all the candy!! I have given just about all of it out now, and EVERYONE says thanks!!
Also, I received a package from the Old Time Candy Company, in La Grange, OH. Thank you for the candy, the sweet pops, and chewies brought back a lot of memories for us old guys, and maybe will make a few new ones for the younger folks here! Thank you so much!
Michael, from Saint Xavier HS, I got your letter, and can't agree more, on the world series. I too am a die hard Cubs fan, but again, they disappoint....As far as the election, well, I guess I better not comment too much about it, other than to say that we are in for change. Good change? That remains to be seen, but it will be a turning point for us either way. I am a big 2nd amendment supporter, and am following things on that front closely. Like I said, should be interestinig times to come.
I received a bunch of handmade Christmas stockings, and sent them to the USS San Antonio, minus the 4 or 5 we kept here. The kids there thought they were great, and the women commented on how much time must have gone in to making them. DO NOT think that they are unappreciated, we LOVE them!!
And Granny Dee S., from Oregon...you and Allan are a blessing. I passed the Christmas cards on to the Chaplain, and he promised to forward them on in packages going to Iraq and Afghanistan. That along with your kind words are generous, and it was very nice hearing from you again. Oh yeah, and thanks for the green spongy thing! Cant get those here, and I love it!
Christmas will be here in 10 days, but I was in Kuwait for the last bunch of holidays, so I am used to it. I hate to be away from my kids 2 Christmas and Thanksgivings in a row, but I guess I don't have much choice. I bought a few gifts for them on Amazon and Ebay, and so far I am a hit. Take my small blessings where I can. They think I am a hero, and that feels good, even though I feel that I am just one guy, doing a job, trying to do my little part to make all of us a little safer.
Hopefully I will get a chance to email again before Christmas, but if not, THANK YOU for all that you do for us here! I truly can not thank all of you enough. You do more for our morale here than you could ever know.
God Bless You, and Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukuh, Kwanza, whichever you celebrate, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
03 Dec 2008
Finally! I apologize for not emailing sooner. We are in the middle of a very big exercise that has dominated most of my time.
Add into that some problems at home (guess I will be single again when I return), and it leaves me with not being able to focus very well on replying here. And for that I am sorry.
Support from members of this site has been INCREDIBLE! I will do my best to address some of them now:
Theresa P.-You are GREAT! I have distributed the wealth as much as I can, and EVERYBODY appreciates all that you sent for us! You have sent some of the nicest things, and I really enjoy hearing from you and getting your packages. It is funny, because I purchased a bunch of coffee from a coffee roaster in Spring, Tx too. Is it a big town, or small? I bought their coffee on Ebay, and they offered to pay the shipping! They seem to be very nice, or is that just Texans in general? I drove from Tucson to Dallas once. Sheesh, what a long drive. I was in a black SUV, it was July or August, and my AC was out. LOOOOOONG Drive! Anyhow, I was out in the smoke pit (designated smoking area) when I received your first package, and everyone around dove in! Since then, word has gotten out with the Coalition Force guys and ours also, and whenever packages come, they go fast. Yours I shared with the Coalition people. They are a nice bunch, and many, especially those from like Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, etc are not familiar with our customs, or our holidays, and I enjoy sharing stuff with them when I can. Always a good will ambassador, I guess. The Moslems don't do Christmas, but they have no problems with the candy and little gifts!
And just to put it out there-the media sometimes paints a pretty unsavory picture of Moslems. Don't buy into everything that they put out. I have met many Moslem people that are very kind and generous. We have to remember not to stereotype them. I used to be guilty of this as much as or more than anyone, but again, many of them are kind, hard working, family minded people just like us. They are just part of an entirely different culture. It was, and IS hard for me to adjust to that sometimes, but I remind myself of our own mixed batch of cultures and races at home.
The Epp family-Thank you for your packages and kind letter. It is nice to be appreciated, even though we havent met! You sent EXACTLY the things that we use a lot of here and have a hard time getting! Beef jerky, tuna packets, soup-all get snatched up quickly and are a smile maker!
Dr. Ronald Snyder and his merry band of helpers! Thank you for the candy! We found it interesting that an Orthodontist would send a ton of candy, stirring up future business?!? Anyhow, your assortments are FANTASTIC and everyone that I have shared with can not thank you enough! The Officers come sniffing around daily now, and it is nice to share the wealth with them.
Su Sallee Perkins-The snacks and packages that you sent were grabbed up like winning lottery tickets! Also, your hygieine items made their way to the USS San Antonio, and their enlisted folks there and it made a huge impact on them and generated slot of happiness and thanks.
Just so that others know, one of our fleet, the San Antonio was here for repairs and their sailors were stuck here for quite awhile. Many of them did not have much money and were stuck either on base or the ship without any chance of liberty, so I sent everything that I could to them from all of you at home. Many of the sailors were watchstanders and could not leave the ship much, so I sent all that I could to them while they were here. Many of them didn't know what to say, except THANK YOU!!
Adam and Kristine Webb from CT-thank you for your package, I enjoyed your letter about being "skunked". Adam, I have camel pictures from Qatar when I was there in '06, as well as a couple from the AOR that I am in right now. I will email your mom, and if she approves, I will send you more pictures. Camels are pretty cool, they act like horses, very inquisitive and like to be petted. I havent had one bite me yet, although one rubbed his gross, nasty chin in my hair in Qatar. It wouldnt have been so bad, except it was like 125 degrees outside, and he was drooling, and I was sweaty. UGGHHH!! GROSS! So Adam, my son is 12 also, and he hasn't written to me once! I call him, or try to call him and his little sister at least every couple of days. They arent too happy about me being gone again, but there isnt a lot that I can do about it, ya know? I appreciate what you and your mom are doing for us soldiers and sailors at home, THANK YOU!!
Lisa Mangum-OMG!! Your package didn't even make it out of our spaces! EVERYTHING that you sent was gone like a magic trick! The coffee and creamers got pulled and sent forward to my (now) ex fiancee in Qatar. They couldn't get decent coffee there, so I sent it to them. They had a crappy deployment, so I tried to do what little I could to cheer them up a bit and share some of the wealth. You have GOOD TASTE!! The snacks, hygiene items, ALL of it was put to good use and vanished before my eyes!! THANK YOU!!
Rob and Sharon B.-ditto for your package! Its kind of funny, as soon as a package comes, a small crowd gathers and all you see is hands, then an empty box! It is like a small Christmas when the mail finally comes! We all really appreciate you. I have family in Glendale, and according to them, it is cooling down, bet you are glad of that! I was home for 4 months (I am from Tucson), and it was a HOT summer, thankfully I was coming from Kuwait and was used to the heat!!
The Ozarks Pony Club-Thank you for the book and pictures! I DO remember you from 2006, and have your booklet out for new people to check out. I may send it to my daughter, as she is absolutely CRAZY about horses! Seems to be a common thing with girls.... Anyhow, it was really awesome to hear from you, and remarkable that you would remember me! WOW, that is so cool!!
Allan and Dee Smith-I really enjoyed your letter. So Allan was an old salt, Navy guy, huh? I joined the Reserves in 2003 with no prior military, and have been deployed 3 times now, this being the third. I was 10 1/2 months the first time in 2006, 11 1/2 months the last time '07-'08, then got orders here in October. Crazy, huh? I am reserves but have more active duty time than reserve. I have never done much as far as ships, as I am actually designated as an "Expeditionary Warfare Specialist", but have spent some time on ships here and there. Al either loved it or hated it, I bet. I don't know how long I could stay cooped up on a boat like that. Although the ships now seem to be bigger and more user friendly than when he served. As far as pictures of me without sunglasses, I will look for one to post here. The sun is EXTREMELY bright here and most of us are NEVER without eye protection. Also there is a lot of dust here. The dust here is different than what we are accustomed to in the states. Here, dust is very fine, almost like talcum powder, and very abrasive. If you get it in your eyes it stings. There havent been many dust storms here since I arrived, but on both trips previous, the storms were brutal, and your eyes take a big hit if you are out in the dust without eyewear. I am glad that you and Allan are enjoying your retirement, it sounds like you are both very kind and generous people and deserve it.
I am sure that I may have missed one or two of the supporters, and for that I am sorry, I will catch you next time if I forgot ya!
The holidays are going to be pretty rough for a lot of us, myself included. This is the second season in a row that I will have spent over here, and it kind of stinks, but what can you do? I want to thank ALL of the people who read the postings and think of us who are away protecting America and our way of life. Those of us here in the Middle East see what these people are faced with day after day, and we appreciate home that much more each day.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
OS2(EXW)Mark Johnson, USN
10 Nov 2008
A big THANK YOU!!, to Dosey Doe Coffee! I have been buying coffee beans from them for a month or so now, (absolutely fantastic coffee beans, btw) and they have been VERY supportive and gave me a break on shipping charges. They have a website, doseydoe.com and their beans are as good as or better than those fancy shmancy beans from Seattle.
It has been hit and miss with vendors shipping things to us here, so it is nice that a business supports us. We have to purchase a lot of our personal items from Amazon or Ebay, and it is difficult to find vendors who will ship to us here.
On to the trip so far...
It is still HOT here! Personally, being from Tucson, I don't mind it all that much, but some of the Officers that I am under are from Connecticut, and the War College, and the heat is beating them up. It is cooling off at night tho, and is comfortable for PT at about 0500.
This deployment is about 180 degress different from anything that I have done before, and so far it has been rapid fire, and very interesting. I have never done missions for "the Fleet" before, and being the only expeditionary warfighter in our department, I am taksed with a lot of unusual duties. It is somewhat refreshing to have superiors tap into my knowledge and ACTAULLY be able to contribute as an pseudo-equal.
We all still miss our families, one of the Commanders has a new-born, and it is especially hard for him, but "mission first" as they keep telling us. This is my third deployment since I joined in 2003, so I am kind of the old hand. Go figga...
I noticed that Chief Liberty is deployed to Iraq. Please support him and his group. He was my first Chief on my first mobilization, and is one of the best leaders that I have had on ANY my trips over here. He is a really good guy, so please take care of him and his people. He takes GREAT care of his people, and his group is truly lucky to have him. Chief, if you read this, just wanted to say "hi", and wish I was there with ya!!
I will try to keep up on the site here, as things come up, and thanks for all of your continued support!
29 Oct 2008
Dear Readers and Supporters,
I have plenty of pictures of blown up stuff, and us with our "war faces" on, but who wants to see stuff like that?
How many Sailors are posting camel pics?!?
We found these guys on a patrol, apparently they belong to the King, and there is a nice camel herder from Bombay, India, that was kind enough to let me snap these photos.
What a cool memory, huh?
And to Theresa Perry, from Spring TX, and her friends, THANKS FOR THE NICE LETTERS!! You were the first to send things to me, and I gave the letters to sailors who are here from the ships during replenishment.
With the election looming, I fear that support for soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines may fade.
Thanks to everyone for their support of us!
OS2 Mark Johnson
18 Oct 2008
I don't have very many photos right now, as we are not allowed to take any on this particular base, but I do have one that I can release to you.
Thanks again,
OS2
15 Oct 2008
Hi!
Some of you may remember me from 2006 when I was deployed to Iraq/Kuwait. This time around is a little different, but hey, the Middle East is the Middle East, I guess.
Anyhow, our living conditions vary here by rank, and type of orders, but all of us are in hard buildings of some sort, so that is definitely a plus over last time!
ALL electricity here is 220V, but we step it down to 110V with transformers and power packs (for those who can afford them, they are a bit pricey). Food here isn't that great, and is pricey also. Sheesh, everything here seems to be pricey except gas!
We do our own personal laundry here, and pay to have our uniforms washed, as they are not authorized for wear off base. Most of us have small refrigerators in our berthing, but microwaves are fewer and farther between. I may pick one up after a few paychecks, but right now, no way. Food items that work here are beef jerky (of course), coffee (uh, we are Navy..), any kind of snacks, easy to prepare foods, etc. Whatever may find its way here, I am sure I can find a home for.
We have a constant influx of IA's and people funneling through us to go to other places (mostly north of us), and numbers vary week to week, but the number I posted here is a pretty much constant. Ships come through periodically, and they absorb food, snacks, and other personal items like a sponge, since they are out at sea for months at a time. I try to accomodate them and tha Marines that cycle through as much as possible, since I wouldn't want THEIR job.
The males outnumber the females, go figure :-( and any contributions for female shipmates will readily find homes. Also, I am forwarding things to members of sister units in Qatar, and Iraq.
All of us are sad to be away from home, especially over the holidays.
Clothes, food & snacks, anything from home is ALWAYS appreciated.
I am from ESU-54 in Tucson, btw, and am IA here in the "Box" yet again. I will add more next time, and THANKS!!