NEWS from Derek

NEWS FROM DEREK!

We missed the call on Don's cell phone, I noticed the number was a 199 which is the same area code that Derek has calling from before. Sure enough about 3 minutes later my phone rang and it was Derek. He got a phone card (AT&T is the only thing that works) and so we chatted about 10 minutes, Don is talking to him right now. It's so nice to hear his voice. He's still working on trainings and will be for about 11 more days, with the other unit they are replacing. He said they can't go anywhere when there is a sand storm, everything is dark and nothing moves during that time. He's up most nights working at a rotation of different trainings from station to station. Each one of them is something different that they need to know. (he talks in vague terms and there is a long delay on the phone) I ask if he'd left the base and if he'd heard about the increase fighting, but he's not able to leave yet and there is nothing going on there. He didn't know of the fighting in Basra (south Iraq)and he says they won't go there at all. He's going to go to Baghdad but that will be in a couple of weeks, for delivering supplies. He's planning to buy a laptop so he can email, said they can't have cell phones at all. So he's talking with Don now about what kind of laptop to buy. I ask what he needs and he says "Beef Jerky"... So that will go in my next box. I have a box ready to send on Monday and I sent one last Friday. He should start getting mail this week or next. Some say one week for it to arrive and others say longer.. We will see...
Big news is that they get 2 weeks leave, he's put in for his in August. We will see if it's accepted or not. He can just wait till they come home in Dec. and take 6 weeks off with pay instead of 4. Time will tell, all things in the Army change.