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Life here is different

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Conley & Associates

 

CHU ROW

Well, as you all have read my first post you know my current story. Thanks for the reading. It feels good to know that people are still supportive of unwanted situations. I wanted to come back here to see what has changed and if anything has changed since I left this hell pit in 2002. It has changed drammatically. What lots of us fail to realize is these people were oppressed for their entire lives and they have came accustomed to it in some respects like those who have been incarcerated for most of their lives. They hate change and do not realize there is a better way to live. I do not want to start a political war, I am just saying what I have personnaly seen. Today here is a different atmosphere that makes me feel much better about our cause. We have made progress dispite what the hell those crooked sob's in office say.  

Now onto the Blog title. Here where I am at is a palace compared to most of the posts here. We are about 45 miles north of the capital. It is one of the largest posts in theatre so it has quite a few amentities like CHU's and CHU's with water, new barracks facilities that had recently been completed. There are even a few vendors here you may recognize, BK, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Popeye's Chicken, and SubWay. They are all here. The troops that are not from here get to come here when they can. They love that run/mission that has a layover here. It is like going to your favorite restaraunt back home. It has everything you miss and love at the same time. We even have two pools now for the soldiers tohave cook outs at when they have down time and it gives them a chance to forget that they are here. It really helps them out. I have seen a few platoon gatherings at the pool and they just get a chance to forget it all.

We do not have many vehicles here so walking and biking everywhere is the main transportation. Everything that I need is is about .5 miles away. My work, my chow hall, my PX, phone, you name it. It is about a half mile away. Not too bad. The temperature is about 108 at 10am and blazing near 130 by 1400 it cools down to low 100's in the evening.

Our offices have A/C and the shops that people work in have it but the shops are so big the A/C is not all that great for those guys working on the soldiers equipment to get it ready. I teach two days in the weather on my classes and it gets hot for those soldiers because of their armor and how heavy it is. Their upper body armor weighs close to 65lbs at least. Try carrying that around all day in that kind of heat. I feel for those guys let me tell ya. 

Attached is a picture of our CHU rows or housing units. Thank god they only stack them 2 high. When the mortars actually get close these things rock! I live on a bottom CHU too. I am happy about that.

Show All Comments Sort:
Lysa Napolitano
Daytona Beach, FL

Hi Micky, Boy, your life there is different for sure. People complain about their lives here in the US all the time, I wonder if they realize how good they really have it compared to what our troops are going through over where you are, and you've got some conveniences!

Sep 04, 2007 08:15 AM
Sarah Cooper
Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Two high!!  I wouldn't have imagined that.  I'm glad you live in one of the nicer places.  I can't even wrap my mind around what you guys have to do over there.  I'm glad you at least get pizza.  

Gotta go answer your mail -- MWA!   

Sep 04, 2007 08:28 AM
Charles Micoletti
Conley & Associates - Clarion, PA

Lysa, I wish I could bring my daughter here for bring your daughter to work day! I am not the only one either who would love to bring their kids here for just a day.

When visiting other countries you see the difference, but when you are in theatre here you feel the difference. I went to Thai Land for my R/R and saw some pretty bad places but lived in the five star resort hotel, people see it on their vacations abroad and say how do they live like that, these guys here in the tents are living it. I have not had to live in a tent since i was here years ago and would not want to go to tent city that is for sure. The transcienthousing area is a 30x20 with ten bunkbeds in them. Those housing units are for the guys in layovers here and live there about 3-5days before moving out again. Those are worse than the tents!

These troops know what they are fighting for and bringing this place back on its feet will help these people tremendously. I will have pics of their mud-huts soon. Ill put them on here when I get those pics.

Sep 04, 2007 08:54 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

The Active-Voice in Iraq, I like it!

You are a better man than me amigo, you know me and authority...

Sep 04, 2007 09:32 AM
Laurie Mindnich
Centennial, CO
I'm really glad to hear that, in your opinion, things have changed for the better there.  We hear so much, just flipping around TV, that is contrary to what you're saying.  Unless they've been there, left, and returned, I think I'll consider you my Iraq authority- thank you, and stay safe.
Sep 04, 2007 09:52 AM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
Just checking in!
Sep 04, 2007 09:53 AM
Lysa Napolitano
Daytona Beach, FL
Charles when I was 9 my father was stationed at a Greek AFB and we lived in a small Greek village outside the base. The war between Greece and Turkey for Cyprus broke out while we were there. It was nothing like what you see or have been through, but a lesson learned for a small 9 year old girl for sure. I understand what you mean.
Stay Safe
Sep 04, 2007 10:31 AM
Lisa Heindel
Crescent City Living LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Real Estate Broker
Thanks for the view from the other side Mickey!  Be safe out there....
Sep 04, 2007 11:59 AM
Bob Carney
Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales - Mc Henry, MD
Licensed MD/PA Real Estate Agent

What no button? 

Awesome info...So much is taken for granted these days.

Sep 05, 2007 02:44 PM
Charles Micoletti
Conley & Associates - Clarion, PA

No buton this time BOB, Jason was dogging me about the button so I left it out, he is such a whiner.

Lysa, that is a lesson in lfe that many do not get a chance to get and I am sure you gained alot more respect for the freedoms we have, especially when you were that age and could see how the locals your age were living.

Nice to see ya Chris

Laurie, that is why I put this blog in here, I know it is not real state or procpesct property but I think it is something that professionals may take seriously. Especially professionals that make differences in the everyday lives of those fighting for their american dream. That house they have always wanted, that specific neighborhood they want their kids to grow up in. That is what these guys here are fighting for. It really affects a soldier who is a father to see an Iraqi mother desperately seeking a better life for their children and a sfe place for their kids to just play. I mean just to play, live and be kids. Those simple things in everyday life mean mountains to these people.

Sep 11, 2007 07:44 AM