From Mike's wife, Linae:
First let me say that we are humbled that Mike would be honored like this. Mike first joined the National Guard in 1985. After spending 19 years state side, he was recently called to active duty to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He is presently serving in a Maintenance Unit at Camp Anaconda, Iraq. He is a Platoon Sergeant in charge of 67 other soldiers. His unit does all the maintenance on military equipment from heavy equipment to fixing tents. They are also running security missions up into Iraq. These missions lead them out into the heat of battle.
Mike shares his trailer home with one other soldier from Ohio. The trailer is air conditioned. He has email hook up right in his room but is so busy that he just hasn’t time to get on line as much as he’d like. A normal day begins at 4:45 a.m. and ends around 6:00 p.m. But in leadership the job never stops. Especially if they get mortared, Mike’s work only increases. There is 100% accountability, so everyone is accounted for and the paper trail begins.
Meals are not like home but far better than eating MRE’s (Meals Ready to Eat) all the time. There is a nice selection of food in the Chow Hall. They also have a selection of fast food restaurants to choose from like Burger King, Pizza Hut, and Subway.
Anaconda is a large compound at least 8-9 mile radius. It was formally a Red Army compound under Saddam. It has two swimming pools. There are places for softball, basketball and other physical training. It houses up to 7,000 troops at any given time, and is one of our military's major airports. It’s a very large location. They still receive mortar rounds almost daily. This means that everyone is in full battle gear and wearing the 100lb body armor in 114 degree weather. It’s tough but they seem to be handling all this as best as possible.
Mike and I cannot express how grateful we are for the support of prayers, letters, cards, boxes of treats and supplies, calling cards and the support that everyone has given. We knew that this year was going to be tough but God is seeing us through - to Him be the glory for we could not be making it though this without His watchful care and assistance. I cannot begin to tell you how God has enabled us through the problems but I know that He is real. God’s presence is close and I know that Mike will be kept safe.
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