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FOR ALL GULF VETS I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR YOUR STORY

DIARY OF SGT. ROBERT CARTER
DURING GULF WAR
& MEMBERS OF THE 348th ENG.DET.
* THINGS THAT STAY ON MY MIND

NOV.15 GOT A CALL TO SHOW UP AT RESERVE CENTER. I WAS
AT WORK HOLDING A SHOP MEETING WHEN MARLYAN CAME TO
GET ME , SHE SEEMED A LITTLE SHOOK THEN SHE SAID IT'S THE
ARMY . I HAD BEEN WATCHING THE NEWS A LOT ,BUT THE CALL
STILL CAME AS A SHOCK . JUST THREE DAYS LATTER WE WERE
OFF TO FORT HOOD. HERE WE SPENT THE FIRST FEW WEEKS
LOADING EQUIPMENT AND PAINTING IT DESERT SAND. WE ALSO
DID LOTS OF PT I THOUGHT IT WAS GOING TO KILL ME .
NOV 16 348th ENG DET ( UTIL ) IS ACTIVATED
NOV 20 THE ADVANCE PARTY MOVED TO FORT HOOD TO SET UP
MOB PROCESSING .
NOV 21 UNIT ACTIVATION DAY ; REPORT AND INVENTORY OCIE /
CLOTHING .
NOV 22 THANKSGIVING DAY OFF .
NOV 23 BEGAN LOADING EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOVE TO MOB
STATION ( FORT HOOD ) .
NOV 24 COMPLETED FINAL LOAD PREPARATION .
NOV 25 TRAINING HOLIDAY .
NOV 26 UNIT DEPARTS USAR CENTER AT 8:00 HOURS TO FORT
HOOD . GOT VEHICLES PARKED IN MOTOR POOL AND SETTLED
INTO BUILDINGS .
NOV 27 IN-PROCESSING AT BUILDING 121 FORT HOOD
NOV 28 COMPLETED IN-PROCESSING .
NOV 29 - DEC 1 MEDICAL PROCESSING .
DEC 2 UNIT VEHICLES ARE PAINTED SAND COLOR IN
PREPARATION FOR MOVEMENT TO SOUTHWEST ASIA .
DEC 3 - DEC 9 UNIT TRAINED FOR VALIDATION
SOME OF THE THINGS WE DID TO VALIDATE
1 RIFFLE RANGE
2 CHEMICAL CLASS
3 GARNERED RANGE
4 COMBAT TRAINING IN A BOMBED OUT TOWN THIS WAS ALMOST
LIKE THE REAL DEAL BUT LEARNED A LOT .
5 LEADER SHIP CONFIDENCE COURSE / GROUPS WERE PUT INTO
DIFFERENT SITUATIONS TO WORK THROUGH TO GATHER . WE DID
GREAT .
6 ARABIC CLASS SOME KEY WORDS & CULTURE
DEC 10 RECEIVED VALIDATION .
* KAY GOT REAL SICK AND WE HAD TO PUT HER IN A MENTAL
INSTITUTE. I HAD TO MAKE A TOUGH DECISION AT THIS TIME DO I
STAY WITH KAY OR GO WITH MY CREW . KAY WOULD BE TAKEN
CARE OF I NEW THIS . THE CREW I FELT NEEDED MY GUIDANCE .
HOPE I MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE!
DEC.12 SGT KERPATRIC AN I WERE SELECTED TO HELP
SUPERVISE THE LOADING OF 136 RAIL CARS IN ONE DAY .EVER
ONE DID A GREAT JOB THAT DAY. WE GOT OFF FOR CHRISTMAS &
NEW YEARS . IT WAS NOT ONE TO REMEMBER WITH KAY SICK AND
ME READY TO LEAVE NO ONE EVER QUESTIONED MY DECISION TO
GO , AND THE BOYS SEEMED WORRIED BUT PROUD OF ME .KAY
WAS SO SICK I DON'T KNOW IF I COULD HELP NOW SO GOD HELP
HER .
JAN. 3 WE STARTED A LOT OF COMBAT TRAINING . I WORKED
WITH MY MEN AND WE WERE THE BEST SQUAD IN THE COMPANY .
WE EVEN HAD ARABIC CLASSES I WAS PROUD OF MY SQUAD FOR
THE EFFORT THEY PUT FORTH . IT SEEMED AS THOUGH SOME OF
THE OTHER SQUADS DID NOT TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY. THEY
THOUGHT WE WOULD NOT GO.
JAN.15 WE SENT A ADVANCE PARTY TO THE GULF , GOD
PROTECT THEM.
* JAN .17 KAY GOT TO COME HOME ,SHE DID NOT EVEN KNOW
ME . THE BOYS STAYED WITH THEIR ROUTINE . WE SAT AND
TALKED TILL THEY HAD TO GO TO BED. I FILL LIKE THEY WILL BE
OF HELP TO RACHEL .
* JAN.18 I HEARD THAT THE WAR HAD STARTED MY THOUGHTS
WENT TO THE ADVANCE PARTY. I WENT TO LEAVE EARLY THE
BOYS WERE A SLEEP , KAY WAS UP STANDING IN THE LIVING ROOM
. I KISSED HER AND SHE SHOWED NO EMOTION . I TOLD HER I
LOVE YOU AND WALKED AWAY. I HAD SECOND THOUGHTS BUT
KEEP GOING . SHE WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF AND THE BOYS
ALSO . I HOPE WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE OVER THERE.
JAN.19 WE LEFT FORT HOOD TO MCGUIER AIR BASE THE
PLANE WAS CROWDED.
* JAN.20 LEFT FOR GERMANY THEN KING FAUD AIR BASE. I
COULD NOT REST SO I WENT TO THE COCKPIT . THE PILOT GOT A
MESSAGE THAT IRAQ PLANES WERE NEAR AND SCUDS WERE
HEADED TOWARD KING FAUD AIR BASE . I HEADED BACK TO MY
SEAT AND PRAYED. WE LANDED IN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES TILL
WE GOT A ALL CLEAR.
* JAN. 21 WE LANDED AT KING FAUD AIR BASE WHAT A MESS. NO
PLACE TO USE REST ROOMS . WE ALL SAT OUT SIDE A LARGE TENT
WHEN 3 SCUDS CAME IN THE PATRIOTS GOT THEM BUT SOME OF
THE MEN THOUGHT IT WAS A TEST TILL WE WENT RUNNING IN TO
GET ON OUR GEAR . THE LIGHTS WERE OUT AND IT WAS A MESS. I
WAS SO SCARED WHEN IT WAS OVER I PUKED MY GUTS OUT. WE
ALL TOOK THE PILL. WE WERE MOVED THAT NIGHT TO KOBAR
THEN CEMENT CITY. WHAT A MESS THERE TO . WE HAD 3 SCUDS
HIT JUST AS WE GOT THERE . WE ALL SCATTERED FOR COVER AND
GOT MASKED . WE TOOK THE PILL. WE HEARD SHOTS AT THE
GUARD AND SOME ONE CALLED OUT IN COMING . WE ALL
HEADED TO THE BUNKERS . WE SLEEP WITH OUR MASK ON THAT
NIGHT. THEY SENT ME AND SGT HAMMER TO PORT TO TRY TO
FIND THE ADVANCE PARTY NO LUCK.
* JAN.23 I WENT BACK TO PORT AND STAYED THERE GOT INFO
ON THE SHIPS WITH OUR EQUIPMENT ON IT. THE REST OF THE
COMPANY WENT TO KOBAR . I HAD A LONG SCARY NIGHT AGAIN
WE HAD 3 SCUDS COME IN AT PORT. I TOOK THE PILL AGAIN.
* JAN.24 I AM STILL AT PORT WAITING FOR THE SHIP . 2 SCUDS
CAME AT US EARLY . I FOUND A PLACE TO EAT A HOT MEAL AND
CLEAN UP. I WAS TIRED AND FOUND A UNMANNED COOT AND
GOT SOME REST
* JAN.25 STAYED UP ALL NIGHT LOOKING FOR 2 DUMPS THAT
WERE TO BE ON THE PONCE NO LUCK 2 SCUDS TOOK PILL.
* JAN.26 GOT SOME HELP THEY SENT ME SOME OF MY MEN ,
PICK , ROGERS , MASSON. I CHECKED THE SHIP LOG FOUND THAT
OUR BLAZER CAME IN NOT THE DUMPS. BUT COULD NOT FIND IT I
WAS TOLD SOME EQUIPMENT WAS STOLEN AND IT COULD BE ONE
. WE WATCHED THE SHIP CATAWBA COME IN AND UNLOAD. WE
HAD NOTHING ON THAT SHIP . TOLD THE MEN TO GO GET SOME
REST IN THE WARE HOUSE , AND KEEP THEIR MASK NEAR BY. I
GOT UP TO GET SOME COFFEE AT THE OTHER END AND LEFT MY
MASK . 2 SCUDS CAME IN I RAN AND JUMPED OVER PEOPLE WOKE
THEM UP AND MASKED . I WAS SCARED THAT I WAS NOT GOING TO
GET THERE IN TIME. WHAT A NIGHT .
* JAN.27 I GOT RELIEVED BY LT. LOWE TO GO GET SOME REST. I
HAD NO AMMO YET AND HE GAVE ME DIRECTIONS TO KOBAR. I
GOT LOST AND ENDED UP IN A TOWN WITH A LOT ARIBES . I SAW A
SIGN THAT SAID KUWAIT , SO I MADE A U TURN . FOUND A MP AND
FOLLOWED HIM TO KOBAR. GOT SOME REST , FOUND A PHONE
OUR LINE WAS BUSY SO CALLED RAYMOND , WENT TO EAT , .AND
SLEEP , BUT 2 SCUDS CAME IN THAT NIGHT.
* JAN 28 I WENT BACK TO PORT WITH MY CREW ,THE REST WENT
TO RIYADH. WE STARTED GETTING OUR EQUIPMENT OFF THE
DIMON . WE PULLED GUARD ON IT . WE SAT THROUGH 2 SCUDS
OVER US WHILE WE WERE IN BACK OF THE DUMP A SLEEP . GOT
UP MASKED .TOOK THE PILL.
* JAN.29 ALL EQUIPMENT CAME IN BUT THE 250 CFM COMP.
AND STILL NO BLAZER CANT GET HELP TO MOVE EQUIPMENT .
GOT TO GET SOME REST 2 MORE SCUDS .
JAN.30 SAT ALL DAY ON GUARD AND WAITING FOR HELP TO
MOVE EQUIPMENT. NO SCUDS .
* JAN.31 GOT TO A PHONE AND CALLED TO TALK TO DAD I WAS
WORRIED ABOUT KAY. WET OUT TO CK ON GUARDS , WAITING FOR
HELP .2 SCUDS CAME IN THAT NIGHT IT STILL SCARES ME
ESPECIALLY WHEN I LOOK AT ALL THE SHIPS AT PORT AND THE
BOXES OF AMMO AND BOOMS , IF ONE HIT THIS WHOLE PLACE
WOULD GO UP , NOT A GOOD NIGHT.
FEB. 1 CALLED AND TALKED TO THE BOYS THEY WERE FINE .
THINGS STARTED COMING TOGETHER AND WE MOVED OUT 3:00
PM FOR RIYADH . WE HAD 4 BRAKE DOWNS , BUT GOT THERE AT
1:00 AM THEN HAD TO UNLOAD . I GOT PRETTY MAD THE LT. DID
NOT HAVE A PLACE FOR US TO SLEEP , AND MADE US UNLOAD
ONE OF MY MEN GOT REAL MAD AND I HAD TO RESTRAIN HIM.
BAD NIGHT . WE SLEEP ON THE FLOOR.
FEB. 2 COOLED DOWN GOT US ROOMS AND WE WENT BACK
TO BED .SLEEP ALL DAY
FEB. 3 WE WORKED ON OUR EQUIPMENT ALL DAY . I FOUND
OUT WE HAD A MISSION TO GO 6 HR. NORTH , AND THAT IS ALL
THEY WOULD TELL ME .I PICKED ROGERS TO GO WITH ME . WE
COULD LEAVE AT ANY TIME IN THE NEXT 3 DAYS . THIS PLACE IS
NICE ,IT HAS A LOT OF CONDOS 4 STORIES HIGH . THEY CALLED IT
ESKAIN VILLAGE . THE WAR ROOM IS LOCATED HERE.
FEB. 4 MAY CREW STARTED TO WORK ON A FENCE DETAIL
THAT WENT ALL AROUND THE VILLAGE . STILL NO WORD ON MY
MISSION. WENT TO CHECK ON 2 MORE JOBS, A ROAD AND A
HELICOPTER PAD NEAR THE HOSPITAL .
FEB. 5 WE WORKED ON THE DUMPS , AND SET UP 3 JOBS ,THE
PADS , ROAD , AND A PARKING LOT. HAVE NO WORD ON MISSION
MAY NOT GO .
FEB. 6 DID NOT GO BUT ON STAND BY . WORKED ON PARKING
LOT AND MOTOR POOL LOT. GOT SOME MAIL TODAY FROM KAY &
SISTER IT FELT GOOD TO HEAR FROM THEM ,EVEN THOUGH KAY
HAD LITTLE TO SAY.
* FEB. 7 GOT A LETTER FROM MOM SAYS BOYS ARE OK . I RAN A
GRADER ALL DAY ON THE MOTOR POOL . WE SET UP BUNKERS
AROUND ESKAIN VILLAGE AND WORKED ON THE FENCE. WE
WERE TOLD THEY NEEDED US GO DO SOME WORK AROUND THE
PATRIOTS TO MORROW . LOVE THEM PATRIOTS . THEY TOOK OUT
2 MORE SCUDS LAST NIGHT . WE DON'T TAKE THE PILL ANY MORE
.
FEB. 8 HAULED ROCK OUT TO THE PATRIOT SITE TO HELP ON
DUST CONTROL . WORKED ON BUNKERS , AND FENCE. WE ARE
STAYING BUSY . GOT A LETTER FROM KAY'S MOM ALL IS GOING
FINE KAY SEEM BETTER .
* FEB. 9 GOT CALLED IN LAST NIGHT AND TOLD I WAS TO SEND
ROGERS AND A NEW MAN UP NORTH . I ARGUED WITH LT.
BECAUSE I DID NOT FILL THE NEW MAN WAS NOT READY .I LOST
THIS BOTHERED ME BUT I FOLLOWED ORDERS. I WAS TO TAKE
PICK AND GO BACK UP TO THE PORT TO GET OUR COMP. MIKE
DROVE WE ALMOST HAD A WRECK THEY ARE CRAZY OVER HERE
NO RESPECT FOR LIFE IT SEEMS . MIKE DID SOME GOOD DRIVING
.WOW! LONG COLD NIGHT . HAD 1 SCUD THAT NIGHT .
FEB10 AFTER LONG NIGHT SLEEPING IN TRUCK WE GOT OUR
EQUIPMENT ABOUT 12:00 NOON . WE HEADED TO KOBAR TO GET
SOME REST AND CLEAN UP. WE WASHED OUR CLOTHES AND
SLEEP NECKED IN OUR BAGS . WE FELT BETTER FOR THE LONG
DRIVE BACK .
* FEB.11 LEFT FOR RIYADH AT 7:00 GOT THERE AT 2:00 MADE
MY REPORT AND ASKED ABOUT MY CREW. FOUND OUT I WAS TO
MOVE TO THE NORTH . WE WOULD BE GONE FOR 2 WEEKS TO A
MONTH . I HAD ABOUT 10 LETTERS ON MY BED . NONE FROM KAY .
GOT MY GEAR READY FOR TRIP .
FEB.12 HEADED NORTH JUST SHORT OF BORDER .LONG DRIVE
NO PROBLEMS . SAW A LOT OF DESERT PEOPLE AND CAMELS .
GOT TO A PLACE CALLED VULTURE AND THEY SEEMED GLAD TO
SEE US . EVERY ONE HAD SOME THING FOR US TO DO . THEY PUT
US IN A TENT WITH A FLOOR AND HEATER . OUR MAIN PROJECT
WAS TO SET UP A HELA PAD , FOR HOT FUELING OF MEDIVAC
HELICOPTERS .THEY WERE EXPECTING LOTS OF CASUALTIES
WHEN THE GROUND WAR STARTED . HOPE WE MAKE IT ALL
RIGHT.
FEB.13 MEET THE FIRST SERGEANT HI RUNS A DODGE SHOP
BACK HOME . THE WHOLE CREW SEEMS TO BE EASY TO WORK
WITH . IT HAD BEEN RAINING A LOT SO WE MADE WALK WAYS OF
ROCK AND SOME MAIN ROADS . NO MATERIAL FOR PAD .
* FEB.14 HAD 2 SCUDS LAST NIGHT ONE HIT A TOWN NEAR BY .
RAIN AND COLD. WHEN RAIN STOPS WE SET UP A PLACE FOR
SHOWERS . I SENT ONE MAN BACK TO GET SUPPLIES & REPAIR
PARTS FOR GRADER . HE WAS TO CHECK ON OUR MAIL ALSO .I
WAS TO GO TO MEETINGS EACH NIGHT THEN LET MY CREW KNOW
WHAT WAS GOING ON .
WE WERE TOLD THAT SOME MOVEMENT NORTH IN TO IRAQ HAD
STARTED OUR MISSION WAS THE SAME SUPPORT CONVOY
STATIONS , AND PATRIOT SITES . MOST OF THIS GROUP MAY GO
NORTH SOON. IT'S VALENTINE DAY KAY I LOVE YOU .
* FEB.15 HAD A SCUD LAST NIGHT ALSO A BOMB LANDED NEAR
THE CAMP AND DID NOT GO OFF . DEMOLITION CREW CAME AND
SET IT OFF BIG HOLE .THE SHOWERS ARE WORKING NOW AND WE
TOOK ONE . WE MADE ROADS AND CUT DITCHES FOR COMO WIRE
.SENT WHITT BACK FOR TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT . LT. CAME BY
WITH A CREW TO SET UP A POW CAMP JUST PAST US .HE
BROUGHT US SOME MAIL , TERRY AND MIKE STILL NO MAIL LET
THEM READ SOME OF MINE AM WORRIED ABOUT THEM . RUMORS
WERE OUT THE WAR WAS OVER BUT TOLD THE MEN NOT TO
BELIEVE IT . WE WERE TO WEAR OUR ARMOR AND REMOVE OUR
UNIT PATCHES .
FEB.16 WHITT BROUGHT US WHAT WE NEEDED FROM RIYADH
. WE WORKED ON THE ROADS AND DID MAINTENANCE ON
EQUIPMENT . THE MEN PLAYED UNO I WENT TO MEETINGS . WE
WORK ON BUNKERS TO MORROW .
* FEB.17 WORKED ON BUNKERS AND ROADS . GAVE THE MEN
OFF TO REST AND HAVE A CHANCE TO GO TO THE TOWN NEAR BY
. IT RAINED AND GOT COLD SO WE STAYED IN TENT .AT THE
MEETING I WAS BROUGHT UP ON THE WAR WE NOW HAVE 7
DEVISIONS IN SIDE IRAQ AND HOLDING . RUSSIA THINKS THEY
CAN TALK PEACE . WE HAD 2 INTRUDERS GET IN SIDE CAMP ONE
GOT AWAY .THEY WERE NEAR THE FUEL PODS AND 40 TRUCKS
LOADED WITH AMMO . WE ARE TOLD TO MAKE A DITCH AROUND
CAMP FOR SECURITY . WE WERE TO GO TO THE AIR FORCE UP
THE ROAD AND BEEF THEM UP ALSO .
FEB.18 WENT INTO TOWN NEXT TO CAMP LIVING THERE
LOOKS TOUGH .WE WORKED ON THE ROADS ALL DAY . THE RAIN
HAD MADE A MESS WE ALSO WORKED ON THE AIR FORCE NORTH
OF HERE. WE SAW THE LARGEST AMMO DUMP IN THE WORLD . IT
IS TEN SQ. MILES NOW I KNOW WHERE ALL THE AMMO TRUCKS
ARE GOING . GOT A LETTER FROM KAY SHE MUST NOT BE DOING
TO GOOD . I ALSO GOT ONE FROM THE BYRDS . WENT TO
MEETING.
FEB.19 WORKED ON ROADS AND PERIMIDER OF CAMP . TOOK
MEN TO TOWN AND BOUGHT SOME GOLD RINGS . HAD A LADY LT.
THAT DID NOT WANT TO OBAY MOSLEM LAW AND A RELIGIOUS
POLICEMAN WENT AFTER HER I LOADED MY M16 .SHE GOT ON
BUS AND HE BACKED OFF . HAVENT HEARD MUCH ON WAR
RUSSIA STILL TRYING FOR PEACE . THE MEN SEEM TO BE DOING
BETTER TODAY THEY GOT MAIL ALSO . THE TOWN WAS ARTAWYAH.
FEB.20 GOT UP AND WORKING BY 8:00 EVERYONE WAS
WORKING SO GOOD WE WORKED THREW 1 HR. OF LUNCH. WE
HAD A HOT MEAL LUNCH BUCKETS MEALS IN CANS WARMED UP
IN HOT WATER . WORKED HARD ALL DAY .
FEB.21 NOT MUCH TO DO TODAY WORKED ON THE ROADS .
CHARLIE & MIKE CAME UP TO SEE US AND BROUGHT US SOME
MAIL . NONE FOR ME THIS TIME . THE LT. HAS BEEN IN TROUBLE
IN RIYADH AND NOT MAKING ANY FRIENDS UP TOP .THAT MAKES
IT HARD ON ALL OF THE ONES IN RIYADH. NEED TO DO LAUNDRY
BAD . I JUST GOT WORD THAT THE PAD IS A HOT PROJECT AGAIN .
GUSS THAT THE WAR IS ON .GOD BE WITH THEM.
* FEB.22 I HAVE BEEN FELLING BAD FOR A FEW DAYS . MY BP IS
UP AND THE MEDICS ARE MONITORING IT . THEY INCREASED MY
MEDICATION . SENT 2 MEN TO RIYADH FOR SUPPLIES . MIKE ,
TERRY AND I WENT A LITTLE FUTURE NORTH TO HELP THE AIR
FORCE . GOT BACK AND WORKED ON THE PARKING LOT AND
BUNKERS . GOT SOME MAIL FROM SUMMERS CLASS LET EVERY
ONE READ THEM . ALSO A PACKAGE OF GOODIES FROM A FRIEND
OF RAYMOND'S . THIS MADE IT A GOOD DAY FOR US .GOT TO GO
TO MEETING.
FEB.23 WORD IS THAT SADAM HAS TILL 12:00 TODAY TO SAY
WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO. I GUSS THIS MEANS WAR IS STILL ON
.HOPE THE GOOD LORD WILL WATCH OVER US .WE KEEP BEEFING
UP BUNKERS AND WORKING ON THE PAD .NEED IT OPERATIONAL
BY THE 30TH OR SOONER . WE DECIDED TO DUMP DIESEL ON IT IN
STEED OF ROCK FOR DUST CONTROLE THIS PAD IS 500FT X 300FT.
I LET THE MEN OFF A LITTLE EARLY HARD DAY .
* FEB.24 STILL FELL BAD THE MEDICS WANT ME TO GO TO
RIYADH AND GET MY MEDICATION CHANGED. THE GROUND WAR
STARTED AND WE WORKED EVEN HARDER TO GET THE PAD
READY * FEB.25 WENT TO MEETING SOUNDS LIKE WAR IS GOING
GOOD FOR US .WE WORKED ON THE PAD TERRY REALLY DID A
GOOD JOB .WE GOT SOME RAIN HOPE IT HELPS THE DUST
STORMS HAVE BEEN BAD LATELY. WE HAD ANOTHER SCUD AND IT
HIT KOBAR KILLED 12 HURT 50 THIS RILED EVERYONE UP. GOD
TAKE CARE OF THEM .
FEB.26 WAR LOOKING BETTER EXCEPT FOR THAT SCUD . WE
WERE TO BE STATIONED THERE TILL COL WEST GOT US SENT TO
RIYADH . WE GOT THE ROCK FOR THE PAD TODAY , NOW THEY SAY
TO HOLD UP .WE MAY LEAVE HERE SOON THAT MEANS THE WAR IS
OVER. TOLD TO MOVE BACK TO RIYADH.
FEB.27 LOADED UP AND HEADED BACK TO RIADH . HAD LOTS
OF MAIL FOR US . THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME WE COULD HERE THE
NEWS . SOUNDS LIKE WE DID GREAT AND IS ALMOST OVER . THAT
MAY BE WHY WE GOT SENT BACK.
FEB.28 8:00 THE WAR IS OVER THE MEN FROM FORT HOOD
DID US PROUD . SPENT THE DAY CLEANING UP WEAPONS MASK
AND RESTING .WAS TOLD TO GET READY FOR A NEW TRIP . GOT
MAIL FROM HOME ALL SEEMS TO BE WELL .
MAR. 1 GOT EQUIPMENT READY AGAIN . HAD TO CLEAN 2ND
FLOOR TODAY WHEN A GROPE MOVED OUT AND DID NOT DO IT .
OK IT KEEP US BUSY .WE ALL GOT LOTS OF MAIL TODAY. NONE
FROM KAY .
MAR. 2 DID WORK ON DUMPS TODAY .NOT MUCH GOING ON
NO MORE WORD ON TRIP . GOT A CARE PACKAGE TODAY.
MAR. 3 SUNDAY WENT TO CHURCH TODAY . ASKED GOD TO
WATCH OVER MY FAMILY . I MEET COL. WEST TO DAY HE WAS MY
FIRST COMMANDER IN THE 348TH ENG. GOT 10 LETTERS NONE
FROM KAY .
MAR. 4 WE WERE TO GO TO CAMEL TRACK BUT GOT CHANGED
BEFORE WE LEFT TO THUMAMAH. WE HAD TO SET UP A STAGING
AREA FOR REDEPLOYMENT. WE WORKED TILL DARK GOOD JOB
TODAY LOT MORE TO DO .
MAR. 5 LOTS OF RAIN HOPE IT WONT SLOW US DOWN . NOW
THEY WANT THIS DONE IN 2 DAYS BUT CANT FIGURE OUT WHAT
THEY WANT TO DO . SO WE DID IT MY WAY FOR NOW . LUCKY FOR
ME THE TOP DOG LIKED IT .
MAR 24 TRY TO WRITE BY MEMORY IT'S BEEN A FEW DAYS . HAD
LONG HARD TIME LOTS OF CHANGES . EVEN SPLIT MY CREW UP 4
IN THUMAMAH 4 IN VULTURE. WE WERE UP NORTH FOR 17 DAYS
AND HAD LOTS TO DO FOR REDEPLOYMENT . I HAD A CHANCE TO
CALL HOME ON OUR ANNIVERSARY TO TELL KAY I LOVE HER SHE
WAS SHOCK TO HERE FROM ME . I ALSO HAD TO MEN WITH
PERSONAL PROBLEMS . ONE HAD A DEAR JOHN AND WENT NUTS I
TOOK HIM TO THE WOOD SHED FIRST THEN WE WERE ABEL TO
WORK THINGS OUT . HAD ANOTHER THAT WENT TO THE BORDER
TO FIND HIS WIFE , I HAD TO GO UP AND GET HIM AND BRING HIM
BACK . COL. WEST HELPED ME TO LOCATE HIS WIFE .THANKS
COL.
THIS WAS TUFF TIMES .
MAR.27 GOT BACK TO FIND OUT THAT CREW IN THUMAMAH
WAS HAVING A HARD TIME WITH A BUNCH OF YANKEES .
MAR.30 TOOK A FEW DAYS OFF AND WORKED THINGS OUT IN
THUMAMAH . WE WENT BACK AND WORKED FOR A NEW BOSS. WE
KEEP HAVING CHANGES STAYED THERE A WEEK . I'M TIRED AND
SO ARE THE MEN.
APR. 8 WE BEEN DOING SMALL JOBS IN ESKAIN VILLAGE AND
WORKED ON EQUIPMENT .
APR.18 SPREAD OUT SOME ON FENCE . SOME ON
CONSENTENNA WIRE 9 MILES OF IT . SOME WITH CARPENTERS .
STAYED BUSY.
APR.23 GOT MAD THEY WERE SPREADING MY MEN OUT TO
MUCH . WE WANTED TO WORK TOGETHER AGAIN . IT WORKED.
MAY. 3 WE GOT TO WORK TOGETHER ON EQUIPMENT CLEAN
UP
WAS TOLD WE MAY LEAVE THIS MONTH . I JUST GOT BACK FROM
UP NORTH . I WAS IN THE WORST SAND STORM EVER . MY LT.
WANTED ME TO TAKE MY CREW BACK UP NORTH TO SPREAD 500
METERS OF ROCK WITH JUST THE GRADER . WE WERE TO BE BACK
IN 2 WEEKS .OR BY 15MAY . I WAS MAD AGAIN AND COULD SEE NO
REASON FOR THIS . HE WOULD NOT EXPLAIN . I SAW HIS
COMMANDER AND ASKED TO TALK . EXPLAINED WHAT WAS UP
HE SIDED WITH ME BUT SENT ME AND ONE MAN BACK UP NORTH .
HE FLEW UP THERE AND WE TOLD HIM WHAT WE COULD DO . HE
LIKED IT WE DID IT AND WAS BACK THE NEXT DAY . LONG DRIVE
IN SAND STORM .
*HAD TO DO A LOT OF CLEAN UP ON EQUIPMENT . HEARD NEW
DATE WAS TO BE THE 28TH . WAS ABEL TO CALL HOME FOUND
OUT CHRIS HAD BEEN A PROBLEM AND SENT TO LIVE WITH MY
SISTER . KAY WAS FIGHTING HER MEDICATION . HER MOM HAD A
STORK , AND MY DAD HAD LOST HIS BUSINESS. WAS THIS ALL
BECAUSE I LEFT . GOD I HOPE NOT I NEED TO GET HOME !!!!
*MAY SPENT LOTS OF TIME CLEANING UP ALL THE BUILDINGS ON
POST . THEY WERE FULL OOF DUST AND SAND .
OTHERS CLEANED OUR VEHICLES TO SEND TO PORT . THEN WE
SENT A GROUP TO PORT TO CLEAN IT AGAIN . THEY USED WATER
FROM THE WASH RACK TO CLEAN THE VEHICLES . THIS WATER
WAS USED OVER AND OVER BY A HIGH PRESSUER PUMP THAT
KEEP RECYCLEING IT .
MAY 16 UNIT PROCESSES LIVING QUARTERS AT ESKAN VILLAGE
FOR TURN IN .
MAY 18 SSG ELKINS AND CREW RELEASED FROM WAR ROOM .
MAY 19 BUILDINGS PROCESSED COMPLETED
MAY 20 ALL WHEELED VEHICLES DEPARTED TO PORT FOR
LOADING AND DEPARTURE TO THE UNITED STATES .
MAY 23 SECOND SEALAND CONTAINER LOADED AND DEPARTURE
ESKAN VILLAGE FOR THE UNITED STATES .
MAY 24 UNIT DEPARTS ESKAN VILLAGE DESTINED FOR KOBAR
TOWERS IN PREPARATION TO DEPART TO THE UNITED STATES .
MAY 25 UNIT DEPARTS SAUDI ARABIA FOR FORT HOOD TX .
MAY 25 FLIGHT LANDS IN NEW YORK AT 18:00 THE WELCOME WAS
OVER WELLING .
MAY 25 FLIGHT LANDS AT FORT HOOD 23:40 HOURS MARCHED
INTO GYM OUR FAMILIES WERE THERE TO GREET US !
MAY 27 UNIT OUT PROCESSING AT FORT HOOD TX.
MAY 31 RETURN BACK TO USAR CENTER .

SGT ROBERT CARTER

my crew at csc valtuer