Memoirs written in prose of Sergeant Robertson, Damon M. USMC while in Iraq | ...with frequent appearances of King Hammurabi.
If you are new to this journal, make sure to start reading in chronological order by scrolling down to the bottom of the oldest post in October 2004. Damon's letters from August 20th, 2004 - October 23rd, 2004 were all added to this blog on Oct. 23rd, 2004. All subsequent letters are posted in real time.
Saturday, October 23, 2004
ADDRESS INFORMATION
Dear Family and Friends: The address I provided for you has now been deemed incorrect by the same mouths from which it issued. Any jokes about "military intelligence" should be voiced now. You have five seconds. . . . . . So far, it's all been paperwork and remedial training to prepare us for our work in Iraq. It sounds like I'm going to do the majority of my work at an airbase near Baghdad that gets hit with rockets every so often and will have the "opportunity" to "volunteer" for convoys that go through such auspicious localles as "I.E.D. Alley" and many others. Funny story: we did our gas chamber training two days ago and afterward me and a few of my buddies decided it would be a good idea to go back into the chamber WITHOUT our gas masks. Now, CS gas isn't as strong as pepper spray (don't make police angry, they use pepper spray) but I can tell you it certainly is NOT pleasant to inhale or to have anywhere on your body. It reacts to moisture-- sweat, tears, anything, and basically rips your nose and eyes and mouth to shreds, as well as any minor cuts or abbrasions you might have anywhere on your body (remember to shave this morning?). Yeah. So we all filed in there and the SECOND you step through the door the inner-caveman is yelling "get OUT" and you can't breathe and everytime you do you wish you hadn't. All I remember was staying in there, being the 3rd from last to leave, watching the floor through gushing tears as a pool of saliva/snot/tears formed on the floor. So awesome. I have pictures. Oh yeah. Love you all, :Damon
# posted by chevas @ 7:21 PM 