TwinMom7
Proud Mom of a United States Marine
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2000
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Endless Stream of Military Vehicles Rattles by Bivouac
DESERT DISPATCH
By FRED DODD
ABOUT 100 MILES SOUTH OF BAGHDAD -- Marines of Engineer Company B spent Wednesday at the latest miserable chunk of sand they've had to call home on the way to Baghdad -- a destination they're unsure they'll be called upon to visit.
"This place is like living on the Toll Road -- there's so much traffic going by," said Cpl. Andrew Plonski, 21, of Mishawaka. He's probably underestimating the traffic. The number of northbound trucks, tanks and other fighting vehicles is hard to imagine. At times there are vehicles lined up on the highway as far as the eye can see. Countless helicopters also buzz the highway -- flying low enough to kick up dust and rattle the two-man tents that sit no more than 50 yards from the road.
All of this movement seems to coincide with radio news reports of what the BBC is calling a final coalition push toward Baghdad -- but none of the South Bend Marines are privy to that sort of information. They get their news from the few radios that are on hand.
One of the favorite pastimes here is to guess what the unit might be called upon to do next. Some say that the company will be ordered to create the next big bivouac area on the way to Baghdad -- probably within 50 miles of the city. Rumors fly nearly as thick as the annoying gnats.
Others wonder whether or not Iraq will use chemical and biological weapons. Some think Saddam Hussein is waiting until allied forces are knocking on the walls of Baghdad to unleash whatever he might have -- others think that he might not have the means to use them -- a guess everyone here would like to believe. But everyone stays close to their gas masks and protective clothing.
DESERT DISPATCH
By FRED DODD
ABOUT 100 MILES SOUTH OF BAGHDAD -- Marines of Engineer Company B spent Wednesday at the latest miserable chunk of sand they've had to call home on the way to Baghdad -- a destination they're unsure they'll be called upon to visit.
"This place is like living on the Toll Road -- there's so much traffic going by," said Cpl. Andrew Plonski, 21, of Mishawaka. He's probably underestimating the traffic. The number of northbound trucks, tanks and other fighting vehicles is hard to imagine. At times there are vehicles lined up on the highway as far as the eye can see. Countless helicopters also buzz the highway -- flying low enough to kick up dust and rattle the two-man tents that sit no more than 50 yards from the road.
All of this movement seems to coincide with radio news reports of what the BBC is calling a final coalition push toward Baghdad -- but none of the South Bend Marines are privy to that sort of information. They get their news from the few radios that are on hand.
One of the favorite pastimes here is to guess what the unit might be called upon to do next. Some say that the company will be ordered to create the next big bivouac area on the way to Baghdad -- probably within 50 miles of the city. Rumors fly nearly as thick as the annoying gnats.
Others wonder whether or not Iraq will use chemical and biological weapons. Some think Saddam Hussein is waiting until allied forces are knocking on the walls of Baghdad to unleash whatever he might have -- others think that he might not have the means to use them -- a guess everyone here would like to believe. But everyone stays close to their gas masks and protective clothing.
