TwinMom7
Proud Mom of a United States Marine
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CHECK NEAR THE END OF THE DISPATCH FOR A QUOTE FROM CORPORAL BOBBY KNIGHT!!!!!
Marines Fill Day of Rest With Haircuts and Showers
DESERT DISPATCH
By FRED DODD
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SOMEWHERE IN SOUTHERN IRAQ -- Monday, March 31, was basically a day of rest and recuperation for the South Bend Marines of Engineer Company B. Their work on highway culverts at this location was completed ahead of schedule so the men were able to relax for an expected Tuesday move to a location about 100 miles from Baghdad.
It was haircut day for the company. A generator was borrowed from a nearby unit so Marines could use electric barber sheers and recharge electric razors.
Most took their first shower since leaving Kuwait more than a week ago, using solar showers that hold about four gallons of water. The water was allowed to warm all morning in the hot desert sun, then Marines took turns scrubbing clean in makeshift showers between two vehicles that had ponchos tied between them.
Others simply relaxed and tried to stay cool on a breezeless day while the temperatures probably topped 100 degrees.
Since leaving Kuwait's Camp Betio, March 23, the only hot meals the South Bend Marines have tasted are the MREs (meals, ready-to-eat) that they've heated themselves. But that's not as bad as it may sound. Combat rations have come a long way in the last 20 years or so.
"These new MREs are better than the old ones, although my all-time favorite meal is ham and eggs in the old C-rats (combat rations)," said Chief Warrant Officer Brian Currie, of Fremont, Ind.
At 45, Currie is the oldest Marine in South Bend's reserve unit. He enlisted in 1974 and knows the evolution of combat rations since then. "When I first had C-rats, they still had four cigarettes in them from the '60s," he said.
"The problem with the first MREs was that they had a lot of dehydrated food in them -- dehydrated pork patties, beef patties and fruit. The boys weren't hydrating enough," he said.
"The new ones are better. Every one out there you can eat hot or cold. Some even taste pretty good cold."
Engineer Company B commander Maj. Leon Bertschy II, 42, of Niles, thinks the new ones are better because of their variety. "There used to be about 12 meals -- now I think there are 24. My favorite is the enchiladas. It reminds me of being back home and eating at Taco Bell."
Ask a dozen Marines what is the best meal and there'll likely be a dozen different answers. Cpl. Bobby Knight, 25, of South Bend, prefers beef stew. "I can eat every last drop. You can eat it either hot or cold -- it's good either way. And it comes with jalapeno cheese and crackers."
Lance Cpl. John T. Lee, 19 of South Bend doesn't have a solid favorite. "They're all so wonderful," he said with a touch of sarcasm. "I think spaghetti is a little better than the rest, and I don't care for the bean burrito."
In years past, Marines brought bottles of Tabasco sauce and other condiments to the field to improve meals. Today's MREs come complete with an accessory pack that includes a tiny bottle of Tabasco. Some also include ice tea packs, instant coffee, moist Towelettes and a longtime favorite -- Chiclets-type chewing gum.
Various meals also include peaches or pears and pound cake of several varieties. "The vanilla pound cake is heaven," said Lance Cpl. Kevin Ford, 24, of York, Pa.
M&Ms are a favorite as are Skittles. Some meals even include a milkshake drink. Just add water.
"All the milkshakes are good -- vanilla, chocolate and strawberry," said Gunnery Sgt. Laureano Santos, 36, of Elkhart. "But they don't compare to Steak and Shake!"
Marines Fill Day of Rest With Haircuts and Showers
DESERT DISPATCH
By FRED DODD
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOMEWHERE IN SOUTHERN IRAQ -- Monday, March 31, was basically a day of rest and recuperation for the South Bend Marines of Engineer Company B. Their work on highway culverts at this location was completed ahead of schedule so the men were able to relax for an expected Tuesday move to a location about 100 miles from Baghdad.
It was haircut day for the company. A generator was borrowed from a nearby unit so Marines could use electric barber sheers and recharge electric razors.
Most took their first shower since leaving Kuwait more than a week ago, using solar showers that hold about four gallons of water. The water was allowed to warm all morning in the hot desert sun, then Marines took turns scrubbing clean in makeshift showers between two vehicles that had ponchos tied between them.
Others simply relaxed and tried to stay cool on a breezeless day while the temperatures probably topped 100 degrees.
Since leaving Kuwait's Camp Betio, March 23, the only hot meals the South Bend Marines have tasted are the MREs (meals, ready-to-eat) that they've heated themselves. But that's not as bad as it may sound. Combat rations have come a long way in the last 20 years or so.
"These new MREs are better than the old ones, although my all-time favorite meal is ham and eggs in the old C-rats (combat rations)," said Chief Warrant Officer Brian Currie, of Fremont, Ind.
At 45, Currie is the oldest Marine in South Bend's reserve unit. He enlisted in 1974 and knows the evolution of combat rations since then. "When I first had C-rats, they still had four cigarettes in them from the '60s," he said.
"The problem with the first MREs was that they had a lot of dehydrated food in them -- dehydrated pork patties, beef patties and fruit. The boys weren't hydrating enough," he said.
"The new ones are better. Every one out there you can eat hot or cold. Some even taste pretty good cold."
Engineer Company B commander Maj. Leon Bertschy II, 42, of Niles, thinks the new ones are better because of their variety. "There used to be about 12 meals -- now I think there are 24. My favorite is the enchiladas. It reminds me of being back home and eating at Taco Bell."
Ask a dozen Marines what is the best meal and there'll likely be a dozen different answers. Cpl. Bobby Knight, 25, of South Bend, prefers beef stew. "I can eat every last drop. You can eat it either hot or cold -- it's good either way. And it comes with jalapeno cheese and crackers."
Lance Cpl. John T. Lee, 19 of South Bend doesn't have a solid favorite. "They're all so wonderful," he said with a touch of sarcasm. "I think spaghetti is a little better than the rest, and I don't care for the bean burrito."
In years past, Marines brought bottles of Tabasco sauce and other condiments to the field to improve meals. Today's MREs come complete with an accessory pack that includes a tiny bottle of Tabasco. Some also include ice tea packs, instant coffee, moist Towelettes and a longtime favorite -- Chiclets-type chewing gum.
Various meals also include peaches or pears and pound cake of several varieties. "The vanilla pound cake is heaven," said Lance Cpl. Kevin Ford, 24, of York, Pa.
M&Ms are a favorite as are Skittles. Some meals even include a milkshake drink. Just add water.
"All the milkshakes are good -- vanilla, chocolate and strawberry," said Gunnery Sgt. Laureano Santos, 36, of Elkhart. "But they don't compare to Steak and Shake!"
I just told him that Bobby's little sister heard that maybe he wasn't getting a lot of mail and she wanted to send him something.
