Season's Greetings

The weather has changed, and there are snow caps visible on the mountains all around us. In some cases, our soldiers wake to snow on the ground when they walk outside to work now. I think, for all of us, the colder weather is the signal of nearing the end of our time here. For the unit's leadership, this poses a challenge though. We're all very ready to head home; on the other hand, if we lose sight of where we are today and think too far into the future, we're likely to make a mistake or grow complacent. There's no room for that, given how far we've come.

With that in mind, the holiday season is upon us...


As is often the case, I really have no explanation of SGT Barbee. I think we're really going to have to do a better job of challenging him. Or maybe he just really, really loves Christmas!?


Thanksgiving has come and gone. The dining facility did a great job of decorating and with the Turkey Day dinner...


Great food was served, but we also made sure to have a meal of our very own. While not very traditional, having the opportunity to enjoy a home-cooked meal was fantastic. SGT Stewart, SPC Burnett, SGT Holley, and SGT Sturkie (and others I'm sure I've leaving off of the list), put special care into cooking green beans, mac & cheese, bean soup, ribs, and sausage. It was all terrific. If we couldn't be with friends and family at home, the meal we were able to have with one another here was the next best thing.



The Alabama's Adjutant General and Sergeant Major dropped by for a visit last week, and our soldiers were able to spend a few minutes with them. The time they had at FOB Sharana wasn't extensive, but everyone greatly appreciated the fact that they made the time to come all the way here to speak to us.


SSG Bobby James put his masonry skills to work and provided to the Battalion an Engineer Castle worthy of its name and history. I only wish we could take it home with us and display it back in Alabama!


SPC Carillo is very serious about his hammer. He doesn't like it when someone tries to take it from him...


SPC Warnack is very attached to SFC Nalls...


SSG Edmonson is shown here with SSG Richter (left) and SSG James (right) for a photo op. Notice that he's not wearing any type of cold weather gear. Something tells me he wasn't intending on spending a great deal of time outside with them on the project...


SSG Cox takes a few minutes to point out to me all of the work he put into one of our current projects...and waives offhandedly at "the other guys in his way."


Here are the cool guys. It's obvious. SPC Clingan (left), SPC Kindleberger (center), and PV2 Brashier (right)...


PFC Lauderdale (left), SPC Schwarcz (center), and SPC Skeens (right) and their abilities as electricians have been and will continue to be in high demand here...


SGT Mays and PV2 Brashier are actually smiling here (on the inside)...


SSG Cox really, really loves his level...


And these gentlemen (both newly promoted), SGT Popjoy (left) and SGT Oberg (right) really get excited about having nails...


SPC Liverman is just happy to be here...all smiles...


I'm not sure, but it really looks like SSG Franks is guilty of something here...


I say it every time I post updates, but the soldiers in this unit are fantastic. Despite any and every challenge, to include being away from home during the holidays, they're all doing great work. They make me proud every single day.