Long Days...

U.S. Specialist Robert Schoendorf (L) from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment takes notes at a checkpoint during a patrol in the village of Assada near Baquba, in Diyala province August 14, 2008.
REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


And even though I'm walking
Through the valley of the shadow
I will hold tight to the hand of Him
Whose love will comfort me

Mark Schultz/He Will Carry Me

Afternoon...

Our warriors from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment continue to work long hours hunting insurgents and taking care of business in the Diyala province. Chris indicated the other day in the virtual world that he had just finished 26 straight hours. Another parent shared today that their warrior had just finished 30 hours straight. All while wearing full combat gear in oppressive heat...can you say wow? I can and did...

After hearing all of this, no more complaining from me when I work a 10 or 12 hour day...I have it soooo easy. We take so much for granted.

Ms. Andrea Comas, an embedded photographer with the 2nd SCR, continues to provide us insight to the work and play of the 2nd SCR in and around Baquba. It is just a glimpse but it is better than nothing...

Black widow attacks continue to make news in Iraq... Suicide bomber kills 19 in Iraq pilgrims attack

Enjoy the photos, especially the last two. Note the surface that these guys are wrestling on...tough as rocks, eh?

Chris, we can see from the pictures that you guys are busy, busy. I was pleased to see shots of the guys you are close to and the work you all are doing. I know their names as they are on my heart daily...

Say, SPC Schoendorf is becoming a camera favorite, eh? :-)

Stay with it buddy...we are praying for you guys and we are so very proud of all of you...I remember.

Be safe!

v/r,
Collabman

U.S. Sergeant Cesar Arroyo from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment secures the area during a patrol in the village of Assada near Baquba, in Diyala province August 14, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)

Iraqi children wave to U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment during their patrol in the village of Assada near Baquba, in Diyala province August 14, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)

U.S. Sergeant James Nylander from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walks in front of another solder during a patrol in the village of Assada near Baquba, in Diyala province August 14, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)

Iraqi children look at U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment (unseen) during their patrol in the village of Assada near Baquba, in Diyala province August 14, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


Iraqis stand back as U.S. Sergeant James Nylander from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment patrols in the village of Assada near Baquba, in Diyala province August 14, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. Sergeant Cesar Arroyo from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment takes a rest on a sofa inside a house during a patrol in the village of Assada, near Baquba, in Diyala province August 14, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. Specialist James Fitzgerald from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walks during a patrol in the village of Assada, near Baquba, in Diyala province August 14, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


A U.S. soldier from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walks through empty streets during a night patrol in central Baquba in Diyala province August 13, 2008. A curfew was imposed on the town after the governor of Diyala province survived an assassination attempt on Tuesday when a suicide bomber struck his convoy in the provincial capital Baquba.
REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)

A U.S. soldier from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walks through empty streets during a night patrol in central Baquba in Diyala province August 13, 2008.
REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)

A U.S. soldier from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment walks through empty streets during a night patrol in central Baquba, in Diyala province August 13, 2008.
REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)

U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment wrestle for fun at a military camp in Baquba, in Diyala province August 14, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)


U.S. soldiers from the Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment wrestle for fun at a military camp in Baquba, in Diyala province August 14, 2008. REUTERS/Andrea Comas (IRAQ)