Saturday night

I will never get used to this country. Today it was fair and pleasant. Warm enough to wear short pants. I have been through two winters in Afghanistan, and believe me, they are cold. I have to fly up to FOB Tillman, and do an installation, then fly on to Orgun-E. I spent ten days at Orgun-E in October 2007. What a dump. No quarters for transients, and I had to sleep on a cot. A decent chow hall. The Chaplain there was terrific, plenty of free time, we would chat about various stuff.

Went to the chow hall for lunch, could not look at the food. No appetite at all. I just got a small spoonful of spaghetti, with some meat sauce, drank a soda, and ate a cookie. Went back to the tent, and watched a couple of movies. One good thing about this job, is that you are traveling a lot, and you do not have to spend much time with any one person.

When I worked in Iraq, I had my own trailer, a 75 foot paradise, wall to wall carpet, and cable TV. Shower house next door. fabulous. Here I am in a tent , and it is 200 yards to the shower house, and then climb up the stairs.

I would like to participate in Masonry in this country, but the opportunities are not there. Most of the FOBs (Forward Operating Bases) have no lodge, and the few lodges that are operating here, are not recognized by Kentucky. I see no reason to antagonize anyone. I have never attended a clandestine lodge, and I never will. If I go and have a plate of fried chicken with some American heroes, someone will "fink" on me. Best to just leave Masonry alone in Afghanistan.

I intend to participate very much, when I return to the USA. I want to get back in the Shrine as well. Masonry is so fantastic, and I have always enjoyed it, no matter where I am. I wish the Grand Lodge of New York would issue a charter for LSA#1, but the Grand Lodge of New York doesn't even answer my mail.

Saturday

Took some muscle relaxers to help me sleep. They helped, I had a peaceful night. Got up this morning, and had a peanut butter sandwich, using the bread that I made in the bread machine. I am still sore from falling down, lips first in the gravel. My knee had about 5 square inches of skin scraped off, and my left shoulder is bruised. I hit that gravel square on the lips, and my upper lip is sore.

I have been watching some educational video disks, I sure like to study about the American West, and the pioneers. I have a mini-series of John Adams, on the way, I like to study the American Revolution as well. I am reading a book about the war in the pacific "Eagle against the Sun". I lived in Germany 1976-1978, and I visited many of the WW2 battlefield sites, like Bastogne. I used to have my hair cut, by a former SS tank commander, who fought in the Battle of Stalingrad.

The WW2 battles in the pacific are fascinating. This conflict here in Afghanistan, will intensify. I think the new administration, will not pull us out overnight.

Back at Salerno

I was able to secure a seat on a C-130 flight back to Salerno (My home base). I was carrying my luggage, and wearing my helmet and flak jacket. While walking back to my tent, I tripped on a cable, and went flying down, face first into the gravel. I smashed my knee and shoulder, and tore some skin off my knee. I went mouth-first into the gravel, and my lips are sore.  I do not have enough strength to even go get a shower. I am going to rest, and try to get some strength back in my knee, so I can walk. I am going to see the medics tomorrow.
 
More Later!

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Stuck at Bagram

Unable to get on a chopper yesterday. Next flight maybe Friday, so I will sign up on Thursday. With luck, I can get back to my home base of Salerno Friday. I sure need some clean clothes. At least here, I have a decent bed, and a good chow hall. All I can do is "cool my heels"!!

Stuck at Bagram air base

I have been stuck here at Bagram air base. I am flying to Salerno, my home base, as soon as I am able.

Thursday

Cool last night. Bright and Sunny this morning. My co-workers got more mail today. I got a video disk yesterday. Lunch today was pretty awful. I was not in the mood for meatloaf or turkey wings. I got a cheeseburger and a bowl of chili. I ordered a bread machine, it is on the way. We will have fresh homemade bread every day.

This election is interesting, I admit that I am hooked on politics.

Daylight savings time runs out in the USA this weekend. Afghanistan keeps the same time year round. I will have to wait another hour before I can call anyone in the USA. It looks like it is going to be a cold winter here in Afghanistan.

Monday 27 Oct

Had a good weekend. Generally quiet. For the last two nights, the Afghans have gone out at night, and shouted and hollered, in high-pitched voices. It sounds like Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds". EEK-EEK-EEK. This is a strange country.

Went to church on Sunday. It fascinates me, that there is so little church attendance here. With soldiers facing death, and the boredom of this isolated post, you would figure that there would be more church attendance. It is said "there are no atheists in foxholes". Maybe there are more atheists in the Army than you would realize.

I got some mail this morning. A package of jelly beans from Jelly Belly, and some soap and toiletries from drugstore.com. I ordered some additional snacks from netgrocer.com and some items from a middle eastern grocer as well. I like to eat stuffed grape leaves and olives. When I lived in Saudi in 1991, I got hooked on "hummus" which is crushed chickpea paste, the peanut butter of the mideast. I ordered some cans of hummus.

The work goes on. I will be very busy in the future.

Friday afternoon

Got up and went to the chow hall. They were serving meat loaf, and jagerschnitzel. I decided to have canned ravioli. Tonight, the chow hall will serve TBones and fried shrimp. If four-star cuisine is what you like, then FOB Salerno is not the place. I will be getting busier, from now on. Life here is all right, but I miss Iraq. The quality of life is just better in Mesopotamia.

I am anxious to get back to the USA, we get a break every four months. Frankly, I will enjoy it.

Setting the record straight.

It is a matter of public record, that I am suspended from the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. This suspension is for a period of one year, and it expires April 2009. I intend to be reinstated at this time. Since I am up on a mountaintop in Afghanistan, where there is no Masonry, this is not a real sacrifice.

I graduated from Western Kentucky University in June 1983. I completed 197 undergraduate hours, and completed all of the requirements for my degree. This is also a matter of public record.

I am working in Afghanistan, on an unclassified project. I work with a team of installers, installing video cameras and infrared cameras. I also assist in training soldiers on how to use the equipment. My job title is "New Equipment Training Officer". I prefer not to list the name of my employer on this blog.

I am not interested in being any kind of a "savior". But I am very interested in Masonry, and I intend to keep studying the Craft, and keeping tabs on the state of Masonry, back in the USA, and overseas. One of the tenets of our Fraternity is Truth. I only tell the truth on this blog, I have no reason to post anything that is false. If anyone finds a posting here, that is not truthful, please leave a comment, pointing out my mistake, or email me directly. I will gladly publish any corrections.

9 Oct 2008

Been here on FOB Salerno for a week. It is DARK at night. The base requires all lights to be off. I have to carry a small flashlight, so I won't bump into concrete barricades. At least the cable TV is working properly. Tonight at the chow hall, there was a mongolian barbecue. You select vegetables like shredded green peppers and onions, and the cook stir-fries them with shredded beef, then you place it on rice. My diet is a train wreck here. At least my feet and ankles are toughening up some, getting used to the walking.

I turned in some laundry, and the laundry is supposed to process it, and I can get it back in one day. We shall see. Today, the main shower house was closed, so I went to the smaller shower house. I got a HOT shower, with plenty of soap. I am glad that there is HOT water here.

I still have not received any postal mail here. I should be getting some mail soon.

Why I became a Mason, and what I have received.

Your question is quite valid, and important. Nevertheless, it is difficult to answer. Men join the Gentle Craft for many reasons. Family tradition, is one. My father and both of my Grandfathers were masons, my uncle (deceased) was a 33rd degree Mason.

Masonry offers men many things, a chance to associate with good men from many different religious and educational backgrounds, fellowship, brotherhood, and a chance for self-improvement. While not a charitable organization, there are opportunities for charitable service. Masonry and the appendant organizations affiliated with Masonry, contribute about $2.6 million dollars per day, to various charitable and philanthropic causes in the USA.
I joined, because of my family tradition, but most especially because men I knew and respected were Masons. Most masons do not realize it, but they are the best advertising the Fraternity has.
During the last 26 years, I have received many things from Masonry. Camaraderie, instructions in ethics and morality, great frienships, and meeting some of the finest men I have ever known. I have sat in lodge in Paris France, with men who risked concentration camps for being Masons. I have sat in lodge in Moscow, Russia, with men who risked being sent to Siberia, for being Masons. I have attended lodge in the very room, where George Washington was made a Mason, in Fredericksburg Virginia.
Masonry enabled me to join the Shriners, and I have transported children to our hospitals for medical treatment. I transported a child, who was born with spina bifida, and his family had no medical insurance. He had to have twenty operations before he was two years old. The costs exceeded one million dollars, and the Shriners paid the entire costs.
Different men receive different rewards from being Masons. We refer to these rewards, as the “wages of a Master Mason”. The wages vary with the individual, and his particular Masonic experience.
I am now assigned to a desolate mountaintop Army base, in Afghanistan. Myself, and the Masons here, are going to establish a traveling military lodge, and continue on with the Masonic tradition, here on the “roof of the world”. Dictators and tyrants have sought to crush Masonry, for centuries. Our lodge will meet, in the very face of terrorism, continuing on with the tradition of religious tolerance, and freedom.
Masonic lodges have met on US Army posts, since Valley Forge. Our lodge has met in the trenches of France in WW1, and on the battlefields of Germany in WW2. We met in Korea, and in the jungles of VietNam. Our lodge met in the desert of Iraq, and now we continue, here on this rocky escarpment, under the mortar fire of the very terrorists who planned the attacks on September 11, 2001.
Hope this answer is helpful to you.

"Brotherly Love" and "Tough Love"

To say that I cherish Masonry is an understatement. I have been a Mason since 1982, and I will be a Mason all my life. I will be buried in my Masonic Apron. For the past quarter century, I have done everything I can, to live up to my Masonic obligations, and to serve this Craft to the best of my ability. I have no apologies for my service to Masonry.

I have been enriched by Masonry, solely in the symbolic sense, as I have been paid Master's wages. I have never profited financially from any of my Masonic activities. I have donated many hundreds of hours to the fraternity (including the appendant/concordant bodies).

I have never "used" Masonry for my own purposes. I have worked with many other individuals, in trying to bring Masonry to Iraq, and to the soldiers and civilians who risk their lives in that wretched country. I am now in Afghanistan, and I will continue to do what I can, to bring Masonry to the civilians and military personnel who are on the "roof of the world". If any Masonic brother comes to me for assistance, I will give it. I will help, because I am a MASON.

I believe in the value of Brotherly Love, as much as any true Mason. But I also believe in "Tough Love". There are many problems with Masonry, because it is an institution, run by humans, and it is susceptible to all of the problems and difficulties inherent, when humans are involved.

I will continue to criticize any policy, any regulation, any action by any lodge or Grand Lodge, anywhere, that is acting in a manner, that is not in line with the best interests of this Fraternity. Masonry is NOT a religion, and its leaders are NOT infallible. The situation in West Virginia, is one glaring example. The on-going scandal with the Royal Order of Jesters is another. If a Mason had spoken out, earlier, a lot of scandal and heartache could have been avoided. All too often in Masonry (and I include the appendant/concordant bodies here), men are just willing to "go along", and not speak up, and not offer any criticism, and not step in to help our cherished Fraternity. We are reaping what we have sowed for the last twenty years.

I will never be silenced, nor gagged, when it comes to Freemasonry. This institution can always benefit from change, and change will come! The recent situation in North Carolina, is one example of positive change. All masons nationwide, should take a look at the courage and foresight of our North Carolina brothers, and emulate their example.

So in closing, let us all continue to work together as brothers. Let us examine the problems and difficulties in our midst, and work together to find appropriate solutions. Let us be free to speak our minds in internet forums, and in person, in our lodges and Grand Lodges.

"Tough Love" is the only way.

Letter from the Grand Master of Masons in KY to me.

(This letter is an EXACT copy of a communication from the Grand Master of Masons in KY. It is published VERBATIM)

(Small portion, not related to the text has been deleted)

you have again tried to mask your situation and use the cloak ofthis fraternity for your own betterment. You continue to berate, insultand generally to fault everyone and every Grand Lodge or Grand Lodgeofficer be it Kentucky, New York, etc. You use masonry for your ownpurpose! You have here again tried to mask your actions and get theapproval through everyone else rather than looking at yourself to see ifyou really are a mason or just a man using masonry for himself. In you blogs you have continued to throw everything and anyone that doesnot do or say what you want to them say about Masonry to the side asbeneath you and your brothers. You use Masonry, rather than practicingMasonry. Masonry is not a item or a card it is a belief that we as brothers canwork together as a band of brothers cemented by our obligation to upholdthe Constitution practice Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth! Our Honorand Integrity before all else. You Sir, have, in my opinion, used thisfraternity as an item for your own discussion and advancement in trying toprove yourself something you or not! This is a shame that a man of your ability has tried to take thisfraternity and put it on display for his own amusement or advancement. Inall of your blogs, you always refer to "I" rather than "we". It is alwaysyou that stands to do battle with the Grand Lodges. This Sir is not abattle it is a love that each of us has about the fraternity and eachother. Sir, if nothing else remember this......"You represent this fraternity inthe world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! Does youractions each day prove you to be a Mason? Remember someone each day willsee you for what you are in this world and does your actions representthis fraternity?" Keith DreierGrand Master

status of Land, Sea. and Air Lodge #1

An individual has expressed interest in the traveling military lodge, Land, Sea, and Air Lodge #1. The charter has been in existence since 1917 (World War 1). The charter is currently on display in a Masonic Museum in New York City. The last time the lodge held a meeting, was in the Fall of 2005, at Speicher Base, in Iraq.

You can learn more about the lodge, by contacting the current Worhshipful Master, E. Dan Walther IV, who is resident in Buffalo NY. If you wish to contact the WM, please send an email to me at ( cemab4y@hotmail.com) and I will forward it on to Bro. Dan.

There was an excellent article written about the lodge in Empire State Mason magazine, fall 2005 issue. see www.esmason.com

My feelings about Masonry

I have been criticized for some of my postings in my blog. I want to state for the record, that I stand behind every word. Masonry is NOT a religion, and its leaders are NOT infallible. If Masonry needs to be criticized, I will criticize it. If the fraternity is taking a position, that is not in the best interests of the craft, it needs to be criticized.

The recent events in North Carolina show one point. It took courage, and integrity, to "buck the trend", and move North Carolina Masonry into the correct decision, to recognize Prince Hall Masonry. Bravo to the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, and the members!! I have written a letter to the MW Grand Master of Masons, praising him for his courage and leadership.

I use the pronoun "I", in my posts, when I am referring to myself. I am the only one person, working with the Grand Lodge of New York, to get a charter for Land, Sea, and Air Lodge #1. When I work with other people, I will use the pronoun "we".

Remember- "Only a dead fish goes downstream 100% of the time"

A week here

Been getting my inprocessing done. The Army needs the paperwork completed. I am not so comfortable here. I am in a tent, on a cot, the airport is next door, and the planes roar in and out all day long. I still have some jet lag, I get worn out by 4pm, and I must sleep. Then I get up at 0200am, and I cannot fall back to sleep.

The food is good here, no problem in this area. I get only short periods on the internet, so I cannot write long missives on the blog.

I have received some very nice comments from people back in the USA, for this I am grateful.

Man, it is good to be working!

First night on the ground

Flew into Bagram. COLD COLD COLD. I am in a tent, sleeping on a cot. Shower tent about 100 yards out the front door. Unlimited HOT water, thanks for this.

Chow hall is a large tent. Food is good, about what I remembered. I ate chicken jamabalaya last night. Breakfast this morning, eggs, grits, french toast. Wish they had bagels.

I could really use some cold weather clothing, my size is not obtainable in Afghanistan. If any one has something they could send, I would be grateful.

Back to the roof of the world at last

I am at Bagram Afghanistan. I am on the roof of the world. Jet-lagged, and feeling pretty miserable.

Flying to Kyrgyzstan

I am in the Baltimore Airport. I checked my baggage through to Manaus, Kyrgyzstan. Tonight, I will get on the plane, we have stops in Europe, and we will arrive Friday afternoon. We will be stuck in Kyrgyzstan for a couple of days, and then fly on into Afghanistan.

I am glad to be done with the preparations, and I am looking forward to an exciting time on the Roof of the World.

The ides of September

I am about to wrap it up here in Huntsville. I took my equipment, and winter clothing down to the office today, for shipment on to Afghanistan. I had lunch, and went back to the hotel, to finish packing.

I will fly to Baltimore on Wednesday, and then on Thursday, I will leave for Kyrgyztan. I do not know how long I will be in Manaus.

The housing for civilians in Bagram is very tight. There may a "No Vacancy" sign hanging out. I may have to stay at Salerno, which is 25 miles from Bagram. The situation is "fluid".

OFF WE GO!!

10 Sept

OFF WE GO!
The phone rang June 15, and the man asked me if I was interested in a position in Iraq. I interviewed by telephone, and then I was offered a position. I was directed to report for training in Huntsville, and after a short orientation, I was informed that my assignment was changed to Afghanistan.
Last month, I was directed to spend a week in Fort Benning Georgia, for orientation, and equipment issue. I picked up a gas mask, body armor, a helmet, and a sleeping bag. Then my firm sent me to an outdoor outfitter, where I was issued winter pants, and combat boots. Now that all of my gear is with me, I can leave for Afghanistan.
I will be flying to Baltimore, and then on to Manaus, Kyrgyzstan. (Every time I read that country’s name, I think they need to buy a vowel). Our team will remain in Manaus for a few days, until we can catch a ride to Bagram, Afghanistan. I first saw Bagram, way back in 2004, and it was primitive. The Army has spent a lot of money on the place, and now the housing is modernized, and they have a modern recreation center, and the dining halls are first-rate. Bagram is a major hub for Afghanistan, and many of the fixed-wing and helicopter flights change/originate/terminate at Bagram. Bagram is the “Atlanta” of Afghanistan.
I will be working on an unclassified video security project. I have worked in broadcast and cable TV, as well as closed-circuit TV. I am excited about installing security cameras on military bases in Afghanistan. If you want to see the cameras we will be using, just check out any Wal-Mart.
There are other countries with higher elevations, but Afghanistan is called the “roof of the world”. I spent three months on Sharana base, at 7400 feet above sea level. One of my lungs developed a blockage, and I was definitely oxygen-challenged. The doc checked me into the M*A*S*H, and after a chest x-ray, the doc prescibed an inhaler.
Afghanistan is an unusual country, to be sure. I have worked on three other contracts in Afghanistan, and the country is definetly an “acquired taste”. The principal languages are Dari and Pashto, but I have no fluency in either of these languages. I speak electronics, and that is enough!

Comment policy clarified

Once again. This is MY blog, and I have the final say on what is posted. I intend to publish ALL views, both for and against. I want to be fair, and present a balanced view of the situation.I normally require ALL posters to list their name (or handle). If you are man enough to make a comment, you should be man enough to list your name (or handle). I will, often publish "anonymous" comments, if the contents of the comment are of interest to the readers. But the final say, on what goes on this blog, begins and ends with me. I reserve to right to edit, publish, or reject ANY comments for ANY reason, or for no reason.To be fair, some comments have been sent in, that are supportive of my position. These comments have contained really vulgar and disgusting remarks about people in masonic leadership positions. I feel, that in spite of our differences, and this sad situation, that we are all brothers, and we should treat each other with respect and kindness. I, therefore, have decided to delete all comments in support of my position, which contain objectionable and vulgar material, that is not in the spirit of Masonry.I will NOT publish racist, bigoted, obscene, vulgar, lewd, or other objectionable material. I get all types of name-calling, and really disgusting comments sent to me. One man sent an entire page of "n-----" to me, every day for a week. If the fact that such disgusting comments are not published on this blog, is a problem for you, then that is your problem.If your comments do not make it to the board, please try to remember the policies, which are clearly presented here. Blogs can be had for free, so start your own, if you like.


Furthermore: ALL comments will be free of personal attacks on any individual.

For the record

Just for the record. I am a CIVILIAN, and I am not in the US Military. I have not been in the military for over 30 (thirty) years. I have worked for the US Government as a civilian, and I have worked in Iraq and Afghanistan, as a civilian technician.

Going on a new assignment.

Thanks to everyone for their kind comments. I am feeling 100% better, and I checked out fine with the docs here. I have accepted another overseas posting, this time, I will go to Afghanistan, at least initially.

I hope to return to Iraq, soon.

In training school

Been feeling 100%. Training school is underway, fortunately some of my training has already been completed, through my work in Fort Wayne IN, back in Jan/Feb 2008. I am learning some new systems, video mostly. Looks like a great project.

Medical tests

Delivered more samples to the lab here. They all checked out fine, and I am feeling 100%. I had a colonoscopy exam this morning (25 June). Not the most enjoyable experience, but there is nothing wrong with my inner workings.

I am going to a training conference in July/August, and it will be good to get a break. Then back to work. I love working in Iraq.

Feeling better. More medical tests

I am grateful for everyone's kindness and good wishes. I am much improved, and feeling better every day. I am not 100% recovered yet, and I must go in for a medical test on Weds 25 June. I am having some more laboratory tests run this week. The results are slow to return.

I am changing to a new employer, that I do not wish to disclose at this time. Once my employment is official, I will post the information here.

Feeling much better.

I am feeling much better. I am going in for more tests, and the lab results look promising. Please do not send any packages here just now, maybe later. I am grateful for everyone's good wishes. Iraq is an unhealthy place, and the medical care is substandard.

Still no lab results

The little clinic at Taji, ran out of the reagents necessary to run a white blood cell count (CBC).
I have been able to see a more advanced medical facility. I turned in lab work, and they drew blood (etc), on Wednesday. By Friday 30 May, the results had not been completed. The preliminary results showed me to be dehydrated ( no surprise), and that my tri-glyceride level was high (been high for years).

I am too ill to work, and I am not going to work for some time.

24 May 2008

Been feeling some better. Still not 100%. The Army doctor had some tests run, but the lab here is inadequate to run sophisticated tests. I read on the internet, how some US Soldiers are coming back to the USA, with parasites. I hope I do not have a parasite. There are sand fleas here, and a bite can give you leishmaniasis. They call it the "Baghdad Boil". You get red spots and inflammation on your skin. At least I have not noticed any of that.

Still hot and dusty. Fortunately, there is unlimited water, and I can get a shower daily. I must force myself to drink water, I am up to about a gallon a day. I will keep taking it easy, and get myself well.

Still on sick leave

Been feeling bad. Only able to eat once a day, just no appetite. This is one good thing, maybe I can lose some weight here. The dining hall (American) has unlimited baskin-robbins ice cream, and soda pop. There is tons of fried food, french fries, etc. All the stuff that goes right to your hips.

HOT here, make no mistake, when the sun goes down, the temperature drops to 90. I must drink a gallon of water per day. The sweat evaporates so fast, you dont even notice. At least I can sleep easily. I usually do not need the air conditioner.

I miss cable tv. I sure enjoy CNN, and history channel. I also like having a daily newspaper. When I was in Fort Wayne, I bought two newspapers every day, and read them. Here, the military paper is hard to locate, but it is free.

I miss Freemasonry. There is no way to attend lodge, and it is impractical to set up a Square and Compasses lodge. I have never been to a lodge meeting in Iraq, but there are lodges at some of the bases. Once in a while, I run across a Freemason, there are some in the US Army. But it is seldom.

When I return to the USA, I want to get back into the Oriental Shrine. I had a ball with the Shriners, when I was in Columbus OH, back in 1990. I was in five Shrine clubs, and president of one of them. Maybe when I get my vacation, I will be able to attend lodge. I got to attend a lodge in Moscow Russia, and it was terrific. The lodge is not wealthy, they have no lodge building, so they meet in a meeting room in a hotel. This is in our splendid Masonic tradition, when we used to meet in taverns and inns.

Still feeling sick

I got so sick, I had to go to the American Doctor. The Army runs a clinic on the American side, and the doctor there saw me right away. The Army does not have to help us, but they give us medical care on a courtesy basis. I have been given some powerful antibiotics, and I had to give some blood,etc. so that the lab could run tests.

Being sick in this country is bad news. I work outside in 110 degree weather, and I must run to the porta-john often. One good thing, I cannot look at food, maybe I can lose some excess weight. When I was living at Al Asad and Tall'Afar, I ate too much. Unlimited Baskin-Robbins ice cream will pack the pounds on.

I put together a package of my winter clothes, I am sure not going to need them here! I will send the excess clothing back to my home, and if I need any warm clothing, I can get it here, or from an on-line store.

I did not stay up all night, to see the Preakness Stakes. But I read all about it, on the Daily Racing Form internet page. It looks like Big Brown, is on the way to racing immortality, he might have the right stuff to win the Belmont Stakes, and then retire undefeated. What a horse!!

Tuesday afternoon

Been feeling a bit ill. There is a virus going around, and I have it. The nurse here, gave me some antibiotics, and started me on one a day, then increased it to two a day, now the med-tech wants me on three a day. My appetite is gone, food is impossible. I sip water, and juice all day, just to keep my fluid balance up.

A dust storm blew up quickly, ths afternoon. There will be a slight dribble of rain, which is not a problem, the dust will settle, and the air will be a bit cleaner. Aircraft cannot fly in these storms, so it will be quieter. I must say, I do not like the choppers flying over my trailer at 0500am, and getting woken up!

One of the team here, has a birthday, so there will be a little celebration, they set up a charcoal grill.

Work is slow, the team rotates their day off, and I get Tuesday off today as well. Work will pick up.

My address

My precise location is not disclosed. I do enjoy getting comments, and emails. I get some bulk mail, and books, etc. through a forwarding service in the USA. If anyone would like to email me, my email is cemab4y@hotmail.com if anyone would like to send books and reading material to the troops, just email me, and I will provide you with the address. The troops love to read. (So do I)

Sunday afternoon

Sunday. It has been unseasonably cool the last couple of days. Last night was very clear, I actually saw some stars. It is hard to believe that astronomy began in Mesopotamia, the nights are so dusty, that it is difficult to see the stars on most nights.

Work is excellent, I am so grateful to be working here. We have some slow days, but we will pick up soon. I have been picking up junk parts at the junk yard, and recycling them for use. Now, the resource is about depleted. I went to the wash rack yesterday, and collected some junk parts there. Scrounging is part of life in Iraq.

Still trying to lose weight. I would love to drop 10-20 pounds while I am here. If I can stay away from ice cream and soda pop, I might make it. Last night, there was shredded beef stir-fry with onions and green peppers. They feed us good here. Today for lunch, some of the work force went to the American chow hall on the American base, and ate T-Bones and lobster tails. I don't like to travel all the way to the main base for lunch.

I hope that I get some mail today, the APO has mail almost every day. I could sure use some books. If you like to read, this is the place. I got a bunch of paperbacks at Al Asad, and read every night.

7 May my day off

Slept in late this morning. Got a shower, and a shave. Picked up my laundry, and ate a small beefsteak for lunch. Temperature not too hot, around 90. The environmental dust, is not too bad, but the high-level dust has blocked out the sky for weeks. I have not seen the stars for some weeks. One thing about Afghanistan, is that being up in the mountains, away from any light pollution, the sky was clear.

Biggest problem here , is the loneliness. I do not have TV in my trailer yet, but soon. Only leisure activity is surfing the net.

Monday morning 5 May

I was sad to hear about the euthanizing of Eight Belles, on the track on derby Day. Horse Racing is the king of sports, and the sport of kings. Sometimes, the sacrifice has to be made. Big Brown, looks like a real champion horse. He may go all the way, in the Preakness and Belmont.

We had two more engineers arrive from the USA last night. These two guys look to be real fine men, I will not work with them, but I wish them well.

Saturday Morning, 3 May 2008

Cold this morning. The desert does not hold the heat, so by 0500am, the trailer is cold. The firm wants us on the job by 0700am, not a problem. I like getting to work early. This morning, I went down to the junk yard, and I picked up some parts.

The desert winds, sometimes cool the place down. By noon, the temperature was 75. The chow hall served grilled prawns (shrimp) and beef fried rice. The chow hall food is fine, no complaints from me, except that I eat too much.

The Kentucky Derby is tonight, I may stay up and watch it on the CNN. The greatest horse race in the world.

Friday afternoon

Got up at 0615am, same as every day. I prefer to take my shower in the morning. Ate a breakfast, eggs, chicken sausage, pepper bacon, tea, mango juice. The mornings this time of year, are cool. As long as the dust is down, the mornings are the best time of day. I went to the salvage yard, and collected some parts.

Back at the office, then I found out about some more parts, so I went over to the recovery yard, and collected some more parts.

The afternoons are getting hotter, I have been through two of these summers, and they are HOT. We had a drill today, they sounded the sirens, and we all had to run to the concrete bunkers, and wait for the "all clear", then we had a head-count.

I need to collect my clean laundry, but the laundry has been closed all day. I have enough surplus clean clothes to last for a week.

I spoke with my mom on the phone, she asked if I was reading. I told her, I did not have much appetite for reading. I read the newspaper here, and keep up with the news on line, and watch CNN in the dining hall. We are getting TV run into our trailers, but it is not on yet.

Monday afternoon

Very busy on Saturday/Sunday. I got a set of coveralls, and worked with the guys, installing the equipment. Hot, and dusty, but I enjoy it very much. The work here, will help the American forces come home sooner. Been feeling rundown, I have some kind of virus, I went to the medical clinic, and he gave me some tablets.

In Iraq, you have a whole new "family" of bacteria, and germs, which you ingest everytime you breathe or eat. I drink only bottled water, but you still get bacteria, from the environment. Without going into too much detail, I have had to keep a straight line for the men's room. You have do drink extra clear water, just to build up your fluids.

Since we are ahead of schedule, today is a bit slow. Wednesday is my scheduled day off, but I am on call, so I will probably have to do some work, I don't mind. Work is very good here, and I want to remain in Iraq for some years, if possible.

We got a very bad duststorm on Sunday. You could not see 100 yards. All of the helicopters were grounded, so it was quiet and spooky. Imagine the worst fog you ever saw, and everyone wearing surgical masks, that is Iraq in a duststorm.

Last afternoon and evening, the sky was pretty clear,we thought the storms were behind us, but the air is getting dustier by the hour, and we will probably face the storms for the next two days.

Just found out, about the tornados in Suffolk VA. I worked in Suffolk 2001-2002, and I lived in nearby Franklin. I really liked that job. I supervised 5 cable TV systems in two states, and some days I drove 300 miles in one day. I was on call 24/7, and I got a lot of call ins. Cable TV is an interesting industry.

Writing to me directly

I posted my email elsewhere on the board. If anyone is interested in writing me directly, please send email to:

cemab4y@hotmail.com

I am always delighted to answer any questions, if you leave a question or comment, and you want a direct response, please leave a return email address. I will not disclose either the question, nor the address.

Another Hot Saturday

This morning started out fairly cool. I got up at 06:15am, and ate a small breakfast. I drove over to the junkyard, and picked through some equipment racks, that had been stacked in a pile. I recovered some parts, that may prove useful.

By 10:00am, it was getting hotter, so I just started drinking more water, and trying to keep cool. In this climate, you have to drink 3-4 quarts of water per day, just to keep even with the perspiration. I used to take extra salt tablets, but I think I have enough salt in my system, because we eat so much canned and processed food here. The dining hall has packets of powdered gatorade, if you need to keep your electrolyte balance up.

Keeping clean in this dusty hot environment is a challenge. I keep a bottle of hand sanitizer on my desk, and I use it frequently. There are plenty of places to wash your hands, and with the solar heat, the water is always hot. I got one of the Iraqis to give me a haircut last week. He did a tolerable job, but I just hope he keeps the electric razor properly sanitized, so that he does not spread head lice. The Iraqis are great people, but they do not practice Western standards of personal cleanliness and hygiene.

When I was at Al Asad air base (Aug 2005-Nov 2006), I kept my hair very short. In this climate, and this dust, and the outdoor work that I do, a military haircut is more serviceable.

The work flow here goes in "waves", there will be a large amount of work, and we are all very busy, and then there will be some days, where there is very little to do.

Back to work

I have decided to hold off on most postings. Life in Iraq, goes on. My scheduled day off is Wednesday, but I work if needed. The mornings are warm, the heat really builds up in the afternoon. Nights are warm, but I can sleep without the air conditioner. The camp is getting television cabling installed, and we will have TV in the trailers. The dining hall gets CNN, and couple of English TV stations. If you want to give up TV, this is the place.

I am very impressed with the food here, the dining hall is excellent, but some of the guys hop over the American side, and eat with the troops in the Army dining hall. There are some fast-food operations, Burger King, Pizza Hut, taco bell, Popeyes, etc. I ate the Popeyes chicken one time, it was excellent.

I am very impressed with the men I work with. They are all kind, and work hard. I have been in Iraq for two years, and I never worked with Iraqis before.

For the record- I am not in the "green zone", I am out in the boondocks, in a very safe area. I am forbidden from traveling to Baghdad, I have no wish to go there at all.

Freeze on new postings

I have decided to freeze any new postings, on the situation, and delete all comments. I do not wish to embarrass anyone. I will read all comments, but in the interest of fairness, I have decided to hold all comments from publication.

Comment policy further clarified

Once again. This is MY blog, and I have the final say on what is posted. I intend to publish ALL views, both for and against. I want to be fair, and present a balanced view of the situation.

I normally require ALL posters to list their name (or handle). If you are man enough to make a comment, you should be man enough to list your name (or handle). I will, often publish "anonymous" comments, if the contents of the comment are of interest to the readers. But the final say, on what goes on this blog, begins and ends with me. I reserve to right to edit, publish, or reject ANY comments for ANY reason, or for no reason.

To be fair, some comments have been sent in, that are supportive of my position. These comments have contained really vulgar and disgusting remarks about people in masonic leadership positions. I feel, that in spite of our differences, and this sad situation, that we are all brothers, and we should treat each other with respect and kindness. I, therefore, have decided to delete all comments in support of my position, which contain objectionable and vulgar material, that is not in the spirit of Masonry.

I will NOT publish racist, bigoted, obscene, vulgar, lewd, or other objectionable material. I get all types of name-calling, and really disgusting comments sent to me. One man sent an entire page of "n-----" to me, every day for a week. If the fact that such disgusting comments are not published on this blog, is a problem for you, then that is your problem.

If your comments do not make it to the board, please try to remember the policies, which are clearly presented here. Blogs can be had for free, so start your own, if you like.

Letter from a friend

deleted

Suspended by The Sanctum Sanctorum

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Comment policy

This is MY blog, and I control ALL posts and comments. In the interest of fairness, I take a very liberal view, and I post nearly all comments, even those I do not agree with. Especially those I do not agree with, because I want all sides to be presented.

I get a large number of very bigoted and obscene comments. I once received a comment that was an entire page of "n-------". I once set the blog to automatically publish all comments, but the vulgar and obscene remarks just got out of hand. I had to put a stop to it.

In the interest of fairness, I normally do NOT publish "anonymous" comments, whether I agree with the individual or not. I feel that if a man has an opinion, he should have the manhood to list his name. However, I review ALL comments for publication, and if the anonymous poster has merit, and his comments will be of interest to the readers, I often publish the comment, regardless.

Masonic Temple construction underway in Baghdad! No Joke!

I get the most interesting E-Mails! This one arrived today!


Hello mate,

Sorry for the late replay we're busy for the last 2 weeks up in north building new school.

We're 5 personals planning to build the temple here in Baghdad we're not starting yet the construction we found the land but we're waiting for the right time, there is an old temple here in Baghdad and there is another one down in Basrah but every body knows the situation out in the red zone so we moving carefully.

deleted ( Logistic and property manager fordeleted owner )
deleted ( deleted owner )
deleted ( deleted partner )
deleted ( Owner of deleted company )
deleted ( Attorney )
We trying to coordinate with the Iraqi government to get the property certificate for this 2 temples if we not ganna get any answer we will start our own one.

There is couple question please:
1. we need to be a free masons, how and where we can do that ?
2. who can help us to build a temple here in Baghdad and did we need to get a permission from a specific temple so our temple be a Certified.

Finally,
All of us we believe in free masonry and need some body to lead us there is lot of my friend they wanna convert but still waiting for the right time if you have answer for my question please replay if not let me know please so I can try a different way .

Regards

Cell: + deleted( Iraqna )

deleted

deleted

(Charles Martin's comments)

(Names, emails, and cell phone numbers have been deleted in this post. In some countries, people can be killed if it is known that they are involved in Masonry. I have the contact information for the men who are working to bring Masonry back to Iraq. If anyone has a legitimate need to contact the men, please send an email to me, and I will provide the information)




=============================

My comments:

I am bowled over, to find out that there are men in Baghdad, who are interested to become Masons, and build a temple here. There is not much I can do, I am out in the boondocks, and I am not permitted to travel to Baghdad.

I wish there were an international fund ,and "team", set up to assist individuals in getting Masonry into new countries. Sort of like "Habitat for Humanity" or "Constructors for Christ".

What do you guys think?

Nepalese New Years

We have several Nepalese Gurkah guards working for us here. Today is Nepalese New Years Day. They bought a goat, and brought him here to the camp. Then they took him out behind the chow hall, and performed a ritual slaughter. They first gave him a name "Osama Ben Laden", and then they held him down, and took a machete, and slit his throat, ear-to-ear. They took a steel pan, and collected most of the blood, which the Nepalese will use in cooking.

They are going to butcher the meat, and chop it into nuggets, and mix it with curry. Tonight, we will have a celebration, and eat curried goat meat and rice. There will be a stereo set up, and dancing with Nepalese music. The Iraqis will set up the hookah-pipe, and smoke flavored tobacco all night.

Life in Iraq! I love it!!!!

Comment from Ed, a Masonic friend and brother

deleted

From a masonic friend in Iowa

deleted

Additional letter from Kentucky

deleted

Letter from Kentucky

deleted

11 April

Not much to report. This is the best time of the year to be in Iraq. The days are warm, but the real heat of summer is still some weeks away. The nights are cool, I have to put on a sweater sometimes. The dining hall food is improving day by day. Today, I had an excellent shredded beef and green peppers on rice. I would really like to lose some weight here, I would love to go back to the USA thinner.

The work flow is just beginning. The work here is all unclassified, we install radio sets in Iraqi vehicles. But when there are no vehicles, we have to slow down.

A new American engineer arrived today, Merrill Evans, he seems to be a fine upstanding man. I hope he enjoys this lifestyle.



This is an interesting time to be in Iraq. I miss the USA, but I can cope with it here.

Monday in Iraq

Cooler today. The morning dust was thick in the air, and it gave the place an eerie amber glow. The wind has not been strong enough to blow it away, so aircraft are all grounded. Got up early, got a shower. Ate eggs and cheese and french toast for breakfast. The dining hall is serving South African orange juice, and it is good. Had a bowl of Apple Jacks for dessert.

Worked this morning, drove over to a recycling yard. Stood around for a while, and tried to get some scrap metal. Left the yard, and returned back to the camp for lunch. Cheeseburger, fries, diet soda. I plan to lose some weight here. If I can avoid the baskin-robbins, I can go back to the USA thinner.

Back into the office. Bought a few bits online, I need some large styrofoam cups. Work over soon.

Tomorrow, I will go back to the salvage yard, I could really use a conex container. You cannot be too rich, too thin, nor have too much storage space.


There is some confusion about Military lodges. "Land, Sea, and Air Lodge #1" is a traveling military lodge. It has no lodge building, nor fixed address. It is a real, working lodge, and the charter is from the Grand Lodge of New York, F&AM. You can see the story of the lodge, and see the charter at

http://www.esmason.com/ fall 2005 issue page 32

Land, Sea, and Air lodge #1, is able to do degree work, make new masons, conduct funerals, and do everything that a fixed "bricks and mortar" lodge can do in the USA. LSA#1 has no officers, no elections, no dues. The lodge exists only to serve the needs of military masons, during time of war or international conflict.

I am a member of Master Builder lodge #911, Kenmore (Buffalo), New York. I was approached by the Grand Lodge of New York back in November 2005, and asked to take over the operation of the lodge. The charter is sitting in a museum in New York City, and the lodge equipment has not even been unpacked, since I received it in November 2005.

I have made repeated requests to the Grand Lodge of New York, to obtain a charter or other authority to operate. The Grand Master and Grand Secretary, will not answer my mail.

Sunday

Getting hot in Iraq. Both in climate, and in military situation. The city of Baghdad is still under curfew. Much fighting in Balad, as well. This war is going to take many years, before there is a successful conclusion.

Today, the base dining hall, served T-Bone steaks and crab legs. Our whole crew got into vans, and rode to the other side of the base, and ate with the soldiers. There was a young female soldier across from me, and I asked her "What is a nice kid like you doing in a place like this?", and she cracked up laughing. The other soldiers were hysterical.

My co-worker wanted to visit the PX, so we went. All I wanted was a newspaper, but the PX was out of papers. I may get a subscription from a USA newspaper, and just get them by mail. The political campaign is underway, and I miss being part of it. Most of these guys are not interested in the campaign.

I got a headset, and now I can call the USA by internet. I called my friend RB Hooks, Jr. last night. I also called mom and dad.

I got my first shipment of toiletries from drugstore.com I was on my last cake of soap, and my toothbrush is so old, that it is almost useless. I brushed my teeth for five minutes, and massaged the gums. My brother has lost all of his teeth, but I have spent many thousands of dollars on my teeth, $1200 just last January! I want to keep my teeth until well into my late years. My mom and dad have been able to keep their teeth, so I stand a good chance.

After supper each nite, I relax with the Iraqi men here. We talk, some of them have good English language skills, but I cannot speak a word of Arabic, it is totally incomprehensible to me. I lived in Saudi Arabia for one year, and Iraq for two years, but the language is beyond me. And I cannot read even one letter, it is just dots and squiggles.

I miss television, I need my daily dose of "Jeapordy". I miss chocolate, cooking my own meals, taking a tub bath. I miss Freemasonry, and going to church on Sundays. I miss driving. Such is life in Iraq.

On our way

Life here in Iraq, is artificial to some extent. I sleep in a trailer, and the shower house is about 75 yards away. Fortunately, there is unlimited hot water. My soap supply is getting low, so I will have to run over to the PX, and buy some more items. The food in the dining hall, is getting better all the time. Now we have cheese for breakfast. The guys are still learning how to fry an egg properly, they usually have the heat on the griddle too high, and the egg white is leathery.

The CNN channel here, is the international version, which is different than the USA version. I need my daily dose of politics, and keeping up with the presidential campaign.

The mail is starting to catch up, I got a package last week, only took a week to get here from the USA. I have ordered a few small items from vendors in the USA, and I expect delivery shortly.

The weather here now, is the best it ever gets in Iraq. Cool evenings, warm days. The 120 days will begin soon. May as well enjoy the good weather, while I can.

Some of the guys are heading over to the USA base today, frankly I just do not feel like making the trip. Some of them are interested in going to the gym, but I have no interest in that either. I miss having my books, and my own cable TV in the trailer.

I finally got my expense reports submitted, the staff back at the home office in Fort Wayne have been terrific.

Two weeks

The firm decided to move our day off to Wednesday. Not a problem. It is only March, and the heat is building. The firm gave me a pair of industrial-grade sunglasses, and believe me, I need them. My personal items that I left behind in Afghanistan, are here in Iraq, but I have not yet been able to get them here. My old firm is trying to locate the items. I hope not too much was pilfered.

I went to the American side of the base tonight, and had a decent meal of imitation crabmeat salad, and beef stroganoff. A dish of vanilla ice cream with maraschino cherries, was enjoyed!

Still do not have decent television here. We get the international version of CNN, so I can keep an eye on politics, I am trying to stay with the elections. I applied for an absentee ballot, when I was in Fort Wayne, but I never got one, so I did not get to vote in the Virginia primary. I registered in person, when I was back home, and I will definetly be able to vote in the November election, whether I am here, or in Virginia.

Been smoking the hookah, with the guys. They enjoy to smoke apple-flavored tobacco, and discuss politics and all about living in Iraq.

Today, we were presented with a phone, and soon we should be able to call the USA directly. I hope so.

I must keep my fluids up. Sounds strange, but you must force your self to drink water, when you are in the desert. I do not feel thirsty, but there is a color chart in the mens room, and if your urine stream is not clear, then you must drink more water. You perspire so fast, and it evaporates so fast you do not notice it. You stay bone dry all day, even though you drink a gallon of water per day. Weird.

My feet and legs were sore as hell for the first week. I had been sitting in the office in Fort Wayne for two months, and not walking. Here, you walk everywhere. My feet have toughened a bit, and there is very little pain.

19 March 2008

Been in Taji for about a week.

I found out today, that there is a working lodge on Taji. They have a MM degree scheduled for April 6. I am excited about attending a lodge in Iraq, for the first time.

17 March 2008, Taji, Iraq

Arrived in Iraq last Friday. Slept in transient quarters, iron rail bed, and I got the worst backache of my life. Got some tablets, and I feel much better.

Got my computer and balance of my luggage yesterday. Bright and Sunny here, the summer is going to be HOT!!

I will not have much free time to enter comments here, but I will keep up when I can.

7 March, kuwait City, kuwait

Flew in from Washington DC. arrived in Kuwait City. Staying at the Crown Plaza. Midnight flight to Iraq tomorrow.

5 March 2008 Lorton VA

Flew in Monday 3 March. I am in Lorton VA. I will be flying to Kuwait on Thursday night, and will be at my duty station in a couple of days after that.

13 Feb 2008

Fort Wayne Indiana. Cold here, 3 degrees yesterday morning. I am still on a hold, waiting for paperwork, travel authorizations, etc. On Friday, I must get another vaccination. I am ready to go, I am getting a little tired of sitting around the hotel, just waiting to go.

I got my flak-jacket (bulletproof vest), last week. I got a helmet, but I had to turn it back in, and I will get a new one soon. The firm still needs to hire a person.

Not that much to report, but Iraq will be very busy.

23 Jan 2008. Fort Wayne Indiana

I am in a training school in Fort Wayne Indiana. I will be returning to Iraq, sometime in February. Fort Wayne is OK, I am staying in a hotel, and eating in restaurants. There is a lot of Masonic activity here, meetings and degree work. On Saturday, I attended a Masonic lunch downtown, and there was a discussion of a new National Masonic library. This is a terrific project, and I am glad that I could contribute.

On Saturday night, I went to a masonic dinner, ate some pie, and chatted about Masonry.

Tonight, Wednesday, I have been invited to a Master Mason degree, I will be picked up at the hotel, and there will be a meal served at the lodge. Man, do I love Masonry.

I am not looking for work at this time

I was unemployed for about three weeks. I am NOT looking for work at this time. I am working for ITT industries in Iraq. (I am in a training school in Fort Wayne Indiana now)

18 Dec 2007

In training school at Fort Wayne Indiana. Been learning the systems. I will fly back to Washington DC, on 22 Dec. Then I will spend the Christmas holidays there, then back to Fort Wayne on 1 Jan 2008. I will remain in Fort Wayne for some weeks, then depart to Iraq.

The firm has to get our camp built, and have our accomodations and work area completed, hopefully before we arrive. The crew that I am going to be working with, looks excellent. We have some retired Army men, and the others are all veterans, most have prior service in Iraq.

I want to get some kind of Masonic activity underway there at Taji. There may be a working lodge in place, or some Masonic club or group.

Started work 10 December 2007

I flew up to Fort Wayne IN on Dec 9. I stayed in the hotel, and began work 10 Dec. I am in orientation/training now, and I will return back to Washington DC for the Christmas/new Year's holidays, then back to Fort Wayne on 2 Jan. I will be flying to Iraq after the first of the year.

BACK to Iraq.

I have been picked up by ITT Industries. I am going to be posted in Taji, Iraq. Please keep reading, this is going to be an interesting contract.

Back in the USA 13 Nov 2007

My work in Afghanistan has come to an end. I flew back to the USA on 1 November, and now I am unemployed and looking for work. If anyone knows of an opening in the telecommunications or computer systems field, please let me know. My resume is at:

http://www.4jobs.com/charlesmartin

I had an incredible experience the last two years, and there is a good chance I can return to that part of the world for additional work.

I was glad to have had you readers along for the ride!

Thursday night

An interesting week. I spent a week at Wazakhwa ( a dump ). I flew in to Bagram Air Base Thursday afternoon, Oct 11. There was a flight scheduled to Warrior base on the 12th, and I signed up for it. I went to the terminal Friday morning, but the flight took no space-available passengers. There was a flight scheduled on the 16th, and I went to the terminal on the 15th, but the flight was cancelled. The next flight from here (Bagram) to Warrior is not until the 23rd. So I am flying back to Sharana base tonight, and then wait there, and try for Warrior base again.

Bagram is not so bad, I stayed in a concrete barracks room that had a real bed. The shower room was downstairs, but it was OK. I was able to walk to the dining hall, and walk to the office, and I spent most of my time this week in the Rec hall, monitoring my systems remotely.

I had to re-enroll for my medical/dental benefits, I could not hit the web page, so I enrolled by telephone.

New post

One individual sent in an inquiry about donating supplies to the troops. I am delighted to answer, that we can always use donations of items. We can use soap, blankets, winter clothing, anything you wish to provide. The individual asked that I not list his posting, and I will respect his request.

Individuals, lodges and other organizations often donate items for the troops here. I try to acknowledge each gift, but I cannot get them all. Believe me, we are grateful.

You may send items to me at:

Charles E. Martin
UNISYS Corporation HHC 36 ENG BDE
FOB Sharana
APO AE 09354

And I will distribute them to the troops, through the Recreation Center and the Chaplain's office. There are a number of brave Afghan nationals who work here on this base, and we often share the items with them. These men risk their lives to work for the USA forces.

If anyone would like a "shopping list" email me, and I will provide one. We can use all types of personal care items, shampoo, candy, soap, etc.

Some individuals and organizations have donated Recreational supplies and sporting goods. We are grateful for these items as well, the US Government does not provide recreational items for the troops. If you would like a list of what items we need, please email me.

If you need more information, or you wish to participate, please email me at:

cemab4y@hotmail.com

Thanks.

13 Oct. Bagram Air Base

Spent a week at Wazakhwa. What a dung-hole! I got the computer reset, and then just enjoyed it there. They have no port-a-johns, just an outhouse where you defecate into a pan, and twice a day, they burn it off with diesel fuel. The dining hall is run by the US Army, and because of the Ramadan schedule (most Muslims work 6 hours per day in the month of Ramadan), all of the mess hall staff were US soldiers on KP. the mess hall was running out of food, so they were on short rations. No eggs, no milk,etc. I had a wonderful room, a real bed, with a mattress, and a decent heater. I slept like a baby. The shower house was around the corner, so I kept clean. I started reading "The clan of the cave bear", and watched some TV while I was there. I was able to fly back to Bagram Air Base, on Thursday. There was a flight scheduled to Warrior base on Friday, so I stayed in the terminal building for a couple of hours, and registered for the helicopter ride to Warrior base. I then went to the barracks, and ate a meal, and slept soundly!

I got up at 0430am, and got a ride to the terminal, and waited until the sergeant called the names for the flight. Unhappily, the flight was full, so I just waited in the terminal building. I tried a breakfast (MRE, meal-ready-to-eat, the modern version of K rations). An egg omelet with vegetables, and hash browns with bacon. The food was so gross, that I just threw it in the trash. I did find a boneless chicken breast, and it was delicious.

I went back to the barracks, and relaxed. I went into the office on Friday afternoon, and tried to see if I could get on the Tuesday 16 Oct flight to Warrior. I will stay here at bagram, and try for that flight, if I cannot get on it, I will fly back to Sharana, and put my trip to Warrior base on hold. I need to get up there to "show the flag", and inspect the system, but the system is functioning normally, so if I have to wait, it is not a big deal.

I spent Friday night in the barracks, and some idiot turned off the heater, and I about froze. I got up at 0200am, and turned the room heater back on. I got up at 0830, and walked down to the mess hall. I got three eggs fried, and two hardboiled. I met up with the Chaplain, and we spent a couple hours talking theology and religion. The mess hall staff kicked us out of the mess hall, so I went down to the Rec hall, to check on the systems.

I really have no duties here, my computers are at four other bases. But I can monitor them from here, and file my reports. My supervisor called on the cell phone, and he wants me to report to the office each day I am here by 0900, I agreed, but there is no real point, I have my cell phone with me, and it is on 24 hours a day. This is no vacation!

I will hang around the Rec Hall, and monitor the systems. There are movies on the wide-screen all day long. I had a small lunch, barbeque pork on a bun, ravioli, and cookies and cream ice cream with maraschino cherries.

Been having a hassle with the anti-masons, all the stuff on their web site is so ridiculous I could just hurl. I want to get back into masonry, and I am going to be gung-ho at Sharara.

100th post 5 Oct

Flew from FOB Sharana Thursday morning. Arrived at Bagram Air Base. Spent the night in the barracks, a real bed with a mattress. I must sign up at the flight terminal tonight at 6pm, then Saturday morning, fly up to Wazakhwa.

I bought some additional cell phone minutes, so that I can use the cell phone. I also had a Burger King Whopper, the first one I have eaten in many months, and it was good. The PX here is the biggest in Afghanistan, which is not saying much. At least they have a barber shop, and several food service sites.

I will stay at Wazakhwa for a couple of days, then fly the reverse. Back to Bagram, then wait here for a day, then back to FOB Sharana.

Wednesday Morning

The office across the path from my tent is now operating 24/7. I watched "Patriot Games", starring Harrison Ford last night. The Dining tent is closed for renovations all day today, so I had to skip breakfast. the Doc thinks I should lose some weight anyway. My Blood pressure is a little high, so I am taking blood pressure medicine for the first time in my life.

I will be flying Thursday morning, so I have to be at the terminal at 0130am in the morning. then I will get a C130 airplane to Bagram, then wait for a helicopter to fly up to Wazakhwa. I have to do 30 minutes of work, and it will take me a week, to do all the traveling. Wazakhwa is bleak, the food service is run by the Polish Army, and the port-a-johns have diesel furnaces where the waste is burned off daily. There is no PX.

There is a masonic lodge meeting this Friday, but I will be gone traveling. I had been invited to serve as Senior Deacon, but I had to cancel. I am very excited about participating in Masonry again, especially here in Afghanistan.

Letter to the Grand Secretary and the Grand Master of Kentucky

To the Grand Master of Masons in Kentucky, and the Grand Secretary, I am in receipt of your recent letter, and I appreciate your concerns, respecting my assisting the Worshipful Master of Land, Sea, and Air lodge #1 (Grand Lodge of New York, F&AM), and my communications with my Grand Master (in New York). There have been some developments, that you are possibly not aware of, and I wish to bring to your attention. For some time now, I have been a dual member of both my Kentucky lodge, and a (fixed, permanent) lodge in New York, which is under the authority of the Grand Lodge of New York (F&AM). As a bona-fide New York mason, I am therefore permitted and encouraged to communicate directly with the Grand Master of Masons in New York, and any of the Grand Line officers, and with any New York Mason , on New York masonic matters. For the record, I am NOT a member of Land, Sea, and Air Lodge #1. LSA#1 is a traveling military lodge, and has no members. I have never been asked by the Grand Lodge of New York, nor by the Worshipful Master of LSA#1, to stop assisting on the project. I am no longer resident in Iraq. Any objections that you have to my assisting the Grand Lodge of New York, in Iraq, are therefore moot, and no longer applicable. I have NEVER been asked by any (NEW YORK) Grand Line Officer, either telephonically nor in writing, to cease assisting the Worshipful Master of Land, Sea, and Air lodge #1. Until I am asked formally to stop helping the Worshipful Master on this project (by the WM himself) , I intend to proceed. I wish to remind everyone, that I am under an obligation, to help aid and assist any brother master mason who comes to me for assistance. Any assertion that I am contacting a Grand Lodge of which I am not a member, is baseless. I AM a New York Mason. My membership with Master Builder lodge #911, Tonawanda New York has been duly completed and voted upon. I have been informed by the Grand Master of Masons in New York himself, by telephone, that my membership is with this lodge. I have been informed, telephonically, and by email that I am a full voting member of Master Builder 911, Tonawanda New York. Since I am a New York Mason, then I have every right to correspond directly with the Grand Master of Masons in New York, on New York masonic matters. I am NOT attempting to establish a lodge in Iraq, or anywhere else. Land, Sea, and Air Lodge #1, was established in 1917, 37 years before I was born. I am NOT attempting to assume authority for any lodge in Iraq. The Worshipful Master is resident in New York, and he alone is responsible. I am only assisting him in specific tasks that he has directed me to help on. I have every authority to assist in the Land, Sea, and Air lodge project. The Worshipful Master contacted me back in November 2005, and asked me specifically to assist. I am acting under his direct supervision and authority. The Worshipful Master has not rescinded this request. I am seeking NO aid from any (other) lodge or Grand Lodge, on this project. I am a Kentucky Mason (with dual membership in New York). I have asked for advice and guidance from a number of individuals, but I have never solicited any monetary donations. Individuals and lodges have donated certain morale and recreational items to the troops here, on their own initiative. For the record, the treasury balance of LSA#1 is ZERO. I want to make it quite clear, and have no misunderstandings. My work with the Worshipful Master and the Grand Lodge of New York, is at their specific request. I was asked to help on this project back in November 2005. The lodge had been operating in Iraq for some time, long before I was ever involved (see www.esmason.com Fall 2005 issue page 32). Everything that I have done has been well-documented, I answer all questions from individuals, and I keep a running account of my progress, on my blog. I am also getting some advice and guidance from the Supreme Council Scottish Rite (Southern Jurisdiction). I am NOT criticizing any individual in Kentucky, with respect to this project, either in Emails, nor in my blog. You can see my blog (www.cemab4y.blogspot.com) for yourself. Since this is a NEW YORK project, and New York is alone responsible, why would I want to criticize any Kentucky Mason? What would be the point? I am NOT criticizing any individual in New York, with respect to this project, either in Emails nor in my blog. I have offered some suggestions to the Grand Master of Masons in New York, and I have personally appealed to him both telephonically, in postal mail, and in email. As a bona-fide member of a New York lodge, I have every right to do this. I intend to follow every directive and rule of BOTH Grand Lodges of which I am a member. Now that you have a more complete understanding of the situation, with respect to my dual membership, I suggest that you cease any suggestions of possible investigations of my communicating (improperly) with the Grand Lodge of New York, which is my Grand Lodge. Any suggestion that I am in communications with a Grand Lodge of which I am not a member, is baseless and not factual. While we are on this topic, I would like to request that the Grand Lodge of Kentucky be more supportive of my efforts to assist the Grand Lodge of New York ,and the Worshipful Master of Land, Sea, and Air lodge #1, in bringing Masonry to the troops and civilians in Iraq. The masons here risk their lives every day, for your freedom, and they deserve to have a functioning lodge in Iraq, and to have the retreat of Masonry. Up until now, I have received virtually no support or encouragement (from the Grand Lodge of Kentucky) in my efforts to assist the Grand Lodge of New York, and the Worshipful Master of LSA#1 in this endeavour. If you do not wish to support the masons in Iraq and Afghanistan, at least get out of the way, and let the Grand Lodge of New York, (and other Grand Lodges) proceed with this effort. I am no longer resident in Iraq, and therefore not of much value in this project, but I intend to offer every assistance I can, to both the WM, and the Grand Master of Masons in New York, until asked specifically otherwise. After all, I am a New York Mason, and when asked to assist , I will. Here in Afghanistan, the Grand Lodge of Washington (state), as well as the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma, are assisting military masons with getting lodges underway here. At my base, there is even going to be an Eastern Star chapter. Although I am not directly involved with these efforts, I wish them well, and I will attend and fellowship with the new lodge here. If asked for help, I will give it. Masonically Thine, Charles E. MartinForward Operating Base Orgun, Afghanistan

Back at Sharana

I got back on Sunday morning. I thought I made a blog entry. While I was gone someone went through my personal items in my tent, and stole my clock, and my sunglasses, and my book about the Panama Canal. If they had wanted that stuff so bad, I would have given it to them.

Now it is Tuesday afternoon, I must fly to Wazakhwa. I will get a flight tonight to bagram, and then wait there for a day, and then fly on to Wazakhwa. Then I will stay there a couple of days, and then return to Bagram, then return here to Sharana.

28 Sept., stuck

No flights today. running out of clean clothing. I took my last pair of socks with me, and I washed them in the shower. The next flight is due out on Sunday 30 Oct. I must immediately make a flight to Wazakhwa, another of my bases. I will have to fly to Salerno by fixed wing aircraft, and then wait on a helicopter.

The Rec Hall was not crowded, so I am spending several hours on the computer catching up on some administrative work.

Called the USA yesterday. Spoke with RB Hooks, a masonic friend.

Stuck at FOB Orgun-E

27 Sept. Got up at 0515AM this morning, and went to the flight desk to see about the flight to Sharana. It was cancelled. I came here to do 45 minutes of work, and I have been stuck here ten days. The next flight is 30 Sept, and there is no guarantee of that one!! I might have to wait until the 3rd of October.

Getting low on clean clothing. I will wash some items in the shower myself. Stuck on a cot, fortunately I was able to scrounge a blanket. COLD in the mornings.

Not much line for the computers, I was able to inform my supervisor of my whereabouts. Would like to call the USA, maybe later.

The bad weather is coming, and it is only going to get worse (with respect to flying). In bad weather, the helicopters will fly less often.

26 Sept. Wednesday afternoon

A little excitement last night. There was some enemy activity, outside the gate, so there was an alert. Siren, so we had to go to bunkers. Waited about an hour, then all clear.

Should be flying home to Sharana tomorrow.

Tuesday

Got up this morning, cold as usual. Got a decent breakfast, then got on the internet. Scheduled to fly back to home base Sharana on Thursday, In's'hallah. Got to see Jeapordy. Mostly just relax,and wait for the chopper.

I have made many postings on this blog about Freemasonry, but I have never deliberately criticized any individual. If anyone feels criticized, or treated unfairly on my blog, please let me know.

I received a letter from the Grand Master of Masons in Kentucky. The Grand Lodge of Kentucky does not realize, that I am a dual member of two lodges, one in Kentucky and one in New York. I have been communicating with the Grand line officers, and others in New York, about the LSA#1 project.

The Grand Master asked me to provide them with an "intent" to communicate only with individuals in my own grand Lodge. I agreed.

I am about done with the lodge project in Iraq. There is not much I can here in Afghanistan. We have a lodge project here at Sharana, and I am going to be very active. I think that the military and civilian personnel here in Afghanistan (and Iraq) deserve to have Freemasonry.

Still at Orgun

Monday morning. I was supposed to fly out of Orgun-E this morning, but the flight was cancelled. I am scheduled for a flight on Thursday 27 Sept. It is cold at night, I scrounged a blanket last night, so it was tolerable. I am on my last set of clean underclothes, I took mine to the laundry, and I will get them back tomorrow.

Not much to do, just surf the net, keep an eye on my systems, and file the reports. Got a letter from the Grand Master of Masons in Kentucky, and I sent in a short response, and I will send in a longer response later. Since I am not in Iraq, anymore, I am not helping on the Iraq masonic project. I wish them well.

Food here is about the same at any mess hall. All of the cooks and servers at the mess hall are Army. There are some local national employees in the kitchen, and cleaning up.

Got to see Jeapordy today. Talked for a while with the Chaplain, just chatting up comparative religions. Talked right through lunch.

Sunday afternoon

Stuck at Orgun. Cold last night, winter is coming. Right now, there is a rainstorm, the entire base will turn to mud. I have no more clean clothes, I am scheduled to fly back to my home base, Sharana, tomorrow, Monday 24 Sept.

21 Sept. 2007

Stuck at Orgun. A small base up in the mountains. Only 9 minutes flying time from my home base at Sharana. The base has a decent rec hall, the dining hall is 100% Army run, the cooks do a decent job. Three meals a day, instead of two. Decent food. Took my first shower today since left Sharana. The water is high-pressured, felt good on my skin, to pummel it. The temperature was not so hot, but it was good to get a shower regardless. I am almost out of soap, and the small OX here carries my brand of soap, but they could not make change for a $20 bill! I will have to wait until tomorrow, and they have some change. The PX is cash only.

The office where my computer is located, did a complete renovation today. They moved all of the furniture out of the building, and painted all of the walls. They had to move my computer around, and so they unplugged some of the equipment!!! I got everything plugged back in, and running properly. It is a good thing that I am here, else I would have had to fly in, and plug everything back in.

It is Friday night, the Islamic sabbath, and the base is on a slow schedule. I finally got to watch "Jeapordy" it comes on at 1pm. The people in the Rec Hall were stunned at my amazing knowledge. They thought I had seen the show before!

I never thought I would get lonesome for pavement. The entire base here, and the entire base at Sharana is 100% gravel and dirt. I brought an extra pair of running shoes, My feet are sore after walking all day on the gravel.

I still have no idea when I will get a permanent quarters. I will be in the tent, sleeping on a cot for a long time. Fortunately, I will have an internet line run into the Mayors cell at Sharana, and I will have unlimited internet time, and not have to rely on the kindness of strangers (like Blanche DuBois).

I brought some extra clothing, I had a feeling I would be stuck here for several days. Just wish there was more to do here. Tonight there is a bible study at the chapel, maybe I will drop in, and observe.

Tuesday 18 Sept

Woke up with backache. Still not getting into quarters. Fly up to Orgun tomorrow. Spoke with some friends by phone last night. A lonely place. At least I will have a masonic fellowship here.

Monday 17 Sept

What a day. Still have the backache from sleeping on a cot all night. I will get a permanent residence, and a bed soon, I hope. I have finally got a temporary office. I have received a computer account, and I must bring my laptop in for baselining, and for the Army to prepare my computer for use on the internet here. Then they will install a line in the Mayors cell, and I can use my computer there.

I must get down to the finance office, and get a letter for them, authorizing me to cash checks at the finance office. I do not need cash here, there is only one store, the PX, and I can use my credit cards there, as well as my Army debit card. But I may get vacation, and need some paper money for traveling!

Afghanistan blues

Went to the Doctor yesterday to get Malaria tablets. I honestly did not know that Anopholes mosquitos could survive at this altitude. The Doc assures me, that mosquitos can survive up here, and that malaria is definetly present. I got a years supply of tablets, and I will take one each monday.

My blood pressure was a bit high, so I have to go back next day for another blood pressure check.

Food here is all right, but tiresome. Definetly a step down from Iraq. That army cot I have to sleep on, is giving me a backache. Plus all the walking, my feet and shins are sore as hell.

Enough complaining. It is good to be working, better to be working here than unemployed back home! I have located a Mason here, who runs a study group. I hope we can expand into a fully functioning square and compasses club.

One week here

Slept a fiftul night. Winter is coming. The nights are cool, and getting colder. Got up at 0630, got the breakfast. My tool kit arrived, so I am going to make my first flight to Orgun. I must be at the flight office at 0530am tomorrow.

Monday morning

Winter is coming. Cool last night. Only one other man in the tent. Got up this morning, and got a breakfast. I need a computer account, so I walked down to the data connection shop, and signed up. I needed to pass two exams on computer security and operations, so I took the tests on line, and passed.

Strangely, there are no 220volt electrical outlets anywhere on this post. I asked around, and I was able to scrounge a 110 to 220Volt transformer, so now I can plug in the transformer, and then I can plug the battery charger for my cell-phone directly into it, and recharge the battery. The data shop had a spare that they were not using.

The post exchange (PX) opened up three days ago. It is small, but much bigger than their last one. Sharana is going to be a major base, with many more troops and civilians arriving here, so the whole base infrastructure will be growing. More barracks, more buildings, more offices, more vehicles, etc. I am going to be a busy man.

Went to the main chow hall for the first time. There are a total of two(2) dining halls on this post, one is run by the US Army, and one is run by the KBR company of Houston, Texas. The quality of the food is about equal in both of them. I also made my first visit to the recreation center, what a disappointment. Plywood hut, with wooden benches. Equipment is run down and shabby. Remember, the Recreation centers get no government money.

I tried to see the Chaplain, about getting a room for a masonic club. The Chaplain's office was closed, I will try again later. I am excited about getting a masonic square and compasses club underway here. The First Sergeant is very supportive, even though he is not a mason.

I walked outside the tent at 2am, and the sky was spectacular. We are at 7200 feet altitude here, and there are no lights permitted to burn at night. There is virtually no air pollution, and no city lights. The stars just blaze,the milky way was a band of white, with stars down to the sixth magnitude! It makes you stare in wonder! Back in Iraq, the air is dusty, and on some nights, the moon is the color of polished brass, stunning.

It is going to be a struggle to keep clean here. The dust and filth is everywhere. The Afhgans are not used to Western style toilets, so they defecate in the mens room, on the floor, and on the seat. The toilets are always filthy. At least the hot water is on in the shower house, and the laundry. I had a weeks worth of laundry that I turned in today. There is an Afghan man, who washes the clothes, and you get them back the same day.

I have done a lot of walking, and my feet are tired. The place is all gravel, with no pavements or paths. My shin muscles are sore from the walking. The firm promised me a vehicle, and I will be glad when it gets here.

It seems like my postings are always going down in quality. I thought Al Asad was a paradise, and then Talafar had many good things going for it. At least I was in a CHU (Trailer), and we had decent bus service. Now I am in a tent, sleeping on a pad. I do not know when I will get a permanent housing nor when I will get an office. The base just does not have the facilities.

So I make the most of it. I will work from the mayor's cell, or the rec Hall, and relax in the tent. I am re-reading "The path between the seas", about the Panama canal.

Finally got a shower

Sunday night in Sharana, Afghanistan. Spent a night in the tent, noisy with people moving in and out. People came in and got their belongings. I got up this morning, and the tent was empty. I went to the dining tent, and got a decent breakfast. There were T-Bone steaks left over from yesterday. Hard-boiled eggs, hash browns, bagel with strawberry cream cheese. The coffee machine is broken, so no coffee.

Moseyed over to the Mayors office, did a little internet. The soldiers are so nice, they permit me to use the internet on a non-interference basis. Fortunately, because office space is tight, and virtually non-existent! My principal "client" is the Movement control team, which is responsible for shipping and receiving materiel, from around Afghanistan, and worldwide. I was originally slated to get an office in their tent, but they have two new NCOs arriving, so space is not available. I don't care. All I need is a desk, a military telephone, a computer line (I already have my own computer), and some storage space.

I was busy yesterday, I had to load some software on a computer, and take some readings, the computer works perfectly, it is amazing, how in this nasty, dusty environment, the computers just keep on running.

I came back to the tent, and slept a little, then did some reports. Things are slow on Sunday.

The shower tent finally has hot water, so I took the first shower I have had in three days. The laundry has also had no hot water. Tomorrow, I will drop off a weeks worth of laundry at the laundry tent, and then relax!

I am waiting on a tool kit, when it arrives, I will make my first chopper flight, since I left Al Asad, in November 2006. I will be flying a lot. I am anxious to get a Masonic group underway here, I already spoke with the First Sergeant. He is not a mason, but he is very supportive, and he indicated that he would issue a letter, and help us get underway. I need to meet with the Chaplain, and get a meeting room scheduled. What a life!

First Twenty-Four hours in Sharana

I flew from Bagram to Forward operating Base Sharana, on 7 Sept. The flight took about 40 minutes. The base is 7500' above sea level, and the air is thin. I got off the plane, and hitched a ride to the mayor's office, and got a tent. The base is bigger than I imagined, about 3000 American civilians and military. Also there are Republic of Korea and Polish troops.

I got a meal in the Dining tent, and got into the tent. I did not turn off the air conditioning, so it was bloody cold all night long. I just slept as best I could. In the middle of the night, a man came into the tent, and said "Fire in the dining hall". I just went back to sleep. Later the Polish army fired three artillery rounds down the mountain, to discourage the insurgents from camping there.

Got up this morning, and got a decent breakfast in the dining tent. The hot water heater in the shower tent blew up last night, and there was no hot water or cold water in the shower tent. I could really use a hot shower. This is Saturday, so the Army serves a picnic lunch whenever the weather permits. We had Tbone steaks, Ribs, Barbecued chicken, burgers, hot dogs, etc. Also some excellent Shrimp Jamabalaya with Andouille sausage. I don't know how the Army does it, but they can sure serve good food here in the mountains of Afghanistan.

I will be getting some permanent quarters and office space later on. There is a real shortage , the population here is growing, and the infrastructure cannot keep up. There is construction going on, new concrete barracks and office buildings going up all over.

The generator for the one computer here dropped off last night. No power for some hours. When the power came back on, the computer needed to be re-booted, so I went down and re-booted. I also had to install software, and take some readings. Fortunately, the computer is running properly.

I will now have to fly to Orgun, and install software on that computer. I will need some tools, which are being shipped here.

I got a pad for my cot, and it will be more comfortable than sleeping on the canvas. I am hoping that the hot water is back on in the shower tent!

Tomorrow is Sunday, and I should be able to relax!

On the ground in Sharana

I arrived at Forward Operating Base Sharana, a couple of hours ago. It is the bleakest place I have ever seen, and I have been all over the world. I am in a tent, sleeping on a cot. The base is all gravel, no paved streets. I was to be living in a plywood hut, but the hut was full.

I am going to be commuting between four (4) bases, Warrior, Wazakhwa, Orgun, and home based here at Sharana.

I will be here through the first of the year, and perhaps longer. I would like to get back to Iraq. I thoroughly enjoyed Al Asad, and Talafar (FOB Sykes) was all right.

I had my first meal, and it was OK. TBone steak, lobster tails, shrimp, scallops, fried rice, mint chocolate chip ice cream. Very nice. I will now unpack, and try to rest. At least the tent is empty, and I will have some privacy. I must walk 75 yards to the shower tent.

I will begin work in earnest tomorrow, the First Sergeant will be attempting to secure better quarters for me. My mother thinks I should write a book, she thinks I am the most interesting person she knows!

6 Sept 2007 Bagram Afghanistan

Finished the training school, and now I am trying to get to my new duty station, Forward Operating Base Sharana. I ate a salad for supper last night, and this morning, I was in no shape for breakfast. I bought a cell phone, that works in Afghanistan, and I can make calls to anywhere and receive calls from anywhere. I know that there is service at Sharana.

3 Sept 2007

What a day! My bank account changed to a security system, and I tried to access my account. The system asked me my fathers city of birth, and I answered, but the system did not accept the answer. I am working on getting the account un-locked.

2 Sept 2007

Got a few comments on the blog. I am glad that they are all reasonable. I got some really sick, racist comments last year, I had the blog set for open comments, but the comments were soo off the wall, I had to moderate. Since I started the moderation, there have been no more sick remarks.

Slept all right last night. This is Sunday, and things are slow, but I am working regardless. Tomorrow, a three day training class begins, then on Thursday, I will see about getting to Salerno. I will remain there for a couple of days, then I will get a flight to my duty station, Sharana.

Food here in Afghanistan has been OK. There is never a line at the shower house. The laundry takes 3 days, whereas at Tall'Afar, it was a one day turnaround. Bagram is a big base, there is Masonry here, a blue lodge, Scottish and York rites, even the Shrine and Eastern Star. Where the Americans go, Masonry goes.

There is no lodge at Sharana, but I will start a Masonic Square and Compasses club, and network and socialize with the other masons there. I really enjoyed it in Tall'Afar, but the first sergeant would not permit any advertising or posters. He transferred out, and the new first sergeant would probably have been more reasonable. But I am no longer there, so it does not matter.

The firm is going through some changes, mostly due to the new contract. The technology is the same, virtually indestructible. As long as the electrical power stays on, and the internet stays up, and the operating frequencies stay clear, the job is wonderful. When things go wrong, that is when I step in.

I will probably leave the office a bit early today, things are slow. I called the USA from the Rec Hall last night, the connection was good. The PX here is huge, much bigger than Tall'Afar, I decided to get a short haircut, short hair is much more serviceable and cooler, and easier to take care of in this climate.

I had a sore throat and chest congestion, so I went to the hospital. When I said chest congestion, they automatically assumed chest pain, which means heart attack. They put me on the EKG, and checked my heart rhythm. My heart is "stone cold normal", but they made me stay all night. I spent a fitful night, plugged into an electro cardiogram. Every two hours, they drew blood, to see how much protein was in my blood. I was stuck in the elbow, the wrist, and the belly. I got up the next morning, and was put on the treadmill. My heart checked out fine, but I never got anything for my sore throat.

I am feeling much better ,and I am fit for duty.

Saturday 1 Sept

Got up early today. Noisy in the barracks. One thing about Talafar, I lived alone, and it was quiet in the mornings, just the hum of the generators. Went to the chow hall, ate some steak and eggs. My cholesterol will definetly take a jump here. One of the other engineers flew in this morning, and he will stay in my barracks for the next couple of days.

I will be taking a class 3-4-5 Sept. Then I can fly up to Salerno, and then on to my duty station at Sharana.

We are forbidden from wearing short pants here. I wish I could wear conservative black walking shorts, especially in the high summer. Winter is coming. I have been through three Augusts in Iraq, where it gets to 120. Here in Afghanistan, the winters are bloody cold! I was here at Bagram in February 2004, and froze slowly. NO heat in the barracks.

One week in Afghanistan

Been here for a week. I spent two nights on a cot, did not get much sleep, the air conditioner was churring all night. I got into a barracks, and it is much nicer. Quiet, only two other men there, and I sleep fine. The food quality here in Afghanistan is definetly a "step down" from Iraq. The dining hall at Tall'Afar was the best food I have eaten since I have been in this part of the world.

Here at Bagram, we eat off of cardboard. At least they have EGGS!! I have not had an egg since March. This morning, I had two eggs fried, and two eggs boiled. Plus bagel and cream cheese, and bacon and hash browns.

Tonight, there will be a masonic open house, I am anxious to attend. I have not attended any masonic meetings since I was in Moscow Sept 2006. I miss Masonry very much.

The equipment and technology here is the same as Iraq, fortunately. The documentation and business practices are different, but I can learn. Biggest hassle is that I will servicing four bases, I will live at Sharana, and fly between three others.

Arrived safely in Afghanistan

I left Iraq on the night of 22 August. I flew all night, with a couple of intermediate stops, and then the aircraft landed in Kuwait on the morning of 23 August. I waited on the military base for about 10 hours, then I caught a flight to Afghanistan. I arrived at Bagram Air Base on the morning of the 24th. I went to the transient tent, and slept in my two-day old clothes. I finally got a shower ,and a shave and a change of clothing.

I am now undergoing some familiarization, and learning the systems and procedure here in Afghanistan. (It is virtually identical to Iraq). I will be assigned to Sharana base, in a week or so, then I have to arrange a flight up there.

BTW- I am NOT a Lieutenant Colonel. I am a civilian electronics engineer. I was in the Air Force from 1973-1978, and I was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant (E4).

I will list my postal address, when I get one. My email addresses all remain the same. If you need to know my email address, just leave a comment on this board.

Contacting me.

If anyone wishes to contact me directly, just leave a "comment" on the blog, and it will be automatically forwarded to me. I prefer not to post my email addresses on the blog, because I get enough spam and unsolicited email already.

If anyone wishes to email me directly, please leave a comment on the blog, and once I am satisfied that you are not a "spammer", I will contact you directly.

Charles E. Martin

Moving to Afghanistan

I am being assigned to Sharana Air Base, near Kabul, Afghanistan.

My email addresses are all the same. My new postal address is:

Charles E. Martin
UNISYS CORP.
HHC 36th Engineer Brigade FOB Sharana
APO AE 09354