We have a week left in training in South Carolina. The weather is on the brink of turning quite hot and humid with almost daily thunderstorms to break up the thick humidity. Today (Wed 5/27), is to be 91 degrees and 97% humidity and chance of afternoon showers. These two pictures display our barracks living arrangements. Not bad for three weeks.
Came across this poem from Kipling about the British incursions into Afganistan. They have been in there 4 timres in the last 200 years all wound up in defeat.
FORD O' KABUL RIVER
Kabul town's by Kabul river--Blow the bugle, draw the sword--There I lef' my mate for ever,Wet an' drippin' by the ford.Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,Ford o' Kabul river in the dark!There's the river up and brimmin', an' there's 'arf a squadron swimmin''Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.
Kabul town's a blasted place--Blow the bugle, draw the sword--'Strewth I sha'n't forget 'is faceWet an' drippin' by the ford!Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,Ford o' Kabul river in the dark!Keep the crossing-stakes beside you, an' they will surely guide you'Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.
Kabul town is sun and dust--Blow the bugle, draw the sword--I'd ha' sooner drownded fust'Stead of 'im beside the ford.Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,Ford o' Kabul river in the dark!You can 'ear the 'orses threshin', you can 'ear the men a-splashin','Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.
Kabul town was ours to take--Blow the bugle, draw the sword--I'd ha' left it for 'is sake--'Im that left me by the ford.Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,Ford o' Kabul river in the dark!It's none so bloomin' dry there; ain't you never comin' nigh there,'Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark?
Kabul town'll go to hell--Blow the bugle, draw the sword--'Fore I see him 'live an' well--'Im the best beside the ford.Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,Ford o' Kabul river in the dark!Gawd 'elp 'em if they blunder, for their boots'll pull 'em under,By the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.
Turn your 'orse from Kabul town--Blow the bugle, draw the sword--'Im an' 'arf my troop is down,Down an' drownded by the ford.Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,Ford o' Kabul river in the dark!There's the river low an' fallin', but it ain't no use o' callin''Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.
Kabul town's by Kabul river--Blow the bugle, draw the sword--There I lef' my mate for ever,Wet an' drippin' by the ford.Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,Ford o' Kabul river in the dark!There's the river up and brimmin', an' there's 'arf a squadron swimmin''Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.
Kabul town's a blasted place--Blow the bugle, draw the sword--'Strewth I sha'n't forget 'is faceWet an' drippin' by the ford!Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,Ford o' Kabul river in the dark!Keep the crossing-stakes beside you, an' they will surely guide you'Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.
Kabul town is sun and dust--Blow the bugle, draw the sword--I'd ha' sooner drownded fust'Stead of 'im beside the ford.Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,Ford o' Kabul river in the dark!You can 'ear the 'orses threshin', you can 'ear the men a-splashin','Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.
Kabul town was ours to take--Blow the bugle, draw the sword--I'd ha' left it for 'is sake--'Im that left me by the ford.Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,Ford o' Kabul river in the dark!It's none so bloomin' dry there; ain't you never comin' nigh there,'Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark?
Kabul town'll go to hell--Blow the bugle, draw the sword--'Fore I see him 'live an' well--'Im the best beside the ford.Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,Ford o' Kabul river in the dark!Gawd 'elp 'em if they blunder, for their boots'll pull 'em under,By the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.
Turn your 'orse from Kabul town--Blow the bugle, draw the sword--'Im an' 'arf my troop is down,Down an' drownded by the ford.Ford, ford, ford o' Kabul river,Ford o' Kabul river in the dark!There's the river low an' fallin', but it ain't no use o' callin''Cross the ford o' Kabul river in the dark.
A hard and ominous land!
Here is a great video about killing time and the competitve nature of those in uniform. 120 people had to go through the range. There were only 14 lanes. So, many people were sitting and waiting. What to do? Put a can on top of a post and see who can knock it down. The military expression is hurry up and wait. Find something to do to fill up the "wait" portion.
Talk to you all soon. BTW, Natalie and I shared our 8th anniversary yesterday! Thanks!
This video is pretty funny and the barracks don't look as bad as I imagined.... easy for me say, huh?
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary Fran & Natalie! It is hard to believe that was 8 years ago. What a great wedding. I wonder if I still have that Sex & The City dress somewhere....Ha ha! Love you guys.
Fran and Natalie - Happy Anniversary --your wedding seems like it was yesterday--what a blast.
ReplyDeleteFran--the living conditions look pretty decent--do you have to do chow calls too? You are the man--when the going gets tough, the tough get going and there is no one tougher then you. Let me know what I can send to you. I am enjoying living vicariously through you --you are not missing anything in the "rat" race.
Rat
Hi Fran,
ReplyDeleteThis blog is pretty cool! It's great to be able to get an idea on your daily adventures. The boys are doing well but of course we all miss you very much. The days are just not the same without you. We pray daily for your safe return home. We're starting the count down!!
Love you
Nat
Dear Fran- The whole family enjoys following your journey. Wouldn't mind target practice myself. Seems like a good stress reducer. (Provided of course nothing's shooting back! Ha!)
ReplyDeleteI guess what seems difficult to me at this point is the total lack of privacy. Maybe sleeping with the little guys got you warmed up??? You are in our prayers. Two more nights and Brian's another Yankee lost in Dixie. -maris
hi fran
ReplyDeletethe barracks look nice but not as nice as
Muirlands Drive...miss you ....love you
MAMA