A Phone Call from Joe

We spoke with Joe today for the first time in almost 2 months. Needless to say it was great to hear his voice. He is in good spirits and doing well. They are performing missions and he is busy managing his medics.

We have been getting regular inquiries about what to send him so we asked him that question. He tells us that he has access to most of the “creature comforts” he needs with a PX on the FOB. For packages, individually wrapped non-chocolate candy is good and Q-tips come in handy for lots of reasons. Most of all he loves to get cards and letters from you all. They are a reminder of home for him and he likes that. If you are want to send him a package please email us and let us know. We may have you wait a week if there is already a package going out to him that week. Feel free to send cards and letters as often as you like because he seems to especially appreciate them. The army tells us that mail takes 1-2 weeks to reach Joe. They also stated that any package sent parcel post on or before Nov 13 will reach him by Christmas. Cards and letters sent 1st class should be sent by December 11 to arrive by Christmas. See the previous posts for his current address and where to get free postal service mailing kits for packages.

Another new address

We're settling in here at FOB Sykes, and I have the address for where we are:

2LT Joe C Thompson

HHT 1-4 CAV (Medics)

FOB Sykes, Iraq

APO, AE 09351

We'll be here at least 30 days, but I'll keep you updated though as we

probably will move somewhere else after that time.

Another update,
We're going to be staying here at FOB Speicher for a while longer. Sorry to jump the gun on us actually moving, but nothing is certain in the Army until it happens, and then you can expect that to change as well.

Go ahead and send stuff to the Speicher address listed a couple of posts below. Care packages are fine, but please don't send bulk stuff, as I'm still in temporary living conditions and have to be able to carry everything with me should we leave.

Things are well here. The weather is starting to cool off, which is a nice break.

Joe

Quick Update

I've got a quick update. We've finally got word that we will be moving to our actual area of operations within the next week or so. This is good news, as we're all kind of itching to get where we will be and get settled in.

I'll be sure to post the address as soon as I get it.

Love and miss you all

Joe

Here in Iraq

Hello all,
I just wanted to post an update on how things are over here. We're currently at COB Speicher, in Tikrit, Iraq. We're not sure how long we'll be in this specific location, but we may be moving to a different area within the next couple of weeks.

We're currently getting our vehicles set up and squared away, as well as planning for possible missions we may be given. We've been given a lot of the new MRAPs, which are huge armored trucks especially designed to resist IED blasts.

The weather over here has begun cooling off. In the mornings and evenings it actually feels pleasant and similar to what fall feels like back in the States.

The conditions here aren't that bad. We have good dining facilities and a decent gym.

The address on the post below is accurate, so feel free to send letters, but since we may move soon, hold off on care packages.

I love and miss you all,

Joe