So the last time I wrote, it was about a daily grind here in Iraq. Well thankfully things at least in my neck of Iraq are relatively quiet. I say relatively because as soon as I say "all is quiet on the Western front" we will be hit by either a rocket or Mortar or whatnot.

A few days ago was the biggest of these mortars. I was inside and I could feel the building move. Thankfully nobody was hurt, but had it landed in a different spot many people could have been hurt or killed.

So as far as that goes, it is safe here. Next, the weather. Now the first time I wrote it was raining, alot... Now it is what I came to Iraq expecting. It is hot, I would say at least 110 degrees. It litterly feels like an oven outside during the day. It is a really dry heat, but I have found that the walk from my room to the church is just long enough for me to sweat aboutfivepounds off. So it is quite warm during the day, but I am glad for that, because at night, the temperature drops and it is honestly the best weather that you could hope for at night. It is about 75 to 80 and running at night is honestly very enjoyable.

On that note, I am not going to the gym as much as before, or maybe I am, but it is more combined. Instead oftwo times, justonce a day is sufficient now. It is a real break from work out here, sometimes you workout really hard, but somedays you work out light for you don't know what may happen the next day.

So one day, I was on a mission.
And I had an opportunity to speak with a few Iraqi Soldiers, with the help of a translator, but what they told me really got me to think about how bad U.S. soldiers may think we have it out here.

First off, these guys live here, they realize that they must make this place safer for them and their families. If they don't then why bother joining the Army, it would be much safer for them. I mean the terrorists aren't just targeting the U.S. soldiers anymore, so these soldiers need to create a safer Iraq.

The Iraqi soldiers though, are just beginning again. This Army is nothing like the Army they had under Saddam. Now the Army is updated, and soldiers can do their job, not fearing for their lives if they did something wrong. Did you know that in Saddam's Army, officers had the power to do just about whatever they wanted to the soldiers if they thought the soldier was performing poorly or even if they didn't like the guy. I think that is a fearthat needs to be dispelled into the Iraqi Army.

When I talked to the soldiers, they were really happy that the U.S. was here. I really believe the Iraqi Army will be something to see once they learn how to operate on a system built on values and training and respect rather than a system built on fear. We will all see though, but remember Rome wasn't built in a day, and it may take just as long for an Army to be built as well. So if you read an article on Iraqi troops aren't measuring up or anything like that, just remember, this army had to start all over, as you can't build a house on a shaky foundation, no you need to lay a fresh foundation and start your house from there. They will be allright, just give them time folks.

Since the last time I wrote, I have had the opportunity to actually enjoy some authentic Iraqi food. Now I have had Arab food back in the United States, however, this was absolutely some great food.

If only I would have had more time to enjoy the food, but with time constraints, there is never enough time. Anyway, the food we enjoyed was varied. There was lamb, and chicken, and fish. The lamb and chicken were grilled and the fish, well, it was great, it melted in your mouth. Now the Iraqis have rice with about every meal they eat.

Naturally after eating rice every meal, it is going to get really old, really fast. Well to combat this, there were four different types of rice dishes. I didn't get a chance to experience them all but I am sure that 1 ortwo used curry of some sort in them, but my favorite of these, well it had to be the rice with raisins. It had another spice that I am unable to identify, but when the sweetness of the raisin mixed with it, it was delicious.

There is so much more that goes on out here, and I wish I could explain it all to everyone back home. However, with that said, even though I trust everyone at home, I can't reveal some stuff because there are those who would do harm to the US soldier, Iraqi soldiers, civilians, and just anyone who may look like they would support the legitimate goverment.

I don't want to be responsible for getting anyone hurt, even as minute as I may think something is, whenI read over what is written you have to be thinking security, it may not be my butt, but it could be someone I know or care about. Maybe one day when this is all over, I will have the ability to write about more of what goes on here. I hope everyone is well at home and I will try and write again.

Very Respectfully
SPC Grunow