I went down to the IZ on 19 Mar. It was an interesting trip. I left Victory Base Camp (VBC) on a Rhino in the morning. It is escorted by some heavily armed HMMWVs. In order to ride on the Rhino one must have their body armor, helmet, shoulder armor, nomex gloves, and eye protection; I also had my side plates on. Nevertheless, one still has the sense of vulnerability when you cross the wire into “Indian Country” and the TC gives the “weapons amber” order. The trip is about 12 miles and takes about 20 minutes, unless the convoy is rerouted. This happens with some regularity and is usually due to an IED.

I arrived mid morning and walked a few blocks to the Ibn Sina Hospital, aka Baghdad ER. It was a nice day and a pleasant walk, in spite of all the gear we were humping. There I met some of the local national linguists. Many of them are taking one hell of a chance because they live in the Red Zone and come to the IZ every day for work. These are the guys who really believe in the future of Iraq and I wish them all the best. It must be all the more foreboding since they witness the carnage as it comes into the hospital. That night I did a short walking tour of the IZ and had dinner in the US Embassy. Not like other embassies, mostly a bunch of guys with guns. I did get a picture of myself near the bar, too bad I had a gun. That night I slept in Murray’s room as he was home on R&R.

The next morning I had some more work with the linguists, and then I had lunch in the CSH DFAC. Then I happened to be on the top deck of the hospital when they had an “Angel Flight.” This happens every time a US service member dies in Iraq. All hospital personnel who are able line up on both sides of the roadway as the body is brought to the helipad. Once loaded, the helicopter and its escort rise into the air in unison and everyone executes a salute as they fly off. It is a difficult thing to witness.

I went down to the Rhino stop that evening and headed home.