"We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics
Originally posted by jeaton Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR Austin TX Sub Reply jeaton Member sinceSeptember 2002 From: Rockton, IL 4,821 posts Posted by jeaton on Sunday, April 3, 2005 7:25 AM GH-A bribe helps. mbkcs-may we assume you are just poking a little fun at a friend? Jay "We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics Reply arbfbe Member sinceFebruary 2002 910 posts Posted by arbfbe on Sunday, April 3, 2005 7:31 AM I wonder if his budget is such he could direct $1.5 billion to AMTK for engineering services in Iraq to keep the passenger trains running in the US? No, I am not talking chicanery here, everything above board, money paid for services rendered. Reply Modelcar Member sinceFebruary 2002 From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania 13,456 posts Posted by Modelcar on Sunday, April 3, 2005 8:01 AM ...Somehow "our" money going to {oil saturated}, Iraq railroads just doesn't sound right when we all know what is needed to keep some basic service running here...and Mark's talent to the problem here would have been great too....... Quentin Reply jeaton Member sinceSeptember 2002 From: Rockton, IL 4,821 posts Posted by jeaton on Sunday, April 3, 2005 8:14 AM I think I am among many who would have rather we had not gone to Iraq, but we did. If we want any positive result , I think we have got to stay for the clean-up. As much as I would prefer that the money going to Iraq was being spent on Amtrak and a host of much more important domestic programs, I have decided that the best I can hope for is that intelligent and dedicated people are looking after the tax dollars being spent there. I think Hemphill fills that requirement. Jay "We have met the enemy and he is us." Pogo Possum "We have met the anemone... and he is Russ." Bucky Katt "Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future." Niels Bohr, Nobel laureate in physics Reply cherokee woman Member sinceNovember 2003 From: Louisville, KY 9,002 posts Posted by cherokee woman on Sunday, April 3, 2005 8:18 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton I think I am among many who would have rather we had not gone to Iraq, but we did. If we want any positive result , I think we have got to stay for the clean-up. As much as I would prefer that the money going to Iraq was being spent on Amtrak and a host of much more important domestic programs, I have decided that the best I can hope for is that intelligent and dedicated people are looking after the tax dollars being spent there. I think Hemphill fills that requirement. Jay I, for one, am very proud of Mark going over there, even in a non-military role. With all that is going on over there, he is a very brave and couragous man. May he stay safe and sound while he is over there. cherokee woman "O'Toole's law: Murphy was an optimist." Reply Modelcar Member sinceFebruary 2002 From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania 13,456 posts Posted by Modelcar on Sunday, April 3, 2005 8:45 AM ....and my reason for saying of wishing Mark's talent could have been put to work here is that I too think he is a very fitting man to have working on current domestic rail problems....Money to oil rich Iraq is a different story...Nothing to do with Mark. Quentin Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 3, 2005 1:22 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton GH-A bribe helps. mbkcs-may we assume you are just poking a little fun at a friend? Jay "O Wisconsin, O Wisconsin..." I am very proud of Mark W. Hemphill for going to Iraq. I pray for his safe return to his family and friends as well as for all who serve the USA in the military or civilian duty. Reply Edit daveklepper Member sinceJune 2002 20,022 posts Posted by daveklepper on Sunday, April 3, 2005 3:34 PM Amen Reply adrianspeeder Member sinceMarch 2002 From: Harrisburg PA / Dover AFB DE 1,482 posts Posted by adrianspeeder on Sunday, April 3, 2005 4:04 PM Marks da man. Adrianspeeder USAF TSgt C-17 Aircraft Maintenance Flying Crew Chief & Flightline Avionics Craftsman Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, April 3, 2005 6:21 PM Good luck Mark.!!! Lets us know if you need anything! Reply Edit edblysard Member sinceMarch 2002 9,265 posts Posted by edblysard on Sunday, April 3, 2005 6:40 PM Keep in mind that an appointment to the US State Department can lead to other appointments on a domestic front.... and skills learned in a "foreign" land managing a native workforce, and the diplomacy that must follow such a duty, can be applied quite nicely here at home. I would hope when his tour of duty is up, he brings his talents, both those he had before, and those he learns in the meantime, back home and follows up with even bigger and better service to his country While I agree with Quentin an Jay that the reason for the US being there in the first place rubbed, and still rubs me wrong, the fact is we are there, and, wether we like it or not, we have taken on the responsibility of "freeing" them...part of which is rebuilding what we helped destroy. Wining their minds and hearts might be about the only option we really have at this point. Ed 23 17 46 11 Reply Modelcar Member sinceFebruary 2002 From: Muncie, Indiana...Orig. from Pennsylvania 13,456 posts Posted by Modelcar on Sunday, April 3, 2005 7:47 PM ...Of course I join with all and wi***he best for Mark and join Ed in assuming perhaps someday we can have his talents working our rail system domestically. Quentin Reply miniwyo Member sinceJanuary 2003 From: Rock Springs Wy. 1,967 posts Posted by miniwyo on Sunday, April 3, 2005 9:56 PM Way to go Mark! That is a very brave thing to do. It is very admirable. Best wishes and stay safe! RJ "Something hidden, Go and find it. Go and look behind the ranges, Something lost behind the ranges. Lost and waiting for you. Go." The Explorers - Rudyard Kipling http://sweetwater-photography.com/ Reply greyhounds Member sinceAugust 2003 From: Antioch, IL 4,369 posts Posted by greyhounds on Sunday, April 3, 2005 10:49 PM Well, I'm proud of what the U.S. and Mark have done/will do in Iraq. Of course, I'm safe here in Illinois. If you want to know what the Kentucky National Guard has done over there with respect to transporation - you might read this: http://www.strategypage.com/the_war_in_iraq/tactics/200532611.asp "By many measures, the U.S. freight rail system is the safest, most efficient and cost effective in the world." - Federal Railroad Administration, October, 2009. I'm just your average, everyday, uncivilized howling "anti-government" critic of mass government expenditures for "High Speed Rail" in the US. And I'm gosh darn proud of that. Reply jchnhtfd Member sinceJanuary 2001 From: US 1,537 posts Posted by jchnhtfd on Monday, April 4, 2005 9:26 AM So now we know! Way to go, Mark. Tough assignment -- but it should be a very interesting one, too; much more of a clean slate than one usually gets, eh? As someone said -- let us know if any of us can lend a hand! Jamie Reply dekemd Member sinceDecember 2002 From: US 286 posts Posted by dekemd on Monday, April 4, 2005 10:24 AM Mark, that's one heck of an assignment you've got. I'm sure you'll do a great job. Watch your step, keep your head down, and come back in one piece. Derrick Reply edbenton Member sinceSeptember 2002 From: Back home on the Chi to KC racetrack 2,011 posts Posted by edbenton on Monday, April 4, 2005 10:39 AM Mark you have my respect I have a brother that is getting ready to go over there in August. He may be in the Air Force but they are making everyone going requalify on both the 9mm berreta and the M-16 for security reasons. He was in the first persian gulf war and now the second plus mutliple deployments over ther in between both of them. He told me he would rather go to Korea and be on the DMZ than go to Iraq. Always at war with those that think OTR trucking is EASY. Reply dharmon Member sinceAugust 2003 From: Bottom Left Corner, USA 3,420 posts Posted by dharmon on Monday, April 4, 2005 11:00 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by Sterling1 QUOTE: Originally posted by Sterling1 AH, Roger that over, Ah F-Tower to Baghdad . . . I'm sure Mark likes his new position . . . I didn't know it was in the May issue . . . Roger that we lost a few brakes shoes and dodged a mortar 'tack . . . Hope he comes back without tripping the metal detector (shrapnel can be messy). Not too cool hoss......... Reply zardoz Member sinceJanuary 2003 From: Kenosha, WI 6,567 posts Posted by zardoz on Monday, April 4, 2005 11:35 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by Mark_W._Hemphill In short, a squad of marines and my military liason, MAJ Schutz, just spent four hours working very hard to make sure we all stayed safe, so that I could do my job. Oh yes -- while we were there, a friendly Iraqi kid came up holding a 40mm MK19 grenade (the kind that's fired from a launcher mounted to a truck with a 2.2 km range and a 5m radius kill zone, and a 40mm flare -- both unexploded. Our chief warrant officer wasn't very happy when the kid held them up for him to take. So remember Mark's post everyone, when you start thinking how bad your job is, or how dangerous, or how frustrating. Some of you might occasionally fantasize about how tough, brave, or 'bad' you are, but that is easy to say sitting comfortably in your house or car here in the U.S. But I think it takes great courage to willingly place oneself in harm's way, whether for a job (as Mark did) or to serve our country (as our soldiers do). My hat is off to you, Mark! Reply jchnhtfd Member sinceJanuary 2001 From: US 1,537 posts Posted by jchnhtfd on Monday, April 4, 2005 1:37 PM Mark -- it is so good to have you back! May I comment only that your day at the office sounds like some I remember from 'Nam... and I'd rather not remember. I admire you. Jamie Reply espeefoamer Member sinceNovember 2003 From: West Coast 4,122 posts Posted by espeefoamer on Monday, April 4, 2005 2:14 PM Mark,it's good to have you back on the forum.Get the job done and come back safely[:)]. Ride Amtrak. Cats Rule, Dogs Drool. Reply MP57313 Member sinceJune 2001 From: L A County, CA, US 1,009 posts Posted by MP57313 on Monday, April 4, 2005 3:07 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by espeefoamer Mark,it's good to have you back on the forum.Get the job done and come back safely[:)]. [#ditto] My former boss is over there too in a civilian role, working for the Government (DCAA). Very brave! Reply DRBusse Member sinceAugust 2003 From: Southern California 105 posts Hey Mark... Posted by DRBusse on Monday, April 4, 2005 3:11 PM I have one of the Iraq Railway metal door logos off Saddam's private car, plus a couple of IRR drink coasters. My source followed looters into the cars a couple of days after the fall of Baghdad. As all hell was breaking loose, this international correspondent had the presence of mind to immediately say to himself "Dave Busse needs something for his collection...!" He was happy his cameraman had a Leatherman handy! I think the door logo would make an excellent belt buckle someday. Take care of the Alcos for me. And if you get to Amman for R&R, there's steam there that occasionally runs, a great Italian restaurant next to the Egyptian embassy, and a very friendly bar at the Inter-Continental across the street from the US Embassy. If you could get me a US Embassy-Baghdad tee shirt for my collection,. I'll pay you the next time I see you at Winterail. Reply Sterling1 Member sinceFebruary 2002 From: Traveling in Middle Earth 795 posts Posted by Sterling1 on Monday, April 4, 2005 5:06 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by Sterling1 QUOTE: Originally posted by Sterling1 AH, Roger that over, Ah F-Tower to Baghdad . . . I'm sure Mark likes his new position . . . I didn't know it was in the May issue . . . Roger that we lost a few brakes shoes and dodged a mortar 'tack . . . Hope he comes back without tripping the metal detector (shrapnel can be messy). Roger that Sterling1 takes that back . . . On a more serious note it's nice to know that there are adults who tell you when out of line . . . Thanks. "There is nothing in life that compares with running a locomotive at 80-plus mph with the windows open, the traction motors screaming, the air horns fighting the rush of incoming air to make any sound at all, automobiles on adjacent highways trying and failing to catch up with you, and the unmistakable presence of raw power. You ride with fear in the pit of your stomach knowing you do not really have control of this beast." - D.C. Battle [Trains 10/2002 issue, p74.] Reply gabe Member sinceMarch 2004 From: Indianapolis, Indiana 2,434 posts Posted by gabe on Monday, April 4, 2005 5:22 PM A mature retraction Sterling1. I am glad to see that you took that back. Gabe Reply 12 Join our Community! Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Login » Register » Search the Community Newsletter Sign-Up By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy More great sites from Kalmbach Media Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy
Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR Austin TX Sub
Quentin
QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton I think I am among many who would have rather we had not gone to Iraq, but we did. If we want any positive result , I think we have got to stay for the clean-up. As much as I would prefer that the money going to Iraq was being spent on Amtrak and a host of much more important domestic programs, I have decided that the best I can hope for is that intelligent and dedicated people are looking after the tax dollars being spent there. I think Hemphill fills that requirement. Jay
QUOTE: Originally posted by jeaton GH-A bribe helps. mbkcs-may we assume you are just poking a little fun at a friend? Jay
USAF TSgt C-17 Aircraft Maintenance Flying Crew Chief & Flightline Avionics Craftsman
23 17 46 11
RJ
"Something hidden, Go and find it. Go and look behind the ranges, Something lost behind the ranges. Lost and waiting for you. Go." The Explorers - Rudyard Kipling
http://sweetwater-photography.com/
QUOTE: Originally posted by Sterling1 QUOTE: Originally posted by Sterling1 AH, Roger that over, Ah F-Tower to Baghdad . . . I'm sure Mark likes his new position . . . I didn't know it was in the May issue . . . Roger that we lost a few brakes shoes and dodged a mortar 'tack . . . Hope he comes back without tripping the metal detector (shrapnel can be messy).
QUOTE: Originally posted by Sterling1 AH, Roger that over, Ah F-Tower to Baghdad . . . I'm sure Mark likes his new position . . . I didn't know it was in the May issue . . . Roger that we lost a few brakes shoes and dodged a mortar 'tack . . .
QUOTE: Originally posted by Mark_W._Hemphill In short, a squad of marines and my military liason, MAJ Schutz, just spent four hours working very hard to make sure we all stayed safe, so that I could do my job. Oh yes -- while we were there, a friendly Iraqi kid came up holding a 40mm MK19 grenade (the kind that's fired from a launcher mounted to a truck with a 2.2 km range and a 5m radius kill zone, and a 40mm flare -- both unexploded. Our chief warrant officer wasn't very happy when the kid held them up for him to take.
QUOTE: Originally posted by espeefoamer Mark,it's good to have you back on the forum.Get the job done and come back safely[:)].
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