Hemphill of Iraq

[jchnhtfd]

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.

[zardoz]

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!

[dharmon]

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.........

[edbenton]

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.

[dekemd]

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

[jchnhtfd]

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!

[greyhounds]

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

[miniwyo]

Way to go Mark! That is a very brave thing to do. It is very admirable. Best wishes and stay safe!

[Modelcar]

...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.

[edblysard]

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

[Anonymous]

Good luck Mark.!!! Lets us know if you need anything!

[adrianspeeder]

Marks da man.

Adrianspeeder

[daveklepper]

Amen

[Anonymous]

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.

[Modelcar]

....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.

[cherokee woman]

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.

[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

[Modelcar]

...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.......

[arbfbe]

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.

[jeaton]

GH-A bribe helps.
mbkcs-may we assume you are just poking a little fun at a friend?

Jay

[spbed]

Kudos to MWH that he has the courage to go to such a dangerous place as Iraq. [:p][:o)]

Originally posted by jeaton

Living nearby to MP 186 of the UPRR  Austin TX Sub

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