Mike's Tour In Iraq

Monday, 29 June 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

Unfortunately, this has been my first post in nearly two months. With my R&R, increasing workload and the additional tasks i've been trying to accomplish I've let this blog fall by the wayside. I apologize to our contributors for not keeping you posted on your donations and not posting photos. In the coming months I will take a more proactive approach to keeping this current. Most of your donations have been re-distrubted to Erbil and Dahuk, iraq. These areas are in the Kurdistand region and allow us more flexibility when meeting people. The area of Mosul still prevents us from getting too close.

Please continue with your donations, there are children and areas here that we still haven't reached.

Thank-you

Mike

Wednesday, 08 April 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

Well, as usual I've lost track of time and this blog. Too many projects, not enough time and I've been traveling. I'll be trying to catch up during the course of the next few days but understand that there will be some days that won't have any entries since we those days were spent at training and I'll have nothing to write about.

I'll also be posting the names of individuals that have continued to support our toy distribution here in Mosul and the surrounding areas. To those individuals, thank-you and keep watching the picture pages for updated photos. We've distributed toys at least twice within the past three weeks.

Saturday, 04 April 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

Thanks to the following individuals for their donations:

Charlotte Toolan
Diane Crowley
Gayle Ochryn
E. A. Geller
Christine McCarthy
Danyelle Warner
Delores Greenberg
Leanne Pethnck
Amy Deslaurias
Andrew Taylor
Gretchen DiTolla
Sara Galantowicz
Lori Stokes
The Pagamo Family
Roger D. Hermes
Linda Delucchi
Jennifer Seane
Tomas Perez
Victoria Scotti
Kaleb Conway
Rachael Turnquist

Sunday, 29 March 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

Thanks to the following individuals for their donations:

John Shaw
James Frye
Tara Roy
Sarah Lusby
Cobheantz
Mark Heimrich
Jennifer O'Neill
Shannon Pedicord
Moana Peters
Karen Ward
Tom Roth
Kevin Cross
Jan Kaughman

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

Thanks to the following individuals for their donations:

Lori Rankin
Jeanine Kerwin
P. Watson
Linda Fuller
Rachael Turnquist
Jennifer Nabholtz
Kthryn Simin
Tom Timmes

Sunday, 22 March 2009

Location: North of Mosul, Iraq

Dair Rabban Hurmiz is a orphanage and school that's cared for by the the Chaldean Church (previously, The Church of the East). The school is appropriately translated to House of Angels.

The location is approximately 34 miles north of Mosul and approximately 2 miles north-east of Alqush.

The Dair Rabban Hurmiz monastery is the most famous and most visited monastery in Iraq. Dair Rabban Hurmiz was the holy seat of the Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East for several generations. Situated directly above a large cave in the Alqush mountain. The monastery overlooks a famous valley called 'Gali Al-dair' meaning 'valley of the monastery'. 'Shara D'Rabban Hurmiz' meaning 'the holiday of the monk Hurmiz' occurs every third Monday following Easter Sunday. Until a few years ago, the monastery was unreachable by automobile nor did it have electricity or running water. The monks relied on mountain springs and oil lamps for everyday life. The monastery contains several wings including a church with several alters, a burial site for saints and patriarchs( Baith Sahdeh) , a library currently containing manuscripts as old as 1497, 'Baith Sahdeh' or 'house of martyrs', 'Baith U'matha' or 'house of baptism', and over 40 small caves used by monks scattered all over the Alqush mountain. Some of the caves contain numerous carved writings pertaining to the date of establishment as well as other historical details. The monastery also includes large rooms carved in the mountain stone including a large dining room able to hold over 100 monks. This truly amazing 800 sq. ft. (15 ft. high) dining room is completely carved inside the mountain with small vertical portions left uncarved to act as support beams. The church contains the following alters:

The Raban Hurmiz Alter : The oldest and simplest in the monastery. The north and west walls are part of the mountain and the floor is made up of stone coffins. Includes stone carvings of 14 different types of crosses. The later is a monolithic stone type with a center groove containing white sand called 'khnana'. This 'khnana' is sacred to Assyrian worshipers and is usually brought from burial sites of certain saints.

The Mar Antonios Alter: Situated east of the Rabban Hurmiz Alter. This small (8x3 meters) room includes an alter with two finely carved boxes used to store the holy book, the cross, and various oils used in mass. The alter is made of white marble-like stone.
The holy Trinity Alter: The largest later of the monastery. Considered the formal church at the location. Contains Syriac carvings dating to the 15th century. The part of the monastery was renovated in 1485, 1667 (after an earth quake) , 1817, 1846, 1849, 1930.

The forty Martyrs Alter: Built in 1820 under the care of F. Gabrial with the blessings of the Chaldean Patriarch Mar Yosip II of Amid** The patriarchal burial Alter: Contains 9 graves belonging the patriarchs from the house of Aboona who led the Church of the East from 1497 to 1804.
Three graves belong to:
Mar Shimun V, 1497
Mar Shimun VI , 1538
Mar Shimun VII, 1558
Mar Elia V, 1591
Mar Elia VI, 1617
Mar Elia VII, 1660
Mar Elia VIII, 1700
Mar Elia IX, 1724
Mar Elia XI, 1804.

Establishment: Rabban Hurmiz came to the Alqush Mountain after spending several years in Dair Resha (The head monastery) with his colleague, Rabban Yozadaq who also left to the Nuhadra mountain. The monastery was built in 640 AD with the assistance of two Ninevite princes who witnessed miraculous healing by Rabban Hurmiz.*

History: Built during the patriarchship of Isho-yab II (628-644 AD). Became a famous location of learning and religion especially during the 10-12 century which brought up such Syriac fathers as Mar Yohanna of Halabta, Isho Barnon, Mar Ipni Maron, and others. The monastary was then attacked by Mongols under the leadership of Taimorlang. The monastic life returned to Dair Rabban Hurmiz a few years after, but on a smaller scale.

The 16th century witnessed the division of the Church of the East when Yohanna Sulaqa sided with Rome and established the Chaldean Church. In 1653, the Kurds attacked the Monastery causing the Patriarch, Mar Shimun IX, to move to Telkepeh (Telkaif) for a short period. Mar Elia XI returned to the monastery in 1714 and became the center of the Chaldean patriarch for four generations. In 1722, over 60 monks fled the monastery after the attack by Nader-Shah, and took refuge in the nearby Mar Mikha church in Alqush. Monastic life returned once again in 1808 under the care of F. Gabiral Danbu. The monastery continued successfully until the Kurdish uprising in North Iraq between 1963-1974 which caused the monks and priest to vacate the mountain. The Chaldean Church was able to return to the monastery in 1975 and has continued to care for it till today.

Wednesday, 11 March 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

To the locals it marks the coming of spring, to anyone that's not from the Middle East, it's eerily reminescent of The Mummy. A wall of sand as high and as wide as you can see that swallows the landscape. It moves with the wind and covers everything, nothing is immune to its strength. Within minutes a clear day can turn into a brownout, a day without the sun. As odd as it sounds, it happens. I've been here long enough to see an afternoon turn into night. A day where the sun disappears behind the sand and darkness takes over. A day where the rain runs brown because of the sand. The locals are used to it, th rest of us aren't. It reminds everyone of where they're at and the differences between home and here.

As odd as it sounds, I enjoy this season. Well, maybe not all of it. I enjoy the strength and the fury that comes with it. It reminds me of who and what we are. Of what we control and what we can't. It reminds me that I'm a small part in the grand scheme of things, that Mother Nature still rules and that we cannot control. I don't enjoy breating in all the sand, I don't enjoy the fact that it seems to find its way into everything. I live on a beach but never seem to track as much sand into my home as I do here. It reminds me of home.......it reminds me of a whiteout only the colors are different. The winds blow, the visibility lessens and driving becomes difficult. Almost like winter in New York. You see what Mother Nature allows......in most cases it's less than 50 meters.

I love this place.......

Monday, 09 March 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

Bear with me, I'm having problems with my new computer.

Sunday, 01 March 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

Well, I'm finally back....

The PX finally got a new shipment of computers, I broke down and bought a new one which should allow me to update the page daily again. Things are hectic here, the rainy season has arrived and it rains constantly.....we're just waiting for the ark to float by.

I continue to recieve e-mails from individuals asking if we're still accepting toy donations. If you're interestetd in sending toy, clothing or stuffed animal donations, please send them to the following address:

Kim Brown or Mike Fellenz
USACE-GRN-MAO
FOB MAREZ
APO-AE
09334

Sunday, 08 February 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

Well my computer still isn't fixed and probably won't be until I go home in a few months. Shipping it through the mail and hoping it arrives is something I'm not comfortable with doing here. Too much mail is being stolen....it's a shame that mail coming and going to soldiers is being diverted or stolen.

Unfortunately, they'll be delays with my future posts....

Sorry

Friday, 06 February 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

Not much happening here....projects are keeping me busy and with the computer being out I have little access other than with the one at work. I'm lucky enough to have someone share theirs with me but I hate being a pest.

Sorry

Friday, 30 January 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

Ok, I've received some inquiries asking where i've been....well, my computer screen took a dump and I can't do anything with it. I'm using a friends and hoping the PX has some new ones on sale soon. There's something wrong when you buy a brand name laptop and the screen goes bad after only 14 months. Fortunately, I was smart enough to buy the 3 year extended warranty. This item alone is going to pay for that...

So, now that I have access to something and I can see what i'm typing I'll try and catch up on what I wasn't able to write.....

Thanks....

Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

Something new to talk about....now this is BIG news. My brother Bob who's been divorced for over 20 years has decided to take the big plunge again. Actually, I shouldn't say it like that....my brother got extremely luck with his bride-to-be Michelle. Michelle is a sweetheart who actually has my brother taking off his work boots at the front door before he comes in the house. Now, this may not seem like a big thing to most people but you have to know my brother. Anyway, I'd like to wish them both the best and tell them I wish I could be there but I doubt i'm going to be able to make it back for this.

Congrats and I hope you have as much happiness in your marriage as I've had with Monica.

Love you both and talk to you soon.....

Monday, 26 January 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

I'm guess I'm sort of a smartass at times...I enjoy pratical jokes and I tend to get carried away with them at times. We have a woman that works for HUD back in states that's currently working with us here. Kim is a great lady who rides Harleys and also has a friend back in Colorado that does the same. Well Kim and I decided to pull a little joke on her friend Linda never knowing how far it would get.....I had taken quite a few pictures while I was home on my R&R last July, some of them included me with the bike and out riding. Now, since Linda had never seen my bike we thought we'd spin a yarn about how I found it sitting behind some barn here and bought it for a mere $500.00. Just to add some flavor to the story I also had some pictures of me riding a motorcycle in Iraq during my 2005 tour. We edited the photos, put a couple of women in them and sent them off to Linda telling her we did a Mosul to Baghdad run once a week to drink beer and party. Now Linda, bless her heart swallowed it hook, line and sinker.......

While she thought it odd, we re-assured her that we did this once in awhile and if you drove fast enough you wouldn't get hit by any bullets. She believed it for a few weeks but then quickly realized that the pictures we had sent her were taken back in the states.

Linda, this one's for you.......you're a great sport......thanks for taking it in jest and keep your face in the wind hon.....

Saturday, 24 January 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

It's tough to shop here...even tougher when the big holidays are approaching. So, ever hopeful of finding something special for my wife and Valentines Day I ventured out on the base to see if I could find something. Yes, guys and gals we have a few stores on-base but the selection leaves alot to be desired or so I thought. Since my wife reads this blog I can't share with you what I got her right now but I can tell you that she'll enjoy it. My wife is always trying to get me to tell her what I buy her on her birthdays, Christmas, whatever holiday it is she'll try and get you to tell her. When I told her I'd bought her a serving tray to serve me breakfast in bed during my R&R's she didn't find it amusing......lol

I did.......

Only kidding hon, the boxes go out tomorrow so you should have them in time for Valentines Day sweetie

Love ya

Friday, 09 January 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

One good thing about Iraq are the movies....now I know your probably asking how the movies can be that good. well, it's because there are no copyright laws here. Believe it or not you can buy a movie that's hit the theater within 3 days here. All for the measly price of $2.00. now that's a bargain and my wife loves a bargain shopper.

Oh hon, all those things I bought for you while shopping in Erbil....well i'm sending them home to you. I hope you and Paige enjoy them....

love and miss you all

Wednesday, 07 January 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

I've been asked to explain where most of the toys have gone. Alot have been shipped up north to Kuristan where it's easier for us to distribute. Others are being stockpiled for a mass distribution at a local orphanage. There are over 250 children at this facility and I need to ensure that we have enough to distribute to all these children. Unfortunately, we distribute toys to others to hand out (soldiers, PSD etc.) and while we request they take pictures and forward them to us, they don't always do so.

However, with that being said....it's extremely difficult for those individuals to come back and request items be donated if they haven't followed through on our gentlemen's agreement.

I hope this answers any questions you have....

Monday, 05 January 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

I'd like to thank everyone below for their donations. Your generosity has been overwhelming.

So, without further adieu, thanks to the following individuals:

Lori Rankin
Donna Ormandy
Joanne Passannate
Erin Black
Takahide Hori / Hsiao - hui Sung
Heather Bland
Jake Taylor
Prudence Law
Edmay Mayers
Catherine McLaughlin
Susan Patrick
Charlie & Maxwell Rosenblum
Sue Morris
Allan Giese
Beatrice DeShano

Thank-you all very much

Saturday, 03 January 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

Well, the natives are restless. Seems as though there's an increase in activity outside the wire. As a result, we can't go look at our projects.

It's cold here, I should have realized it'd be colder here than what it got down south. My lovely wife sent me a winter coat.......thank-you sweetheart.....

She's so good to me

Thursday, 01 January 2009

Location: Mosul, Iraq

Yes, i'm back in Mosul and I just wanted to wish everyone a

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wednesday, 31 December 2008

Location: Kurdistan, Iraq

Well, I've moved from Dahuk, Kurdistan to Erbil, Kurdistan, another of our remote Field Offices. While I've been to Erbil before, I''ve never been there for more than a few hours and I was never able to go downtown and see some of the sites. I'll be posting some firsthand pictures of Erbil and The Citadel in the next few days for you to look at.

The citadel was built on layers of archaeological ruins which represent consecutive historical settlements, since the building of the first village in that place around the 6th millennium BC. The total area of this citadel is 102,000 square metres and it rises 26 metres from ground level.

This archaeological citadel witnessed the rule of many historical nations, like the Sumarians, Babylonians, Assyrian, Achaemenid Persians, Greeks, Iranian Parthians, Persian Sassanids and Muslims.

Erbil's Citadel, claims to be the longest continuously inhabited urban areas on earth with a history of more than 8,000 years.

Enjoy, I sure did.........

Oh honey, I did a little shoppiing, hope you don't mind

Oh yeah, I didn't buy you any shoes....lol

Monday, 29 December 2008

Location: Kurdistan, Iraq

Well, I'm still sitting in Kurdistan doing some work at one of our remote field offices. It's always a pleasure to come here and remind myself that there is a real world out there, that what we see on a daily basis is not normal. There's no need to remind yourselve that your in a war zone in Iraq, your reminded of it daily. It's amazing what e condition ourselves to do, what we remind ourselves of. Here, it's not like to you think of what your going to wear, in fact here we're reminded daily of what we n eed to do. We grab our body armor, our ballistic glasses and our fire-resitant gloves. In Kurdistan it's different, here you can wear normal clothing and put your body armor away. Kurdistan is normal, a country that exhibits what can be done in a short period of time. The Kurds have done it all in a little over 16 years. It's progress and it's what the rest of Iraq can look forward to and accomplish if they're willing to follow the Kurds example.