He’s Going to Iraq
About three weeks ago my son, who is a member of the Tennessee Army National Guard, found out that he will soon be heading to Camp Bucca in Iraq to help guard the camp. At that time he was told he would be stationed for between six to eight weeks someplace in the US to train for his mission and after the training would immediately be shipped to his duty station in Iraq.
Friday he found out he would leave on June 7th for Fort Dix in New Jersey for his training. Today I read this. I’m more than just a little worried about him.
About Larry D. Burton
I'm a 55 year old controls engineer who just likes tinkering with stuff.
Finished high school at a local institute of learning. Decided it wasn't a good time to be a healthy, physically fit 18 year old with no college experience. Entered college and started working toward a degree in animal husbandry.
1975-1976
Discoverd that I was not going to be a very good husband of animals so I left school to figure out what I might be good at. A local beverage company took pity on me and paid me to go from place to place making sure their on tap beverages were maintaining their high quality.
1976-1979
Got out of quality control and into vending. Learned about control systems and refrigeration also learned that vending machines are heavy and vending doesn't pay all that well.
In 1977 I found myself married
1979-1981
Dedicated myself to installing and maintaining commercial refrigeration equipment. Found myself on the roof of a local grocery store one night in the middle of an ice storm replacing a compressor and figured it was time to get back into school.
1981-1986
Got my but back into school at night and changed jobs to keep the mechanical and electrical systems of a local coporate hospital in working order. The job expanded to unstopping drains and burning lab samples and amputated body parts.
1986-now
Finished school and took on a job designing, installing and maintaining industrial control systems. Along the way I picked up a bunch of computer skills that became very useful connecting various industrial controllers to one another and moving the data into coporate databases. I now operate Dallas Bay Technologies, a one man shop specializing in technology solutions for industrial problems.
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The news reports and first-hand reports from my son say there were no U.S. soldiers killed in that attack on Camp Bucca last weekend. There were 7 detainees killed and 64 wounded.
Hi,
IM a British Soldier, IM engaged to a US Airforce TSGT.(She is based in the UK) She has been in Camp Bucca since February and has just been extended like a lot of others out there.
IM so thankful for this site as I dont live in the American community over here yet so its nice to hear from others who are missing their loved ones.
I speak to my fiance, well email her, everyday so if anyone has any concerns or questions I am more than happy to help out.
I am normally the one that deploys so its new to me to be the one back home waiting.
I think knowledge is great as my mind tends to wonder all the time. On the whole they are doing just fine. The riots that took place have calmed down now, they did have the rocket attack but those insurgents just had a lucky or unlucky shot!
Anyway there were no US casulties just Iraqi ones. My girl was very heavily involved with the casulties even though shes not a medic, I think it was all hands to the pumps.
I hope I can help someone from being on this site.
Hello everyone,
Wondering if someone can help me out. I have a young girl that in my heart is a daughter to me that went over to Camp Bucca. She has not been able to get a mailing address to me. Any suggestions or information on how I could get something mailed to her?
Thanks so much,
Bill
Hi Bill, It took my son about 2 weeks to get an address. Check out “Forums For Camp Bucca”. You have to join and be approved but I think it is visited more than this site Rick.
HI All,
I am an Air Force Mom and
Air Force Mother in law from Ohio.
If any AF parents would care to join
an online support group here is a link
to a Yahoo group of which I am a member.
It really helps being in touch with
other AF parents.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/airforcemomsanddads2/join
xo xo
Deb
Proud AF Mom of Vinny – Korea
Proud AF MIL of Dana – Iraq (Not Camp Bucca)
My husband will be leaving for Camp Bucca Jan 3 , 2008. He is in the GA National Guard as an MP.
Any suggestions for getting our family prepared would be greatly appreciated.
Heather there is a lot of information that can be found at http://forums.larrydburton.com. Register and you can also ask specific questions.
Just found out the news today about my order to Camp Bucca, Iraq in December-September.
Are a few people able to get actual rooms with AC? and is internet available for my laptop?
Do you know anyone taking college courses while stationed over there?
Thanks
Hans Yu,
My name is Jeremy Meng. I wil be going in Oct. Take a laptop if you have one. I hear AC is in all tents. What service are you with?
My son Brad, a reservist, arrived in Kwait this week and his next destination is Camp Bucca. With all the talk of reducing the troops, I was hoping that he wouldn’t have to go but after spending several months at Fort Bliss they sent him over. I am worried sick.
My son David was at Ft. Bliss for 2+ months and arrived in Kuwait two weeks ago. His last e-mail indicated they would be shipping out of Camp Bucca within days. He has a good attitude (for a 23 year old) and says he hopes to be able to get a mailing address to us soon. Does anyone know if they have e-mail at Bucca??
Dan, my son was probably with the group your son was with. My son was transported from Kuwait to Camp Bucca this past Thursday. There is Internet access available on base there. You can find out even more at a forum site I set up for family and friends of those serving at Camp Bucca. It’s at http://forums.larrydburton.com.
My wife will be leaving for Camp Bucca this Friday. She is a Derm Doc and will be going as a general medical doctor. Very interesting stuff. I can not believe food shortage is a problem. Hum…
My son B*** just arrived in Camp Bucca a couple of days ago. This is his first time in Iraq, if anyone can give me suggestions on staying in touch while hes there I would truly appreciate it.
(Edited by management to secure soldier’s name)
My son is also at camp bucca. I was so upset when I found out he was going to Iraq. Yet I have heard it is the best place to be. My son (J**** V****) is with the 1-181st national guard unit out of Chattanooga. I live in Rome, Georgia. I will say a prayer for all our children that happen to be over there defending our freedom.
God Bless You All,
Sandy and Orvie White
Edited to secure soldiers name by the management.
Hi All,
My wife arrived at Camp Bucca on the 26th of Sept. She has been able to call me both days so far. Everything seems to be going ok for now although she just experienced her first mortar attack the 27th of Sept. She said they have had three mortar attacks in the past 3 days or so. It had been quit for a while but things have changed some in the last few days. She said food has not been an issue and that while things are not the best at camp Bucca, they could certainly be worse. I guess time will tell if the circumstances change. Almost forgot, wireless internet is available for $75 a month. Wish all the best and God Bless
Eric
My name is Ron and I am going to Camp Bucca Iraq with KBR. Does anyone know anything about the KBR facilities on the base. I am a little freaked out about all of the prisoners there.
When posting comments on this site pls consider mission security and know that i found your web site by google search for camp bucca and and names places home towns are tools that a enemy combatant could use, for thier benefit. They have computers too !! God bless all your spouses and children, GOD bless America!
My name is david and I am prior military that will be working at Camp Bucca as a bus driver with KBR. Would anyone have any comments.
I was stationed at Camp Bucca in the early days of this invasion. Can anyone tell me if Gracie, the gal from Basrah who runs the orphanage is still alive and coming to Camp Bucca once in a while?
I’d like to get ahold of someone currently serving at Bucca.
My Air Force son left for Kuwait on Dec. 18th. He got there on the 20th, and will be leaving for Camp Bucca tomorrow. This is my first Christmas without him. Of course I’m proud of him – - just miss him. But I know he’s in the best of hands – - the Lord’s. And I know he will protect him.
My son is leaving for Camp Bucca in the very near future. Does anyone know how things are there and what all they will have access to such as food, tobacco products, internet, ect….He is taking a laptop is there any sugestion on what he can do to keep the sand out of it somewhat? God Bless each and everyone of you…..
Please everyone who comments and posts blogs just remember to watch what you write. Everyone and anyone can get access to the internet. Remember to use good operational security. Refrain from giving any information that could be use to harm those of us here in Iraq.
No names,rank,times,locations,incidents etc…..
Thank you for all your support and your prayers
J.
This is a reply to “Bonnie”. Hi bonnie, my husband is currently in Camp Bucca. It’s probabaly one of the safer areas to be in Iraq. I know that it’s probably hard to see him go, but as long as you stay positive and have support it really does help. What gets me through is being able to talk to him every couple days. As long as i know he’s aright thats all that matters. As far as internet goes my husband has instant messenger and we talk ever couple of day. They have wireless internet,but it’s about $50 a month (which i think is crazy but worth it.) Dont worry too much about the sand they live in Pods and if he has a hard case for his laptop he’ll be good. For Food, they have a Burger King, a Pizza Hut also there is a P/X and Commisarry. When he first got there i mailed ciggarettes and stuff because the lines were so long, but he says theyre fine now. Tell hm to pack warm because its actually been cold over there lately. Anyway, I wish you your family and your son good luck and God Bless.
My husband deploys to Iraq soon as well However, I am shocked and angry to see how sooo many of you fail to realize that all that information you give here is NO GOOD and does NOT help our soldiers out there! I understand you are all worried, but trust me…..worry more about how ANYONE – even our enemies-can come here and easily find this too. Don’t ever write here like just parents and wives/husbands visit! Our enemies are among us..and they are computer savvy…so please keep all your little details to a minimum….if you really care about our loved ones!
God bless our men and women—lets pray for them and help them.
Please take my advice….don’t trust here so much! This is why our country has so many problems! We say too much, we give too much info and we sure trust too much. Remember….there are no faces here. Just letters…who is behind the screen? Make sure you get support from people here…but be very careful.
Thanks Larry for an excellent blog. God bless all our soldiers!
A concerned military wife
Of course we all need to be mindful of giving too much info; but, thank God for Larry Burton that he has accidentally created a place where people can feel connected. I simply happened onto it. Anyone facing deployment needs information–on a regular basis. I’m the mom of a soldier (my only child) waiting for his ride into Iraq as I type. I am very disappointed in the lack of communication provided by our “family readiness group” and outside of it and my son, I have no other link to what’s going on. My family has been in the dark for too long waiting for any useful info. When simple questions or comments are posed to our appropriate person, the responses seem harsh and defensive and very slow to reach us. Only thing I can conclude is that it’s because of the need for security. I have to say though that at some point someone needs to remember that we (families) are not the enemy. We are proud of our sons and daughters and our hearts ache as we wait. Thank you Mr. Burton!