Larry’s Log

May 08 2007

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 7^th for Fort Dix in New Jersey for his training. Today I read this. I’m more than just a little worried about him.

Family, Iraq | Larry D. Burton | 08 May 2007 |

76 Comments

By Dan Lyke, 5/9/2007 @ 9:58 pm

Ooof. My thoughts are with you and with him. I realize it’s not an easy thing to tell a young man, but give him an extra “keep yourself safe” from me.
By Larry D. Burton, 5/10/2007 @ 7:58 am

Dan, the good thing is that Camp Bucca is on the Kuwait border and not near Baghdad. From what I’m learning this is probably the best place to be stationed if one must be stationed in Iraq. After doing some research the biggest complaint I’ve read from military personnel stationed there is that you can’t find hookers or beer around the base.

My biggest worry, though, is that with his arrival there in August I’m afraid he’ll forsake safety for comfort and not wear his body armor like he should.
By Katie, 5/10/2007 @ 9:08 am

Hi Larry, my daughter will also be going to Camp Bucca. She is in the Air Force, and she leaves tomorrow. Your comment of how safe Camp Bucca is, really made me happy to see, as of course, we are so worried about her leaving.

It appears that we have other things in common. We are also in Georgia (Stockton), and we lived in Tennessee for a great deal of years. Clarksville, Tn. Renee still claims Tn. as her home.

It was good to find your blog.

Katie
By Mary, 5/10/2007 @ 11:50 am

Hi Katie, and Larry.
I have a niece Elizabeth who is at Camp Bucca. She is also in the Airforce. She has been there since February in Secutity Forces. She is a guard and also a Gunner. I hear from her all the time with e-mail and letters. She is doing great there but it is very hot. I sent her a package a few weeks ago and she received it quickly. Best of luck, and safety to your loved ones. These kids are always in my prayers.

Mary
By Katie, 5/10/2007 @ 12:25 pm

Hi Mary, it was great to see your comments. Larry may not have known what he has done, as it could become a meeting place. Is there a place where parents or others can communicate with others while our relatives (children, husbands, spouses, etc.) are over there?

Renee is also in security forces. She is with the Air Force MP’s at Moody AFB here in Georgia. We need to keep in touch. Chances are the possibility our children will meet. Renee is SSG and has been in for 8 years.

Katie
By Katie, 5/10/2007 @ 1:00 pm

I found a site that has a great deal of pictures of Camp Bucca. They were taken in 2003, but will still give one a general idea of what it is like. I am praying the living conditions have changed since the pictures were taken.
http://travel.webshots.com/album/510907919QirUdP?start=0

If anyone does know a forum where we can keep up better with things over there, please let me know, and I would also like to post a blog about it once I find out a possible forum. Larry, I see that you have a forum, maybe we could use yours for people to stay in touch while family and friends are deployed to Camp Bucca.
By Mary, 5/10/2007 @ 2:32 pm

Katie:

Elizabeth is A1C with the 886th E.S.F.S. out of Beale AFB in California. She is from the Pittsburgh Area. We are all so proud of her accomplishments. I am going to forward this blog to her mom and to her so they may keep it going. I think that would be a great help to us all.
Mary
By Larry D. Burton, 5/10/2007 @ 3:12 pm

Mary, Katie:

I would be more than happy to see people use this as a meeting ground of sorts. I took down the forum due lack of any real use of it but I’ll activate it again in a heartbeat if there is any interest in it.
By Katie, 5/10/2007 @ 3:20 pm

Hi Larry,

I think there will be great interest in it. Renee leaves tomorrow, and I can give your site as a meeting ground, and she can give it to everyone to pass out. This would be just wonderful. Thank you for offering to do so.

Katie and Jim
By Patty, 5/10/2007 @ 5:16 pm

Hello,I am Elizabeth’s Mom. My Aunt Mary sent this to me. How wonderful it is to talk to other parents about our brave soldiers. Liz is doing fine. The best thing to do for them is to send letters and of course, PRAYERS!
By Katie, 5/10/2007 @ 5:26 pm

Hi Patty, this is wonderful, and I wrote a post earlier thanking Larry for letting us use his blog to communicate. For some reason, it did not go through. Maybe if enough of us encourage him, he will set up the forum for parents, friends, relatives, etc. to communitate for those deployed at Camp Bucca. Renee leaves tomorrow night. I am feeling quite down on here leaving my arms and home.

This is just wonderful and I am so exited to meet you Patty, as well as Mary and Larry.

Katie
By Cindy, 5/10/2007 @ 7:22 pm

Hi. My son is at Camp Bucca also. He just arrived about two weeks ago. He’s in the Navy. He does guard duty. I’ve gotten one phone call from him. He said of the base, “It’s not too bad.” His group is living in an air conditioned tent.

I would like to talk with others who have kids there too. I’m glad I found this blog.

Cindy
By Katie, 5/10/2007 @ 10:15 pm

I think it is just wonderful that people can find your blog so fast Larry and show such an interest in all of us keeping up and wanting to get to know one another in consideration of our friends and families that are so brave at Camp Bucca or leaving for Camp Bucca.

Katie
By Larry D. Burton, 5/11/2007 @ 12:26 am

http://forums.larrydburton.com is active again and can be used for a support forum for both friends and family of those stationed at Camp Bucca and those at Camp Bucca itself.

I may change the location of this forum to a more generic named location if there is enough interest in this.
By gdc25, 5/11/2007 @ 10:15 am

Hello Larry;

Yes I’ve stopped in again and no i’m not intoxicated or anything like that.

My wife found out just this weekend that her nephew is headed into Bagdag in June.

I don’t have any particulars at this time but we’re right there with you and your worries/concerns.
By Aunt Babe, 5/13/2007 @ 8:21 am

Hi. I am Liz’s Aunt in Florida. We are so proud of her and all the troops. I think it’s great to honor our soldiers by uniting together.I can’t wait to hear some stories about Camp Buca.Thanks for the blog.
By SGT. SAMUEL J. BENDER, 5/15/2007 @ 11:52 pm

i am in the ga. army national guard and also am going to camp bucca, iraq. will be leaving first week of june. i am glad to be going with brothers and sisters in my nearby states. thanks
By Sandra Marian, 5/16/2007 @ 11:15 am

Helllo, I have a son that went to Camp Bucca March 21, 07. He called me once two weeks ago. I need to know more about Camp Bucca. I hope he’s safe. He said it was HOT. Thanks for the log.

Sandra
By Judy, 5/16/2007 @ 12:29 pm

Hi,
I also have a son who went to Camp Bucca in April. He is in the Navy Reserves anf from Tucson, AZ. Haven’t heard from him in a few weeks and know they are very busy there.
Judy
By Felix Miller, 5/16/2007 @ 12:39 pm

Larry, I would be worried too if one of my sons were going. It is heartening to see all the other parents/family finding your blog and forum on which to share their feelings.

I hope that all the young men and women in Iraq make it home safely. I wish you and yours every good thing, and good fortune.
By Mary, 5/16/2007 @ 4:54 pm

Hey There Aunt Babe

This is Aunt Mary. This is a great Blog site I hope it keeps going. Good to see you are on line. I need your Email address so I can send you mail. This is a great place to talk about out brave kids. Also we hope that Elizabeth and others at Camp Bucca will visit this site so they will know how much we are thinking of them and how proud we are of them.

Love ya
Aunt Mary
By Scott, 5/17/2007 @ 10:03 am

I am in the Air Force and spent six months at Camp Bucca in 2005. Although, at the time, conditions were somewhat spartan, I do have to admit, the Army knows how to eat! The DFAC (Dinning Facility) was one of the best ones I have been to at a deployed location. Although it is not the best place I have ever been to in my life, it is far safer then many other locations in Iraq.
By Mary, 5/17/2007 @ 2:20 pm

Thanks for the Blog Scott. It is great to know that Our kids are at a somewhat secure place. My niece has been there for a few months. The only thing she has really complained about is the heat. Thanks again and keep in touch some of the parents may have more questions for you.

Mary
By Scott, 5/17/2007 @ 8:00 pm

I welcome any questions and will be happy to answer what I can. As soon as Larry validates my account on the forum I will be able to share more information. Some of the things troops in Bucca need/want:

Sunscreen
Lip Balm
Pillows
Blankets
Electronic entertainment
Honest to God, for real, letters. Email is nice, but a hand written letter is a much more personal touch.
By Larry D. Burton, 5/17/2007 @ 11:26 pm

Scott, please go back and sign up again. I inadvertantly deleted your entry while getting rid of some bogus users. I had about half a dozen people sign up just to get a link to their website and you were in the middle of them. I apologize for this inconvenience and I really want your participation.
By Sgt.Allen F. Gaskill, 5/22/2007 @ 12:56 am

To all concerned ,this will be my 3rd deployment back to Iraq I spent time in the Sunni Triangle of death ( the area where the soldiers seem to be getting captured) around Yushafiyah, and I for one am very secure to go back to Iraq and the Camp Bucca area instead of other places in Iraq . Its still in theatre but, it is much better than “”MOST”" areas of Iraq . I will be with a Ga Guard Unit as I was in my second deployment (My first was as a Marine). Concern and fear will still be felt , I am sure , but know this unless things really change your loved ones and my unit as well ,should be in one of the best places in Iraq as far as family concern goes,, I don’t expect it to be any worse than being in Kuwait or Saudi,, that is if the flyes ,mice and Camel spiders , and Port-a-Potty’s don’t get us ,,lol
By Larry D. Burton, 5/22/2007 @ 10:29 am

Heh, I think the prospect of coming face to face with a camel spider has my son more worried than anything else.
By Bobbie, 5/23/2007 @ 11:55 pm

Hi, I have a son in the AF and he went to Camp Bucca May 11. He was at Moody AFB in GA. I’ve gotten 2 calls from him so far. It’s good to read the comments of others that have been there before. I asked him how it was over there and all he would say was it’s alright. Said he was in living in a metal building with about 70 other soldiers. Would love to hear more about Camp Bucca.
By diane, 5/24/2007 @ 3:13 pm

My Daughter got her orders last weekend, she is in Army Reserves, she will be going to Camp Buca probably beg. of October has to go to TX first for Training. SO GLAD I FOUND THIS! Now if i can figure out how to get on the blog things will be great!

Proud Mom of Spc Maggie.

Ps: anyone know how the convoys are there? My daughter is Supply Specialist and will be in them.
By Katie, 5/24/2007 @ 5:08 pm

IT is so good to read all the comments, and I really hope all will join Larry’s forum on Camp Bucca so that we all can keep in touch. The forum button is at the top of this page.

Bobbie, I would really especially like to see you join as my daughter left from Moody as well the same date. I hear from her all the time. Was even able to see her on webcam the other day. Please join the forum.

Katie
By Sgt.Allen F. Gaskill, 5/24/2007 @ 7:16 pm

Dear Diane (Mom of Spc Maggie),

The convoys can go either way ,, but as here in the states the biggest issue is of course other drivers ,,, a lot of convoys are ran at night and darkness and long hours seem to be the biggest issues ,,,, every once in a while Hodgie will sneak out to one of the MSR(main supply route) but that has its own security for just such an occasion . As long as she gets her rest and keeps her mind on her job she should do and be just fine..
By Diane, 5/24/2007 @ 9:28 pm

Sgt.Allen Gaskill,
Your my new hero! You made my day! that was one of my biggest worries, Her doing that. With all the IED’s you hear about. Maybe when she leaves now I will get a some sleep some nights!

Thanks
diane
By tacy, 5/27/2007 @ 6:00 pm

my husband left this month also for bucca. this is his 4th deployment since arriving at moody in ga. he says its not all that bad if all their bags would get there but it is very hot. this is his first time at camp bucca.
By Diane, 5/27/2007 @ 9:11 pm

Tracy, do you know how long he will be gone for? Does it ever cool down there? What is his MOS?
This is his 4th deployment! Geeze………….

Larry, filled out the registration form to join your blog. Hope I did it correctly.

diane
Proud Mom of Spc Maggie
By Marsha, 5/28/2007 @ 12:18 am

This is a great website. Thank you Larry’s blog. I stumbled on to it with a simple google search. My Air Force son-in law is being deployed in June to Camp Bucca after about 6 weeks of training in Mississippi. He’s only been home for about 2 months from his last 6 month deployement which fortunately was in Turkey. Nevertheless, his little sons are growing up rapidly and he will miss them terribly.
I’m grateful to hear that Camp Bucca is relatively safe as Iraq goes.
I hope those of us with the Camp Bucca connection will stay in touch. I don’t know all the details but will pray daily for those mentioned on this website.
By tacy, 5/28/2007 @ 7:55 am

proud mom,
he will be gone at least 6 mos. i hope so for their sakes it cools off. he does communications for the security forces.
yes we moved here november of 03 and his first deployment was march of 04 . they have 3 units here and they rotate out. sometimes he goes more than once a year.
all deployments have been in iraq just different areas. glad to have other ppl to talk to with loved ones over there.
By tacy, 5/28/2007 @ 7:56 am

proud mom,
he will be gone at least 6 mos. i hope so for their sakes it cools off. he does communications for the security forces.
yes we pcsed here november of 03 and his first deployment was march of 04 . they have 3 units here and they rotate out. sometimes he goes more than once a year.
all deployments have been in iraq just different areas. glad to have other ppl to talk to with loved ones over there.
By Cindy, 5/28/2007 @ 4:32 pm

Hi everybody. Larry has created a place for us to talk back and forth about our troops at Camp Bucca. Click on the word “forums” at the top of this page and there is a forum where we can post. I hope to see you all there.

Cindy
By Pam, 5/28/2007 @ 10:20 pm

My daughter and I have been receiving requests from my son who is currently stationed at Camp Bucca. He says their supply convoys are not coming to the camp but approx. every three weeks due to recent attacks on the convoys. Their mail and food supplies are not coming as they were, and he says they are hungry. This is his third deployment and has never requested food, but is requesting it now. He says they are very hungry. He says to be sure to send enough for quite a few troops, as they all share. We have also sent toys and outdoor games, and he said it was better than Christmas; everybody appreciated it. Says everyone gathers around when a package comes and the food disappears real fast. There is no airstrip at Camp Bucca, so no supplies are flown in. We also had to send him plain socks, underwear and t-shirts, as they disappeared in the laundry.
By PAT, 5/29/2007 @ 9:46 am

MY SON IS CAREER ARMY AND HAS BEEN AT CAMP BUCCA SINCE DECEMBER. HE TOO REQUESTS FOOD FOR THE GUYS. HE HAS ALSO ASKED FOR BED SHEETS,FOOT POWDER,EYE DROPS,PENS AND THE INDIVIDUAL DRINKS MIXES TO ADD TO BOTTLED WATER. HE ALSO ASKS FOR CASH SINCE IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET CHECKS CASHED ON BASE. THE REAL HEAT HAS JUST STARTED. UP UNTIL NOW THEY HAVE HAD MODERATE TEMPS. THEY HAVE MANY SAND STORMS ALSO. HOPE THIS INFO HELPS.
By Keith, 5/29/2007 @ 3:23 pm

My son is with the Ga. National Guard. He is leaving for training June 4th (to Fort Dix). From there is depoys to Camp Bucca. Can anyone tell me if there is any use for him to take a laptop? I have read that internet access is limited. Anyone know if that is due to hardware availability. Would there be a way for him to connect his laptop to a network to have access? Also, can anyone comment as to the average time it takes for a mail package to ship and be received from the US to Bucca? Thanks
By Diane, 5/29/2007 @ 7:35 pm

Keith,
I asked that same question in the forum. Have you heard of skype? I am hoping they can use there laptops to communicate if not I will just go with her. Specially now after reading some of the posts above.

Diane
Proud Mom of Maggie - Supply Specialist
By Pam, 5/29/2007 @ 9:41 pm

Keith,
It was originally taking 1 week for a package to reach my son at Camp Bucca, but he says it now takes up to three weeks. We mailed him a package two weeks ago and he had not received it as of last communication. DO NOT SEND CHOCOLATE!! Even the tootsie rolls were melted into a big ball although they were individually wrapped. My son took his laptop but the only communication he has sent was to e-mail his mailing address to everyone he had an address for. If the laptop is taken to Iraq, be sure it is in a very protective case, with another around that case. Sand gets into EVERYTHING. A plastic container should be sent with cookies, etc as the rats/mice get into their foodstuff. We found that for an extra $7.00, UPS will pack our boxes and my son says he has yet to receive a broken cookie. Well worth the money for our kids.
By Keith, 5/29/2007 @ 9:56 pm

Diane, Pam,
Thank you for your suggestions. Hopefully, he will be provided with good advice on what he can safely take and use once he arrives at Fort Dix. I know we can’t expect it to be ‘home’, but we would like to do whatever possible to provide extra comforts.

Thanks again.
By Cindy, 5/30/2007 @ 6:13 pm

Hi Keith -
My son has been at Camp Bucca for about six weeks now. He took his laptop but mostly uses it to watch DVDs on. They can take it to an internet cafe and hook it up but access is limited and the connection is slow, according to my son. There is usually a waiting line to use it.

Like Pam, my first couple of packages reached him in about 10 days, but now he said a package his wife mailed three weeks ago just got there yesterday. He said the frequency of the convoys has really slowed down.

I emailed him a couple days ago and asked about the food situation and got a reply today saying the food supply has sucked lately and to send tuna packets and trail mix and other things they can use as a meal replacement. That is so sad!

I got him some POP-top cans of chili and beefaroni and things like that. I sent him homemade cookies two weeks ago and he hasn’t gotten them yet. I just hope they are edible by the time they get there. Heck, he’s a guy…he’ll eat them anyway.
By Pam, 5/30/2007 @ 7:50 pm

Two days ago I e-mailed less than a dozen people informing them of my son’s request for food, asking that they forward my request on to their e-mail contacts. You would not believe the responses I have received. If only half of the people I have received responses from follow through it would be great. A challenge was made by one contact to see how many boxes can be mailed by July 4th, and several others have taken her up on that challenge. And they are getting very inventive with their ideas. If you choose to do the same, remember to include the name of your son/daughter for the packages to be sent to. The Post Office has refused to ship otherwise, at least that is what we are finding. (I am spending approximately 1 hour daily just acknowledging their responses). Can’t imagine the troop’s surprise if all these packages start arriving!
By Mary, 6/9/2007 @ 11:14 am

He everyone it has been a while. I just received a call from Elizabeths Mom Elizabeth was in the tower and it was hit. She was injured and has a few stitches in her head. Unfortunately 3 soldiers were killed. This information was given to us at 3:00 this morning when Elizabeth called her mom. God Bless you all.

Mary
By Larry D. Burton, 6/9/2007 @ 1:45 pm

Mary, my prayers are with you and your family.
By diane, 6/11/2007 @ 6:55 am

Mary,
Prayers are with you and your family.
By patty, 6/12/2007 @ 5:02 pm

Hi Everyone, I see my Aunt Mary informed you all about the missle strikes at Camp Bucca. Liz is doing fine. The only thing we can do is pray. I’m certainly praying for all of you. God bless all of them!!!!!!!!
By Cindy, 6/14/2007 @ 6:05 pm

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.
By Rick, 6/28/2007 @ 10:42 am

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.
By Bill Meyer, 6/28/2007 @ 9:23 pm

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
By RICK B, 6/29/2007 @ 3:23 pm

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.
By Deb, 7/25/2007 @ 10:07 pm

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)
By heather oneal, 8/10/2007 @ 2:21 pm

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.
By Larry D. Burton, 8/15/2007 @ 7:17 am

Heather there is a lot of information that can be found at http://forums.larrydburton.com. Register and you can also ask specific questions.
By Hans Yu, 8/16/2007 @ 1:34 am

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
By Jeremy, 8/17/2007 @ 10:39 am

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?
By Kim, 9/3/2007 @ 8:50 am

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.
By Dan, 9/9/2007 @ 9:36 pm

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??
By Larry D. Burton, 9/10/2007 @ 8:03 am

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.
By Eric, 9/12/2007 @ 8:49 am

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…
By Dora Cress, 9/17/2007 @ 2:58 pm

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)
By Sandy White, 9/25/2007 @ 10:26 am

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.
By Eric, 9/28/2007 @ 12:00 pm

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
By Ron Fenn, 10/2/2007 @ 1:12 pm

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.
By ssgt, 10/10/2007 @ 10:01 pm

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!
By David, 11/12/2007 @ 6:12 pm

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.
By RET SFC Leaverton, 11/13/2007 @ 1:12 pm

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.
By kadeang, 12/25/2007 @ 3:28 pm

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.
By Bonnie, 1/12/2008 @ 11:54 pm

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…..
By J, 1/13/2008 @ 11:12 am

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.
By Dee, 1/13/2008 @ 11:41 am

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.
By MADDY, 1/23/2008 @ 8:33 am

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
By Bee, 3/8/2008 @ 12:56 pm

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!