I know, I know. It's been a long time. I underestimated the effort it was going to take to put fingers to keyboard every time Kris called home. I have to admit that the stress of not knowing how he was has taken its toll, and I find it hard to sit down to write. Once I start writing, though, I find it a little like therapy…

There are some more pictures posted. Take a look at them through this link: http://www.pbase.com/stuartkpeterson/iraq_photos_01 The two from the "sword" monument were emailed to me from Kris. The others after the swords came from a CD that Kris sent to Nicole (his girlfriend). Thanks to Nicole for sending the disk to me so I could post some of the pictures! Please take a minute to look at the pictures, and be sure to sign the "Guestbook". I know that Kris will enjoy reading what you have to write.

This is going to be a pretty quick update…

28-May-2004 - Kris has been in Baghdad. He had his picture taken in front of the giant swords that are sticking out of the ground. I think this is the monument that was erected after the Iran/Iraq war. Anyway it's a great picture of Kris. His spirits are OK at this point. He's frustrated with some of the rotten details that the Army is putting him on. I'm not complaining, as he's been relatively safe.

12-Jun-2004 - It's confirmed - Kris will be coming home on leave! We've known for a couple of days that he expects to come home for leave, but nothing was confirmed. Today I received an email from him telling me that it was nearly certain. He'll be here for two weeks before he has to return to Iraq. We're thrilled that he's coming home. More to come as we learn it. On the downside, I am leaving for Singapore on a business trip on 2-Jul, so won't be able to be home for his entire leave. Am planning some days off before I have to fly, so I expect to get some good quality time. Any pictures that I take while Kris is home will be posted. While Kris is home, I also expect that he'll bring home many pictures that he has taken. Those that are appropriate for public consumption will be posted at the link mentioned above.

15-Jun-2004 - Two nights ago we heard the news of another Oregon National Guardsman that had been killed. The report said that the soldier was from the 2/162 - this is Kris' unit. We're worried, but no word about what Company. Later that morning (14-Jun), at about 8:30am, Kris calls and talks with Linda, as I've already left for work. He's safe and sound, but the soldier that died was from his platoon. A roadside bomb was detonated next to the truck IN FRONT of the HumVee that Kris was riding in. Kris has also had to use his weapon for the first time in a combat situation. Linda tells me that Kris sounds as if he's (understandably) in shock. Having borrowed an overseas cell phone, as land-line communications out of the base were still locked down, Kris wasn't able to talk but for just a couple of minutes. Kris assured Linda that he is as good as he can be, considering the situation. Early this morning, Kris calls again, and we talked for quite a while. It was more of a "stream of consciousness" call, with Kris doing most of the talking. He seems to be doing better. Having not slept much the night before, he was able to sleep last night. He's still very somber, having lost someone from his platoon, but he was able to talk about it a little more. Four other Oregon NG soldiers were also hurt in the attack. Two have been airlifted to somewhere in Germany. Both will almost certainly be coming home permanently when they are able. The other two soldiers will be recuperating in Iraq, and may already be back on the job as I write this. Kris confirmed again that he will be coming home on leave, but no firm details other than he expects to leave somewhere between 19-Jun and 22-Jun. Depending on how his connections work out, he'll probably be home by the 23rd.

Again, I apologize for the lateness of the update and for the shortness. I have left my notes somewhere for the 28-May telephone call, and can't find them. I will re-issue the update when I find the notes.

Keep your prayers coming. They're not being wasted.

Stuart & Linda