For those of you that have the address I posted on here, be aware, cause it has changed. Well it hasn't really changed, I wrote it down wrong. The post I was originally supposed to go to here in Iraq was FOB Zulu, so I am thinking that is why I wrote it down. I am not at Zulu, nor do I go there. If you sent mail to me there, it should be forwarded here to Kalsu. I am at FOB Kalsu which is south of Baghdad about 25 or so miles. Anyways,
SSG Chad Steele
Crazy Troop 1/10 CAV
FOB Kalsu
APO AP 09312
If you notice, the APO zip is still the same, the only thing that has changed is the Zulu to Kalsu from the old address. Anyways, I am doing fine, just running out missions everday, and trying to have time fly by as quickly as possible. Bye for now.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
New official address
I am moving yet again, so of course, there is a new address.
SSG Chad Steele
Crazy Troop 1/10 CAV
FOB Zulu
APO AE 09312
If you have already sent mail to the old address, I think it will be forwarded to the new one, however, don't count on it.
SSG Chad Steele
Crazy Troop 1/10 CAV
FOB Zulu
APO AE 09312
If you have already sent mail to the old address, I think it will be forwarded to the new one, however, don't count on it.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Remember the day?
You know you can be talking to someone, about anything in the world. That anything in the world can trigger a memory, from somewhere deep inside, or it can bring back laughter from out of no where. Sometimes, when someone recalls a date, they know and remember exactly what they were doing at that time, in the day or week or month or year. For instance, when people say, where were you when September 11th happened? Everyone can remember what they were doing at that perticual time.
Tragically, we also happen to remember the terrible days. For me, well, I've had a few terrible days over the years. But today, one particular day, sticks out in my mind, cause it happened only one year ago.
I am gonna go back just a little further though. The setting was in the Republic of Korea. Plans were taking place for a joyous weekend. That day, was October 4th, 2007, and it was a Friday. It was to be the last day before a four day weekend, and a vacation was in the works. Plans to travel and see South Korea, the way most do not get to see any country when they visit, were supposed to happen. It was all to culminate with a fine barbecue, to celebrate our country, as soldiers, as men, and most of all, as friends. Like I said, October 4th, as it was still October 3rd in the states.
It was at approxamately, 0845 in the morning that Friday, when my heart got crushed. As I was called into my First Sergeant's office, he kinda yelled at me a little bit, giving me the impression that I was in trouble. He told me to close the door to his office, which was hardly ever closed. In fact the only time it was closed, was when someone was in trouble. I thought to myself, now what did I do? Nothing had came to mind, until I saw the note. The note was distinct in every way. In the military, you know this note. In fact it wasn't the first time, that I had received such a note. The note that I am talking about is a RCM, which in the military, we have a lot of acronyms. But no matter where you go in the military, they are all pretty much the same, and you know what one looks like, because they are labeled Red Cross Message.
After seeing the note, I could not make out the scribbling that had taken place on it, but my First Sergeant told me to take a seat. I declined it because I wanted to know what the message was about. When you get a Red Cross Message, there is never any good news that follows. The first words out of his mouth were, do you have a brother named Eddie Steele? As my heart sunk, thinking of confusion, certain expletives, and short sorrow, my only reply was, "What happened to my brother?" As my First Sergeant explained, that nothing happened to my brother, I felt a temporary moment of relief, until he had told me that "you are to call your brother, because your step father, Med Polman, has passed away from a sudden heart attack"
At that moment, my knees buckled, I dropped paperwork that I was working on, and hit the floor. After that, I can't recall what happened, but when I came back, I remember it being my platoon leadership around me, with my roommate, so they could escort me to get my leave, and airline tickets arranged for me.
That was the leave that I did not want to take. Those were the moments, with my family, that I did not want to share. A life filled with so many memories of mud pies, softball games, lectures, car shows, gold trips, and driving cross country, had been taken from us so fiercly, and quickly.
As my brother wrote, " He was a father, no matter the blood..." those words could not bring any more true meaning to a man such as him, because to him, we were blood. It didn't matter what we did, in any situation, he was there, no matter what, no questions asked. He would drop everything, on the drop of a hat, to come help his step son move, because he was getting deployed, and he needed help. I'm not going to say that, it's because he wanted to drive his new truck over a thousand miles, I'll just leave it as him wanting to help. The love and support that he gave, was endless. And it never stopped, even if a bad decision was made. It didn't stop even if his step son spent almost 3 thousand dollars on a trip to las vegas. His only question asked was, "did you have a good time?" No matter what, his love, support, generosity and so many other things were there.
That is what made one year ago today, probably the hardest day of my life. I knew my Mother was his princess, his queen, and his best friend. I knew this was all true because, well, that's how he treated her. That day was so hard, because without knowing what was in store for me, I had to present to my Mother, the flag for Med's service to his country.
When I was presented the flag, after rendering a short hand salute, I took the flag and asked myself, Was I ready for this? Could I actually do an about face, bow to one knee, and present my mother the flag thats a representation of Med's life? How can I do it when I am her son, and he was her husband. I took a deep breath, exhaled, and did an about face, for what I will remember forever.
As I saw a church filled with so many people that knew Med in many, many ways, I began to take a knee. While looking at my Mother, her eyes were not focused on me. When I spoke her eyes closed so tightly, trying to not shead a tear. With all eyes inside that church, focused on me, and what I was doing, I said these words, as softly, and gently as possible:
"Mom, on behalf of the President of the United States, and on behalf of the citizens of a grateful nation. I present this flag to you in appreciation of Med's loyalty, duty, and service to a country we so truely honor."
As I stuck the flag out to my Mother, she took it. I stood up, and rendered another short hand salute. Feeling that I could not contain myself, I stepped off, and walked abruptly to rear of the church. After exiting the doors, I was confronted by two people, whom I have never seen before in my life. And I was being comforted by these people, because as I broke down, they told me that was probably the most noble thing they had ever seen anyone do for a man.
After wiping away a few tears, I simply told them that he would have done the same for me, no questions asked, and that I just wanted him to be proud of me.
Tragically, we also happen to remember the terrible days. For me, well, I've had a few terrible days over the years. But today, one particular day, sticks out in my mind, cause it happened only one year ago.
I am gonna go back just a little further though. The setting was in the Republic of Korea. Plans were taking place for a joyous weekend. That day, was October 4th, 2007, and it was a Friday. It was to be the last day before a four day weekend, and a vacation was in the works. Plans to travel and see South Korea, the way most do not get to see any country when they visit, were supposed to happen. It was all to culminate with a fine barbecue, to celebrate our country, as soldiers, as men, and most of all, as friends. Like I said, October 4th, as it was still October 3rd in the states.
It was at approxamately, 0845 in the morning that Friday, when my heart got crushed. As I was called into my First Sergeant's office, he kinda yelled at me a little bit, giving me the impression that I was in trouble. He told me to close the door to his office, which was hardly ever closed. In fact the only time it was closed, was when someone was in trouble. I thought to myself, now what did I do? Nothing had came to mind, until I saw the note. The note was distinct in every way. In the military, you know this note. In fact it wasn't the first time, that I had received such a note. The note that I am talking about is a RCM, which in the military, we have a lot of acronyms. But no matter where you go in the military, they are all pretty much the same, and you know what one looks like, because they are labeled Red Cross Message.
After seeing the note, I could not make out the scribbling that had taken place on it, but my First Sergeant told me to take a seat. I declined it because I wanted to know what the message was about. When you get a Red Cross Message, there is never any good news that follows. The first words out of his mouth were, do you have a brother named Eddie Steele? As my heart sunk, thinking of confusion, certain expletives, and short sorrow, my only reply was, "What happened to my brother?" As my First Sergeant explained, that nothing happened to my brother, I felt a temporary moment of relief, until he had told me that "you are to call your brother, because your step father, Med Polman, has passed away from a sudden heart attack"
At that moment, my knees buckled, I dropped paperwork that I was working on, and hit the floor. After that, I can't recall what happened, but when I came back, I remember it being my platoon leadership around me, with my roommate, so they could escort me to get my leave, and airline tickets arranged for me.
That was the leave that I did not want to take. Those were the moments, with my family, that I did not want to share. A life filled with so many memories of mud pies, softball games, lectures, car shows, gold trips, and driving cross country, had been taken from us so fiercly, and quickly.
As my brother wrote, " He was a father, no matter the blood..." those words could not bring any more true meaning to a man such as him, because to him, we were blood. It didn't matter what we did, in any situation, he was there, no matter what, no questions asked. He would drop everything, on the drop of a hat, to come help his step son move, because he was getting deployed, and he needed help. I'm not going to say that, it's because he wanted to drive his new truck over a thousand miles, I'll just leave it as him wanting to help. The love and support that he gave, was endless. And it never stopped, even if a bad decision was made. It didn't stop even if his step son spent almost 3 thousand dollars on a trip to las vegas. His only question asked was, "did you have a good time?" No matter what, his love, support, generosity and so many other things were there.
That is what made one year ago today, probably the hardest day of my life. I knew my Mother was his princess, his queen, and his best friend. I knew this was all true because, well, that's how he treated her. That day was so hard, because without knowing what was in store for me, I had to present to my Mother, the flag for Med's service to his country.
When I was presented the flag, after rendering a short hand salute, I took the flag and asked myself, Was I ready for this? Could I actually do an about face, bow to one knee, and present my mother the flag thats a representation of Med's life? How can I do it when I am her son, and he was her husband. I took a deep breath, exhaled, and did an about face, for what I will remember forever.
As I saw a church filled with so many people that knew Med in many, many ways, I began to take a knee. While looking at my Mother, her eyes were not focused on me. When I spoke her eyes closed so tightly, trying to not shead a tear. With all eyes inside that church, focused on me, and what I was doing, I said these words, as softly, and gently as possible:
"Mom, on behalf of the President of the United States, and on behalf of the citizens of a grateful nation. I present this flag to you in appreciation of Med's loyalty, duty, and service to a country we so truely honor."
As I stuck the flag out to my Mother, she took it. I stood up, and rendered another short hand salute. Feeling that I could not contain myself, I stepped off, and walked abruptly to rear of the church. After exiting the doors, I was confronted by two people, whom I have never seen before in my life. And I was being comforted by these people, because as I broke down, they told me that was probably the most noble thing they had ever seen anyone do for a man.
After wiping away a few tears, I simply told them that he would have done the same for me, no questions asked, and that I just wanted him to be proud of me.
I remember that day too. It was March 30th 2003. This photo was taken on the corner of Platte BLVD and Chelton AVE in Colorado Springs, right after breakfast. It was the day Med and my Mom were leaving back to California, with my truck, because I was getting deployed. Like I told you before Med, you have taught me so many, many wonderful things, and you have taught me that there is good in every situation. Well the only good thing about goodbye is, that, you have have to say goodbye, before you can ever say hello again. I sure do miss you, and so does everyone else. Good ride cowboy, we love you......
UPDATE!!!
Extra Extra!! Read all about it!! Well I told everyone that I would update them on when I got my new address, well guess what! It is in, so, get a pen, paper, and prepare to copy. Ready?
SSG Chad Steele
Crazy Troop 1/10 CAV
FOB Delta
APO AE 09317
As I said before, send anything, anything you wish. I guess rank can be included this time though? Oh well, send a poem, picture, an article from a play, or just a little not to say hey. All that you send will all be appreciated, and not be questioned. Even if you send some bubble bath. Till next time...
SSG Chad Steele
Crazy Troop 1/10 CAV
FOB Delta
APO AE 09317
As I said before, send anything, anything you wish. I guess rank can be included this time though? Oh well, send a poem, picture, an article from a play, or just a little not to say hey. All that you send will all be appreciated, and not be questioned. Even if you send some bubble bath. Till next time...
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
UH-OH, I HOPE YOU DIDN'T.....
I was recently reminded by my mother, that I had posted my new address on my blog. Well, that is now why I say, UH-OH, I HOPE YOU DIDN'T..... mail anything out to that address as now, they are telling me that there is no chance of me ever seeing it. If you did mail something out, I am sorry, and I will do my best to try and track it down. However, I guess the chances of me finding it are not that good. Stay tuned to my blog, and I will keep you updated as much and as often as I can.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The few, and oh so very few left......
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he today that sheds his blood with me, shall be my brother......"
To some people, those are just words, to some people they see the play that it came out of. It is a portion of an excerpt from the Shakespeare play Henry V originating around the early fifteenth century, circa 14 October, 1415.
Tonight as I ate dinner chow, I saw several old gentlemen eating chow and telling stories. They ranged from about 82 years old to about 90. Some were crippled, and some were in the best of health and spirit. Some could barely walk, some needed assistance, and some could walk and needed no assistance. Overall, there was about 8 gentlemen in total, and for each of them they had one thing in common. That one thing was during 1944, those men then aging from 18 years old to about 26 years old, stormed the beaches of Normandy, during World War II in Germany, and later on, overtook Hitlers' Eagles nest. The one thing that they held in common, still gave them a glisten in thier eyes after so many years of memories, when they told thier stories. And this, the Band of Brothers, is why I am writing this post.
They were the men of Easy Company, 101st Airborne Division, and to which the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers was written about. They called themselves the Band of Brothers, because of that quote from Shakespeare. Out of the 79 Men that were in Easy Company, only 8 remained. And next thing I knew, I was eating my chow with such a relevant piece of historical events to american history. They didn't complain about not recieving an Email, or not wanting to fight because they had been stop lossed, or missing thier wife, girlfriend, mother, or sister on the phone. They didn't complain about a mail system because frankly, there hardly was one. They lived up to thier Army values, and fulfilled thier obligations in spite of what others thought of them.
It made stop, think, and take a look back at myself. I know I have may recieved the short end of the stick as they call it, even though, I have done this repeatedly, it is still my responsibility to fulfill my obligation and live up to the Army values as I know them.
I wish I had a camera to capture a piece of history, but, as it turns out, apparently someone needed the charging dock and printer for my camera more than me, so I cannot use my camera. So without thinking about why I couldn't relive it over and over through a picture, I thought I would share it with people through the good old blog. Another thing to share is my new temporary address.
Chad Steele
Crazy Troop 1/10 CAV
2nd HBCT 4ID
FOB Summers
APO AE 09312
The thing to remember when sending anything, is when addressing it, do not include any rank what so ever. Which I don't know why they say that, because it has the unit and FOB all over it? Like I said, when sending anything..... anything that you please. Where I am going to be at, the amenities are few and far between, so any little hello from home, would be worth more than words could possibly ever describe. It wouldn't matter if it was maybe a newspaper clipping of a play that went well, or a little note to say "hey". I already miss the states more than ever, but just remembering that there is only 350 more days left till I return.
To some people, those are just words, to some people they see the play that it came out of. It is a portion of an excerpt from the Shakespeare play Henry V originating around the early fifteenth century, circa 14 October, 1415.
Tonight as I ate dinner chow, I saw several old gentlemen eating chow and telling stories. They ranged from about 82 years old to about 90. Some were crippled, and some were in the best of health and spirit. Some could barely walk, some needed assistance, and some could walk and needed no assistance. Overall, there was about 8 gentlemen in total, and for each of them they had one thing in common. That one thing was during 1944, those men then aging from 18 years old to about 26 years old, stormed the beaches of Normandy, during World War II in Germany, and later on, overtook Hitlers' Eagles nest. The one thing that they held in common, still gave them a glisten in thier eyes after so many years of memories, when they told thier stories. And this, the Band of Brothers, is why I am writing this post.
They were the men of Easy Company, 101st Airborne Division, and to which the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers was written about. They called themselves the Band of Brothers, because of that quote from Shakespeare. Out of the 79 Men that were in Easy Company, only 8 remained. And next thing I knew, I was eating my chow with such a relevant piece of historical events to american history. They didn't complain about not recieving an Email, or not wanting to fight because they had been stop lossed, or missing thier wife, girlfriend, mother, or sister on the phone. They didn't complain about a mail system because frankly, there hardly was one. They lived up to thier Army values, and fulfilled thier obligations in spite of what others thought of them.
It made stop, think, and take a look back at myself. I know I have may recieved the short end of the stick as they call it, even though, I have done this repeatedly, it is still my responsibility to fulfill my obligation and live up to the Army values as I know them.
I wish I had a camera to capture a piece of history, but, as it turns out, apparently someone needed the charging dock and printer for my camera more than me, so I cannot use my camera. So without thinking about why I couldn't relive it over and over through a picture, I thought I would share it with people through the good old blog. Another thing to share is my new temporary address.
Chad Steele
Crazy Troop 1/10 CAV
2nd HBCT 4ID
FOB Summers
APO AE 09312
The thing to remember when sending anything, is when addressing it, do not include any rank what so ever. Which I don't know why they say that, because it has the unit and FOB all over it? Like I said, when sending anything..... anything that you please. Where I am going to be at, the amenities are few and far between, so any little hello from home, would be worth more than words could possibly ever describe. It wouldn't matter if it was maybe a newspaper clipping of a play that went well, or a little note to say "hey". I already miss the states more than ever, but just remembering that there is only 350 more days left till I return.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Worst news possible
Well at the beginning of the month or so, I went to go get my ETS orders from the Army. It was at that point that transitions told me that my unit was on Stop loss/Stop movement, and that I was not going to be able to get out of the military. After talking to a couple lawyers, they basically told me I had received the short end of the stick, so I talked to my brother, to have him call my congressman to get me outta this. This being me going to Iraq for the third time. So as of today, the 22nd of August, on the day I was supposed to get out of the Army, I am stuck working to try to get out of Colorado sooner. The sooner I leave Colorado, the sooner I get back from Iraq, and the sooner I can get out of the Army. Thinking that maybe Ive done enough, with being away from the States 3 out of the last 6 years, more importantly, Ive been away from family and friends longer. Its time for me to hang up the boots and walk away but it looks like that won't happen for another year.
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