Latest on Matt

Matt is doing okay. Still not getting much sleep - he has to be at work at 10pm and gets off at 12 noon the next day. He doesn't get to check email very often or call much, and when he does call it's usually about 4 or 5am my time (he's 8 hours ahead of me). His unit is attached to an MP unit and they are prison guards, guarding insurgents. He is fortunate in that he gets to do his HQ job - he's the guy on the computer logging all incidents and whatever else he has to do (he can't tell me a lot of it). Most of the other guys have to actually deal with the 'bad guys'. They live under such strict rules over there, for example if they touch the Koran, just a touch - they get an Article 15 (punishment) & immediate reduction in rank.

I've been sending Matt a box a week - love those flat-rate boxes! They just about ran out of food at the chow hall because their supply trucks were diverted for some reason & it took several extra days to get to their base (our wonderful congress & their resolution on Turkey, maybe???). I had sent him a box with pop-tarts, canned raviolis, chili-mac, chunky soups - all with the pull-tab tops, so he was okay there, although he said he didn't eat a lot of them because he's trying to stretch them out in case it happens again. I've decided to send him some food in every box I mail so that way he doesn't have to make them stretch & if another soldier needs food maybe he can share. He really does look forward to receiving all those letters, emails & packages he's getting from everyone - he's just unable to respond very often so please don't get disheartened. Thank you for everyone's support - it IS very much appreciated!