I have spoken often of the people with whom I work on a daily basis. Here, then, a few more introductions for you, via pix of the weekend’s barbecue.

Pictured here in the obligatory card game are, from left, Staff Sargeant Carla Cano-Perez (C-P to all of us), 5′4 and with an “Hecho en Mexico” tattoo on the back of her neck, is in charge of the medics; SPC Cordero, whom you already know; SFC Catherine Langer, the Non-Commissioned Officer-In-Charge of our clinic. SFC Langer is the powerful, maternal figure who keeps our clinic together. She is a Wii-fitness fanatic, and has truly excellent taste in music, books, and movies (i.e., she agrees with me on most things).

SGT Stephen Evans, chillin'.

SGT Stephen Evans of Asheville, NC, who just got back from leave in Vegas. SGT Evans is another one of my favorite kids. A solid medic, and one of the best schmoozers I have ever known, which has served him (and us) well in Al Asad, where he has been able to finagle and trade for the things we so desperately need, from air conditioner parts to entire vehicles.

SGT Castulo Vera

And sauntering up the row of cans is one SGT Castulo Vera, known is our clinic as the World’s Tallest Mexican. Fortunately, SGT Vera is not standing sideways, or you would not be able to see him. Vera is a fine medic, and one of the few natural athletes in our company. A soft-spoken guy who doesn’t put much money in the “swear jar.”

SGT Ernest Hert and CPT Joshua Baker

SGT Ernest Hert of San Diego, CA is on the left. He is NOT soft-spoken like Vera, but is a good guy who would take a bullet for any one of his comrades, and one heck of a barbecue chef—the man of a million seasoning salts. SGT Hert will be heading to Ft Carson in a few months, but he doesn’t want to stay there; Hert loves to be where the action is, and will probably be in Afghan sometime next year, heading up a team of medics somewhere.

To SGT Hert’s right is my closest friend here, CPT Joshua Baker, who is our clinic’s optometrist (and the only one on Al Asad or any of the surrounding posts). CPT Baker is originally from upstate NY and currently from Alaska. He has been the personal fitness trainer for our entire company. He’ll be heading to Germany when he gets out of Iraq. I have publicly predicted that Baker will be the top Optometrist in the Army within 10 years. Not a tough call, really, as he is the epitome of “squared-away”: smart, in good shape, and with unimpeachable integrity. (Also, note the pre-formed beef patties on the grill.)

SGT Andres Villareal

This is another one of my favorite kids, SPC (p) Andres Villareal, who will be a SGT in one short week, and has given me the honor of “pinning” him (i.e., putting the rank on his uniform for the first time in a ceremony). SPC Villa is another one of those quiet, reliable, solid medics, who does whatever he is asked to, quickly and efficiently, with no complaining or excuses. One of my work-out buddies along with Baker, though he doesn’t look too tough here with his pink-hued leukemia water. Villa plans to get his nursing degree and become an officer.

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Finally, this little guy did not attend our barbecue (at least, not that I know of), but Maya made me promise that I would post a picture of the lizard we caught in clinic a month back (a cute little dude, and well-behaved), so here it is:

Lizard in the Al Asad TMC