Ladies and gentlemen:

I am writing to you from the “C-Zee” CyberZone internet cafe at Camp Ali Al Salem in Kuwait. I got out of Iraq last night, taking a jam-packed C-130 flight from Al Asad, through Al Taqqadum, and on to Kuwait, arriving at 4 this morning. Got into a lovely GP-medium tent around 5-ish and after a shower and a bit of breakfast, I sacked out for a few hours.

There is much more to this story, including an explanation for my radio silence over the past few days, and a description of my last poignant moments with the medics of the 581st Area Support Medical Company. I’ll try to catch you up on that later today, but wanted to let everyone know that (as Lorri mentioned), I am safe and sound, and finally out of the combat zone. As I write, it is 1:46 PM Kuwait time, and 124 degrees outside—much warmer than Al Asad ever seemed to be. My flight out of Kuwait International Airport is scheduled to leave Saturday night.

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers over the past few days; other than the red-eye aspect of last might’s journey, it went very, very smoothly, and I am grateful for that. More to follow, after a bit of shuteye.