Kuwait, Again
Posted by Erik Rupard on August 21st, 2008
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.
August 21st, 2008 at 6:49 am
Thanks for the updates Erik. This will be relief to the girls when they get home from school.
Maya keeps making me ‘pinky-swear’ you’re okay.
I cannot wait to see you!!!!
August 21st, 2008 at 8:27 am
Lorri, we know you are eager to see your husband and you rightly have first dibbs on him. By right of contractual arrangement entered into at birth, we, the goodly parents mentioned previously in the blogusphere, have second dibbs.
It’s a relief, beyond description, that Erik is out of the combat zone. We are very grateful. We are eager to see his next communique and eventually to see him. Lorri, will you wash the sand off of him and send him north at some point? We double dog dare you!
From Mom: I am so relieved that I cannot even describe my feelings. This is a wonderful blessing from Heavenly Father, and I am eternally grateful. Go home to all 4 of your girls and rest up. We will see you when we see you and that will be a wonderful day. Mom
August 21st, 2008 at 8:59 am
Erik,
I am so happy that you are safe and homeward bound. I know it must have been hard to say goodbye to the people who have, for all intents and purposes, been your family this past 6 months. Allow yourself to miss them and even feel bad about leaving them, even while you are returning to the place you have been thinking about for 6 long months. the human heart is complex, at best, so just go with your feelings. It is not wrong to feel conflicting emotions at a time like this. We know you love us, and you know we love you and can barely stand to wait for you to come home. I hope the trip isn’t too arduous, and you will be in your own bed soon.
Thank you for the note. It meant a lot to me and the girls.
We just spent the last 4 days with Becky and family, so I haven’t been in touch. I’ve been thinking about you and reading your blog, though.
I love and miss you. Mit
August 21st, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Of course Dad and Mom R; I would never begrudge you that!!
He is looking very forward to coming up to see you all.
August 21st, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Hi, Lorri-Sue and Erik,
We know that all of the Georgia Rupard girls will share Erik with us. We will get Barry and his family to drive down and Becky and Ethan will come from PA so that Erik won’t have to travel any more after he gets here. Erik, what do you want to eat? Love, Mom
August 22nd, 2008 at 9:42 am
Glad you’re out of Iraq bro. Give me a call on my cell phone (that’s right, I have a cell phone now) whenever you can. My number is 508-439-3214. We have much to discuss.
Stay out of trouble until you are Stateside…….
-X
November 7th, 2008 at 9:31 am
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