Thoughts from Nathan Maiken

Even though I may be coming back to snow…I will take it.  We are down to 25 days until we fly out and speaking for myself I could not be more excited.  We are told we will be back to home on the 17th of December.  Until then I will be coming out of my skin. 

Just let me put a thank you out to all those that have supported me through this tough time.  Thanks.  I can not wait to thank you in person and be able to share our lives together once again.  Being here certainly shows you what you have at home and how important people are to you.

Christmas will be so nice this year.

See you soon.

Hi Ashland, 

Let me apologize for not updating this Blog as much as I intended too…but there have been some technical difficulties that have not allowed many of my pages to post.  But with that, I hope that this finds you all well.  I am 4 days away from coming home for my 12 days of much needed leave.  Thank you so much to all that have supported me throughout yet another long year of military service.  You will be happy to know that things have greatly improved here in Iraq and great progress has been made.  It has been so nice to see the improvements here and talk with some of the same children that I meet years ago when I was here the first time in 2004.  So interesting to see the same families and have them remember me.  That only happened once…but the two children very much thought they remembered me. 

I hear that the landscape is changing yet again in Ashland thanks to the University.  As an Alum, usually that is good…but my house is possibly on the “chopping block”.  Guess a move is inevitable. 

As we approach the election I would be remiss if I did not give some thoughts from a soldier overseas.  Thanks to modern technology we have been able to keep up with all the “campaigning” by both parties.  Is it possible to have another candidate enter the race?  No offense to either side, but neither has stood out as an impressive candidate that will lead the United States to success in many areas that need to be addressed.  But I suppose that every president is questionable at the start.  So much bickering and accusations by both.  Watching both debates thus far…I would much rather have to deal with Paulin for the next four years.  Not so much of what she is saying, but she seems to be a much nicer person and more authentic.  The fact that she has not been involved in politics scores more points in my book. 

I have heard so many opinions about Iraq and what did and didn’t work.  I suppose everyone can say what they may about it now.  Very hard to predict what would or would not have happened.  But lets just move forward with where we are.  Though, I would admit that Biden was slightly off in the debate concerning Iraq.  But if you were not here and had first hand knowledge of the exact environment and specifics you would probably be off.  So understood.  If we could just have a mix of the canidates…that would be great.  I do think Obama would do better with foreign relations.  But McCain would do better with the economy.  But you are probably not reading this for a political opinion.

It will be terrific to be back at home…I hope to see everyone.  But I need to be realistic…12 days is pretty short.  I hope to see you all though. 

Thanks again…take care 

I WON!!!

There is always so much to put on…you really can’t move very well.  Though, I will admit that we have been supplied with a lot of good gear to do this job.  A lot of expensive stuff.  The most impressive is the air conditioning.  When I was hear in 2004, the only air conditioning was the wind as you were driving down the road.  But when that wind is 125 to 130 degrees…it does not cool very well. 

Hello Ashland,

I find myself once again here…I look forward to giving you a little glimpse of what is happening and the perspective and hopefully many others.  I truly hope that this will bring home in some way a better understanding of the situation here.  So from a soldier here for another year, I will give you my best unbiased opinion.  Please enjoy. 

God Be With You all…

nathan <><