September 1, 2005

FYI. We have been without electricity from Monday to Friday, when Katrina hit the coast. We are about 3 hours from Biloxi and 2 hours from New Orleans. Minor damage here in Jackson area. Also, Baby Drew has been in the hospital from Monday to Saturday - the diagnosis: Croup, Asthma, Allergies. He is much better. I think his asthma attack may have been attributed to the barometric pressure change. Anyway, finally email is back up and here is Shane's latest email.

29 August 2005
We left this morning heading out to Dog Patch. I got up about 5:30 this morning got ready to go. I grabbed some breakfast with SSG Collins and man was it good. Very good as for as that goes. I had eggs mixed with ham and cheese, some bacon, biscuit, and fruit. That was some good eating. We left late this morning waiting on our interpreter. He was sick and decided he wasn't going to show up. So we got to Dog Patch just a little later than we wanted. I had second shift with SPC Jackson which was 10:00 to 12:00 for them, morning and the night shift. While I was on shift LTC Robinson paid us a visit. I think he was pleased with what he saw. Or at least he acted like he was and CPT Lyons didn't say anything to us when we got back so I guess everything went good. Dinner got out there about 6:00 P.M. and they brought us steak, rice and gravy and mixed vegetables. Yes Penny, I ate all of it I was hungry.
But the steak and rice was good. The mixed vegetables, well I have never been a fan of mixed vegetables, so I couldn't tell you if they were good or not. I didn't enjoy them I was just hungry.

30 August 2005
We left Dog Patch a little after 8:00 this morning and we did our patrol. It was another great patrol. Didn't see anyone or anything while we were out just they way I like it. We got back about 9:30 this morning. Everyone started checking on there family because most of the unit that I am in right now is from south Mississippi. Information was far and few between. Even for me and I live 3 hours north of the coast. Even where I live they have lost power all over the city. I can't begin to think of the damage done on the coast. Some are saying here that it is a total lost. While I was off pretty much for the rest of the day after Dog Patch. I got myself and my gear cleaned up from Dog Patch. Then I checked the schedule and I have nothing to do until 31 August or 1 September at 1:00 A.M. to 7:00 A.M. and that is OP 3. Looks like I wont be going back out to Dog Patch until Friday.

I love you guys and hope to be home before you know it. I am so ready to come home and see you guys again. Tell the boys that I love them very much and miss them madly. You know I miss seeing you. I am really missing you. But I will be home before you know it.

To My Lover and My Best Friend
Shane