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  Mike in Iraq  
  Mike with his veggie plants

Pictures

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02 AUGUST 2005

Mike is doing well. He made a couple of moves in the last few weeks, but he's now back at his home base for good until he returns to the U.S.A. There is now a July album on Mike's iraq pictures page. Don't expect any new albums to pop because there aren't any new pictures to be expected from Mike. Maybe after he returns he will have more pictures to share. He will also periodically send pictures through email as well. Only about 6 weeks to go!!!

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28 JUNE 2005

Nothing new is happening with Mike. We get to talk and email most days. The phone conversations usually have background music of Arabic tunes. Apparently, there is intereference with a local radio station there. I told Mike that I'm going to get him a t-shirt that says "I Heart Arabic Music" since he "listens" to it so much. Mike has gotten to experience some cool stuff while over there. As mentioned before, he did get to meet Oliver North. Mike has weathered a few dust storms. He also got the opportunity to go on patrol with the Marines out in town. I hope he's gotten his fill of that because it really worries me to think of him exposed like that. Mike has also been keeping himself busy with growing a makeshift garden in a sandbag outside. He constructed an irrigation system using plastic bottles filled with water collected from condensation released from the air conditioning units. Mike reads a lot, too. I've posted new pictures on Mike's Iraq page. Look for more videos soon!!

PERMA-LINK

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17 MAY 2005

Mike spent much of April at a smaller, not as nice base. He did have one "funny" incident happen there. Apparently, a soldier got 2 of his teeth knocked out in a fight over how to tie a sandbag. I'm sure the soldier thought is was worth it. Mike got to work on this soldier's teeth and perform his first tooth replantation.

Mike hasn't been able to call as much because of limited phones, and the computer access is also limited. Mike is keeping busy watching movies and exercising. He also amuses himself and others (me included) by growing a not so attractive mustache. I don't mind him having it as long as it's gone before he gets home.

Mike grew up with a family named Holker. Mike noticed that one of his patients had the same last name. He found out that this Holker is a cousin of the Holker family he knew. Leave it to Mike to meet someone across the globe that he knows.

Check out the new pictures posted on the Iraq Pictures page under May 2005. I'm also very excited to announce that I've added some of the videos that Mike has sent me from his camera. There is a new link called "Videos" listed with the other links on this page. All you have to do to view the videos once on the Videos page is click on each picture. I think seeing life over there in motion will help make our friends and family feel closer to Mike will he's away. Enjoy!

PERMA-LINK

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20 APRIL 2005

I’ve been slackin'. Mike sent me some pictures about a week and a half ago. Those pictures are finally posted, but then Mike informed me yesterday that he was already sending another disk of pictures. I need to get on the ball. He also sent a few videos made by his camera, but I have not figured out how to get them onto the website yet. I will continue to work on that. There are a couple of videos that I think people would be interested in seeing. He is doing well and will be moving to another unit in about a week or so. I get the feeling that he will be glad to leave the unit he’s at now since the phone and computer access is very limited. He also doesn't have anyone there to hang out with.

The USO tour came through town while Mike was in Taqaddum. He got to see Colin Quinn do stand-up. You may notice the appearance of a mustache on Mike in his most recent pictures. I told him I don't mind him having it as long as it is gone before he comes home. Of course, Mike couldn't resist doing some tree work over there. Also, Mike got to enjoy a lobster and crab dinner for Easter. I was very envious of that fact. Make sure to check out the newest pictures.

PERMA-LINK

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05 APRIL 2005

Mike is on the move again to another base in Iraq, but his address will remain the same. Not any new information from him. He seems quite happy with his situation. He gets to work out 6 days a week and really enjoys the food. His new hobby is watching "Arrested Development". He and another guy have watched the first season a few times. I have added a few pictures to Mike's March Iraq album on his Iraq pictures page per his request.

PERMA-LINK

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23 MARCH 2005

Please note that there is a change to Mike's mailing address in Iraq. The new address is as follows (I have also changed it on Mike's Iraq Contact page):
LT Michael J Hawley
Postal Det 7 (Dental)
Unit 73906
FPO AE 09509-3609

If you have sent mail recently to the previous, Mike should still get it. He has also told me that the MotoMail is up and running. He has already gotten some since he's been in Ramaddi. Thanks for keeping in touch with him. I think he is a little lonely right now because all his buddies are now at different bases. I'm sure he will soon have a whole bunch of new friends since he's so outgoing.

PERMA-LINK

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20 MARCH 2005

Mike has traveled back to Ramaddi to set up shop. I haven't actually heard from him since he got there, but he is supposed to have space available for him to set up a clinic and have a better living situation. I'm sure he will be busy the next few days since he is the only dentist that will be there. He will also be in charge of setting up the clinic. He will have 2 assistants.

I have posted pictures on the Iraq Pictures page. Check it out. Also, he really enjoys those emails and packages he's been getting. Thanks for thinking of him.

PERMA-LINK

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07 MARCH 2005

Mike is now in Iraq. He first flew into Ireland then into Kuwait. He then traveled to Al Taqaddum, Iraq. He had to spend a couple of days there, but his final destination was Ar Ramadi. Mike got to fly on a helicopter from Taqaddum to Ramadi and was very excited about this.

However, upon arriving into Ramadi, Mike soon realized that his arrival was not expected. The dental facility that was once there was removed by the previous group of dentists. Apparently, there is no space for Mike to set up a new dental clinic or even living quarters. In the meantime, Mike had to sleep in a tent on a cot next to a helo pad being constantly woken up by helicopters landing and taking off. He wasn't getting much sleep. The marines there kept giving Mike the run-around about when he would be able to set up shop. So he decided to go back to Taqaddum.

Mike is now in Taqaddum and has been practicing dentistry. He also has a real bed to in which to sleep. He will eventually have to go back to Ramadi and plans to do so within the next week or two. Because of all this moving back and forth, Mike has yet to receive any MotoMail letters or packages. He has suggested that people hold off for a couple of weeks before sending any packages or MotoMail. Don't worry though if you have sent anything to him; Mike is confident he will receive his past mail eventually. He has been able to check his email almost daily, so continue to send him emails. Mike sure appreciates all the people who have been thinking of him and keeping in touch.

Look for pictures soon on "Iraq Pictures" page.

PERMA-LINK

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23 FEBRUARY 2005

Mike has officially left for Iraq. It was kind of a somber day. The sadness didn't hit me until I watched Mike walk off to his group as I was leaving the base. Later that evening, it hit me even harder. We're all adjusting though. Mike called me on February 22 around 10:00 p.m. to let me know that he arrived safely into Kuwait (making one stop in Ireland), and he would be traveling the next morning to Fallujah, Iraq. I hope to hear from him soon and often. I've put a few pictures onto "Mike's Iraq Pictures" page. Check them out!

Please keep in touch with Mike as I know he will really enjoy any letters, emails, or packages he will receive. I have no idea what it will be like for him over there, but I'm sure it won't be anything like home. Also keep him in your prayers and ask for his safe return. We are so thankful for all the support we've received thus far.

PERMA-LINK

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18 FEBRUARY 2005

This space will be dedicated to any information that Mike wants me to pass onto everyone. He may want me to relay stories of his adventures or thank someone in particular for a care package, etc. So keep checking this page. Also please take note of the links above. The first link labeled "Pictures" will take you to a page reserved for the pictures Mike takes will in Iraq. It will be similar to the girls' picture pages. The second link labeled "Contact Info" will take you to a page that has Mike's email address, mailing address in Iraq, and a Motomail link (explanation of this on the page), and a link to get free packing materials. The last link takes you to a page that gives care package ideas. Should you want to send Mike something, he has listed some do's and don'ts of care packages (plus some of his requests). Please check back here often!

PERMA-LINK

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