I’m a bit more timely this month. Here’s the July issue of my Deployed Times. Thank you for taking the time and interest to keep up with me and my brothers in arms.
UPDATE: I have a solare pump headed my way for the aquaponics project I want to start up here in Nawa. Additionally, I have permission to start the project, along with space….now it’s time to design.
This has to be short, but hopefully y’all feel a bit more connected to what life is like out here through these pictures (Click on the image for full resolution, then right-click, save image as, to save the files.):
1.
Guarding a footbridge in Nawa, Afghanistan.
Guarding a footpath in Nawa, Afghanistan.
Crossing footbridge over a canal in Nawa, Afghanistan.
Security patrol in gutted bazaar.
My 'office'.
To everyone that’s been sending email, letters, and care packages…THANK YOU! It means the world to know that folks back home think about us and care for us.
That said, Vol 2, Issue 2 has been released for public comsumption: 200906 ISAF Newsletter (Click on the link to download or view.)
Mom, thanks for the packages…the clippers got here just in time.
To all, we are in Nawa, Afghanistan, taking part in Operation Khanjar, “sword strike” (this is also a reference to “tip of the spear”, a common term used to describe the Marine Corp’s role in the American military), which has been going very well. We made a dramatic initial push and we continue to do really good work out here for the people of Afghanistan.
I’m in a place where we can’t really talk to the outside world, but I wanted to update you all to let you kow that I am OK, and doing well. I miss being back home, and I wish I could be with my girls.
It’s 0500 in Kabul. I’m in Afghanistan, safe and doing well. There’s an early sandstorm just waking up, as the sun begins to glow on the horizon.
Last year, I created a newsletter to help folks back home keep track of my deployment, and this year I’ve done it again. I welcome you all to read through my deployment newsletter, which you can download from here.
Back home, Maira is doing well, but could use some assistance with nanny selection. She has been keeping up with the Sequoia, growing her business, and the household, to include my aquaponics project – she has even had some of our lettuce already. Sequoia is now 4.5 months old. I miss my girls terribly, and can’t wait to get them back in my arms.
On 7 May, I sadly left Maira and Sequoia back in San Diego, in order to deploy to Afghanistan. While I’m gone, I can be reached via email (matthew.holzmann@usmc.mil) or via snail mail at the address below:
Sgt Holzmann, Matthew J
1/5, H&S Co., Comm Plt, Data
Unit 40320
FPO AP 96610-0320
Our journey, thus far, has taken us from March Air Force Base in Riverside, CA, to Bangor, Maine, to Leipzig, Germany, and finally to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishkek
We are awaiting our departure to Afghanistan. Fortunately, this place is beautiful. It is very much like Colorado Springs, with dramatic, large mountains punctuating our view. The range is completely covered in snow.
As we get updates, I”ll be sure to post what I can, when I can.
Thank you all for the wonderful support and love you’ve given me. Please, keep Maira & Sequoia in mind.
Currently, I’m in the field training for forward technology solutions. But, one needs to take time out for the finer things in life, like a good shave. A while back, I was turned on to ClassicShaving.com, by Brandon Harper’s review blog. Since, they have been my go to source for most things shaving. For Christmas, my mother hooked me up with a wonderful travel shaving bowl, which affords me the opportunity for a great shave, with quality soap, at a great price, with low Eco impact, and a terrific feel. Below, is a picture of my refined field shaving.
Thanks to my lovely wife for ordering some wonderful soaps, which arrived “next day”, despite ground status, from ClassicShaving.com. Maira is a week away from popping and being in the field sucks. I wish I could be home to support her, instead. Anyhow, it’s time fir bed after a very long night.
UPDATE: Normally, I’d reply in my comments section of a post; however, this calls for a post update to highlight some incredible insight by Mantic59. For any ‘old-school’ shavers out there, or anyone considering a switch, his blog is a fantastic guide on the subject. Please, check out http://mantic59.blogspot.com/.
Tags: shaving
Finally, I have a photo gallery function on this blog. That should make it MUCH easier to share pics with all of you. To get to the gallery, simply click on the “View more photos” link in the right sidebar, in the Recent Photos section.
The next trick is to get a link in the top navbar. Just gimme some time on that one. Wifey and I have a few other priorities right now.
At this point, I’ve posted photos from the Marine Corps Ball, a trip to the Encinitas Meditation Gardens, and Thanksgiving.
Immediately below, you can play a clip of our child’s heartbeat from the 27 week prenatal checkup.
20081028_27-weeks-baby-heartbeat
We’re in Singapore. It’s great to be off ship. I can barely type right now because my hands got totally thrashed during the obstacle course that we ran today, on the Sembawang School of Infantry base. I ran the course 7 times, which was 6 times too many. I’m now missing much of the skin from my right hand and a decent chunk from my left hand.
Tonight, I posted a bunch of pictures from our float on my Facebook. If you would like to get regular updates via email, then please email me at holzmannmj@11meu.usmc.mil.
I miss you all an wish that we could all be living it up in Singapore, because it seems to me that this is either a place to make your name in international business or party like a college kid.
UPDATE: We are somewhere off the coast of Hawaii…I have no idea which direction or how far away we are. I thought I saw lights off in the distance last night, but when I woke this morning…we seemed to be back in the middle of nowhere. I had more written, but it all got lost.
In the mean time, I leave you with a way to contact me. Via email: holzmannmj@11meu.usmc.mil
Cpl Holzmann, Matthew J
1/5, H&S Co., Comm, Data
Unit40320
FPO AP 96610-0320
NO FedEx or UPS. Only send via US Postal Service (USPS). Use Nylon Filament Tape for boxes. If you want to send letters for free – via the Internet, then you can use MotoMail (www.motomail.us).
More later, when I have time. Also, there may be a site redesign in the near future.
