M&M Holzmann » ISAF ‘09

ISAF ‘09- Deployed Times Vol 2, Issue 3

admin — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 17:44:04 +0000

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.

ISAF ‘09: Photos From My First Patrol

MixMasterMatt — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 10:43:07 +0000

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'.

ISAF ‘09- Deployed Times Vol 2, Issue 2

MixMasterMatt — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:06:43 +0000

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.

ISAF ‘09- Update from nowhere

MixMasterMatt — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:15:35 +0000

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.

ISAF ‘09- Deployed Times Vol 2, Issue 1

MixMasterMatt — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:26:27 +0000

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.

Deployed to Afghanistan

admin — Sat, 09 May 2009 08:38:53 +0000

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.