HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DI!!

DI IS 45.

SHE IS OLDER THAN I AM.

BAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BESTEST FRIEND OF 41 YEARS!!!

12/30/1962

Can't wait to see you on January 12th at the Lubbock abode!!!

(As I write this, it occurs to me that this picture was taken at Scott's Welcome Home Party. Scott's birthday was on Thanksgiving Day and I knew that and I totally blew it off. I got Happy Thanksgiving wishes from Scott, but he never fessed up that it was his birthday and I was too busy trying not to burn my turkey to remember. So, Happy Birthday to Scott, one month and eight days late. Sorry I forgot!!)

LTC HAUSER AND LTC SOUPENE

While enjoying another fine quality lunch at FOB Prosperity, I looked up and noticed LTC Soupene walking by! We were able to spend 30 minutes or so catching up. It was really awesome to find another product of Anamosa High School walking around Iraq! Although there are over 100,000 US Troops deployed in Iraq, I guess it just validates how small the world/Army is! He has spent the past 15 months with the First Cavalry Division running all over Baghdad! While talking with him, it was amazing the number of folks that we both know in the Army; additionally, it was also neat to have him pass on some advice about certain areas around here from his experiences. Ironically, today was his last day in Iraq and he is leaving tonight for Kuwait to run redeployment operations from there.

Take care and tell everyone Hi for me!

Ciao,

Mike

HERE IS MIKE'S VIDEO.

I hope it works.

I have no idea how to upload video. If you can see this, it is a miracle.

DAMN QUARANTINED MILITARY CONTENT ANYWAY.

MY FAMILY

Here are some photos of my kids and my family on Christmas Eve.

If you ever run into my mom, ask her about her buckets. Really, you must.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM IRAQ

(Just an FYI - Mike called me from Baghdad yesterday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG, imagine my surprise to receive a call from Baghdad!!!! It was amazing. Thanks, Mike, you made my Christmas!)

P.S./ Mike, your video came though as "quarantined material containing prohibited military content" and I was not able to upload it. Sorry...

Merry Christmas, Carron!

As I sit in my office trying to figure out how to explain to all of you what I do during the day, I thought it would be much easier to show you in a video clip to help you see what I'm doing.

Yesterday while out on Battlefield Circulation with LTG Abud, we went to three different suburbs/districts within Baghdad (or in Arabic it's:Belidayat) to meet with the local elders, local police, national police, and Iraqi Army personnel serving in these districts. Baghdad has between 9-10 million people living in the 'city limits' and is divided up into approximately 12-15 different districts (depending on who is counting and how they are counting). Everywhere we go, the Iraqi Soldiers treat LTG Abud like a god (he is in the middle in the red beret); they honestly worship him and swear their allegiance to a unified Iraq!

As you can see in the video clip, they have an almost 'tribal' like chant/dance that they do to honor him when he is in their district. If you can imagine trying to provide close-in protection for him when we get into these Belidayat's its almost impossible; people run out of houses & buildings just to try and touch his hand. So basically, when he is out, I spend my days trying to chase him down these crowed streets (with my security detachment); while I'm not exactly trained for this type of work, having been a Soldier for 26 years makes it pretty easy to adapt and sharpen old skills!

The good news is that when he isn't out on the streets, I'm sitting in the Palace working at a computer (something that I don't need practice at!).

Additionally, I attached a photo of the 'city hall' in Al Fruat so that you would get an idea of how crude some of their government buildings are! As you may be able to tell from the photos, we (the US Advisors) try to stay in the back (except for our Generals) and make everything look as if the Iraqi's are leading, and in charge.

Take care, and don't worry about me; I'm honestly having the 'Military time of my Life' even though I wake up extremely sore and tired each morning (old age setting in); I do wake up and I feel so lucky to love my profession and have an awesome Family that supports me continuing mycareer!

The final picture is me having Christmas Dinner!!! (3 lobstertails, Cornish hen, mac & cheese, corn on the cob, shrimp cocktail, & fake wine!!!!!)......looks like I will be going to the gym later tonight!!

Cheers,

Mike

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Whatever holiday you might be celebrating, may you all have lots of joy, happiness, and love.

Thank you, everyone, for a wonderful year of friendships and good times together.

Love to all,

Carron

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM MIKE

Dear Carron -

Did you survive the snow and ice? I haven't heard from you so I was afraid that you might still be snowed under! How's it going?

I'm finally learning my way around here and I have to say, it's a very unique place to live! Working in such close proximity to theIraqi Operations Command here in Baghdad really gives one a different perspective on the War (my thoughts have greatly changed since arriving). The organization that I work in is very interesting and provides the opportunity to get out the office and the International Zone (IZ) as we move throughout the city to attend meetings, inspect check-points, and see Soldiers with the Iraqi Three Star General (LTG Abud) that we advise. I'm quite impressed by LTG Abud since there have been numerous attempts on his life in the past six months, and he still gets out on the roads.

I've attached a photo from the mission that I went on Wednesday; behind me in the photo is one of seven or eight Palaces (Al Faw Palace) that Saddam had in and around Baghdad. The US and the collation forces have occupied most of the Palaces and use them for Headquarters.

Being out on the roads is probably the most hectic/dangerous part of what I do; however, in a way it sure makes me feel young again. I really prefer to fly; however, LTG Abud doesn't care for flying, so we are moving around in small convoys.

I finally found a way to get on the Blog Site (hoorah) and just saw that we lost two great Americans back at home. It's never easy to say goodbye to a loved one or friend, and I wish to express my sincerest condolences to Dave Cox, Todd Schoon, their families, and friends. Although Kathy & Brad passed too early in life, the obituaries certainly described two Americans that worked hard, loved their families, and lived life to its fullest. From what I read, it is apparent they made an impact on everyone around them, and I'm confident that their spirit will continue to live in all they touched.

Take care, stay in touch, and please hold all of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines in your thoughts and prayers as we roll through the Holiday Season. Although I've only been in country for three weeks, the feeling by all the Service Members over here is that the Country is behind us and supports what we are doing.

In closing, I would like to wish then entire of the Class of 1981 and their Families, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Please let me know if anyone needs anything from this part of the World and I will get it headed back that way! My unclassified (NIPR) email address, and my US Cell Phone (MCI) number is located in my signature block below, stay in touch and just remember that I'm 9 hours a head of you in Iowa!!

Cheers,
Mike

Michael T. HauserLTC,
GS Deputy Chief,
BOCAT4th Infantry Division,
"Steadfast & Loyal"

DSN: 318-239-7725
SVOIP: 243-2448
MCI Cell: (914) 360-2944
NIPR: mike.hauser@iraq.centcom.mil
SIPR: mike.hauser@s-iraq.centcom.smil.mil
CENTRIX: mike.hauser@centcom.mcfi.cmil.mil

BRAD SCHOON

Todd's brother, Brad, passed away on Sunday after a courageous battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. Another classmate and family to remember in our thoughts as the holidays approach.

To see Brad's obituary in the Gazette, click on this link http://www.gazetteonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071218/DEATHNOTICES/436197784/-1/deathnotices

To send the Schoon family your sympathies, you can e-mail Todd at Todd.Schoon@gmail.com.

My thoughts are with you and your family, Todd.

Love ya, bud.

KATHY'S WAKE

I attended Kathy Cox's visitation at the funeral home in Anamosa last night. A lot of our classmates were there. I saw Mike and Tammy Coons, Maribeth (Terrell) and Dan Moore, Jeff and Chris (Catlett) Tjaden, Joe Jensen, Tony Miell, and, of course, Dave Cox and his brother, Rob.

There were pictures and photo albums of Kathy everywhere with lots of memories and reminiscing. Several of the pictures were family photos of all three kids when they were very young. I remember Dave when he was that age. I believe we started school together in kindergarten (ironically enough, Mrs. Chapman was the organist at Kathy's funeral today) and I know for sure Dave was in my 2nd grade class at West with Mrs. Waterhouse.

We must have been seated alphabetically because he sat beside me all year.

I was lucky enough to get to know Kathy pretty well in high school when she and Scott W. were dating and I was hanging out with Tom H. I recall (amazingly enough) several fun days we four spent together.

The visitation was supposed to be Tuesday night, but was postponed due to the ice storm. I am glad they did that so we could all attend because it was a beautiful farewell to a beautiful woman.

If you have fun memories of Kathy and/or time spent with her, leave a comment or send an e-mail and I will forward them on to the Cox family.

R.I.P.

Kathleen Marie Cox Timm

November 23, 1963 - December 8, 2007

A 1980 GRADUATE READS OUR BLOG!!!

Hey Carron,

You probably don’t remember me (I was a classmate of Brad’s), but wanted to let you know that I check out the Class of 81 website periodically & absolutely love it! What a great way to keep up on what everyone is doing!!

Please tell Brad hi for me when you see him & tell him Teresa “Vernon”, Kathy Koppenhaver & I are looking forward to the next golf challenge at our 30th class reunion! Ask him if he has been taking lessons!?!??!

Happy Holidays!!!!

Thanks,
Rhonda Geltz Koppenhaver

MORE NASTY WEATHER PHOTOS

I was without electricity for nearly 12 hours yesterday. As you can see from the pictures, most of it was caused by falling trees and frozen power lines. Amazing how we take it for granted. Can't tell you the number of times I walked into a room and tried to turn on the lights.

I thought the picture of the perfectly frozen leaf was kind of cool. No pun intended.

And, not a word (or a video) from you, Hatcher.

NASTY WEATHER

We're getting a major ice storm here today. Below are a couple pictures taken a few minutes ago. Everything is closed today. No school. My boss e-mailed me early this morning telling me to keep my butt at home. I am never one to argue with the bossman! :-)

NEWS FROM MIKE

Carron - How's it going?

Things here are going great! I arrived in Baghdad, and reached the US Embassy. My job is extremely interesting and has the potential to be very 'high adventure' in the rebuilding of Iraq.

I work outside of the 'International Zone' (IZ) or you may hear 'green zone' on CNN, at the Iraq HQ's (Adnon Palace) that houses the Baghdad Operations Command (BOC). I'm the Deputy (2nd in charge) of the Advisory Team that is embedded with the Iraqi's.

I live in a 15x30 foot trailer that is located within the IZ directly behind the US Embassy. You probably won't believe this; however, I was issued a Dodge Durango (total piece of shit) to get around the IZ and a US Cell Phone When I go outside of the IZ (safe area), I have to use my Personal Security Detachment which consists of 12 Soldiers, 4 heavily armored HUMVEE's, and a ton of weapons.

I've participated in two joint Iraqi/US patrols and plan to accompany LTG Abud (3 Star) tonight to some meeting with all of his subordinate commanders......should be a lot of fun!

Although I've only spent five nights in my quarters, we have taken indirect (mortars) fire on two of the five nights....thank God none of them hit too close; however, they definitely rock the place and you know that they are there!

Looking forward to staying in touch and will send you an update for the Blog with a few photos in the next couple of days. I'm just about acclimated and finally sleeping through the night.

Take care and I hope you have a great Holiday season!

Cheers,
Mike

SAD NEWS

With a very heavy heart, I must pass on some sad news.

I received word last night that Kathy Cox passed away yesterday morning.

Let's all keep Kathy, Dave, and the rest of the Cox family in our thoughts and prayers during what I am sure is going to be a very difficult holiday season.

If it's okay with all of you, I will send a card to the Cox family from the Class of 1981. If you wish to send individual cards to Dave or his parents, their addresses are below for you.

--------------------------------------------

Ray and Mary Ann Cox

410 E. 5th Street

Anamosa, IA 52205

-------------------------------------------

Dave and Jeryl Cox

142 - 31st Street NW

Cedar Rapids, IA 52405

_______________________________

Kathy's obituary is in the Gazette. Click on this link, http://www.gazetteonline.com/, then click on "Obits" at the top of the page. Kathy is listed as Kathleen Cox Timm of Central City. You can also go to http://www.goettschonline.com/, click on "Current Services" and then click on "Kathleen Cox Timm" for her full obituary and a beautiful picture of her.

DARCIE'S CHRISTMAS FUNDRAISER

Darcie and her Chrome Divas held a fundraiser today for needy families in Cedar Rapids. It was a raving success, as usual. She does such good things.

I got to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what I wanted for Christmas. Since this is a family-oriented blogsite, I cannot tell you what I asked for.... :-/

MORE NEWS FROM MIKE

Well, I've made it to Iraq! I arrived in Baghdad yesterday afternoon and I'm currently at Camp Liberty in the southern end of the city. Tomorrow afternoon I will make my final move into the center of the city to the Adnon Palace. After making a number of phone calls today, I finally found out what my mailing address is:

___________________________________________________

LTC Mike Hauser

BOCAT

APO, AE 09348

___________________________________________________

Sorry that the comm's have not been great; however, trying to do the smallest thing here takes hours instead of minutes. For example, to transport me and my gear 30 minutes to the Palace will take:

1) Submit the request for movement.

2) A 4 vehicle armored convoy identified/tasked/dispatched.

3) Approval from the CDR for the vehicles to move.

4) A 30 minute ride down a very 'not so nice' road into the center of the city.

All in all, it took 2 days of planning, 16 Soldiers, and 4 armored vehicles to move one old and tired LTC and his baggage 30 minutes!

Anyway, I should be set up by COB tomorrow night and will get more organized. I hope to talk to you all soon.

Cheers,

Mike

MIKE ARRIVED SAFELY & SENT AN UPDATE

Hey, Carron and everyone – I thought that I would keep you posted on the deployment progress. I’ve made it to Kuwait and I’m currently at Camp Beuhring (approximately 25 miles from the Iraq border). It is pretty desolate here, just tents, a few portable buildings, a small PX, gym, mess hall, and a lot of training ranges! I will move forward to Baghdad sometime late tomorrow night. The trip here was interesting; we flew to NYC, then to Shannon, Ireland, then to Leipzig, Germany (formally East Germany), then down to Kuwait. All in all, it took exactly 24 hours to get from Colorado Springs to Kuwait. I arrived at 0400 on Monday morning and have fought sleeping. It’s just past midnight, so I’m officially on Tuesday. I will take a few photos tomorrow while I’m walking around and send the next time I can get service. At the moment, I’m pretty much on foot and probably walked 10 miles today to find my way around. I was finally issued my pistol and ammo, so I definitely feel more secure.

Still no mailing address, I hope to have that in the next few days. Comm’s are extremely limited and I’m 10 hours a head of Colorado Springs.

Take care,

Mike

BAKING AND BEVERAGES

After a long night of Darcie baking cupcakes and pumpkin bars and her making me decorate them, we decided we needed a cold beverage. We ran into some Anamosa people. Do you recognize them?

CALL FROM MIKE HAUSER

Mike called me a few minutes ago to say "good-bye" as he leaves tomorrow morning for his deployment to Iraq. He sounded very upbeat and optimistic. He promised to keep in touch with e-mails and pictures.

Let's keep Mike and his family in our thoughts.

GREETINGS FROM DEB

How was your Thanksgiving? Ours was good. Paul, Mindy, and Catherine were here. David had to stay home for basketball practice. He stayed with my parents...poor kid.

Catherine won the West Middle School Spelling Bee again...third year in a row! She may have inherited my love of music, but I'm pretty sure she inherited her brains from her mother. She loved being here with our pets. She loves animals, but she's allowed to have outdoor cats only. My brother HATES cats...which is why the attached picture is especially hilarious....I also attached a picture of our Thanksgiving food spread, Lance and Catherine in the kitchen, and the freshly fallen snow out the back door.

I'm putting together some Christmas music playlists for our company Christmas Party. We're having a dinner, then casino night, followed by an auction to buy/win doorprizes (like large screen TVs, stereos, healthclub memberships, etc) with the money we win at the casino. I'm in charge of music for the evening. I've got everything from "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch" to "Twelve Days of a Redneck Christmas" to Bruce Springsteen's "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town". It will be fun, I'm sure!

I love the picture of Odie and your kids. That should be on some website somewhere........what a great shot.

What's up?

Deb

BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER HOLIDAY CAMPAIGN

I received an e-mail this morning from John Starr's son, Jered, asking for donations for this year's Big Brother/Big Sister fundraising campaign. This is such a good program to support if you are looking for a way to spread some joy this holiday season.

If you wish to donate, or just check out the good things they're doing, click on the link below and follow the instructions!!

Keep up the good work, John and Jered!!

http://BFKS2008CR.kintera.org/faf/r.asp?t=4&i=257070&u=257070-197175932&e=1379235413

ODIE IS ONE OF THE KIDS

My cat, Odie, decided he would plop his lard-ass on the hutch and smile for the camera just like my kids in the pictures.

A GOOD ONE FROM OUR LITTLE JOKESTER, BRETT

Three men died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates."In honor of this holy season" Saint Peter said, "You must each possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven."

"The first man fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on. "It represents a candle," he said.

"You may pass through the pearly gates," Saint Peter said.

The second man reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He shook them and said, "They're bells."

Saint Peter, "You may pass through the pearly gates."

The third man started searching desperately through his pockets and finally pulled out a pair of women's panties.

St. Peter looked at the man with a raised eyebrow and asked, "And just what do those symbolize?"

The man replied, "These are Carols."

And So The Christmas Season Begins......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRENDA!!

11/26/1962

I met Brenda for lunch today! She didn't know I knew it was her birthday! I called her mom and dad to tell them to meet us there, so we pulled off a little mini-surprise party! Except you couldn't read the writing on the cake. And, I only put 4 candles on the cake. Didn't want to disturb the Anamosa Fire Department unnecessarily by setting off the smoke alarms!

While at Scooter's in Anamosa having lunch, we ran into Connie and Gary Grassi (he looks great) and Mike Deutmeyer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AL!

11/25/1962

This picture was taken exactly one year ago today, on Al's birthday, at the class gathering at Tucker's!

MOVING DAY FOR DARCIE

A bunch of us gathered together on Saturday to help Darcie move from her big, huge house into a townhouse which is going to be perfect for her. Less expense, less upkeep, and less room for the grown kids and grandkids!!! Love it.

In the process of moving, she managed to stub the same toe two times until the whole thing eventually just fell off. Good thing she's a nurse. She performed surgery on herself while the rest of us stood around gagging. Ick.

It's been an exciting, interesting, eventful year mixed with all sorts of craziness! I am so thankful for all my classmates, friends, family, my parents' good health, and Dean's and my two most amazing children. (And, my new job!!) I hope you all have a wonderful day and that you all have lots for which to be thankful!

My turkey is in the oven, so I'm off to watch some football and then stuff myself.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!!

CHROME HORSE

I met Darcie tonight down at the Chrome Horse, a biker bar in Cedar Rapids (Brett, you would love this place), for a couple beers. We were celebrating. Darcie has her last day at her old job tomorrow and starts a new one on Monday. I just got offered a new job and I start on December 3rd. Life is good.

Below are some pics of Carla, who we ran into at the Chrome, a photo of a bike on the wall, and a pic of one of my bestest friends ever, Darrell (with the glasses.)

OK, here's a quiz.... The guy in the dark blue shirt? Whose son is he? His dad is a member of the class of 1980. His mom is our classmate.

So, here's the funny story that goes along with the quiz... I'm sitting there with Darrell and Darcie and Carla, and the guy in the dark blue shirt comes up to me and tells me that his buddy thinks I'm hot. Bahaha!!! Oh, God, it's hilarious just to type that. I haven't been told I'm hot since..........well, never.

Anyway, I look at the guy in the dark blue shirt and I ask him, "Don't I know you?" We figure out who we are and chat a bit.

OK, so back to his buddy.... I say, "I know about how about old you are, so your buddy cannot be that much older." He tells me his pal is 30 years old with two kids, ages 3 and 5. I proceed to tell the guy in the dark blue shirt to tell his buddy that I graduated with his (the guy in the dark blue shirt) mother. Needless to say, they all leave and that's the end of my being hot.

Oh, hell, what a riot.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOE JENSEN!!

11/18/1961

THE HAWKS SUCKED

The tailgating was fun and the weather was beautiful. That's all the positive I can say about the game today.

Here are some photos from the game.

Recognize the guy in the pic with the two little boys? That would be Bret Lewison (1980) and his twin boys, Jack and Sam.

LUNCH WITH BRO

I had lunch today with bro, Brad, and his beautiful wife, Lene. They are visiting from Denmark. Brad was here last weekend, too, and has had the chance to see three Hawk games this year.

A LIGHTER MOMENT...

OMG, I just saw a commercial for the prescription sleep medication Rozerem.

It said two possible side effects are "drowziness and fatigue."

Ya think??

Oh, hell, I just laughed my ass off.

That is just all sorts of stupid.

MORE VETERAN'S DAY PICTURES

Also at the ceremony today was Jenni Grassi (daughter of Connie Engelbart), Tom's folks (behind them in the photo, you can kind of see Diane's parents), Iowa Congressman Bruce Braley, and the Anamosa Veterans Association Color Guard.

NOT THE VETERAN'S DAY NEWS I WANTED...

Yo Carron….good to hear from you!

Yes, I was able to totally surprise Liz and she was so freaked! She ended up winning her class and I guess received the medal as the Great Lakes Champ (she was pumped)!

I depart on 1 December for 15 fun-filled glorious months in hell! Hopefully, it will go by quickly and Rhonda and girls won’t forget me!! I’m going to try and take my mid-tour leave around 14 June for both Rhonda’s B-day and Liz’s HS graduation….I will keep you posted.

As you can imagine, I’m pulling my hair out trying to get everything done around here so that it is as easy as possible for Rhonda while I’m gone. It’s not the big ticket items that you worry about, it’s the small stuff. We are so thankful that we have made such good friends here in the area, plus Iowa isn’t too far if she needs to call in reinforcements!

I promise to stay in touch and really regret not finding a way to hook up with you and the rest of the gang; however, we can definitely try in June.

Take care and I look forward to hearing from you during the deployment. I may even have a US Cell phone that I can shoot you the number and we may get to chat from time to time.

Take care, my best to everyone and I hope you guys have a great holiday season……mine is going to suck!

Ciao,
Mike

VETERAN'S DAY CEREMONY

I attended the Veteran's Day ceremony at the Anamosa High School today. It was quite touching and emotional. Jim Heitland, our former high school guidance counselor, was one of many honored at the ceremony. Also honored was Paul Pinney, the 8th grade history teacher.

I saw Kent Reynolds there as well as Hatcher's parents, Diane's folks, and some Class of 1980 people.

Here are some pictures of Bryce Engelbart accepting the plaque on behalf of his grandpa, Jim Heitland. Byrce is the son of Lisa (Heitland) and Randy Williams, and Warren Engelbart, all from the Class of 1980. He is also my godson!