RoadTrip: Off to Maryland

[bkdelong]

Mom, (harpnfiddle), Nate, (necr03), and I are off this morning to head to Maryland to see my brother Jon, (jdbryce), off to, *sigh*, war in Iraq. His leave starts tonight and he heads out Thursday. God I hate how that sounds.

Anyway, I've decided to do some experimenting on this trip and on our way down 84W in CT, the Garden State Pkwy, and the NJ Turnpike, I've plotted strategic "break points" to get food or coffee as well as have access to wireless. Easy pull-offs where my brother and I can pop email, write any responses, check traffic for the remainder of the route, and continue on.

Cheesy, I know but we're all tech geeks in the family - even Mom - so I thought it would be fun. I'm going to try to make a post at each location.

Going down, first stop is Starbucks Danbury off I-84. Then lunch at the Brookdale Rest Stop on the Garden State Pkwy, (McDonalds wireless), and finally another Starbucks in Cherry Hill, NJ. Then off to Jon's.

I'd love this thread to be a deposit for words of advice for him, pointers to rules of what he can and cannot have, information about soldier Internet connectivity in Iraq and the various Net cafes the contractors have setup over there, connections to other people in LJ over-there who he can connect with and maybe even Iraq-specific family support groups on LJ as well.

Comments

[pinkfinity.livejournal.com]

Can I point my brother in law and one of Aaron's friends over to this post? Jeff was in Iraq on a specific project, and only briefly, but Anne was there for nearly a year, although she's been back for 18 months and things have changed since then, I'm sure.

[kimmparker.livejournal.com]

I know acess overseas depends on where he'll be stationed. My brother-in-law is a Marine who, because he navigates supply aircraft, is usually stationed at "major bases" in Iraq and Kuwait. When at those bases he can get pretty good acess to at least email and net. Unfortunatly, when ever there is an "incident" (terrorist or otherwise) that results in major casulties the military will shut down all net acess except for critical use---i.e. NO email out. This can get very worrisome for the families and it can last for a while. Ed has been everywhere from Fallugah to Bagdad (needless to say which my sister hates most).

And on a silly note---as Ed and Leanne are currently stationed in West Point I'vegotten to know the location of all those Starbucks on the Turnpike. Nice places to stop and refill on cafinee. It's a gorgeous day in MD today, so at least the tip won't be mared by rain :)

[bbennett.livejournal.com]

I don't have any advice for Jon, but I do want to wish you a good road trip - that's great that you're making it with your mom. Drive safe!

[floppsy.livejournal.com]

"pointers to rules of what he can and cannot have, information about soldier Internet connectivity in Iraq and the various Net cafes the contractors have setup over there"

Basic No-No's (which I'm sure he's already been lectured about) - no alkeyhaul, no porn, no "offensive" t-shirts.

[note: rumint is that if there are connected contractors where he's based, he might have a shot at some blackmarket alkeyhaul; & "offensive t-shirts" means "offensive slogans on t-shirts," which can be anything deemed 'confrontational' to the local populace, which could even be a basic t-shirt with a cross, TBD by base commander].

Cameras may or may not be allowed on the discretion of his base commander, but if he's allowed one you should get him the cheapest digital out there, since it may get ruined, broken or confiscated.

Internet connectivity is based on where he's located & what he's doing. I don't know what he does, but if it's not on the DL & he's at a major camp, he'll be hooked up pretty constantly. If he operates on an out of camp/base basis he'll be hooked up once every week or 2 (they rotate those dudes in pretty constantly). FOBs are more touch & go, depending on where, when, & how involved they get. OTOH, if he's doing other sorts of things it might take a while for him to get near an internet hook-up.

You might want to consider getting him an international phone card that you guys can re-up for him stateside (much easier then him trying to buy new ones or re-up over there if he's not going to be based at a major camp). His base here should be able to help with that & have international ones available at their store (PX?). And he can also get a cell phone once he's in country if he's allowed to own one. I know some people who picked them up in Kuwait, others picked theirs up in country ... & cheap ones are best, since they don't attract attention, get the job done & if they get broken/stolen it's no big deal.

Also, based on extensive requests from friends & FoF, the most requested items/ things to send him off with (& keep him supplied with while he's over there) are: babywipes; qtips, corn starch baby powder; lots of eyewash, like visine; vicks vapor rub (seems they stick it in their nose if they deal with locals or go on extended no shower field trips); beef jerkey & other kind of snacks that won't melt or smoosh in transit; (if he goes through lots of down time) soft cover books; if he likes video games get him a little handheld like the PSP or gameboy; extra batteries; & letters ... even if he's on the internet a lot, letters with pics from home, make people happy.

Um, & I hate to say this, but if he's not comfortable with the quality of his kevlar, vest, gloves, etc ... buy them for him & send them to him. No one will quibble with him wearing them, 'specially since most suppliers you buy from here are the mil suppliers too & meet specs. If you need to know where to go, I'll send you a few store links.

That's about all I can think of right now ... hope you guys have an excellent visit!!!!!

PS ...

[floppsy.livejournal.com]

Whether he has a sensitive tummy or not, Tums & the pill forms of Caopectate (sp?) ... those 2 are waaaay important, especially while he adjusts.

[hockeycat.livejournal.com]

Well, we'll pass you on your way back. Ok, we'll fly over you. We're headed to MD this coming weekend for my grandfather's 80th birthday (11/11, and he is a veteran, too).

My brother, profdecoy, spent a few months last year in Iraq. Glad he's home, but come to find out that he may be going back, or to the mountains... Either way, good luck to your brother...