KZ Marathon's Space

Back Home

Sun, 11 May 2008 12:19:21 GMT

Well, I have been home almost a week and it is absolutely great, just like I thought it would be! We haven't done much by design, just the little things around the house. You know, the little, everyday things like mowing the lawn, doing the dishes, watching a movie, etc. Little things aren't so little when you have not had the opportunity to them. I have had a blast doing the little things this week - makes you appreciate being home.

I was able to start running again, thankfully, and it feels great! I had stopped running in Baghdad because they were lobbing metal things through the air and I really missed it. Those couple of weeks off really killed my fitness levels though. Add to that the fact that we have hills in Huntsville and you get some pretty sore legs! No worries though, the fitness will come back. I am getting ready for the Cotton Row 10k at the end of the month and am really looking forward to it.

Time to get ready for church! I have missed my church greatly and can't wait to see everybody.

Thanks again to all who prayed me through this past year and the transition home.

In Him,

Through Benning

Mon, 05 May 2008 01:44:11 GMT

I have turned in all of my gear and have completed all requirements at Fort Benning. I have a flight out of Atlanta tomorrow morning and will land in Huntsville at 0930! Can't wait!

US Soil!

Sun, 04 May 2008 13:28:45 GMT

I have been awake for about 36 hours, but have made it McGuire AFB, NJ, enoute to Benning - will get in there later on today. Thanks for all the people who prayed for my transition and the weather - God answered!

Out of Theater

Sat, 03 May 2008 04:10:33 GMT

Today is the day! We will board the Freedom Flight later on this evening and start the trip back. First we have to go through Customs to ensure we aren't taking back anything we aren't supposed to. Unfortunately, that means I have to dump all of my bags in big bins, let it get inspected, then pack it all up again. I have two duffle bags of equipment that I locked up at Benning last year and haven't opened since. I just didn't need all the stuff that the Army said I would need in theater. Well, today I get to open them up and then try to recreate the engineering packing job I did a year ago. As long as it means I get to go home, I will do anything today, with a smile on my face and a courteous attitude!

Time to sign off and get moving. Thanks to all who have been praying for my transition - almost there!

In Him,

Transiting Kuwait

Fri, 02 May 2008 05:38:21 GMT

After two days of waiting, I have made it out of Baghdad and am now at Ali Al Salem, Kuwait! I left the IZ on Tuesday and made it into Camp Victory without a problem, found a bunk for the night and then headed out to the airbase to try and catch a flight down here. Unfortunately, only one aircraft made it into Baghdad on Wednesday due to a really bad sandstorm (I will NOT miss those things) so getting a flight out that day was impossible. So, I reversed the process and found another bunk for that night and then did the same thing yesterday. Thankfully, I got on a flight rather quickly. After about 2 hours on a C-130, we made it here.

My computer time is up - have to go. Will write more later.

In Him,

Last Weekend

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 10:31:23 GMT

Well, this is it. My final weekend in Baghdad. This time next week, I will be boarding a plane for the "Freedom Flight" out of Kuwait, enroute to Fort Benning, GA. It is hard to believe that we are finally at this point after a very long year. Kristen assures me that she is ready for me to come home. Apparently, my honey-do list has grown significantly in my absence! I can't wait to get home and just spend some time with them.

I am leaving at a very opportune time, as the heat is starting to get above 100 degress pretty consistently. We have 108 degrees today. I have handed off all of my responsibilities and am just waiting for my Tuesday departure from the IZ. I have most everything packed and a plan for the remaining items that I will need to account for over the next few days. This very small room that I have been occupying for the last 9 months looks huge with all my gear off of the shelves and in duffle bags. I am not looking forward to ferrying the approximately 260 lbs of gear I have through the desert and through Fort Benning, but it will be a short time in the big scheme of things. That combined with the fact that I am carrying this stuff so I can go home makes it something I think I can deal with! I will be happy to turn in about 210 lbs of it at Fort Benning though.

The staff is throwing a farewell dinner for me tonight out at Forward Operating Base Prosperity. Not the most elegant of locations, but they do have a much better mess hall than we have in our compound - defiitely worth the drive over there. I finally got the picture module to work on this blog site (go figure - only took 12 months!) and will post some pictures of the event later tonight.

While I am extremely excited about going home, being a husband and a father and getting back to reality, I have to admit I have a sense of unfinished business in leaving this command at this time. Coalition Forces are doing so many things to help the Iraqi people, things in addition to the kicking-in-doors missions that the media only reports on. I was in charge of some of those missions, in support of others, and would like to have seen them come to complete fruition. A combination of the divisive environment and the slow-moving Arab culture makes progress over here certainly less than instantaneous, but there is progress, regardless of what the politicians say in this election season. I am proud to have been a part of that progress, even if all of my contributions to that progress will be brought to completion by those who follow me in this assignment. I can look back on this past year and say that while I experienced the highs of success and the lows of failure, I did give 100% to each and every effort and can take comfort in that. I learned something from each success and from each failure and appreciate those lessons brought by each circumstance. Of particular note is this summary: I fail when I rely fully on my own capabilities and succeed when I admit my own inadequacy and seek counsel and assistance. Sounds like a spiritual lesson, doesn't it? There were many this year.

Read Psalm 46 the next time you feel inadequate for the task God has called you to do. It will hammer home the very important point that you, in your own strength, are in fact inadequate. You can't do God's Will in your own strength - it would be against His nature and character to call us to a task and then require that we do it on our own. Too often, I see what I am supposed to do and jump in with both feet, without consulting the One who will provide the necessary strength and capabilities to make it happen. Recognizing our need for His strength and power at the beginning of a task, knowing that the task IS impossible without His power is the key. Feeling inadequate then does not limit us, but drives us to God and positions us to be used by Him. Psalm 46 says to "Be still," to stop striving, and know "that I am God." What power in those words! The moment I start striving, working in my own strengths, to reach an end goal is the moment I cease to experience the joy, peace and contentment of a daily walk with the Holy Spirit. I have learned that I need to be Christ-oriented, rather than goal-oriented. As long as my focus and reliance remain on Him, God will take care of the goals because then His goals are my goals. As Dr. Stanley put it in one of his podcast sermons from a couple of months ago, we are not responsible to live the Christian life on our own - we are responsible to submit ourselves to Christ, allowing Him to live in us and work through us. Living in submission to and following the leading of the Holy Spirit means that we can take no credit for the work performed through us - all of the glory for the work done through us is rightfully claimed by God.

Bottom line - this has been a long year and I praise the Lord for his patience, love, comfort, peace, discipline, companionship and steadfastness as He carried me through the lessons brought by the highs of success and lows of failure I experienced during this time in Iraq. He is at work in this nation!

Time to take care of some last minute administrative things back at the unit. I will try to post from Kuwait later on this week. I look forward to seeing everybody next week!

In Him,

Sometimes you just have to be a pain..........

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 06:17:30 GMT

And now is one of those times. I have been driving the staff nuts and I can't help myself. It just has to be done. I have watched others go through the end of tour giddiness and they drove me nuts as well. It's a tradition, and frankly, a right for those who have put in their time and are getting close to the end of their time in country to ensure everyone within a 20 foot radius knows that it is time to go home. I am dating myself here, but an 80s band named Europe has a great song that is titled perfectly for this end-of-tour time: The Final Countdown.

Like whistling Christmas songs in the middle of July, this tune gets stuck in your head after hearing just one measure of it and I have been playing it at opportune times throughout the day. Loudly. With pride, and I have to be honest, a great deal of satisfaction. The result? 15 people walking around subconsciously humming/whistling the now famous chorus of the song. I love it! They don't, of course, and remind me of that fact often, but a guy can gloat just a little bit right? See, just the mention of the song and you are humming it in your head, aren't you? 14 days and a wake-up until I leave the IZ!

Now, having said all that and after causing my staff-mates some good natured consternation, we have a great group of people here that I am going to miss. I have said it before, but this is obviously not your normal work environment and spending 17-18 hours a day, 7 days a week with somebody tends to bring you close to one another. This certainly applies in this situation and I am thankful for their friendship, care and concern. After one indirect fire attack I had no way of letting my unit know I was okay and was just sitting in a bunker waiting for the all clear. One of my NCOs, SSG Griffin, came out to look for me, going bunker to bunker, until he found me. After telling him not to be so stupid again in the future, I thanked him for looking out for me. That's what I mean by close - wanting to know that they are ok, regardless of what it takes to find out. I will not miss the place, but I will miss these people.

One indirect-fire story. Once, I was walking behind the Embassy Palace when the incoming siren started to sound. You have to find cover as fast as you can as the warning does not offer too much lead time. There was not a bunker close by, so I chose to dive over a small, 4 foot high landscaping retaining wall to get at least a little bit of cover. I launched myself, in full body armor of course, into the air, over the wall (I was a high-jumper in high school after all - that came in handy!) braced myself for the impact with the ground and then landed, surprisingly, very softly and quite comfortably on my back. When the ground beneath me moaned a little bit (did that sound like an exhaled oooooffffff?) I realized why my fall had been so cushioned. I had landed on top of a Filipino contractor who, like me, found the wall provided necessary cover - poor guy couldn't have weighed more than 100 pounds soaking wet and I landed on him with all that body armor. Neither one of us attempted to move as rockets were still hitting the area, but I suspect he was just attempting to breathe. After the attack, we both got up wordlessly, brushed off the sand and dirt, shook hands and went our separate ways. I sure hope his breathing has returned.

Time to get to the business of the day. Thanks to the Pilgrims for what I think is my final care package (cue guitar lick from The Final Countdown)! Also, thanks to the DuMidi Women's Group and the South Carolina Blue Star Mothers Group that sent over 200 boxes of Girl Scout cookies for us to enjoy. We took a majority of them over to the soldiers at the Combat Support Hospital, but I do admit to hanging onto a few boxes of Thin Mints - I love those things.

In Him,

Good News!

Sat, 05 Apr 2008 18:19:19 GMT

It's pretty much a sure thing now, so I will go ahead and take the chance of messing it up by telling everybody. I will be able to leave the country about 2 weeks earlier than I had originally thought and will leave the IZ on 28 April to begin the trek back home! So, 22 days and a wake-up until I leave - needless to say, I and my family are very excited. It's been a long year to say the least. I have started packing some things up and will mail a footlocker filled with the stuff I can live without for the next 3 weeks so I can reduce the amount of stuff I have to schlep halfway around the world on the return trip. After brief stops in Kuwait and Fort Benning, GA, I should be home the evening of 5 May, morning of 6 May at the latest. Of course, we are talking about military transportation here, so just knowing I am heading in the general direction of home will be good enough!

I know I have said it before, but there is no way I could adequately express the amount of gratitude I have for the prayers offered on behalf of me and my family this past year. I have felt and experienced the closeness of our Lord in a most amazing way this past year and I am more grateful than ever for my relationship with Him. So, thanks to the prayer warriors that have lifted us up during this most interesting of times in the Zurmuehlen family history. And, most importantly, thanks and praise to my Savior who steadfastly listened to and answered those prayers through His ever-present and all-comforting presence.

Apparently, the turning 40 and then everything starts falling part tale actually has some merit! My glasses didn't seem to work as well as they used to so I made a visit to the combat support hospital to get a new prescription. I was pleasantly surprised to find that they could make glasses right there in the facility and that I could have them within about 10 mins of placing the order. That's the good news. The bad news is that they only had the Army frames, which are jokingly referred to as birth control glasses by those who have had the priviledge of wearing them. But, seeing well is seeing well, so I filed the order and started wearing my BCGs. During a later web cam session with my wife (who could not look at the image of me on the computer screen without holding back snickers) she informed me it looked as if I was wearing women's glasses. I knew they were bad, but women's glasses? Good thing we have internet access - I was able to find a website, www.lbweyewear.com, that had non-womens looking glasses at very cheap prices. A couple of clicks and 8 days later, my very manly glasses arrived and I am proud to say that I not only can see, but am masculine while doing so!

I got away from work a little early this evening and am going to take advantage of the extra time by taking a nice, long shower and then hit the sack for, hopefully, a very restful and uninterrupted night of sleep. With the recent increase in activity, sleep has been a preciously held commodity for those of us in the IZ. This too shall pass.

In Him,

Still a war going on.......

Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:15:04 GMT

You have probably seen in the news this week that events have escalated a little bit here in the IZ this week. For those that have written inquiring about my status, I am just fine. It was no coincidence that this latest series of barrages started on Easter Sunday. Obviously, Christianity is not accepted by any of the numerous sects in the country and the recent attacks were, in some ways, meant as a means to send that message to our forces. If my faith was shaped by the events of this earth, then the message sent in the form of rockets and mortars would probably have worked in its intended fashion. But, praise the Lord, my faith is in a risen Savior who is still risen and still the one and only true God regardless of what munitions they send our way!

I watch each day as several of our local national employees prepare for afternoon prayers by washing themselves so they can arrive in the presence of their god as purified as they can make themselves. First, I am eternally thankful that my God offers his love and forgiveness to me regardless of how dirty I am. He takes us as we are, in the condition that we are. Second, I am eternally thankful that when it comes to cleaning my life, my God, not me, provides the cleansing and takes the responsibility for guiding me to and on a path of purity. Those who lob high explosives in our direction do not have a god that offers such hope and do not realize that their god has already lost and that they are, in fact, engaged in a losing battle by following their self-serving and evil ideology. My God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, defeated this evil by giving His Son as a sacrifice for my sins and then raising Him in resurrected, eternal glory! Bottom line - Easter is Easter, resurrection is resurrection, salvation is salvation and my God IS God, regardless of what distractions are placed in front of us. Even ones that explode on contact.

With the increase in indirect fire, I have noticed some pretty humorous things. For example, everyone is moving with a purpose with no wasted time spent outside while maneuvering between hard shelter to hard shelter. I have never made it through the mess hall line so quickly! I don't think people are waiting to see what they want but are rather just throwing up their plate and randomly pointing at entrees just to get something quickly so they can get back to a hardened building. Since it all tastes the same anyway, I have found that using colors enhances the efficiency of the mess hall line. "Give me some green, some yellow and some brown. If there's room, throw in a little off-white as well." It all ends up in the same place anyway.

Time to sign off, hit the sack and get ready for another day of excitement tomorrow. Continue to pray for our soldiers and leaders as we operate in this environment. Continue to pray for the people and leaders of Iraq, specifically that they would grab hold of this offered freedom that so many are fighting to achieve.

In Him,

Incredibly Late

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:48:08 GMT

I have been negligent in posting to the site recently, and can assure those who have written that I am alive and kicking. I have been doing quite a bit of traveling as of late and just have not had the free time to get to the computer and bring everyone up to date. Not that there is much to bring you up to date on! We are having to cater to an increasing number of auditors and Congressional investigations and that is eating up an incredible amount of manpower and my personal time. You can tell that the security situation is getting better, and that we are in the election season quite frankly, because of all the interest in our activities, past and present, over here. It's not like we have a war to execute after all (he said with tongue in cheek). Frustrating at the very least, but a part of the process that I can't control, so I am dealing with the requirements one at a time, one day at a time.

We are edging closer to May and my departure from theater! I have kept in contact with several of those who have gone before me and they tell me being back home is a great thing. Tell me something I do not know! Surprisingly, they are also very honest in saying that making the transition back home was actually a longer process than they had originally anticipated. As much as this environment and situation are almost surreal, you get used to the pace, the requirements, and the situations you encounter. Things that were once the items that occupied your mind and time are certainly not the things that occupy your mind and time over here. The decompression period required is, from their testimony, one needed to recalibrate how you occupy your mind and time, how you respond to situations, how you address issues and problems. I will be honest, after some of my experiences here, I find what I consistently worried about back home almost neglible in the big scheme of things. You get a new perspective to say the least. So as I approach my own decompression time and transition back to a more pleasant and desired reality, there are some pieces of this experience that I don't want to lose, that I want to ensure I apply to applicable areas of my life, family and leadership responsibilities. I am thankful for this opportunity as a result of the experiences and what I have learned through them, but I will not be unhappy when those experiences are no longer present to provide teaching points.

On a lightner note, you are reading the words of the undefeated (to this point!) leader in the IZ Horseshoes tournament, a badge of honor I wear with pride. We started a single elimination bracket tournament last week and play the matches when we can. Two nights ago, we were actually out at midnight throwing horseshoes, but we really were having a good time, despite the late hours. If my aim stays true, I am two rounds away from the championship match and my shot at enduring fame (at least until next week!). I will keep you posted.

Time to get back to work for the day. Thanks to all who have written and sent boxes - they are greatly appreciated!

In Him,

The Dust Returns in Ful Force..........

Tue, 19 Feb 2008 18:10:31 GMT

The dust is back, worse than what we experienced at the beginning of last summer. Visibility is literally about 500 feet. Being indoors helps somewhat, but there is a hazy fog hanging in every room of our building. The door to my quarters has virtually no seal on the door, so the room is filled with dust and there is a little sand dune forming at the entrance that extends about a foot into the room. These are not the best conditions for asthma, I can tell you that. Hopefully, the weather patterns will change in the next few days and clear this stuff out a bit.

I wrote previously that I had more time on my hands than I had experienced prior to my leave. I should have never written that. Within days of making that over confident statement, we ramped back up to warp speed again and I am back to the long days. Like I have said before though, it certainly does make the time pass a little more quickly. I have several emails from people back home that I need to answer - I apologize for taking so long if you are reading this!

I neglected to post on the actual day, but I am now over the 75% mark on the deployment and am edging ever closer to getting back to reality in May. Needless to say, I am really looking forward to that. I have learned a great many things over here and the experiences have not been all unpleasant, but home is home and I am ready to be there.

Another short post. I am going to head off to bed and get ready for another day tomorrow. Thanks to all who helped clear a storm damaged tree in our backyard! The tree is down and the neighbors fence is still intact - well done! I don't know how we can repay all of those who have helped our family over the past year - just know that you are greatly appreciated. It certainly makes it easier for me to be over here knowing people are willing to take time out of their lives to be there for my family.

In Him,

Fruit!

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:06:23 GMT

We had real, live peaches and seedless grapes in the mess hall today! Of course, they were gone in about the first 10 minutes after the door opened, but they were peaches and seedless grapes! It's the little things. I need to get out more.

Random Thoughts

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 18:48:23 GMT

Short post today - just wanted to get something posted a little more frequently than I have been doing for the past couple of months. I alluded to the fact that our workload pace has become less "hair on fire" like and that means I have more free time than I have previously had. It's not a bad thing!

Part of the reason I have more Z-time is because I have fallen off the running wagon. Well, not quite fallen off, but I am handing dangerously close to edge of the wagon. I am not running nearly as much as I was before the races, but I am getting in 3-4 short runs a week. Unfortunately, I am still eating like I am running long distances 6 times a week. I have probably put back on a few of the 26 pounds I lost, which isn't necessarily bad, but I don't want it to get out of control. Problem is, I like eating so I had to do something. Stephen, a good friend of mine here, decided we should start a weight training program so our waist lines didn't start taking on a life of their own. So, we started this week and I am paying for it. I have not been this sore since last August, which coincidently is the last time I decided to start a weight training program. Maybe I should stick with it this time so I don't have to go through this sore-beyond-belief-muscles routine again.

I was unable to go to the hospital church service yesterday morning because of some work requirements, so I went to the Embassy service last evening and was once again hit with a pretty neat thought. While in that service, I was sitting next to Christians from Romania, Kenya, Uganda, France, Fiji, Germany, England, Chile, South Africa, Nepal and Australia. I think it is important for the Iraqi people to see that believing in and trusting Jesus as Savior is not just a USA thing - He calls all people of every race and background to accept His gift of salvation and come to know Him as their Father. The Lord is doing just that - using people of all races and backgrounds as witnesses of and to His Glory here in Baghdad and other cities of this region! And I was sitting next to them! During Saddam's regime, there were 5 Christian churches in Baghdad - there are now 37 at last count and that number doesn't account for the home churches that we understand are growing each week. The Lord is at work in this country!

Apparently, 3 weeks is all it takes to forget the pain of a marathon and then remember only the good things about the race(s) you recently ran. I have signed up for the next year's Goofy Challenge at Disney. Maybe I am taking the name of the race a little too close to heart and am actually modeling that characteristic, who knows. We did have a good time, as the pictures from the race show. This year, I would like to try and get my best Disney Marathon time and am hopeful that I will find the training time to make that a reality.

Time to sign off and hit the hay. I hope all who read this are doing well - drop me a note and let me know.

In Him,

Back in the Saddle Again.......

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:04:07 GMT

Well, I arrived last Friday, after 95.5 hours of travel, almost 4 days. The transition out of Atlanta was very smooth and actually kind of relaxing compared to most military travel experiences that I have had. After an 8.5 hour flight with tons of actually halfway decent food and a couple of movies, we landed for a stopover and crew change in Shannon, Ireland. I really would have liked to have seen the town, but had to be satisfied with the duty free shop and some really expensive, yet very ordinary tasting coffee. I was able to pick up some very touristy and very green trinkets for the family and add another country to my list of landed in, but didn't really visit, countries. We boarded the plane for another 8.5 hour flight with even more food and movies on the way to Kuwait International and the same route of entry that I took going through Kuwait and into Iraq almost 9 months ago. The feelings I had this time were significantly different than those I had on the first trip. A little more confidence, a little more focus on getting through the next 3 months. And, to be perfectly honest, a little less excited about what was now a known adventure.

I arrived back at Camp Victory just in time for 2nd of the 3 days of rain this region gets annually. I have commented before that everything in Iraq has a 1/4 inch coating of dust on it - well, the rain took care of the dust by turning it into mud. Lots of sticky, rip your boots off mud. The sand here is not like you see on the beach - it's very silty, very fine. Have you ever walked through the ashes of a firepit after the fire is out? The ashes are so fine that they are disturbed from just the air movement created by the approach of your foot as you step. That's what the sand is normally like here. It becomes like paste when even remotely wet. It got very wet, so we had a lot of paste that seemed to spread everywhere. We have dried out now, save a few more stubborn puddles that will eventually evaporate away.

We have a new commander, a Navy Admiral, that has made some significant changes to the command climate here. We are not moving at quite the pace we were before I left and the amount of work people are executing, while still very high, is at least different. I am thinking that it will make the next 3 months continue to move quickly. I have to admit, since I had some time there, my focus is increasingly narrowing on home and is moving farther away from operations here. Dangerous, I know, but I can allow myself a little glimpse into the future every now and then.

Time to sign off and hit the hay. It feels wierd not to post my updated running totals on this blog! I am still running, though certainly not at the same level I was before the races. It's good to give the body a break.

In Him,

Heading Back to Reality!

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:43:11 GMT

Well, I think this is officially the longest time that I have taken between posts, but I had a really good reason! I had the best 15 days with my family that I could have possibly had, I recharged some of the batteries that needed recharging and am officially heading back into theater for the final 3.5 months of the tour. Praise God! I am sitting in the Admiral's Club at the Atlanta airport waiting for my return flight to Kuwait which will leave this evening. As we were leaving the USO this morning to go and check in with the military charter flight, a bunch of people in the terminal started to clap and wish us the best. That was really neat.

What can I say about the leave other than that it was tremendous! We had a such a good time. Upon landing in Atlanta the first thing I noticed was how clean it was. If you have been to Hartsfield Int'l before, the previous statement should give you some indication about the cleanliness standards in Baghdad. Vastly different. The second thing I noticed was babies - babies everywhere. I hadn't realized until then that I had not seen a baby during the whole previous 8 months in Iraq. After a short flight back to Huntsville, I landed on Sunday, 6 Jan, and was met by my family near the security checkpoint. They had tried to meet me at the gate, but the line was too long and they got stuck. As I approached, I saw my son, who started to wave frantically. Kristen, looking more beautiful than I have ever seen her, pushed everyone through and we were able to do the group hug thing for a couple of minutes, led by Katy, before heading to get my bag and to head home. Our good friends, the Blackmons, also were there and it was good to get even more hugs from them. We spent the rest of Sunday and Monday just sitting around the house and while I grabbed some quick powernaps throughout the day to get caught up on sleep.

We left for Disney on Tuesday and flew this time to save some time and effort. Due to a weather delay in Charlotte, we were able to swich airlines and get a direct flight into Orlando and were at the hotel by about 1230 that afternoon. I like this flying stuff! The B's came in the following day and we started the eating fest that lasted the remainder of the trip. I don't think I have ever consumed that many calories in such a short time, but I was very happy. I had lost about 26 pounds in Iraq and needed to eat whatever I could so my clothes would fit! I figured it was just a good carbo-loading plan for the races that weekend.

Speaking of the races - we had a blast! Kristen, Michelle and I ran the half-marathon on Saturday and we all finished well. I ran with my good friend from Delaware, Howard, and we had a really good time just taking an easy run and enjoying the time. To see some of the pictures from the races, go to http://www.asiorders.com, click on the Disney Half and Full Marathons under recent races, and search for Zurmuehlen. I felt very good after the half and took it kind of easy that night to prepare for the full marathon the following morning. We took the same keep-it-slow approach to the full marathon the following morning. I ran with Alan for his first marathon and he did exceptionally well! We are already planning next years race and the training approach that we will take. I could not find Howard before the race, but after some phone tag managed to catch up to him at mile 15 so we were able to finish together. I felt really good until about mile 22 when the sun and humidity combination started doing a number on me. I don't think I have ever sweated that much. Thankfully, the water stations were plentiful and we took full advantage of them.

When I crossed the finish line of the full marathon, I also crossed the finish line of the Lori Clements 1000! 1000 miles in seven months and over $3000 in donations - a successful effort thanks to all of you! Thanks to all who donated, provided encouragement, sent letters, emails, etc. I know that St Jude Children's Hospital will put the money you contributed to very good use. I was able to see Lori and her family while on leave and am pleased to say that they are doing well - I am still amazed at their incredible attitude and endurance.

We spent the remainder of the time at Disney hitting all the parks and just about every buffet offered throughout the entire Disney complex. We flew back home on the 18th for some much needed rest and veg time. I am now caught up on the first three seasons of "The Office" and have a whole new arsenal of material to take back to Iraq with me! We were able to see friends at church this past Sunday and it was a great experience for me. I love our church and was just happy to hear our pastor preach. Can't wait to get back!

Going back this time has a little different feel to it. By no means am I finished with my tour, but I am certainly closer to the end of it. We just did 8 months apart, we can certainly do the remaining 3.5. I am confident that once I get back in the swing of things that time will pass very quickly. I will post more at the end of the week and let you know how the trip back into theater went.

Thanks again to all for the support of the Lori Clements 1000 and to all who have provided such incredible support, prayer and friendship for my family and I. It has not gone unnoticed and is certainly appreciated by all of us.

In Him,

Heading Home!

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 10:49:45 GMT

Well, after 8 months away from Kristen and the kids, I am now officially 1.5 hours away from leaving and have just finished with the last of my packing for the trip home. I did not sleep a wink last night - I feel like a kid I am so excited! This is going to be a great break and probably the most appreciated leave that I have ever taken in my whole Army career.

49.7 miles to go in the Lori Clements 1000! Like the passage of time on this deployment, it's hard to believe that there are only 49.7 miles left. I am still on track to have the finish of the marathon also be the finish of the Lori Clements 1000 - that will be a neat moment to say the least. We are still a little short of the $3000 goal, so if you are reading this and can help spread the word to friends, family and coworkers, I would greatly appreciate it. Unfortunately, it appears that I won't be able to see Lori during the short time I am home as she is back in Memphis for most of the month receiving treatment at St. Jude.

Another short post, but I have to get finished with the preparations and catch my ride to the airport. I will post more from Disney next week!

In Him,

Rest and Relaxation

Sun, 30 Dec 2007 07:29:45 GMT

Wow - am I ever late with getting a post up on the site! December has been one heck of a month its safe to say. While it has been extremely hectic, the time has certainly passed and I am now only 5 days away from my departure date for my R&R leave with the family! 5 days! By the time I get home, I will have been away from them for 8 months, which is obviously too long. I am really looking forward to just spending time with them and am glad that we will be at Disney with friends and family for a good majority of the leave. I will have a couple of days on the front and back ends of the leave at home and am looking forward to going to church on my last Sunday in town. Not counting travel time, I get 15 days with Kristen and the kids before heading back for the last 3.5 months of the tour.

Christmas was actually pretty restful. It was my first official day off since my arrival in theater. I did nothing. Really - NOTHING. I got up early and got to webcam with the family for a little while. Then I got back in bed, napped a bit, watched a couple of movies, played Sudoku, read a book, etc. I did serve lunch and dinner at the DFAC again, which really was fun. I was the turkey, ham and stuffing guy so I stayed pretty busy at both meals. I am getting a bunch of pictures together and will post them then next time I can get to the MWR internet facility. Overall, we had a good day. I had numerous presents to open (thanks to all!) and I had a small tree in the room to put them under. Not bad!

Time to get ready for church - will post more before I leave later this week.

In Him,

December - Is It Possible?

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 08:36:08 GMT

December. Can't believe that we are 9 days into it already! We are not able to access social websites (including this one) from my work computers now so I am taking a little more time between posts since I have to use a MWR (Morale, Welfare, Recreation) network to be able to post. Sorry!

Ran the Rocket City Shadow Marathon this morning, my own personal marathon so that was a little different. I did run my best time in a marathon however, so I am not complaining. Turns out some of the folks I work with had organized some support and that was GREAT! They set up a little water stop with Gatorade, water, snacks, sport beans, crackers, bananas, etc. and that really helped greatly. Kristen Nelson and Paul Pardew ran with me on the course around the compound and that kept me focuse on other things besides the tightness in my legs. Had some cramps in my hamstrings toward the end, but I have had them worse in past races. It really meant a lot to me to have them out there, cheering each time I passed. At .4 miles per lap, I passed them an incredible amount of times! There are two events that should have some more runnners in March that I am looking forward to running. Have to have a goal after the 1000 miles has passed! Speaking of that, we are getting closer to the end and the donations are still coming in. I anticipate breaking $3000 before I cross the full marathon finish at Disney.

I am helping out Pastor Sermon (love that name) at the hospital for the Sunday morning services, serving as worship leader and playing the keyboard. Thanks to Martin and crew for hooking me up with some music! I find that songs actually sound better when I am looking at actual music! The hospital has an extra keyboard that they allowed me to take back to my room so I can practice. Having that in the room and being able to practice has really become a great time of praise and worship for me - hope I am not keeping my neighbors up! So, just like my kids, I too am sitting down and practicing each day - so no excuses Katy and Kyle! Being able to work with the staff at the hospital has been a blessing - talk about a field that you are called into. These people see the worst that humanity can bring and still get up each day and do their job. If we can meet a couple of times a week to fellowship and talk about how the Lord is working even in the midst of this situation, it is certainly time well spent.

Short post today. I need to get cleaned up and into the office. Unfortunately, the war doesn't stop just because I ran a marathon this morning. I think it should, but then again, I am not in charge! Thanks to all for the great cards and decorations - I have small tree in my room and we have put up lights in the vault. We will have Christmas!

In Him,

Approaching December

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 09:07:28 GMT

Well, we survived Thanksgiving Day - even got to watch a little football! It was very early on Friday morning, but it was Thanksgiving Day football never the less. Thanksgiving really was just another work day, but the mess hall did a very good job to make the meals special. I am confident that I have not eaten that much food in one day since my arrival here. If it had anything to do with Thanksgiving traditional meal choices, they had it out there and in vast quantities. I was able to participate with the rest of the unit leadership in serving the meal for about an hour and actually had a good time doing that. I was the stuffing guy and I made sure the soldiers had plenty when their plate came in front of me. Aside from looking like I belonged at Steak and Shake (see Nov pics link), it was good to have that fun. The staff and I trekked up to the Embassy for dinner, which had a slightly different menu, but was still very good. I went with the lobster tails and prime rib as my entree' options. Good thing I am doing all of this running!

Since this holiday turned into just another day of meetings, I am starting a campaign to ensure the same thing doesn't happen on Christmas. We are going to do something to make it special in office, I just haven't figured out what that will actually be yet. I received a Bing Crosby Christmas CD in the last care package from our Sunday School class and I have made a point of playing at least one song each day for everybody in the vault and will continue to do so until Christmas. Kristen has promised to send some additional music so we all don't get Binged-out by the time the holiday rolls around. My Mom's church care group has also sent some boxes that I understand contain some Christmas decorations - my intent is to put Macy's to shame and decorate the heck out of the vault. We will have Christmas!

My next big milestone is my R&R leave which will start the first week of January - I can't wait to get back home and see Kristen and the kids! Upon arrival, I will have 15 days on the ground before having to start the travel process back into theater. I am sure those 15 days will go quickly, but I am going to savor each minute. We are planning on staying pretty busy during the leave, but I am also looking forward to just sitting and doing nothing for some of that time. It will be good to have a break from the action.

I was pretty sure of it before, but now I know that I am officially old. The ringbearer from our wedding has just deployed here with the 3rd Infantry Division. It can't be possible that he is old enough to be in the Army, but apparently he is. I just knew him as our ringbearer - Kristen used to babysit him so I am sure she is feeling it too. Sorry, honey! I am hoping to get out to his duty location in the near future so we can hook up and take a picture for his Mom. Mom's like that kind of stuff!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving - I am sure you are setting your sights on Christmas just like we are. Don't get caught up in the glitz this year - focus on your families, focus on the reason we have Christmas and thank God for the gift of His Son.

In Him,

Officially Halfway

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 21:21:53 GMT

Cue the music, bring up the lights, roll the intro and cue the announcer in three, two one.....

LTC KEVIN ZURMUEHLEN IS OFFICIALLY HALFWAY THROUGH HIS DEPLOYMENT TOUR!!!

This public service announcement brought to you by the Multi-National Forces-Iraq and the United States Army.

Needless to say, I am extremely pleased with that headline! It's hard to believe in many ways - I am hopeful that the remaining half of the tour moves as fast as the first half has.

Fall in Baghdad - cooler weather, pleasant breezes, new personnel rotations and ...... desert critters. They are coming out of every crevice, hole and crack you can imagine. There are several "vector control" initiatives in place that normally keep the critter population at a manageable level, but the cooler weather has really brought them out in full force. Our own little mini-battle for Baghdad. Insects are becoming more prevalent as well - big mosquitos (courtesy of the Tigris River and the surrounding marshes) and very persistent flies are the most bothersome. Some pretty wierd looking insects as well - can't even begin to classify them. Some enterprising former member of our unit left what I now know as a very valuable piece of equipment that has actually provided a little entertainment back in the vault where I work - an electrified fly swatter. This thing is great! Battery powered and resembling a toddler's tennis racket, this webbed strings of death implement escorts the most pesky of bugs to a quick and light-show inducing departure from the desert. I am proud to say I have the highest attempt to completion percentage among the staff with 9 kills in one pass through the office. I am pretty sure that the Army doesn't give medals for accomplishments such as this, but they really should consider it. A skill badge at the very least. It's not as easy as it looks!

Speaking of medals and awards, I had the honor today of passing out a few in-office awards that have really come to symbolize our Baghdad experience - the mini T-wall. T-walls are 8-12 ft high blocks of free-standing concrete that form blast resistent perimeters around our compounds, roads, buildings and access points throughout the country. You can't go anywhere in Baghdad without seeing them lining the streets and markets. In fact, I wouldn't mind coming back here in the future when the security situation has completely resolved to see what the city looks like without blocks of concrete blocking the view of the city - I have a feeling it could actually be kind of pretty in a desert kind of way. We have acquired miniature replicas of the T-wall, about 12 inches high, and set unit coins in them to give away as a thank you to those who depart our staff. The redeployment of people you have lived with, eaten meals with, laughed with and worked with is actually a very bittersweet time for me. I think it is for them in many respects as well. Of course, they are very happy to be going back to family and real lives and of course, I share that joy with them. However, it is strange to think about continuing the mission without them and their friendship, support, comradery and knowledge. It doesn't matter what your job is or what missions you accomplished while "over there" - you have gone through an often undefinable experience with each other that really means something more than just the typical office acquaintences we typically experience back in the States. If I can send a T-wall with them to serve as a reminder of my personal and our unit's thanks, then I am very honored to do so. Cliche' as it may sound, I am honored to have served in the company of such professionals. So, to Chuck, Mike, Chris, Steve and to Pops in the very near future - thanks.

I continue to get cards, letters, emails and boxes from so many people - thank you! Three pairs of running shoes and over 640 miles later, the Lori Clements 1000 continues to run on with over $1800 in contributions. I understand the Huntsville Times will be publishing their article about the effort on 11 November - visit Lori's site and send the Clements Family a word of encouragement and consider making a donation for the St Judes Children's Hospital.

Time for me to sign off and hit the hay. I am even more excited about getting to sleep tonight than normal because when I wake up tomorrow morning, I will be on the other side of the mountain, entering the last half of this adventure!

In Him,

Photo Album: End of Tour

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:19:55 GMT

End of Tour

BIG chair

P1050336

chandelier

Al Faw Rotunda

say cheese

Al Faw

Baghdad

helo flight

Iraqi Army

just silly

More Photos...

Custom List: My Pictures

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:59:42 GMT

My Pictures

Custom List: Running for Hope

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 10:39:05 GMT

Running for Hope

To support The Lori Clements 1000 with your donation to St. Jude Children's Hospital, please click here
Soldiering for Hope - 1000 miles to the finish!!
The Lori Clements 1000 mileage goal is 95.00% complete
This is it! The last stretch!
Total miles since deployment: 950.00 miles
Donation total: $2335.00
Thanks for the support - tell your friends about the Lori Clements 1000!

Custom List: Lori Updates!

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:59:28 GMT

Lori Updates!

To learn more about Lori and her family, please click here

Custom List: The Lori Clements 1000

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:59:28 GMT

The Lori Clements 1000

Click here to view the Lori Clements 1000 donation page!!
In honor of Lori and benefitting the St. Jude Children's Hospital, I am dedicating my running miles in Iraq in an effort to raise funds for this great organization. 1000 running miles is the goal and we need your support!

Book List: Book list

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:59:28 GMT

Book list

Joel Rosenberg: Epicenter
Looking at current events through the 3rd lens of Scripture, concentrating on the 38th and 39th chapters of Ezekiel.
Nelson DeMille: Night Fall
David Baldacci: Split Second
John MacArthur: The Book on Leadership
A study of leadership based on the biblical examples of Paul and Nehemiah.
Joel Rosenberg: The Copper Scroll
Joel Rosenberg: The Ezekiel Option
Joel C. Rosenberg: The Last Days
Joel C. Rosenberg: The Last Jihad
Joseph Kanon: The Prodigal Spy
Sidney Sheldon: The Sky is Falling
terrible book - not recommended, very disappointing
Ken Follet: Whiteout