We're getting closer!

The time is quickly approaching for when I will be flying over to Iraq. But not before I go on my 4 day pass! I'm really excited to get out and see the real world, it gets pretty monotomous around here; seeing the same stuff, the same uniform on everyone, the same ... shall I say interesting ... food, and the same people. I've got a lot of pictures, and I hope to soon get them up so everyone can see them. We have a really long training event coming up in a few days or so, so I won't be able to do anything before then, but quite possibly after that. I hope everyone is doing good! I'm doing good down here. My back is holding up, and my health is doing good. During training exercises, when stuff starts to happen, like getting ambushed by some OPFOR (Oposition Forces) I've been starting to take charge more, and get people doing what needs to get done. It is really cool to see how my training over the course of my enlistment (getting close to 5 years) actualy takes over when the situations call for it. I hope everyone has a good rest of this ever fading month.

Talk to everyone later!

Brandon Anderson

777

Well, Today is the 7th of July, 2007! Kind of a cool number! Well, it was hot today, what's new right? One thing that I have noticed down here is that the weather can change drastically in an hour or two! What I mean is, it started out overcast this morning. It then became clear skies, and scorching heat. Then we got sprinkled on and cooled off, it heated right back up, then sprinkled again, then heated back up again. You look East, and it is clear skies. You look West and it is a wall of storm clouds with lots of thunder. It keeps it interesting at least. I'm doing good down here. The heat is still pretty bad, but you get used to the temperature, even if your body still sweats the same amount. Well, I wish I could say more, but OPSEC (Operational Security) is kind of preventing me from doing so. I hope everyone had a good Fourth of July and I hope to hear from people! If I confused people with which email address to send emails to, don't worry about it. I will have Sarah help redirect emails to the appropriate email inbox.

Talk to everyone later!

Predeployment Photos

Here are some photos of the days prior to Brandon's deployment. Click on the photo above to view in a larger scale. Then, on the right hand side of the screen about halfway down you'll see in blue lettering "slideshow". Click on that.

July 4th

Hello again everyone. I haven't quite figured out how to publish a photo ALBUM on the web yet so here's one picture I like. This is Brandon sitting on his bags at the Litchfield Armory the morning he left.

Training seems to be going well aside from the humidity that causes them to sweat right through their boots. He has limited access to the internet so what you see from him directly will be few and far between. The soldiers got today, the 4th, off so Bran got to sleep in this morning and has been hanging out all day, watching movies, avoiding the torrential downpour outside and just trying to stay cool.

To everyone who has been sending him stuff, he greatly appreciates it and thanks you.

Life here in Minnesota is going well. I've been quite busy spending time with family and friends. I am now preparing for a trip to Alaska with some family. Should be a good time. Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Thanks for all your prayers!