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12/18/2003 Entry: "SADDAM, "OPERATION PENCIL BOX", ETC. FROM KRIS THOMPSON VIA HIS MOM, CINDY MCATEE:"

SADDAM, "OPERATION PENCIL BOX", ETC. FROM KRIS THOMPSON VIA HIS MOM, CINDY MCATEE:

Another call from Kristofer, December 17, at 12:30 a.m! I have been DYING to talk with him after Saddam Hussein's demise, but their internet service has been down, plus they have been very busy with patrols and raids! Kris has driven down the road past the farmhouse where Hussein was found dozens of times. In fact, you can see the farmhouse from the palace complex where the 4th Infantry Division is based! He said the sun even came out after they arrested him! And, Kris bought Cuban cigars to celebrate! In Tikrit, the people are in shock and disappointment, as they thought Hussein would go out in a blaze of glory. They feel foolish now because Saddam is a coward, so in their minds, they are cowards too and a disgrace. That night, Kris and his group arrested three Arabs, who were shooting rifles, however, not at Kris! These Arabs lied rather than face disgrace. They would never tell the truth as they have a huge amount of pride. And, they were quite "angry" when they were captured. When Kris and his men arrested them, they swore they were shooting at "Ally Babba," which is their term for "the bad guys." Kris explained to them that he could have killed them. He cuffed and hooded them and hauled them in. He said he pulled blankets out of their tents to take with them, as it's "cold as hell" at night! He says, "Arabs are a trip!"

He said it's amazing, now, the notoriety of the 4th Infantry Division. They never participated in the first Gulf War. And of course, they entered Iraq after Operation Iraqi Freedom began, as Turkey would not allow them to enter from the north as originally planned. There has been nothing "distinguishing" about the 4th, and now they are famous! What a difference a day makes!

As many of you know, I organized a drive for our grade and middle school children to send school supplies to Iraq. I mailed 22 boxes of school supplies to Kris to be delivered to schools in Tikrit and Al Succor, a small village near Camp Speicher. I didn't realize it, but the entire 4th infantry division, which would be around 4,400 soldiers, participated in the project, too, called "Operation Pencil Box," where they gathered school supplies and cleaned up schools in an effort to develop a relationship with the Iraqi children. The mother of one of Kris's men also sent school supplies to her son. Kris said they were in "hot competition" to see who's mother sent the most! He thinks I won "by a narrow margin!"

A funny "Kris" story--Many of you know I receive a daily email from the 4th ID historian. In it, moms and wives send news from Iraq and oftentimes give advice on what to send your soldier. Last month there were many items recommended to send, long johns as one of them. It gets very cold at night, and now it's rainy there, so I thought I'd order thermal knits for Kris. When I told him I was sending them, he said, politely, that he already had some, so he would mail them back to me, and I could return them to LE. He thought I was referring to "red handles," as he always had a pair each year for Christmas pj's! Now, he thinks they are the best item he's received, as he had to sit out in the rain one night! I nearly died laughing, as I can see him as a little kid at Christmastime in his Christmas "jammies!"

You KSU fans will appreciate this story. He recently met a young guy, a civilian contractor, who works for an Australian company, KB&R, that builds housing and manages the Indians who cook their "chow." As I said earlier, it's rainy there, and this guy got his water truck stuck. Kris and his men pulled him out of the mud with their Bradley and when asked where the guy was from, he said he was from Manhattan and attended KSU! Of course, Kris insisted KU was the better school, but isn't it amazing that you would be halfway around the world and meet someone from Manhattan, Kansas!

There is a slight chance Kris will get to come home before April 15, but he's not getting his hopes up until he sees something in writing! I am definitely ready for him to be home and am planning a HUGE party in his honor! As always, thank you for your support and prayers. Love, Cindy