ONLINE!

BALAD, IRAQ

08.11.2004

Courtesy Story

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LOGISTICS SUPPORT AREA ANACONDA, BALAD, Iraq -- As communications technology connects our global societies in ever faster and more efficient manners, we are all affected in both our personal and professional lives, and perhaps nothing has altered our lives and the way we communicate as significantly as the Internet and email.

Soldiers stationed here say they still look forward to receiving the biggest morale booster to anyone who's ever worn a military uniform while serving in a faraway location -- mail! But these days, it doesn't have to be the old-fashioned kind with a handwritten letter sealed inside an envelope that's taken several weeks to arrive at its destination -- the electronic kind is just as good, and a whole lot faster. The Internet Café sponsored by the 13th COSCOM (Corps Support Command) here is offering just that -- free email! And inexpensive satellite telephones with clear, real-time connections. So what's it worth?

"I'm sure a lot of soldiers would say "priceless,"" said Spc. Michael Vercruysse, 319th Combat Support Battalion, from Miami, Okla., who helps maintain the service 24-7, except two hours per day when the café's crew upgrades the virus software, spam filters and conducts routine maintenance and service checks on the systems."It gives soldiers a chance to feel like they're not in Iraq for 20 minutes," Vercruysse said. "It's a great boost to talk to someone -- whoever it may be -- and not be hearing a military voice."

The café became possible after Vercruysse noticed a satellite perched atop a building that was being vacated during the last rotation change.

He approached the owners, who were happy to transfer receipt of the system for use in the café. "It can handle 20 internet-connected computers and eight, voice-over-internet satellite phones," Sgt. Willie Clark said. "Now, we have 19 computers and six phones operational." Also instrumental in getting the café", he is also assigned to the 319th. Clark is rightfully proud of the support it provides troops.

"I could be doing any number of things," he said, "like sweeping out a Conex or washing a HUMVEE, but I'm helping somebody get a little piece of home for 20 minutes. It's a good thing."

Prior to mobilization for Operation Iraqi Freedom, Clark was employed as the resident director in a mental health/mental retardation facility in Canton, Texas. His unit is the 141st Quartermaster Company (Pipeline, Petroleum), from Tyler, Texas.

When the café is crowded, as it often is, the time limit is enforced at 20 minutes online.

If computers are available, however, soldiers may stay as long as they like. Volunteers from the COSCOM's assigned units -- more than 60 -- perform shifts as café monitors, registering users and controlling soldier traffic flow.

"Everybody knows about it and everybody uses it," said Spc. Nichole Jackson, from the 13th. Jackson is assigned to the 302nd Transportation Battalion from Fort Eustis, Va. 99th Regional Readiness Command.

She lives in Virginia Beach, Va., and before being mobilized, was employed by Walmart. Now assigned to the 13th, She volunteers some of her spare time at the Internet Café here to use its services during breaks or slow traffic hours, and sees firsthand the value it has for soldiers."It's a morale booster," Jackson said. "It's had a great impact on the soldiers.

I wish everybody had the opportunity to call or email home whenever they wanted to -- especially with all the time differences."Time is important to Sgt. Lisa Pressman, who was cross-leveled into the 302nd during mobilization from her unit in the 77th RRC, the 1174th Transportation Company, Fort Totten, New York.

Pressman lives in New York City, and keeps in daily email contact with her family at home after the 12-hour workday with the 13th COSCOM where she is now assigned."You really can't compare this to anything else," Pressman said.

"I'm here every day after work. "Pressman works in the 13th's Core Distribution Center assisting in the effort to move supplies, material and equipment throughout Iraq from here -- the 13th is the most centralized and largest LSA in the nation. She said with the danger still existing throughout Iraq, keeping in touch is equally as important for the folks at home.

"It's bad for a lot of families who hear the news back home," she said, "and it will say, like 'three killed and 20 [U.S.] soldiers injured in a convoy ambush near Anaconda," so they'll be concerned. I know my Dad is -- he was on pins and needles waiting two days once before I was able to get through to him, and he said "Oh my God I heard about Anaconda on the news" and I said "I know Daddy -- I'm OK."

"Sometimes we're desperate to get in touch with our families and say "Hey, it's me. I'm alive and OK. I'm doing fine." In a sense, it's terrible for the families to be getting all this information at home [about U.S. casualties on the news] and not be able to reach their loved one here," Pressman said.Bad news is always out there somewhere, lurking about and waiting to stun, shock and surprise us. Having the Internet Café even affords that opportunity.

"If you get a "Dear John [or Jane] call here in our voice-over-internet phones," Clark said smiling, 'the best thing is going to be that you'll really feel it -- you'll hear every peak of emotion, because it's clear."

Bad news aside, Clark said the service connects more soldiers here with people at home who share good news and reinforce support, than the occasional heartbreaks suffered by soldiers serving overseas. To prevent such loss, communicate!"

Regular contact with your loved ones can eliminate a lot of misconceptions and kill a lot of rumors," said Clark.

"You can lift weights all day, but it's just not the same as talking to your little girl."

• Date Taken: 08.11.2004
• Date Posted: 08.11.2004 11:32
• Story ID: 227
• Location: BALAD, IQ