One Night in Delaram
Feb 15 at 5:05am by David Tate
A Marine manning the turret of an MRAP communicates with other vehicles during a convoy from Farah to Camp Bastion.
February 11, 2009
I spent the day at COP Barrow editing video and finishing up interviews before a 1500 take off time for a convoy that was taking me back to Camp Bastion. The Marines I was with had been hit hard, mechanically, suffering several IED strikes that had left their vehicles depleted. They were also suffering from a bad case of funk as most of them hadn’t showered in weeks, so they were excited to get back to “civilization”.
The convoy out was pretty much like the convoy in; bumpy and dusty. Especially dusty because, on this day, the wind really picked up making visibility a mere 20 meters or so.
After a few hours, we made it to the military transportation hub of Delaram, a typical Afghan town of medium size that sits right on Highway One and acts as a forward logistics base for troops operating in Farah.
Once there, night was starting to come and I remember one Marine remark, “I’ll bet we stay here for the night. Last time this happened, we slept right over there.” ”Over there” was nothing but a flat space enhanced with medium sized gravel. ”Nice,” I thought.
Sure enough, after about an hour of waiting, orders came down to circle the trucks and that we’d be sleeping in the middle. Usually when things like this pop up, I like to think to myself, “Just play the hand your dealt.” And with that philosophy in mind, I pulled my now dust covered gear from an open trailer, laid out my sleeping bag, bundled up and went to sleep.
I have written about this before; for some reason I have crazy, CRAZY dreams when I go out on embeds. I’m not sure if it’s from my heightened awareness of my surroundings or the food or the air or what… but I have some wild ones.
I won’t bore you with the first dream of the night (even though it was crazy!), however the second dream actually had me sleep talking, which is rare these days. Basically what happened is that my wife came home very late one night, and to make a long story short, I got her to admit she was having an affair.
Why is this important? It’s important because the Marines over here seem to have a lot of relationship issues. I’ve heard several yelling matches going on over the phone and I’ve heard a dozen stories of wives sleeping with friends and girlfriends breaking up, etc… It’s nothing new to military folks. Deployments, and military life in general, is very hard on a family. It’s an issue that even affects me and I’m only gone a month: The fear that a loved one will leave you in your greatest time of need.
In my case, I have no idea where it came from. While my marriage has not been the smoothest of all time, much of it stemming from my prolonged embedment in 2004, I truly know in my heart that my wife is my wife and no one else’s. Unfortunately, I still had that dream.
I woke up the next morning with dirt sandblasted to my face and stuck to the tears that were now dry on my cheeks (the cold wind was blowing quite hard) shaking my head in confusion over what I had just dreamed. It took a few minutes to get my head cleared, but was quickly fine. The oddest thing about the whole thing is that I forced a name out of my wife: Mark Manson.
So Mark, if you are out there and anywhere near my wife (I HIGHLY doubt it), just know I’ll be home soon and we’ll have ourselves a good ol’ fashion chat Marine Corps style.
PS – We finally got back on the road in the afternoon making the trip back to Bastion a 24 hour ordeal.
8 Responses for "One Night in Delaram"
Lynn
February 15th, 2009 at 10:41 am
1David,
Thank you for your candid view of our “boy’s” lives. I cannot fathom what they live day to day. My 19 yo son is a Doc with the 3/8. He told me that you were embedded with them, and was in your vehicle on the way back to Camp Bastion. He is a die hard Sabres fan… You really wear a Red Wings cap? I’d love to hear how he is. I am so grateful to read about their lives, as you know time is limited and calls are sparse on the sat phones. We are so proud of our troops and they are all bathed in constant prayer, as are you David. I await your next posting. God Bless.
David Tate
February 15th, 2009 at 11:47 am
2Yes… Many “Docs” out here, but I do know who you are speaking of. Yes, I wear a Red Wings hat… the same one I’ve been wearing every time I go abroad. Keeps my luck good. You have a good son, and I hear a bunch of good daughters, but being from Cleveland and liking the Sabres is a little tough to swallow
Charlotte Barker
February 15th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
3Dave, it has been incredible to me that we can read about our marines. Thank you for putting yourself at risk so that we can know what they are doing. I hope you will be safe at home with your wife very soon, but I will miss the contact with my son. He loves the Spartans so much; he is their exec officer. Be careful,Dave, and God bless you and all who serve our country.
Jennifer Budde
February 15th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
4David,
I hope that Ln Cpl Rettemnier is doing well and maybe has gotten the chance to go to Bastion and get cleaned up.I am sure if you had the chance to speak with him you could tell what an incrediable young man he is. He has an extremly loving a caring family who misses him deeply. Thank god we have these kinds of young men to go out and make things happen. Thank your wife for the support of your journey as well. 3/8 India Co parents appreciate you in every way.
Proud mom of an incrediable marine
David Tate
February 15th, 2009 at 1:49 pm
5Unfortunately, “Rett” had to stay at Delaram to watch a vehicle… so no Bastion for him. He was VERY much looking forward to a shower. But know that the last thing I heard him say was, “No way am I going to make someone else stay… they need a senior Marine.”
Jennifer Budde
February 15th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
6Well, does not surprise me one bit. All of these guys are just amazing. Thanks David for the little bit of information. Rett is what they called in football (haven’t heard it in awhile) Keep up the good work and don’t forget to tell them all we love them and pray for them daily
Proud Mom of Rett
Lisa Harmon
February 16th, 2009 at 1:10 am
7Hello David,
I just wanted to thank you for what you are doing. I love reading your stories, it makes me feel closer to my son Lcpl Johnson and I love knowing a little about what him and his fellow Marines are doing. God Bless you and all our Marines
Very Proud Mom, Lisa
Melanie F. Koehler
August 11th, 2009 at 6:00 am
8Mr. David Tate,
I just wanna say thank you for all the hard work and updates that u doing just to give us more information and news whats going on in afganistan atleast it ease my worried to my husband Lcpl Jeremiah A. Koehler..Its hard to understand what they going through specially when someone is hurt.. Its scary and sad but the only thing we can do is pray for all the Marines. We are very proud to all of you .. Pls send my regards to him iam very proud of my husband and his my Hero and the love of my life.. God Bless you all ..Mr David thank you again for all the Hard work may the lord Guide and bless u ..Aloha!!!!!!
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