Ist OLC to Haji Bolo badge
 

All,

My son, who leaves Iraq tomorrow got his qualification for the 1st OLC for his purple heart last night. Again, shrap to the face. He said his guys had one seriously wounded (a Kurd-good fighters, says he) and sent 7 bad guys to the darker regions. It was his final mission.

AIRBORNE!

Tom A

Tom,

Thank God he's coming home!

God speed, for one of our finest.

Happy for your son, you and your family.
Cheers,
Mauro

Informed of 24 hour delay in departure. Apparently some administrivia among the REMFs who coordinate pax movements.

Tom A

At least he is on his way Tom :)


But, I felt better when my son reached Germany on his way home from Iraq,


Ed

Tom,

Your son has done far more than earn his right to live in a free country and his shot an 'American dream'. He has helped buy some time for the rest of us, especially those who are slow to figure out that our freedom and dreams are in jeopardy.
:cheers:
Russell

Tom,

Has your young hero returned Stateside yet?

BTW would you please explain 'Haji Bolo'. I missed that one when I was in.

Russell

Dan arrived Ft Carson approx 2345 (A) last night. Spoke to him this morning. Told me an interesting and slightly humorous account of a Haji who decided to go up against a platoon of Iraqi SF armed with a sawed off Lee Enfield and a total of 5 rounds of ammo. The guy got an A for initiative but an F in planning and judgment. He is now residing in the lower regions.

A haji bolo badge is a Purple Heart awarded in the Persian Gulf/Iraq/Afghan areas of operations. Haji is a generic name for gentlemen in that part of the world; it comes from the descriptor for someone who has made the Haj or pilgrimage to Mecca. The term has been around since at least the mid 1800s. A Bolo-badge is an old Army term for any tangible recognition of failure. In this case, sucking up IED fragments in the arms and face twice.

Tom A

Thank you for clearing that up, Tom.

Yous son, Dan, seems like the kind of man I hope my own sons might become.

Russell