Nick-Afghanistan Update

Nick and his "Ugly Angels" unit have been moved to an even more remote place in Afghanistan but as always, his spirits are high and his attitude, unbelievably positive. He has even less opportunity to communicate with his family and relies on all of us for news, life's little luxuries (if you can consider a baby wipe a luxury!) and of course, our support. They share one computer, so communication is obviously limited. Below are parts of reports from his wife, Kim, with even more detail posted on her blog at: http://turnermountainwest.blogspot.com/2009/05/threeish-months-left.html (above picture - Nick in middle with the "cool" shades :)

(excerpts from Kim's blog) They are located in the southern part of Afghanistan. The larger mountainous areas are to the North/Northeast of them and aren't in their 'jurisdiction'. They are mostly in the sandy desert area. The area they are in has its dangers, but that's why they send the Marines in; because 'we' know how to get the job done!!! Their living conditions are far from comfortable. Sleeping tents holding a dozen or more guys, with a community shower with no privacy. The camp is small and crammed but they are dealing with it and pushing on! The Uglies have proven once again that they can do anything they are asked to do. The weather has been around 102 degrees during the day. If there is a breeze, Nick described it as, NOT refreshing, but more like someone blowing you with a hair dryer. AND, if its blowing enough to blow the sand, he described it as sitting in an oven, with a hair dryer on you, and someone throwing talcum powder at you. The sand there is not like your standard "beach" sand... its very fine like blowing dust or talcum powder. He said their biggest battle is the heat. They don't really ever get any relief from it....but other than that, he said the living conditions are tolerable.

I've been asking neighbors and friends to save their magazines and papers so we can send them to Nick for something to read and anything else they may have to send along to the troops in his unit. Many thanks to the Martins and Nowyszs for all they've contributed to Nick's packages! I've also been asked for an updated list of things they need or would like:

(from Kim's blog)

*HAND SANITIZERS (like Purell)

*BABY WIPES IN CONTAINERS

*"MECHANIX" GLOVES (MEDIUM, it's so hot there everything metal is too hot to touch!

*LANCE NEKOT PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE PACKS

* WELCH'S FRUIT SNACKS

*ATOMIC FIRE BALL CANDIES

*MONSTER ENERGY DRINKS (BLUE)

*PACKAGED SNACKS (SINGLES)

*GUM

*ANY MAGAZINES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH FLYING, CARS, TRUCKS (I ALREADY SEND HIM "FLYING" "ROTOR & WING") probably any "men" related subjects

*ANY NEWSPAPER ARTICLES FROM BACK HOME

* TRAIL MIX PACKS

***NO CHOCOLATE! IT WILL MELT!

If you'd like to contribute to a care package, Jim and I will be sending them weekly, so we'd be happy to pick up anything you'd like to add! :)

Here are his updated addresses. Since he still has such limited time on the computer, they advise either sending him letter via "snail mail" (which requires no extra postage to send a letter) or to his MOTO mail account, as it is printed off and hand delivered.

1. Care packages and 'snail mail' letters:
Captain Turner, Nicholas A.
HMH-362
Unit 44160
FPO AP 96607-4160

2. MOTOmail, SUBJECT: Capt. Turner, Nicholas A (hand delivered printed emails, no pictures) Ugly.mail@bastion.afghan.usmc.mil

3. Email address (limited access): nicholas.turner@bastion.afghan.usmc.mil

All soldiers really live for any communication from the outside world, even a short note really lifts their spirits if you have a few minutes. Thanks so very much!