Last Friday, reports of snow in Baghdad abounded. More than one quoted citizen repeated feeling, not unsurprisingly, like the event may have been something sent by God. And not just in the Creationist sense. One article had Fawzi Karim, who runs a small restaurant six miles outside the capital, asking, "I don't know whether or not it's a lesson from God."

One San Angelo native--now deployed to Iraq, with the 314th Military Intelligence Battalion, 470th Military Intelligence Brigade based in San Antonio, Texas--witnessed the snow firsthand. Amanda Burton also felt a bit of the supernatural in last week's snow. She describes the day in an e-mail:

"I have been in-country since mid August '07. I have seen record highs and now record lows set for this country. I think someone is trying to tell me something. I have been told that there really hasn't been a winter season yet. The temperature changes started occuring around the begining of Nov. '07, with 50-60 degrees being cold. It's gotten progressively colder, fooling us with moderate temperatures during the day to cold after sundown. The days leading to the snow started with light rain during the early hours before dawn. It was never enough to make it to miserable: mostly damp but no mud. However, the day it snowed, it rained from after midnight through mid-day. The rain was moderate, not drenching, but soldiers working outside would be wet and cold. Supervisors were watching soldiers closely for dehydration, hypothermia, and signs of colds that could potentially lead to other medical problems. Before 0800, sleeting rain turned to snow and then progressed back to raining. It was cold and windy. Soldiers were hunched and bundled up as much as our body armor would allow. As far as the normal routine, yes it has been altered. More saftey instructions and precombat check/inspections are done. Roll over drills, security, equipment, etc. are accounted for properly. The soldiers in account for the added time and energy doing the little things and safety ensure soldiers, friends, and loved ones (married soldiers) come home alive. That is most important.


God Bless and thanks for your continued support.

SPC Burton, Amanda
MI, JESTR Operator
S-2
Recon, HHC, 1-21 IN BN, 25 ID
Camp Liberty, Baghdad, Iraq"

Feel free to relay or post any other stories you've heard from the "Snow Day."

Jennifer