 |
IRAQ
Battalion tries to keep cool on hot day in Iraqi desert
By David Kamerman, Globe Staff, 4/5/2003
This story ran on page A23 of the Boston Globe on 4/5/2003.
ethargy is the word of the day for the US Army's First Battalion, 27th Field Artillery in the hot Iraqi desert. The day shift soldiers rise early, when it is still cool. Throughout the day, as the temperature climbs, the soldiers are nowhere to be seen. They are out of sight and in the shade writing letters, catnapping, repacking gear, washing clothes, or bathing. Around 5 p.m. every day they come forward like ants out of their holes. When it cools off, the smiles and the movement return to our camp. Soldiers toss a football around and combine the activity with PT (physical training) by doing pushups each time they miss a catch. Other soldiers eat supper, and the shift change occurs.
© Copyright 2003 Globe Newspaper Company.
