26 Apr 2007:
I've emailed all of my anysoldier.com supporters and let them know that I will be going home (finally) in less than three months and that I would be shutting down our posting. I can't thank you enough for this web site! Since my posting we have seen nearly 300 packages from people ALL OVER THE USA! I can't tell you how excited that makes me, however; our mailroom was pretty packed during Christmas. Thank you again for the chance to post on the web site but now it is time to retire our posting.

v/r

1LT Shirley, Stefan A.

06 Mar 2007
Are you getting tired of hearing from me yet? It's hard to believe that I'm still writing to all of you. I was reminded today that we are on month number 17 of this deployment. Of course, we began 21 Sep 05 and will end...sometime in the next five months or so. It's funny that I can't remember how old I am some days but I can remember the day that I was called to active duty.

I've added a picture of our "snack area" in the platoon sergeant's office. This gives them a great opportunity to see the troops when they come in for coffee and snacks that have been provided by our supporters in the states. It's because of you that we were able to build this area. If anyone is looking to send anything to us, we will gladly accept it. Don't worry...we've been doing this for about a year and a half so we don't have much more time to go and I won't be asking for much longer. We can always use coffee, movies, and we LOVE our snacks. We've been getting a lot of crackers, Doritos and other snacks foods that come in bulk (I love Sam's Club too). I've also been told by a few people that the Girl Scouts are out selling some cookies. We will take anything that you want to send to us. Please...keep 'em coming!

If you would like to hear more about us you can go to www.redbullweb.com and click on the Units link. We are with the 1st of the 133rd IN. There you will find our Desert Fox newsletters. I hope you enjoy reading them as much and we like to write them. Again, thank you for everything!!!

Stefan A. Shirley
First Lieutenant, TC

24 Jan 2007
As many of you may have heard, the 1/34th Brigade Combat Team (BCT) has been extended for up to 125 additional days. This could potentially keep them in Iraq until August 2007. Those of you who follow that will know that our unit, F Company / 134th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) is a part of the 34th BCT. What does this mean to us? Right now we don’t have a lot of details. We do know that we are going to stay where we are. We also know that we are going to continue the same mission that we have been excelling in since we began. I will tell you that the morale of the Soldiers is quite high and it will continue to climb as we come closer to our redeployment date.

As you know we are all so very thankful for everything that our anysoldier.com contacts have provided to us in the past. As we learn about our extension we hope that your kindness will continue. Although I can’t say that there are a lot of request for personal items at this point I can say that summer is quickly approaching and summer weather type items are always welcome. We love our coffee, tea, and energy drinks. Popsicles and other items that we can freeze are wonderful too. Since we have been away from the “real world” for so long I can also tell you that movies (DVDs) of all kinds would be greatly appreciated.

Again, thank you for everything and know that your continued support makes a difference.

P.S. I just got back from leave and thought that I would attach a picture for you. That’s me (center) in Kuwait patiently waiting for my flight to Iowa!

Stefan A. Shirley
First Lieutenant, TC

09 Jan 2007
(From his alternate):

1LT Shirley is currently enjoying some much needed time off as he is on his two-week rest and recuperation (R&R) leave. I have been performing his duties as Executive Officer during his absence and I will try to give you a quick update.

We have now nearly reached 10 months in Iraq, and some light at the end of this long tunnel is starting to emerge. We are making necessary plans for our return voyage as well as plans for turning our operation over to our replacements. This is really an exciting process as the end result allows for the reunion of our Soldiers with their families and friends.

Since it has been nearly two months since the last website update I should catch you up on the weather. It has turned very cold here in Western Iraq as the rainy season is upon us. We have experienced several days with cold winds and rain showers. The most notable weather event was the snow fall at one of our remote outposts. Rain and sleet followed by thick, heavy snowflakes greeted our convoys during the last week of December. Who would have thought that any of us would see snow in Iraq?

I thank you for your continued support and dedication to our Soldiers. All of the things you have sent have been well used, oftentimes eaten, and well appreciated. I can tell you that DVDs, coffee, and snacks are still hits. Hot coffee and hot chocolate have been very nice during this cold spell.

1LT Jason Bachtel

18 Nov 2006
Every time I write to anysoldier.com I want to tell you about all of the great things that have been going on here. All of the achievements that we have attained; however, there are still things going on that aren’t so great.

I went of a convoy to the Jordanian border at the first of the month and found that our troops are nothing but heroes. They are nothing short of what each and every one of us could wish to be. They travel the roads of Iraq on an almost daily basis. They see things that no person should ever have to see, they do things that only Soldiers should ever have to do, and they do it, not for themselves, but for you. They do it all in the pursuit of freedom. I’m going to make this note short but remember this; there are only two people who would give their lives for you: Jesus Christ and a member of the United States military.

Stefan A. Shirley
First Lieutenant, TC

13 Oct 2006
The month of October has come and is already about half way done. I would like to continue to tell everyone that the weather is getting better but each time I do the temperature goes up again. We are now sitting at 110 degrees in during the day but it cools off to about 70 degrees for a few short hours in the middle of the night.

We’ve made a lot of progress in the motor pool these past few weeks. We now have offices collocated in the motor pool and have our tents positioned atop newly poured concrete slabs where the Soldiers are able to work underneath the vehicles without rolling around on the rocks. This just happened in time due to the fact that we are about to start our rain season shortly. Attached are a couple of pictures that show our office and MP work areas.

If anyone is still looking for packages to send to our hard working Soldiers I can tell you that movies are still a hit! With the cold(er) time approaching us soon I can say that coffee would be a hit as well. We get Hills Brothers coffee here but would love some “higher quality” flavors if you could assist.

On a somber note, for those of you who have not heard, our battalion suffered its first casualties. The news release is as follows:

“The attack occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m., local Iraq time. SFC Nisely and SGT Sourivong were part of a forward security element providing convoy security west of Baghdad, when insurgent forces attacked with small arms fire.”

The death of these Soldiers was a devastating loss but there death was not in vain. Their memory will say with us forever.

I say again “Thank You” to every one of you for reading about us and sharing your gifts to our Soldiers. Each and every one of us is a part of the war in some capacity and although I’m sure we would all like to be home…our work is still not done. Thank you for all of your support!!!

Stefan A. Shirley
First Lieutenant, TC

11 Sep 2006
Once again the time is just flying by as we reach our one year mark for deployment and six month mark in Iraq. I never thought when I got the phone call that a year and a half would feel so long. We’ve had a number of our Soldiers go home to visit family and friends for leave over the course of the past six months. Some of the travels back home have been very positive with child births and weddings where others have had to make an unscheduled return home for deaths of loved ones. Although they are a fact of life, they are tough situations to deal with while being overseas in a war zone.

The harsh climate has been slowly easing up on our bodies as well. There seems to be a slight heat decrease as the daytime temperatures are now at less than 110 degrees Fahrenheit cooling off to a seemingly cold 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the late evening hours. There is talk of the rain season quickly approaching too. This could be a good thing but from what I was told by others the rain does nothing but sit on the surface of the ground and causes mud puddles and mosquitoes. I was hoping to miss the Iowa mosquito season this year.

Our trucks and our drivers are the true heroes out here. They run day in and day out without much relief. The tasks that they perform are so demanding and it’s sometimes tough to keep up with the workload but they manage. They recently got a cable line installed in the tents so at any time in the evening you will see a number of televisions on with racing, football, and whatever movie AFN is playing that night. I haven’t personally gotten out buying a television and I don’t think that I will either. They are just to big to lug around over here and I don’t know that I would spend all that money on a T.V. that I wouldn’t be able to send back home without a hefty cost.

We’ve really enjoyed receiving the packages that you are sending to us. I find myself saying thank you more and more to strangers all over the United States who treat us like they do their own children. I can’t tell you how exciting it is to open a package from the other side of the world. If you are looking for anything else to send out to our troops I can give you some ideas. Any newer movie is great and there is nothing wrong with getting rid of your older movies to us. We don’t have anything like blockbuster here and some of us haven’t seen a movie in ages. We would love to take them or a copy of them off of your hands. The snacks are going well too. They like anything that they can’t get here and that is just about everything except for chips. Since they are working in the shop or on the road things that they can just nibble on are great. I will also say that the books on CD are a hit. We love them! I try to grab one if I can before they get them so I can listen to a book too. Otherwise they are doing well.

Please know that I can’t thank you all enough for the great gifts that you’ve sent thus far. Our unit is greatly appreciative. If you write and you just want to get a copy of our newsletter I will put you on the list as well. Just let me know and I will keep you informed as to what is going on with us. Again, thank you and take care of the home front for us. We’ll be back in a few months!!!

I’ve attached a picture of the sunrise in Al Asad as the Marine helicopters flew by.

Stefan A. Shirley
First Lieutenant, TC

01 Aug 2006

It’s hard to believe that the month of July has come and gone already!!! Time does fly, even when it’s not so fun.

Our company continues to work hard and provide support to the 133rd Infantry Battalion. Our motor pool has been going over some renovations in the past couple of weeks and will see even more changes in the next couple of weeks. We’re moving our Company TOC to the motor pool and our mechanics are going to finally get some concrete under their feet to work on. They will still have the tents overhead but it’s one step closer to make work a bit better.

If you haven’t heard the news, Al Asad has received a new dining facility that is said to be the second largest, next to Sadam’s palace in Baghdad. It’s like eating at the food court of the mall…but not the famous Pizza, Chinese, or A&W food stands. Either way, the new facility is a great improvement and is very close to our company motor pool.

Thank you all for continuing to send the great food and magazine items. Talking with the troops about what they would like, I got this response. “Anything that we can’t get here.” I know, that doesn’t limit the gift items but the freeze pops have been a big treat as well as all other fun food items. The movies have been getting passed around to everyone in the company and the books on CD are a hit!

Again, thank you for everything that you send us. We love to hear from you and I will do my very best to email you back if you send me your email address!!! Thank you and God bless.

Stefan A. Shirley

10 Jul 2006
As the days go by we find that we have been able to accomplish so many missions as a unit. With the continued support from our friends at anysoldier.com we have been able to give letters, pictures, magazines, and a number of packages to our troops. I love reading the letters from all of our supporters. We are all very busy but I make it one of my priorities to email ALL of our supporters.

Please continue to send our troops snacks of all kinds, letters, and anything else that you feel they could use. We were recently lucky enough to receive a donation of three Peavey acoustic guitars and I am working hard to give as many lessons as I can. If anyone has some guitar magazines (Guitar One, Guitar World, Guitar One Acoustic, etc) I would gladly accept them. Attached is a picture of me (with glasses) and one of our platoon leaders as we stumble through some songs.

I also send out a newsletter to all of our supporters so if you want to be added…just add your email address to your letter. Thank you for all of your support. We appreciate everything that you do!!!

Stefan A. Shirley

11 Jun 2006

Once again…”Thank You” from all of us in Iraq!!! Looking at the picture from last month I noticed that there weren’t many people at the movie. That has changed!!! Last night was movie night and we had about twice as many there. We have a slew of personnel from the Army, Navy, and the Marines gathering in our area. It’s really kind of nice.

       We continue to provide our support to the rest of the Battalion with maintenance and recovery assets. We have even begun our leave this month and that is a real bonus for many!

       Please continue to send our troops the great things that you have been; magazines, snacks (of all kinds), movies, and anything else you can think of. Know that if you write us or send anything that I will do my best to email you so send me an email address if you would like to know more about what we are doing. Thank you once again!!! Attached is a picture of a sunrise from our base. There is some beauty from this place!

Stefan A. Shirley
First Lieutenant, TC

22 May 2006
Hello again from Iraq!!!

We continue to gain support from all the wonderful people in the states! Thank you! Your kindness is NEVER unnoticed and we thank you every time we get a package.

It’s starting to get a bit warmer out here. The temperature has finally made it to the 100°F mark and drinking water has never been so nice until now. We continue to work early in the morning, throughout the day, and up to the late evening hours. Long hours equals less time to miss home! We have built a mail shack for our company where we store many of the treats that we receive. Therefore, if someone is not getting mail they know that they can stop in and grab a treat and possibly a letter from someone back home.

Please continue to send great treats, magazines, books on CD, and any other items that you can think of. We have plenty of coffee now and should last at least six months with our supply. Ice Pops seem to be a cool treat during the hot summer months and are an inexpensive snack for the Soldiers; however, anything that you want to send is great!!!

Attached is a picture of our movie area. We set up a piece of plywood, painted it white, and use the projector to show the movie. The first night we had about 20 people attend and the numbers are getting larger. One of the Navy personnel has a microwave and pops some of the popcorn that you have sent. We even have some of the Marines show up to our weekend movie nights. Saturday we were disrupted by a sand storm but we will continue our weekend movie nights as long as we can.

Thank you again for all of your support. We will continue the fight from here…please keep up the support from across the ocean!

Stefan A. Shirley
First Lieutenant, TC
Executive Officer, F Company / 134th BSB

01 May 2006
For all of the support that you have brought…I can only thank you from the bottom of my heart. There are many of you that are sending things that have only brought smiles from our troops. The first time I took in the packages, they were beside themselves and were so excited that people…real people back home cared enough to send them things. Please keep up the support!!! It IS appreciated thousands of miles away.

Update: Things are going well here. We have seen some things that we are definitely not used to seeing and the convoys have proved what we already knew; that is that we are ready for this mission and that it will only take time to get through this battle before we make it home to our families and friends. Our morale is always high and the support back home will only cause the morale to climb.

Many of you understand that I can not address each and every one of you individually and I thank you for understanding. I will do my best to update this site and add pictures when I can. Also, some of you have asked about items to send in addition to movies on DVD, books on CD, popcorn, magazines, and coffee…Well, here is an update from the Soldiers. Many of them have requested more junk food; however, I would like to add that some of these guys don’t need junk food too much. I would suggest beef jerky, dried fruit, nuts, etc. Unlike America, we have all the water we can drink for FREE and we are supplied with Crystal Light packets as well as Gatorade so drinks are not needed unless you have something different from the two mentioned.

There is also a request for anyone who may be able to get a donation from Best Buy or Wal-Mart on the digital cameras that have a docking station that prints pictures. I know they are a couple hundred dollars but I know that there are some very generous store managers out there who would love to help. I would like to be able to get some camera to the troops so they can take pictures, print them off, and send them home. Not all of them have email address and are near a computer back in Iowa.

Really, all the support that you have given is second to none and I can’t thank you enough. Please, keep it up and remember us in your prayers as we continue to fight for freedom across the globe.

Thank you and God bless!

Stefan A. Shirley

15 Apr 2006
We are a small unit of a troops from all over the state of Iowa. We have been on active duty since 21 Sep 05 and finally arrived at Al Asad to start our mission.
My goal as the XO is to ensure that all of your Soldiers come home safely and have as few problems as possible in the time that we are here.
Our unit is an FSC (Forward Support Company). We have some mechanics, drivers, and even some infantry men.
Although for the most part they are all happy, I would love to get extra items to them that don't have as much as well as get additional items to the rest of the company who work so hard and ask for so little.
I am trying to get a movie area set up and am in need of DVD movies. I want the Soldiers to be able to laugh even when there are bombs going off in the area earlier in the days. Music always makes the troops smile and a number of them have the iPod and share music all the time so music CDs would be great.
Not all of them read but they have said that if we had books on tape they would listen to them rather than read. We would just need them to be on CD because that is all we can play.
We would also love to read magazines. Runners world, Fitness Magazine, Discovery, Time, Newsweek, Science magazines, and even guitar magazines. We have a few who are trying to learn to play the acoustic guitar as well.
Although we all eat well, popcorn would be a great treat. We have two microwaves in the office and anyone can use them at anytime.
Oh, I almost forgot. Since most of us come from a farm, we know what good coffee is and it is something that we don't see often. I have some name brand coffees that my family has sent us but it will only go so far. If we could get some other whole bean coffee, we would make great use of it!!!
From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank all of you who support us. This is a tough job for all of us to be away from our families and not know what the next day will bring us.
Thank you again!!!