This is a retelling of news received over a couple of conference calls and a tinny cell phone speaker, so the story is only as true as the connection was reliable, which is to say 'sort of'.
Nate stayed "home" at Balad Airbase and festooned his hooch with a small Christmas tree and improvised decorations. On Christmas Eve he dined on prime rib and attended a candlelight service.
He worked Christmas morning -- I think he said he was sorting and distributing 'any soldier' mail. Christmas day the dining facilities (DFACs) competed for best decorations. Nate's DFAC had an 'O' scale model train set up with features made from colored grits and mountains made of broccoli -- or the connection was really bad and he said they had old brains with collard greens and fountains of brown collies. Either way, he feasted well that day. He also opened gifts he received and saved for Christmas day.
Christmas night he went to the PX (post exchange) in an attempt to access the WiFi for a webcam conference with us and Kay's extended family. Unfortunately, there was no signal. Uncle (Major in the Signal Corps) Roy blamed a technical issue that reduced capacity in southwest Asia. Nate blamed some idiot who likely flipped the wrong switch when closing the PX. Could be both.
War being nursemaid of expedients, he called my cell phone and we gathered around the speaker, disappointed to not to see him, but grateful to wish him a Merry Christmas!
After the call there was some debate on our end over whether he had moved to new quarters. With the connection fading in and out and the confusion of in-laws and out-laws gathered it wasn't clear. Maybe he can post a confirmation or correction when he posts some pictures he promised. (P.S. Katie confirms in comments below -- yes, he moved to new quarters.)
It also sounded like he was having some problem with his X-Box. Dear Lord, when will this war end so our dear Nate can rely on his X-Box once again? Maybe Inauguration Day.
Merry Christmas!
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