Happy Easter from Tallil. 

Jelly beans, chocolat eggs, hard-boiled eggs, carved fruit and decorations. The DFAC (dining facility something something) folks went all out for us today. Then a big box of candy arrived in the mail addressed to Shirley that she shared, so we have plenty of candy and even some to give to the Iraqi kids we meet on the jobs. 

Our Easter cake. 

Here is our project dejour, a firestation rebuild that was supposedly just a punch-list away from completion. Not so.  

The facade is looking good, but the inside has a long way to go. LT Keith on the right. 

Roy checks out the guard shelter on the roof of this fire station. It has a jack arch / I-beam ceiling that is very common here. What did they do for ceilings here before I-beam steel was introduced? 

Anton, the Iraqi Civil Defense Chief, LTs Rob and Keith inspect the roof. This job is going to need some more work. They put down a sticky tar called mastic between the 80cm concrete tiles. Rain is supposed to head for the scuppers if the clay soil layer under the tiles is graded correctly. 

Bicycles are a pretty common form of transportation here. This one belongs to an Iraqi fireman. Peewee Herman would be jealous. 

These kids saw our team on the roof and greeted us with waves and cheers from their schoolyard next door. 

We stop in to see our new firestation today. This is a big foundation with all the concrete mixed onsite. Our contractor sends some of the best daily reports I've seen in Iraq. Right next door, one of our new primary health care centers is starting up. 

This is a spread-footing foundation for a three story firestation we've been watching go up for the past month. We had at least a month of delicate negotiations over the site and layout of the station with the Iraqi Civil Defense Chief and the City Engineer. 

LTs Keith and Rob next to Justice Sector Manager Anton (pointing at me). This is about the spot where the fire pole will be installed. Anton is still steamed at the whole concept and afraid all the other fire stations will want one now. The Chief who really wanted the pole was just reassigned to Karbollah following the elections where some new officials have had an impact. 

Roy is going back to Ft. Bliss about the same time I am. We've been talking about a stopover in Frankfurt.  

This guy came by the site to sell the Iraqi traditional hot sweet tea to the construction crew. He engaged me with conversation and spoke English well.  

The tea guy and his kids come down to get their pictures taken. 

The tea guy's kids closeup, our fire station foundation in the background. 

The Easter Camel left this basket in my hooch this morning. Then I was off at quarter 'til six to the sunrise service.  

Bob waiting and trying to stay warm... 

Easter made our usual un-named string of long days special today. Hundreds of soldiers and civilians came out in the cold this morning for sunrise service at Abraham's house. For me, this was a once in a lifetime experience. 

Some of our folks went up on stage as we waited for the service to start. Left to right, the Captain of Tallil, Keith, Val, our DE, Jim and the Chaplin. 

Our perimeter was secured by soldiers who volunteered to come out early this morning. 

The service was delayed an hour for security reasons, and the crowd continued to build. 

When everyone showed up, the service had a Woodstock feel to, with weapons. 

Staying warm as the sun gets higher. 

The choir had been practicing inside the house of Abraham, voices reverberating in the brick courtyard, then came out to sing for us.