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Subject: Ben Hoffman’s Emails

October 4, 2004

Hey Everyone 

Well, I’m back to Iraq to finish out the rest of the 5 or 6 months I have left. R&R was awesome; I was able to see just about everyone which was a little bit of a hall but definitely worth it.  

I arrived back in the states on Sunday the 12th in Fargo where I was greeted by just about everyone it seems like. From Fargo we headed to Jamestown where more family was waiting. We sat around the whole night having a few drinks while I gave the family a little slide show of my experience in Iraq up to that point. My parents, sister and I hung around Jamestown for a few days then headed to Henry.  

From Henry I went strait to Brookings. WOW do I miss college!!!!!!!!!!!! It was nice to hang out with my friends and have some fun. We mainly hung out at the apartments but I made my way up to the bars about twice, plus that Saturday we went tailgating which was crazy.  

That next week I spent just chilling out with my parents in Henry. On that Thursday I gave a slide show presentation to the JR’s and SR’s of Henry high school, followed by leading the Henry homecoming parade which was a honor.  

Saturday my family and I went to the cities to catch the Vikings, Bears game .... unfortunately for my checkbook!  I think I found a new hobby once I get back, the  game was an experience all of its own, WOW!!!!!! Plus, while I was in the cities I caught up with some more family.  

I spent the last 2 days in Fargo; I flew out at 5 am Tuesday. Each flight took about 24 to 28 hrs total, both ways were a little bit long and the fact that I was anxious and nervous just added to it. I’m really thankful that I was able to go on R & R. Some of the guy in the battalion may not be able to make it home because we may not receive enough slots in time.  

Once I got back to Iraq I had half a day off to get in the swing of things. While I was gone I was switched to a different road team. Now I’m on a team with one of the guys I real don’t mix well with but so far we have been getting along great, in fact it’s been a great chance to work out our differences and to get to understand each other a little better.

My Brigade is slowly going to start moving to the new camp about mid month…..I’m really not looking forward to it but it’s probably for the best considering right now we live on top of ground that floods pretty bad during the rainy season, which is right around the corner. The other good thing about moving to the new camp is we’ll have trailers to live in.  Also there is a pizza hut right in the camp.  

I’m not sure if my mailing address is going to change because of the move but where we pick up the battalion mail now is at the camp were moving to. I have a feeling that these last months are going to go pretty good, everyone seems to be in a great mood mainly due to the fact were on the down hill slide and everything over here seems to be pretty calm right now violence wise.  

I really need to get to sleep, still not use to the 5:00am wake up thing yet so I’m a little tired. I hope all is well back home ... everything is going great as usual here.  

Later,
Benny

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