OT - Checking In

[North Bender]

Hello all,

I arrived in Afghanistan June 14 and it's taken a while to check in on the forum here.  It's good to see I have some reading to catch up on.  A big hello to all fans of the USFA brand - I don't see them where I'm at.  But if you're fans of the 9mm, .223, 7.62, 155mm, or 50-cal this is the place to be.

I'm living on a FOB (Forward Operating Base) near the Pakistan border.  Life is good, particularly if you don't mind hot weather.  Food is great.  My job is to move construction projects forward so I get out a bit to visit job sites.  That's not 100% safe, if you've been reading the news.  I can't post pictures  - the gov't computer won't let me link photos to web-hosting sites.  Maybe I'll email one or two to some contacts here to post.

Gary - I'll be paying myself back for this with a 2009 purchase.  It'll be special!  Got platinum grips?  That's sort of my carrot on the end of the stick here.

[Capt. John Fitzgerald]

NB,
Great to hear from you!!!  Hope all is going well and that you manage to keep out of harm's way.
When you get back to CONUS you will definately have to let me know.  We will have to get together out at DJ's and swap lies  .
Speaking of DJ's, I recently picked up a set of Colt, BP frame, SAA's that Bruce and Tina got in (4&3/4" - .45 - blue/cch).  Sent the frames off to Paul Persinger in Texas and had one-piece ivory grips made for them.  Beautiful ivory with caramel graining.  Next trip out there I think I will have them order a .45, 7 & 1/2", nickel plated USFA.  Colt may have the name but USFA has "out of the box" dependability.  Will probably send the USFA off to Elen Hunting for stag grips.  Nickel and stag - Hollywood!
Again, take care of yourself.  When do you expect to get back here to the Northwest Territories?
Capt. John