August 17, 2003

Greeting from the Horn of Africa. This is Brigadier General Mastin Robeson, and today is Sunday 17 August. It is 10:45 in the morning Eastern Standard Time.

Today is hot and… well hot. Yesterday was a very unusual set of circumstances. It rained most of the day. The local Djiboutians say they have never seen it do this, especially in August. It was quite the treat for us to see overcast skies and a steady rain. No one here was complaining.

The new Deputy Commander is on board. His name is Brigadier General Craig Broadwater and he is a Special Forces Officer from West Virginia. We are delighted to have him as part of the team. We have completed our surveys and veterinary programs in Kenya, and we have begun a school project here in Djibouti. You may have seen in the news that there have been several arrests in Kenya over the past two weeks. That is good news for the War on Terrorism. I am told that a Family Day picnic is being planned in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. It is open for all who are part of the efforts out here and certainly should be assessable for those of you who reside in eastern North Carolina. Check the CJTF homepage for more information.

Thank you for your continued letters and e-mails, both have become the highlight of the day for us. The biggest thing you continue to do is to tell us that you love us, that you are 100% behind us, that you are proud of us, and that you can’t wait for us to come home.

If you check the CJTF homepage you can find copies of this and past phone messages, family newsletters, pictures, articles about what we are doing out there, and the Camp Lemonier Newspaper. The Homepage can be found at www.cjtfhoa.centcom.mil. Thank you for your continued support. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and God bless you.

The Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa Commander's message and information line is available toll free at 1-866-360-3775 or Camp Lejeune area 1-910-451-2222.