Dear Mr. and Mrs. Isfeld
How are you? Hope all is well. Don't worry I am taking care of your
"punker." Looking forward to the cookies, the tole-house ones, and the ones
you used to make when Mark was little, remember, the ones with the raisins
and stuff. Well take care.
Yours truly
Brian "Weasel Gauthier
The above is from my buddy Brian. I named him Weasel when he got his
hair cut. We have become great friends. We do a lot of work together and
strangely we always end up in the same work group or even in ranks. He is
directly in front marching or in drill. When we get to Chilliwack we are
hoping we can manage to go fishing with you if we get enough time off to
make the trip or if you have the time you could pick us up. We'll pay gas
and lunch (Macdonald s.) Us inferiors don't get paid much. I'll be
clearing about $230 every pay, but that's fine. I didn't join the service
for the money. I feel that sense of pride already, one that sets me apart.
Like a man who is part of his country.
Anyway as you can see it's hard for me to stay on a subject long. So
much goes on in so little time. I love it but God damn! It would be nice
to get off this base for a day. Weasel and I are always looking at the
boats offshore and talking about fishing. He talks about it all the time.
Believe it or not I m writing in the dark from the light off the exit sign.
It's quiet in here tonight. Usually there are people coughing, farting,
snoring, you name it - talking in their sleep.
My Cornwallis Hack is gone, well almost. It is a vile, terrible cold
that Cornwallis seems to be famous for. Everyone gets it at least once.
And nobody feels sorry for you. The NCO s still drive you to the limit.
I wish I had done this years ago. Well, I ll write a bunch of letters
this weekend seeing how I ll be confined to barracks again.
Is there anything I can send you? Mom spoon? Dad lighter? They say
Cornwallis. Let me know if you think of anything you want from this end.
Please send only nice words. Right now the smallest article I receive in
the mail spells more work. But you could send canned fish, or cookies.
I love you
Please both write. It surely is good to get mail. Bad when you don't.
If you send some fish just two would be nice. I don't expect to share it
with the whole squad but Weasel would freak.
I love you
Your son the
Lean mean fighting machine.
P.S. I hope this makes some sense.
exerpts from Mark's letters while in Kuwait on his first tour.
. . . I didn't sleep very well last night. I had a lot of dreams. . . .I
actually was a little cool last night and had to put a blanket sort of over
me. It was pleasant. Another highlight is shower time because the water is
cool and the wind is always blowing, (you don't need a towel), and it gives
you a shiver. I never thought a shiver could be such an enjoyable thing!. .
. I'm supposed to get a three-hour ride on a helicopter today! I'm going
to Saudi Arabia to pick up vehicles. It will be a good chance to take some
air photos. And see more of this dust bowl. I have some mine training to
attend so I ll continue ---- I went to Saudi Arabia. I'll tell you all
about it next letter cause the mails going out. . . We get to one of the
check stops at the Saudi-Kuwaiti border and there were two little kids
waving Kuwaiti flags out of the window, so we tried to buy the flags; but no
way! And it cost me a Yankee buck! Anyway, the kids were really friendly
and seemed very happy to have our attention. They just laughed and laughed.
I didn't notice at first a woman sitting there. She was dressed in black,
and had a veil that showed only her eyes. I couldn't see her cause it was
dark and she was turned away to hide. When she finally looked at me, it was
the strangest thing!
Apparently they aren't supposed to make eye contact with other men besides
their husband. She locked eyes with me for about ten seconds. I guess
curiosity got the best of her. I couldn't read her eyes, but it was a very
strange look!!. . . The Arabs are, without a doubt, the worst drivers on
the face of the earth!! Maniacs! I was more worried about making it back
alive in that truck than I could be in any minefield. We were on a two-lane
highway, and they seemed to think it is four.
They drive fast and pass you right when there is traffic oncoming. I saw
five vehicles abreast on a two-lane road and travelling at 70 - 80 miles per
hour. One second you check your rear view mirror- - nothing- -next minute
an Arab is up your ass, I mean maybe two feet away. . . Again a day to
remember. We went to Ummqasar to the hovercraft site. On the way there, we
drove
through the killing field, and it stunk! stunk! Of death. A most terrible
stench as you can imagine. The destruction was awesome close up. Tanks,
APCs, cars, trucks, full of holes, piled up, burned, upside down -- unreal!!
Wait until you develop the pictures! The battlefield and destruction went
from Kuwait city right to Iraq. I also got to see the burning oil fields
even closer than before; it makes you really sick to see it. I counted 68
wells in one and 52 in another, and those are just what you can see on the
outside because of the smoke!
We drove through one of the refugee camps and it was terrible. But
all the little kids came running and waved. All the people seemed really
happy to see us. The little kids run top speed in bare feet!! Over glass
and rocks and metal!! They wave and laugh hysterically, it's a good
feeling, and like being in a parade that is miles and miles long. The kids
in Iraq I felt more sorry for cause they are not in a good way, living in
decrepit buildings with garbage everywhere and they are starving. We were
throwing our rations to them. It was quite a sight as they would ask us for
food, pointing to their mouth or stomach but still all smiles. They wanted
our water as much as food. There were two little boys who came out that we
gave some food to. Very good feeling until he went back to the crowd. Some
other children chased the crap out of him to take it. He had bare feet and
seemed to have fared very well last glimpse I had. I hope he got home
alright, I m sure he was taking it home to share with his family.. . . I saw
a little boy being pulled by his brother on a makeshift cart. The little
boy had no legs. Also there were kids on crutches all over, and bandaged
kids missing feet and arms. It's no wonder. A little boy about eight years
old came up to a guy when we were clearing an area and he was all smiles
holding a live grenade!
Buddy snatched it from him and told him as best he could not to touch
anything.. . . Not much to report today. We were supposed to leave for Iraq
or Iran, not sure exactly which, to pick up about 100 vehicles at noon, and
as it turns out we leave at three in the morning.
Well, just this minute a sergeant came by and said we won't be leaving
at all: Too many people heading this UN business, they don't seem to know
their bum hole from a hole in the ground; I wish they would get it together
and get some definite things going.
Some Americans arrived at our place here in Doha. They were bringing
large semi trailers loaded with food for us. It's funny how helpful the
Americans are being. As soon as we are established - the UN - they can go
home.. . . They don't want us to feed the refugee kids anymore,
because they fight over the food and beat the shit out of each other. Also
they crowd too close to our trucks and they say if we were to run down a
kid, the women would gouge our eyes out. . .
Mark Isfeld May 02 1991
(Card made out of cereal box as they had no supplies).
Happy Mother's Day
Mom!
No rain!
No snow!
No sleet!
Just dust and desert heat;
No matter how my brain gets burned
I wont forget
The most important thing I ve learned
I love you
With "warm" thoughts
Mark of Arabia.. . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Isfeld
. . . May 22 91 Today is my 5th year in the army. It was marked by an
eye opening trip to a refugee camp. In this camp they moved half the people
to Iran. So our job was to, believe it or not, clear it. I was shocked at
the amount of rockets, mortars, artillery shells and grenades. I was
driving a pickup and it was nearly full. We blew some grenades but there
was just too much so we stored it in a trench. You'll see pictures of both.
Little kids were bringing us mortars, grenades and rockets. We kept
telling them to stop but they won't listen. They want our attention so
badly. One little boy came up to me and poked me in the chest and said
"Merica ?,
Merica"? I said "no, Canada" and he proudly walked around to the rest of
our guys saying "Canada," "Canada" and shaking their hand. It was a
disgusting place. There were frames of sticks where people had been
building whatever kind of shelter they could.
All of them ask for water or food. One little boy dragged himself up
and looked into my window and looked inside. He saw my book and said
"letter," "letter" and wanted it. I told him he could have it when I was
done, but he really only wanted it because it was shiny. There were
people in bad shape all over and some guys said they saw some bodies. . .
One little boy walked up to a guy and said "Mista my mudda die."
I saw a bunch of kids on the road fighting, just slugging it out.. . .
. . . I made about 30 trips back and forth through Ummqasar. And I m sick
and tired of driving past little kids begging for water and food. You can't
give because you'd have a riot.. . Often they throw rocks at us.. . . Today
was a nice day. Cool, only about 95. I drove to Doha to pick up a truck.
While I was there, I checked into the mail, still none. I also looked into
whether or not we will be able to use the Yankee mail. First they told us
we could use it then I went over one day to mail a parcel and they said no.
It might look bad politically! Bullshit!!
I also checked into the pay office about what, if any, danger pay
we'll get. None. That's final. More bullshit. . . When I got to the Iraq
border, one of the border guards stopped me and meekly asked if I could give
him something to eat, but I didn't have any rations at all. I asked him if
he would like a bottle of water and he gratefully accepted. It made me feel
kind of sorry for him even if he was the enemy. I'm here on a peacekeeping
mission and all soldiers have an affinity for hardship.
I said to some fellows, that if these people ever had a chance to see
what it's like in the west, they'd skin Saddam alive!
. . .After what I ve seen, people better be careful when they complain
about a lack of something, or say "I need." We take far too much for
granted. I know I ve seen looks on some little children's faces I ll never
forget.. . . . .
Mark Isfeld Letter to Ken Johnson, Penpal
Doha Kuwait
Aug 01 91
Dear Ken!
I'm sure you have been watching the mail and were beginning to wonder
if your time and letter went unappreciated. On the contrary, all letters
that were sent as a result of the article you read in the newspaper were
wonderful. It is seldom that we in the Canadian Forces see the
approval of the citizens of Canada. More often, we see the negatives, like
people wanting to cut budgets, close bases, or cut personnel. I think that
if we got more press and the people felt more a part of us we would have the
kind of support that ensures a soldier that someone cares about
the sacrifices we all make....... Thank You!
This tour has been a "BIG" part in my life, opening my eyes to things
I never imagined. I'm not sure how interested you would be in my personal
experiences so I'll only go into it briefly.
There are signs of the war everywhere; From bombed out buildings to
vehicles strung from one end of this country to the other. It seems that
everywhere you look there are bullets of every size, Mortars, Rockets,
artillery pieces, bomblets, rocket projectile grenades, tank rounds
et.al on the sides of the road loose and even in crates.
I'm sure you saw the pictures of the road leading out of Kuwait city.
Well, it is even more "unreal" in real life. It has been half cleaned up
now but it still boggles the mind!
The people, Iraqis and Kuwaitis, are very, very friendly toward us,
although some of the small children in Ummqasar, a small town in Iraq, throw
stones at us. I believe this is mostly because when we first came here we
gave them rations and then were told to stop.
It is very hot here. I'm sure you know the numbers, but to actually feel
it is something else! We had two days in the southern sector that went to
64 degrees Celsius. To add to the discomfort the wind howls constantly
spraying dust and sand into eyes and ears. The sand gets into everything;
Food, clothes, equipment. Also the wind sucks the moisture out of the body.
We drink nine or ten litres of water a day, ( Which sometimes is so warm you
can make coffee in it ), and only use the washroom once! The temperature
seems to average about 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
We get many small creatures that bless us with their presence;
Scorpions, Camel spiders, ants, fleas, dogs, even camels and donkeys.
I just came back here from leave in Canada last week and I will never take
for granted again our beautiful country. I noticed the sweet smelling air
the most, and I stood out in the rain and walked barefoot in the grass.
Truly we are blessed. I feel so sorry for the people here. They are so
ignorant, scratching out an existence from the dust while their leaders
spend all their money on Arms.
We just returned today from the northern most outpost in Iraq. It
was like travelling on the moon. We were in an area where seven million
people died during the Iran - Iraq War. A wasteland; Devastated; evidence
of war very acute. Many huge junk yards of military vehicles and tanks. I
even saw two vehicle - mounted missiles but didn't have my camera ready!
I picked you up an Iraqi helmet in this area. As well I have a lot
of Iraqi and Kuwaiti police badges and cap badges to send you. I will get
some stickers then send you a parcel that I hope pleases you. Send me some
instant cameras. I'm not sure how much more opportunity I will have to send
the type of pictures you requested. ( We were just told not to take pictures
in the demilitarized zone ) but that will not stop me I assure you! A lot
of the stuff is being cleaned up fast. If I find I can't get good pictures
for you, I will augment yours with some of mine. "No sweat!"
The day before I went on leave, the American ammo dump beside us
exploded. It gave me a taste of real life disaster and an idea of what
combat must sound like. There was one or two killed and about fifty
injured. We set up a medical inspection room in our junior ranks mess and
helped them out as best we could.
There are a million stories and experiences I could write about, but
I fear I've probably run on enough. So many thoughts It's hard to put them
down in any sensible order.
I'll tell you a little about me, past and present. I was born in
Zweibrucken, Germany. My father was in the Air Force for thirty some years.
I grew up in Nova Scotia. As you can probably tell, I went only to grade
nine, and then I spent three years in trade school. I took welding and I
did very well at it. I worked for five years in both Manitoba and Alberta.
I found no job security with my trade choice, although I never had any
problem getting a job I just found myself starting over again all the time.
I was working when I decided to join the army, something I always wanted to
do. I have no regrets.
One of the reasons I chose to reply to your letter was I believe
we share similar interests. I, although not as learned a man as you, have
always loved history of all types. All the books I read are historical in
one way or another, from ancient to my favourite stories of the pioneers and
fur traders. I also am a collector. I have many beautiful antiques from my
bottle collection to old papers and other items of interest. I'm sure we
would have a lot to talk about.
I will turn 29 in two weeks and I will be married on the 20 December. I
have no children although my fiancee has two wonderful kids. She is a
little older than I - and American so you see I shop in the USA also!
We have plenty of reading material here so don't trouble yourself. If you
wish you could send a couple of cans of Chef Boyardee or the like. We get
very sick of eating MRE's ( Meal Ready to Eat )
Tell me more about yourself and your interests. I'm interested. It may
help to let me know what sort of mementos you would like. I only guessed
when I nabbed the helmet.
Forgive my writing. I hope it doesn't pose too much trouble or
boredom. I truly thank you for taking the time to write. It was a good
thing to do. You can be looking for a parcel I'm sure you'll like.
Sincerely thanks
Cpl Mark Isfeld
On to part 5
Back to part 3