January 17, 1991 It was the end.
Back up 4 months: Saddam had just invaded Kuwait in August of 1990.
We were working for Aramco is Saudi Arabia. Most American families were in the States for their annual repatriation since school was out. Many of the men returned to Arabia without their families due to the uncertainty of what was to follow. Main Camp was rather desolate when driving down the street in our home-away-from-home town. Took awhile for the U.S. Military to begin arriving in large numbers but in they came and what took place was rather interesting.
Many of the American employees were former military and they began to organize a group called "Desert Dogs". This group was to assist the US. Military any way they could. Meeting with Commanders a variety of events developed. Some actions were on the down-low, others were more like the USO's of old. Anything to help.
Families formed caravans on the weekends to take a bit of America out to the men in the desert. Bar-b-cue grills were hauled in trucks, battery operated radios that could play music, lots of homemade food, burgers and hot-dogs and appreciation was abundant on both sides.
From September to January families came together to host as many soldiers as possible in their homes. Supplying them with a warm shower, washed clothes, home cooked meals, and a call home. They didn't know we were there until they pulled up in front of a house that had green grass and an American family welcoming them in.
The memories that the families carry were precious and became even more precious when they received letters from some of the soldiers years later. Who knew that what we did would be so appreciated by these young soldiers. Little did they know how much we appreciated being able to do something for them.
