Click on either photo to enlarge view:
Robert A. Gearhart with failed 80mm rocket	Robert A. Gearhart in post-blast investigation

Happy New Year January 2, 2004:   I just wanted to take a moment and wish all my brothers and sisters a Happy New Year from Baghdad. Business continues to "boom". The roadside bombs seemed to have slowed down--until Christmas. They continue to be a constant source of work for us, either in a render safe capacity, or doing post blast investigations. The mortar and rocket attacks seemed to have died down also, but, the insurgents had a very spectacular fireworks demonstration on New Year's Eve. We even had an 8-year-old boy pop one of our trucks with a pistol a couple of weeks ago. Now, where is the justice, when you can't even trust the street urchins? I have enclosed a couple of pictures for the photo album. One is from a post blast investigation that injured several soldiers, the other is taking care of an 80mm rocket that was launched at the base. The rocket failed to function. I hope the New Year finds everyone happy and healthy back home. I am looking forward to rotating back home, and going back to work someplace where less people shoot at us. Happy Holidays, and best wishes . . .   ROBERT A. GEARHART, MSgt, USAF EOD Craftsman, 447 EOD Baghdad International Airport DSN 318-453-0707

Merry Christmas

December 12, 2003

Hello firefighting brothers, I hope you are enjoying the Christmas season. Just a line to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year. I am stationed in the northern area of Iraq taking care of business checking possible device.

Fraternally,
Santiago T. Garcia (included two photos below)

Name: Dan Stevens
E-Mail: JayDeeFF@aol.com
To: Bob Gearhart
Date: Monday, January 05, 2004
Message: Hey "Una-Bobber", just read a few of your messages on the union board. Just want to send a note to say, "Hi" and "Happy New Year". If you need anything done here at home or sent to you just let me know. Take care and get home in one "peace".

Dan Stevens

Happy Thanksgiving! From our own Firefighter in Baghdad.

I just wanted to take the time to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. We are having a partial down day, but will probably be busy just like most days. Back in Baghdad, having a "blast".

We are spending a lot of our time either cleaning up messes or handling roadside bombs. We are responsible for about 5 miles all around the airport. In a nutshell, business has been booming.

Thank you for all the support I have gotten during my deployments, and I plan on being back on shift NLT the end of April.

Happy Holidays,
Bob Gearhart
FF 11A 447 EOD
Baghdad International Air Port.
Member Local 624

E-Mail: blueeyes6825@aol.com
To: Master Sergeant Gearhart
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2003
Time: 12:17 AM
Message: Thank you for all you do. Not only on the military front, but also the firefighter front. There are not a lot of folks like you.

Message: I recently returned home from active duty at Fort Carson, CO. Thank you for having the courage and the sense of duty to stand up and be counted among those who defend the cause of freedom. America and your brother reservists and National Guardsmen and women appreciate the sacrifice you and your family are making. Keep up the good work and we all pray for a safe and speedy return to your loved ones.

Edward Dextraze CPT
Texas Army National Guard

Message: Thank you for all you do. My family and I pray for your safe return and hope you will be with your families soon.

Larry

Message: May God bless you and keep you safe. We all pray for your safe return.

Yolanda and Fernando Tadefa
Station 20

Message: Hey darling! It is great to see your face on this Web page. We miss you soooooo much! We are all here in Vernon Hills, Illinois. It is a great place, cool weather, but there is no place like home. You are always in my (our) thoughts and prayers. Hurry home because we all love and miss you more than you will ever realize.

Love,
Michelle

Message: This is an update on the "Reservists" lawsuit Local 624 is forwarding on your behalf. Things are going extremely well. The City of San Antonio has of course appealed their whipping they received in Federal Court. The good news is that every day we are a little closer to victory in the courts on your behalf. Stay strong and safe.

Message: I was surprised to see your name while searching information regarding a relative, Gral. Juan Andrew Almazan, are you related to him? I hope you are back home soon and fine. I will be praying for you all.

Date: June 21, 2003
Time: 05:48 AM

Being in downtown Baghdad is a sobering experience. Destroyed tanks line the streets, our sector contains vast quantities of ordnance items that were discarded or abandoned by Iraqi troops, or deployed by us. Snipers are a constant threat, and we are getting shot at several times a day as we are collecting the left over ordnance. Poverty, heat, and snipers seem to be the only constant companions other than ourselves off of Baghdad International Air Port. It is not hard to realize why we are here. I hope to rotate home by the middle of August. Thank you for your support, you will never know how much it means to not be forgotten over the last 21 months.

Master Sergeant Robert Gearhart

Message: This is for all you guys and gals that are far from home on this Father's Day. We know you'd probably prefer to be here with your family and friends but, there's a job that needs doing and, you're doing it . . . quite well in fact.

Some back here in the States don't seem to get the reason you need to be far from home and dear ones but, know most do. And ironically it's the ones that don't get it that probably don't think about the sacrifice you are all making for us.

But, know that my family and I thank you and wish for you many safe and happy days to come with your loved ones . . . made safer by your duty today and happier by the time spent apart becoming a memory.

To the dad's out there . . . Happy Father's Day! To the rest (and the daddys too) may the good Lord watch over and protect you, keep you safe in His care and bring you home to those who would love and care for you always.

"Peace is not just the absence of conflict but, the presence of Justice." Justice is with you, and it's a good companion. Be well, be safe and take care.

Name: Art Guzman, Station 32 (24 Years)
E-Mail: firegoose32@hotmail.com
Date: Thursday, May 15, 2003
Time: 08:07 AM

Message: Keep up the good work, you are in our prayers. Come back safe!

Date: April 23, 2003
Time: 04:26 PM

Thank you. I appreciate the effort the local is making for me, as well as the messages. Have a wonderful day. I will send an e-mail once I get to my next duty assignment. Have a wonderful day, and enjoy NIOSA (A Night In Old San Antonio)!

Master Sergeant Robert Gearhart
Location not disclosed.

Name: Art Guzman, Station 32 (24 Years)
E-Mail: artguzman@safirefighters.com
Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2003
Time: 03:51 PM

Message: We are all proud of all of you guys. Keep up the good work; come back safe! All of you are in our prayers every day.

Name: Armando Fuentes
E-Mail: armandofuentes@safirefighters.com
Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2003
Time: 11:40 PM

Message: In this world there are many different people of all walks of life, but there is always a clear distinction, between those who propose peace and those who sacrifice for peace. Obviously you are the latter and it makes me proud that you are a firefighter and crusader for the peace which we all so dearly enjoy. God speed and return home safely.

The San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association
8925 I.H. 10 West • San Antonio, Texas 78230 • U.S.A.
Phone: 210.699.9400 • info@safirefighters.com
www.safirefighters.com

Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.