I would like to extend a public Thank You to the OSO staff. I am currently working for a contractor in Iraq on some oil pipeline reconstruction as the office manager. We are working on a project in the middle of nowhere. We have absolutely nothing to do on our free time. No TV, no radio, no rec facility, no women NO NOTHING! The only forms of entertainment we have are the phone and internet connection and the occasional rocket or mortar attack. Internet is heavily filtered and censored though, no porn, gambling or dating sites allowed. All the ones we really want! We can't get out of our camp without military escorts and armed body guards so we are stuck here inside the concrete blast proof walls until the job is over. Don't feel sorry for me though I knew the risks and what to expect when I came over here. Six months out of work will make you do things you never dreamed you would have done. The money is good and will allow me to keep everything going at home for a year or more when I get back while I look for another job. I hope to be home before the end of the summer and get in a little boating. I do get a bit of a boating fix sometimes as we are on the Tigris river and have a small work boat to use to get across. It is OK but not the same as running around Lake Travis on the Formula!

Anyway, I was having some trouble with my membership not working correctly and when I explained the problem to OSO via e-mail they wrote me a nice response and upgraded me to a platinum membership for service to our country. Although this was not necessary as I was willing to upgrade myself if that was required, I am grateful for the bump up and would like to take this oppotunity to express my thanks. Now everything is working like it should and I can spend my free time on OSO checking out pictures and reading the forums. I just wanted to let everyone know that this gesture was made and appreciated. The board operators are first class in my book and I thought a pat on the back for them was in order. Thanks again OSO!

Great job by OSO on recognizing your service

Good for you and watch your azz!

Send us an address and we will send you copies of the Talkoffshore.com shows. PM me here on OSO.

Thanks for all the work you do.

Drew, Kell, Ted and Martin

Good job, OSO.

Mike, keep your head down and come back safe!

Stay safe.

You are very welcome.

We were afraid to mention the uncensored section in case someone looks over your shoulder at your e-mails. Please be careful and hope to see you back on the waters in the USA soon.

I saw THIS and thought about you guys over in Iraq. Hope none of this applies to you, but if one point helps even a little, it is at least worth a read. To those of us back here safe and boating, the reality there is pretty hard to comprehend. Stay safe and get back soon.