The best Christmas gift
this year: a phone call

By Diane Villano
Times Staff Writer

Note: Army National Guard Specialist Rob Portone, 19, a Northeast resident, arrived in Iraq earlier this year. Reporter Diane Villano, in ongoing reports, is taking a look at Portone’s wartime experiences through e-mail communications with the soldier, when the network is operational, and interviews with his family.

Barbara Portone got the best Christmas present she could have hoped for.
In a Dec. 26 e-mail, she wrote:
Rob managed a call Christmas morning . . . it was about 8 p.m. his time. He had to work most of the day so he missed most of the Christmas excitement on base. He made it back in time for dinner though. He said they had anything and everything they wanted to eat. Turkey, ham, roast beef, crab legs, mashed potatoes, stuffing, etc. His favorite present was a Flyers jersey that his aunt and uncle sent to him! We knew it would be, so we put it at the very bottom of the box! Christmas was a little bit of a downer without him home, so we all agreed that we’re going to do next Christmas up with a bang.
Spc. Portone also told his mother that he loved the Christmas cards he received from the children that his grandmother, a Bridesburg crossing guard, crosses. Her son added that it has been quiet over there, that there was nothing exciting to report. He said that was good news compared to how crazy it was when he first arrived in Iraq.
Spc. Rob Portone, who is stationed with B-Troop 1/104th Cavalry in Ramadi, isn’t the only member of his family getting attention these days. His beloved dog Nikki now has her very own blog.
According to Barbara Portone, her soldier son gave strict instructions not to paint Nikki’s nails or dress her up while he was overseas. As evidenced by the photo on the B-Troop Family Readiness Group Web site, his family paid him no heed.
In a recent phone call home, Spc. Portone told his mother that he saw Nikki’s blog and that he thought his dog was very well-spoken.
"He wasn’t as mad as I thought he would be. In fact, he’s looking forward to seeing what else his dog has to say," Barbara Portone said, adding that she sees a New Year’s Eve lampshade on Nikki’s head. ••
Nikki, donning a Santa’s hat, and with painted nails, is pictured atop a page dedicated to her blog, Nikki’s Ramblings, at http://Mnav.bravejournal.com/
Reporter Diane Villano can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dvillano@phillynews.com