Bermudian soldier Jason DiGiacomo has been moved to a “hotter hot spot” and is training the Iraqi Civil Defence corps in northern Iraq.

Sgt. DiGiacomo, 22, has been in Iraq for about six months, and told his parents he would not be leaving until at least February or March.

“Last time we spoke he was obviously concerned because he's in an area where it's hot,” his father, retired US Army soldier Bob DiGiacomo told The Royal Gazette. “But he sounds like he's dealing with everything he needs to deal with.”

Sgt. DiGiacomo is with the 2/5th Field Artillery Battalion, now attached to the 82nd Airborne Division. He was training Iraqis to take care of their country, his father explained.

“He's pretty much doing an infantry/civil affairs job. He's definitely getting well educated over there.”

In a letter in September, Sgt. DiGiacomo described to his parents how the flies and mosquitoes were getting worse, despite the 130-degree temperatures starting to cool.

“The food's getting better but it's nothing like home cooked,” he wrote. “Pretty soon I'm going to have to bring out my winter gear.”

Sgt. DiGiacomo calls his parents on their cell phone, Mr. DiGiacomo said, and despite the high long-distance rates: “It's worth every penny”.

The DiGiacomos last spoke to their son last week, and the former MSA graduate has not been in Bermuda since Christmas of 2002.

“People ask me how's Jason and I say he's okay today,” said Mr. DiGiacomo. “We're glued to the TV every time we hear there's been a casualty and I search the Internet a lot, it seems a good source of information.

“How do we take it? I guess we're numb.”

The DiGiacomos have two other children living in the States. Either of them could be in a car accident any day, said Mr. DiGiacomo.

“We're just parents whose kids have left the nest.”

They thanked everyone praying for their son.

“People just need to remember, not forget. The war's not over by any bounds. We need to do whatever we need to do to keep everyone safe.”