Over There

Updates from the field! Kinda. OPSEC rules apply so there will be some editing, and posts will be delayed to prevent information concerning troop movement. But you’ll be able to see the periodic updates from Husband via me, the trusty internet correspondent. (And yes, he really does sign just about every email or message with “Me.” That’s not my editing.)

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MOST RECENT:

October 12, 2011:

Boots on Ground.

August 6, 2011:

Not a good day for SOF.

July 12, 2011:

Missed you. Missing you.  Made it back fine…long flight.  Counting the days until I get to come home…for good.

June 1, 2011:

I hope you are feeling better.   That was really nice of Big Dan, Blueberry and Dylan in the effort they made at our house. And thanks for the pic of the sunset…I really look forward to being in the bed enjoying a sunset again.  The only cool breeze you get over here is stepping into a freezer…even vehicle air conditioners blow hot air for about an hour. I Love You. Me.

May 28, 2011:

“A man’s country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.” – George William Curtis

I am honored and humbled to serve in the shadow of great warriors who understood this principle, offered everything to embrace that loyalty, and paid the ultimate price. Freedom is not free; it is earned, and it most certainly is not an entitlement.

May 1, 2011:

Hi Honey. Hope your travels home from DC went well. Sorry no Skype … been a bit busy. I better get back to work.

I love you, Me.

February 15, 2011:

I appreciate you.

I am thankful that you are a Godly woman, wife and mother. I am grateful that you chose to marry ME … and hang out with me for a long time. I am honored that you care as much as you do about me, our relationship and our children. I am hopeful that the remaining 2/3rds of my time away will go as quickly as the first third. I am glad you like peanut butter, and smile most of the time and are sad sometimes. I know you love life as much as I do and that we have a great deal in common. I am really glad that on the occasion where we don’t share the same opinion…you eventually recognize I am right. I Love You. I Miss You … and I can’t wait to see you again.

Me

December 31, 2010:

Hi Honey, Happy New Year!

I have been a bit sad during this season because I miss my family.  I hope you are well and enjoying the season. You can do this. You are already a good Mom and Wife … I will have time off over the next few days and will Skype if you have the time. Give my kids a hug!

I love you, Me.

December 10, 2010:

Three packages received in the last few days.  Thank you.  I opened the one that said “Open Now” and a few of the Admin folks decorated the JOC. You will be receiving three boxes from me. One I sent when I was in Bahrain. I am nearly certain you will get that prior to Christmas. The other two are ground shipping boxes. A remote control car and a set of necklace and earrings with a stuffed animal. None of it is wrapped. Thanks for the gift boxes. It is nice to be remembered this way. Hugs to all.

Also received some mothball smelling 70’s sheets from my Mom…she said you told her I needed bedding…thanks a lot. I love you. Me.

November 15, 2010:

Hi Honey,

Glad your run went well and I don’t have to go find a new wife. I mailed 4 command coins and two dog tags.  The dog tags are for the kids.  I miss you.  Really glad you took a weekend away… hopefully it energized you a bit.

I Love You, Me

Friday, November 5, 2010:

The sky is very clear here and it is chilly.  I thought about the fact that you and the kids can go outside on a clear night and see the very same stars that I look at from here…I remember thinking that on cruise too.

We are very busy and learning a great deal.  This application of the technology is fantastic.  I am able to see all of the elements or parts of the cycle here. Experiences and this process are interesting…flying around in airplanes with no lights (night vision), landing on short runways in the mountains, not on any schedule anywhere. How we do our job directly effects outcomes, a responsibility we take very seriously.  I continue to be honored and humbled by the quality of the people I meet.  There are no fakers here.  These people have a very deep sincerity about them; a deeper sense of commitment and resolve than normal society. I am very glad they are on our side.  They are intense, direct and results oriented. All very refreshing, unless you are the other guys.

Hello to everyone … I appreciate the folks that are interested in you and the kids. That’s very meaningful. Off to the rack.  I am back to a sleeping bag and walking to plumbing. Did I mention it is chilly here?  Give my kids a big hug for me. I love you, I miss you, and I will be home soon. Me

Tuesday, November 2, 2010:

I am very sorry but I need to back out of the chapel time…please let the school know.  I really wanted to do it and had thought of some jokes already, but our trip in country was moved up a few days.  We are departing in the AM for a few days.  Give the kids a hug for me. I Love You. Me

Tuesday, October 26, 2010:

All is well here, still kinda warm (100/80) but I am getting used to it.  Fairly long days doing passdown and learning the ropes. Will take some pics soon, but there are way more things that I can’t photograph than I can. I love you, I miss you, and I will be home soon. Give my kids a squeeze…yes, even the cranky one….trust me…life is better with them than without them! Me

Monday, October 18, 2010:

Hi Honey, just a quick note to say I made it to my duty station last evening.  All is well … I have a great deal to learn.  I should have my e-mail up and running soon. I Love You! Me.

Saturday, October 16, 2010:

Good Day here.  Depart for duty station tomorrow.  I had one of those “this is real” moments when the Captain came on the intercom as I described.  And now I miss you and the kids and I miss being at home. Fort Jackson tested my tough and patience but it kept me busy.  I did have a Starbucks today and bought some Cheezits at the PX … “comfort food.” I Love You. Me

Friday, October 15, 2010:

I have arrived in good order…only a 5 hour flight from Germany.  Eye opener when the Captain announced “we are over Iraq.”  Lots and lots of sand…and then more sand on top of the sand over by the sand.  Here just a couple days, and then off to my duty station Sunday, which is good.  I am growing weary of 40 man berthing units.  Have a feeling it’s just meant to make us all really mad at the bad guys so we are extra anxious to get them. I Love You. Me

Thursday, October 14, 2010:

On my way shortly. I love you.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010:

I am leaving tomorrow. Skype for breakfast if that works? We will be loading things and killing time.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010:

We all lived and apparently I would make an OK Army Convoy Commander. I just need to ensure the Army does not find out. I miss you. 0700 muster tomorrow, won’t be near my laptop until late in the day. Travel orders soon.

Monday, October 11, 2010:

They made me Convoy Commander for our final exam. 9 Hummers with 43 good guys under my command. Test in the early a.m. By noon, we will be done or dead. Either way, I’ll be room temperature by this time tomorrow. I’m told the Commander always dies.

Saturday, October 9, 2010:

I love you and miss you. I made video books for the kids at the USO tonight – in the mail soon. Play well.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010:

Hope you guys had a good day. Daddy is tired … 160 rounds went through the mighty M16 … one round at a time. I think of you all often and miss you. I love you.

Saturday, October 2, 2010:

Shooting lots and lots. 120 rounds today on the M16. We get along well. The armor is heavy and hot. I miss you guys.

Saturday, Sept 25, 2010:

Made it to Ft. Jackson/Camp Mcreedy. Met Chris at the airport and will have chow with him tonight. He goes to Kuwait tomorrow morning.

Friday, Sept 24, 2010:

On the redeye tonight but will be at the Bob Hope USO at LAX with many of my new best friends from 1730 until midnight. Give the kids a squeeze. I love you. Me

Sunday, Sept 19, 2010:

I miss you. As the van drove away, I felt a little numb. Saying goodbye was harder than I thought. Please give everyone a hug and a kiss for me. I love you. Me