|
Post by tbone421998 on Oct 30, 2007 7:22:08 GMT -5
My family and I want to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers. Jeremy just called last night and said his orders to be deployed for his 3rd tour were cancelled.
|
|
|
Post by mikeinsa on Oct 30, 2007 13:18:08 GMT -5
That is great. The longer he stays out of there the better things will be when he goes back. Things are really getting better over there fast and no one is saying anything about it.
By the way my son is still there until this Thursday at 4am our time.
|
|
|
Post by tbone421998 on Oct 31, 2007 7:11:40 GMT -5
Great news Mike. I have to agree, especially with his enlistment up end of Sept. 09. You are right, it is getting better despite what the right wing media is saying.
|
|
|
Post by jamesa46 on Oct 31, 2007 18:11:55 GMT -5
My family and I want to thank everyone for your thoughts and prayers. Jeremy just called last night and said his orders to be deployed for his 3rd tour were cancelled. That's good to hear. I know he was happy to hear that. My son is due back the first or second week in December but they will head straight for Fort Riley, Kansas when they return so I don't know when he will actually get his leave to come home.
|
|
|
Post by mikeinsa on Nov 6, 2007 8:54:56 GMT -5
I picked up my son from Fort Hood yesterday. Short and sweet ceremony. We went to lunch with some friends of his and their families afterwards and the two guys shared some stories about my son with everyone.
One of their favorites was one where they were eating lunch and heard the sound of mortar rounds going off. They happen all the time and for the most part they always land harmlessly and the guards shoot the mortar operators for their troubles. Well apparently this time they were a little more accurate with their shots as the first one landed about 100 meters from where they were eating. Everyone else ran for the blast shelters but Matthew sat there eating his fries as the second one landed about 60 yards away, at that point he decided since two more rounds were already in the air it was time to duck and cover. The other two rounds were way off and everyone started giving Matthew some trouble about not making a bee line for the blast shelter and they asked him why he did not go, his reply "those were some damn good fries". Last night he told me that those blast shelters are a death trap if they get a direct hit and are really only good at stopping shrapnel. Then I understood why he did not run immediately.
The good news is that he is home, the better news is that he has done his duty and this was his last trip. He is safe, sound, and other than a big bruise on his leg and a small cut on his thigh no worse for the experience. Of course there is always the concern for ptsd but it does not appear right now that this will be a concern as he seems very open to discussing his tour. Time tells all though.
As a final note, at least for a while on his recent tour we are going to BAMC tomorrow to visit one of his friends who lost a foot last month. I understand that they really do a great job of working with the folks that have lost limbs while they are still on active duty. The VA hospitals, not so much. That is a project for another day.
|
|
|
Post by texiban001 on Nov 6, 2007 9:10:28 GMT -5
Good to know your son is home and safe. Sounds like he had his priorities in order. You just don't give up some good fries! ;D
|
|
|
Post by saavik on Nov 6, 2007 10:52:16 GMT -5
A big Salute to all past, present, and future soldiers. I have the upmost respect for anyone that has and still fight for this country. Every time I see a vet or current soldier I always thank them for everything that they gave up. My husband was in the Navy so was my uncle and my grandfather. I found some of my grandfather logs from WWII along with a telagram from a family friend. I am a cub scout leader and try to impress on the kids how much they have to be thankfull for. Our troop was asked to hand out balloons for the fallen Marine Lance Cpl Jeremey Barris. They had a balloon release after his funeral.
Also does anyone know where these kids can send letters to these men and women. The kids have asked to send letters or maybe a care package. Can anyone give me info on this aswell.
|
|
|
Post by crashtest on Nov 27, 2007 0:00:24 GMT -5
I'll bet more men have walked on the moon than have walked around Afghanistan wearing a Colt .45s cap. Think of the armies and the head gear they have worn marching through that forsaken land. Ken likes to wear it to show his pride in Houston baseball. He likes my stories of old Colt Stadium cheering on Turk, Jimmy, Rusty, Joe, Norm, Pidge, Carl, Hal.... The dog's name is Motley. He loves the platoon with all his little heart.
|
|
|
Post by crashtest on Nov 27, 2007 0:07:24 GMT -5
No such thing as recall notices in Afghanistan. I couldn't help but think of the scene in Borat ".... made with the milk from my wife's teat..."
|
|
|
Post by crashtest on Nov 27, 2007 0:10:21 GMT -5
Proud to be a Texan!
|
|
|
Post by jamesa46 on Dec 2, 2007 0:26:33 GMT -5
Great photos Crash- I wonder who taught your son to be a Colt .45's fan? ;D
My son Chris and his unit is returning to America this coming Wednesday (Dec. 5th). The first wave of troops left for the states today. I asked him if he were a little disappointed in the fact that they would be heading back to Fort Riley, Kansas until Dec. 22 instead of straight home to Texas and his answer was..."Anywhere is a better place to be than here!" ;D
When I was talking to him yesterday, I mentioned that it was unlikely now that he would be sent back to Iraq for another tour of duty. They'd likely send him elsewhere now. His answer to me was..."If they send us back, they send us back. That's what we do." That comment really struck home hard with me. Especially knowing what he and his battle buddies have been through over there for a year and 3 months.
He also listed in order of preference all of the home cooking from his mom that he wants to catch up on. ;D Starting with Lasagna, stuffed bell peppers, Fajita's etc. He said he didn't realize how much he missed his moms home cooking until he got over there!
Anyway, a great burden seemed to lift from our shoulders after talking to him although we won't feel completely relieved until his boots are touching American soil. My wife Sharon was in tears and praying and giving thanks to God and to all of you who supported us and all the other families and soldiers in uniform.
The prayers were very emotionally uplifting to the both of us. We deeply appreciate all of you holding our son in your thoughts and prayers. I can't begin to express how important that was to us. God Bless to all of you. ...and Crash, We continue to pray for Kenneth until he's back home soon! Keep us updated. -James
|
|
|
Post by mikeinsa on Dec 3, 2007 17:39:14 GMT -5
If he lands in Kansas on Wednesday he is already in Kuwait. That is great news. I know it is a relief for you and your family and takes some of the edge off the worry. As to your son's comments, my son says the same things even though he is getting out in a couple of months. Soldiers want to finish the job. Anything less is less than honorable in their eyes.
On a seperate note, my mother in law asked to say grace at Thanksgiving. She did a great job and all the women were in tears when she was done talking about all the things we have to be thankful for. The comments about my son were the most heartfelt and what brought the tears. She is a survivor of WWII France and having family over there was much harder on her than I had imagined.
|
|
|
Post by crashtest on Dec 7, 2007 8:21:24 GMT -5
Thanks, James. Chris should be in Kansas now, right? Baseball has been Ken's lifeline over there. He carried a glove and catcher's mitt in his Humvee and worked up a game of catch wherever he went. His Lt rank helped to recruit several reluctant catchers along the way. He is due home in a month. We can't wait. As always, many thanks to all for their prayers and concern.
|
|
|
Post by jamesa46 on Dec 10, 2007 1:14:13 GMT -5
Crash- You got the video by now that I e-mailed to you of my son and 550 of his fellow 41st Combat Engineers returning at 12:30 A.M. last night to Fort Riley, Kansas. They're finally back on American soil! In the video it mentioned that in their 15 months, they disarmed or destroyed over 1,900 EID's.
Unfortunately, not all of those in the 41st made it back home safely. That's why on the one hand Sharon and I are elated and extremely relieved but on the other hand so sorrowful for those family members whose fathers, mothers, sons or daughters didnot make it back home safely.
There is no real winners when it comes to war only survivors.
We continue to pray that the hand of God sends your son Kenneth back home safely and quickly.
mikeinsa - thank you my friend for taking the time to offer support and guidance in here. It's been very uplifting to read messages from those as yourself who takes the time to express their support. God Bless- James
|
|
|
Post by mikeinsa on Dec 10, 2007 9:45:12 GMT -5
right back attcha James
|
|