An Update

[ford4x4fun]

Well I am back what I usually call kicking the sand again. It has been a little over three weeks since I stepped on a plane. I am starting to think that I need to find a different line of work! Everytime I turn around I am deployed, for Christmas, Aniversery and both my boys's birthdays. But this deployment has been a rewarding one. I actully am not just sitting in an office making sure comms stay up. I get to see an impact and what is actually going on. Makes it a little better actually knowing what your effecting I guess. Hopefully I do this so my kids don't have to.

[Mancar1]

Sounds like you have the right attitude. Ya the part that is hard about deployments is being apart from your loved ones. I made a bunch of deployments myself, over many years. Missed many a holiday with the wife and kids. I can feel where your at so to speak. Going in harms way is no cake walk but ya do what needs doing.
Thank you for doing what you do. John

[HayHauler]

Thank you for your service.

[Happy_Camper]

Good to read that you can see the difference!
The sacrifice of being away from home and family is huge.
As the other's have said;
Thank you very much for standing in and bearing that sacrifice when it counts!

You know, I am amazed every time I talk and write with today's service men and women at the quality, intelligence and true patriotism.
We have never had such a skilled and motivated force. And I don't mean that lightly. It is truly amazing. I hear the same thing from vets covering every war and "conflict" we've been in, from WW-II on. We all are very proud, and humbled.
I would not want to be the opposing force.

On the other side, this has really motivated veterans and civilians to step up and push hard to get our military members and families everything we can, to help them. Both during active duty, and when they come back to integrate into civilian life.

[basketcase0302]

Billy,

Keep your armor on and your head down over there again man.
Can you please send some of the warm weather this way! I still owe you that brew man, although they're gonna' have to close down the brewery on my account since I've moved here!
Sincerely hope your family has a good Christmas, and I know those boys of yours will be that much stronger in your absence.
Thank you again for your service so that I may live a free man in the greatest country in the world!

This one's for you man, turn on your volume:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DcjLePDHyU

[Thunderfoot]

Billy, Glad you made it there safe! I might have missed it, but how long you there this time? I thought after your last one you were getting to stay on the rock here (why you had moved to Florida) for your term.
Stay safe

[ford4x4fun]

Yeah Shayne,

I guess I pissed off my Branch Manager I accidently called him a Staff Sergeant when he is actually a Sergeant First Class... Hopefully, and I say hopefully this is just a 6 month to 7 month rotation. Sure seams like a short period of time when I think about my last one of 16 months!!!

Jeff,

On my way up to ol KY one of these trips, we will have to have that beer!

Scott,

I don't know if it is brains or stupidity that keep us going Ha Ha! No but I know being a 3rd Generation Veteran, we all stand on someone's shoulders to be able to do what it is we do. Without those before me, I might not have had the oppertunity to choose to do what I do.

Things have slowed down here for the most part. I was pull 20 to 24 hour days, catching 1 or 2 hours hear and there. Made for a hard couple of weeks. But I learned a lot, and have found my groove along with all of my guys. So if we can keep it running smooth all will be well!

[wildcard]

To all our service men and women
>
>Merry Christmas to all the men and women who are serving our country this
>Christmas!
>
>
>The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I
>cherished the sight.
>
> My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in
>rest.
>
> Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter
>delight.
>
>
> The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was
>Christmas Eve.
>
> My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I
>would sleep.
>
> In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started
>to dream.
>
>
> The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it
>tickled my ear..
>
> Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the sure sound of footsteps
>outside in the snow.
>
> My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to
>see who was near.
>
>
> Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his
>face weary and tight.
>
> A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in
>the cold.
>
> Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my
>wife and my child.
>
>
> "What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's
>freezing out here!
>
> Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on
>a cold Christmas Eve!"
>
> For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow
>blown in drifts..
>
>
> To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said
>"Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
> "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the
>darkest of times.
>
>
> No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
> I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
> My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,"
> Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
> My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
> And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
>
> I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
> But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile..
> Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
> The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
> I can live through the cold and the being alone,
> Away from my family, my house and my home.
>
> I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
> I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
> I can carry the weight of killing another,
> Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
> Who stand at the front against any and all,
> To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."
>
> " So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
> Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
> "But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
> "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
> It seems all too little for all that you've done,
> For being away from your wife and your son."
>
> Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
> "Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
> To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
> To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
> For when we come home, either standing or dead,
> To know you remember we fought and we bled.
> Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
> That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

[71highboy]

to all that sacrifice for us thank you