GOING DARK FOR THE DAY

CJ is someone everyone should know. Over the last few months, C.J. has seen an issue with a local school taken to his command who failed to back him, and has even seen his effort to deal with PTSD, and lead his men in same by example, used against him as a part of this. C.J. has had to sell his blog to help raise funds for his defense in this matter.

The milblogging world - this blog included - will be "going dark" for the day in support of fellow milblogger, CJ Grisham.

Milblogs have been a vital link in getting accurate news and information about the military, and military operations, to the public. They have provided vital context and analysis on issues critical to operations and to the informed electorate critical to the Republic.

On Wednesday 16 December, readers will have the chance to imagine a world without milblogs, and to do something about it. Those participating are urging their readers to contact their elected representatives in Congress, and to let their opinions be known to them and to other leaders in Washington.

Some milblogs will remain silent for several days; some just for the day. All have agreed to keep the post about the silence and C.J. at the top of their blogs until Friday 18 December.

HAPPY VETERANS DAY!!!

Thanks to all our Vets, past and present for all your sacrifices that you have made for our Country.

Our veteran is serving his second tour in Iraq on this Veterans Day. Thank you son for making me one proud Mom. I love and miss you very much. Counting the days down until you are home for R&R.

9 year old singing The Star Spangled Banner

HURRY UP PLEASE...

It's been 116 days since his BOOTS HIT THE GROUND and only 71 DAYS UNTIL ALEXIS IS DUE.

I think we are all ready for this baby to get here.

Michael text me Thursday night and then called me Friday night and we talked for almost an hour. It had been almost two weeks since I had heard from him. He must know after about 12-14 days he must call so I can just hear his voice. Lots going on with him. He is give out. Working 12 hour shifts, 7 days a week is getting the best of him I do believe. He is exhausted. I can hear it in his voice.

I did tell him that we can start our countdown now for his R&R.

We all think that the baby will arrive before he gets here. Just a feeling we all have. For Michael's sake, I really want her to wait on her Daddy though.

Yesterday I was also able to text with him off and one while I was out and about enjoying my day off. Nothing better than hearing from him.

I'm missing him really bad right now. Sure could use one of his big hugs that is knows how to give at just the right times.

That's all for now I guess.

REMEMBERING 9/11

Jackson's local Channel 12 interviewed me today. She caught me off guard, which I guess is a good thing as it did not give me any time whatsoever to think about it.

PEARL, MS SOLDIER KILLED IN AFGHANISTAN

Pearl soldier killed in Afghanistan

A soldier from Pearl was killed Friday during combat in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.

Sgt. Matthew Ingram, 25, died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. The blast occurred while his unit was under small-arms fire from enemy forces, according to a news release Sunday evening from the Department of Defense.

Ingram was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

Ingram was serving his second tour of duty and had been in Afghanistan since May. His first tour was in Iraq from August 2004 to July 2005.

He enlisted in the Army in 2003.

At least three other service members with connections to Mississippi have died overseas in the last month.

On Aug. 1, two Mississippi National Guard soldiers were killed in Afghanistan.

Sgt. 1st Class Severin Summers, 43, who recently had been living in Bentonia and Natchez, and Sgt. 1st Class Alejandro Granado, 42, of Longview, Texas, were killed by an improvised explosive device in Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan.

Summers and Granado were assigned to the Mississippi Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, based in Jackson.

Summers left for Afghanistan on July 2 - a repeat trip for the Special Forces soldier and Ranger who has served nearly 20 years in the military.

Army Staff Sgt. Johnny Roosevelt Polk died July 25 from wounds he suffered when his vehicle was struck by an anti-tank grenade July 23 in Iraq. The 39-year-old was a Gulfport native.

ANOTHER CALL

It's been a very hectic week around here. Michael called again on Tuesday, which was very unexpected. He sounded great, but said he was tired. I received a card from him yesterday and yes it made me cry. He's missing home terrible.

I ordered these two shirts for Kristy and I and they came in yesterday. I also ordered Kristy's Mom one as well.

I'm anticipating that it's going to be another crazy week.

DEATH OF 3 MS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD SOLDIERS

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of three soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. They died from wounds suffered when insurgents attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device Aug. 2 in Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan.

Killed were:

Capt. Ronald G. Luce Jr., 27, of Fayetteville, N.C.;

Sgt. 1^st Class Alejandro Granado, 42, of Fairfax, Va.; and

Sgt. 1^st Class Severin W. Summers III, 43, of Bentonia, Miss.

All three soldiers were members of the Mississippi Army National Guard, and assigned to the 2^nd Battalion, 20^th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Jackson, Miss.

For more information media may contact the U.S. Army Special Operations Command public affairs office at (910) 432-6005; after hours (910) 689-6187, or visit http://news.soc.mil .

The Clarion Ledger Reports the following:

The Mississippi National Guard has confirmed the weekend deaths of two soldiers who were serving in Afghanistan.

Sgt. First Class Severin W. Summers, 43, of Bentonia and Sgt. First Class Alejandro Granado, 42, of Longview, Texas, were killed by an improvised explosive device Sunday in Qole Gerdsar, Afghanistan.

Both were assigned to the Mississippi Army National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group based in Jackson.

"We once again are painfully reminded of the high cost of freedom," Maj. Gen. William L. Freeman Jr., adjutant general of Mississippi, said in a news release. "Severin and Alejandro were two of the best soldiers in the Mississippi Army National Guard and will be greatly missed."

Funeral arrangements have not been announced for either.

An Alabama Army National Guardsman attached to the battalion, Capt. Ron Luce, also died in the incident, according to the news release.

"The deaths of these brave soldiers are a great loss for the state and nation," Gov. Haley Barbour said in the release."Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families and friends."

Song by Dustin Evans

This song was on my mind last night when I tried to close my eyes and get some sleep.

Then I found this one...

IT'S BEEN A LONG 9 DAYS

Not a lot to tell except that Michael has been very sick for the last 9 days. We are hoping that they release him today or tomorrow and he can head to his FOB with the rest of his unit. He is much better he says.

He got sick last Saturday and they have had him in isolation ever since with about 12 others. They are still waiting on blood work to come back from Egypt before they will let him move one. He says that he does not wish this on anyone.

His Paw Paw and Grandmother saw him on the web cam on Saturday and Dad said that he looked pale, but considering that he had been sick for the past week, he looked great.

He is ready to get to his FOB where all the others from his unit are. Keep your fingers crossed that today will be the day.

ANOTHER YELLOW RIBBON TIED

Kristy and I have been busy all weekend long.  We spent the day in Louisiana yesterday with my parents at our Fish Camp, then ended up at their house in Bude and stayed the night.  There is never a dull moment in Bude, Mississippi.  Lots of excitement going on and that will call for post right by itself,  and I don't have the energy to tell it all.

Kristy received a text this morning about 0330 from Michael.  Not quite sure what is wrong, but he is very sick he said.  Said he would let us hear from him later.  Nothing worse than knowing that he is sick and there is nothing whatsoever we can do about it 7,000 miles away.

HAPPY 4TH...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!

This will be the second July 4th in 4 years that Michael will not be with us because he is away serving our Country. He sure makes me so proud. He's got a lot going on today, and if all goes as planned I will be able to tell you about it later tonight or tomorrow.

Please keep all our Soldiers in your prayers today.

WHAT WE WOULD GIVE

Just to hear his voice...

Tomorrow will be 14 days since we have talked to him on the phone. It seems like it has been a lot longer than that to me. I can only imagine how Kristy feels.

It's been several days since I talked with him via yahoo IM until today. It was getting late his time and he did not have much time to chat, but just wanted to let me know he was fine. He was having trouble texting with Kristy, so he had me call her to tell her that the internet connection was not too good. 

He's got lots going on, and said it might be a few more days before he could get to a phone to call. He says that the lines are so long for the phones. From what I am gathering from others, the wait at times is hours for the phones. Hopefully that will all change once he is settled on the FOB.

Kristy and I have a busy weekend planed.  We are headed to Louisiana for a family get together on Saturday, then going to stop back by and spend the night at my parents house and go to church with them on Sunday.  Their church has 8 soldiers with ties to the war.  Not sure what all we will be doing, but will make sure and take lots of pictures.

Happy 4th to you all.   

MISSING HIM

Gosh how I miss that smile.  It's been a tough week for Kristy and I.  We have had a couple of bad days between the two of us.  We have chatted off and on with Michael several times, but it never seems like enough.  

We are going to get a care package together tomorrow and get it off to him.  He has requested several items that he wants, then Kristy and I are headed south to Michael's best friend's wedding.  He has known Zack for 15 years.  They have a lot of great memories growing up together.  Sure wish he could have been here to go with us.  

Happy Father's Day

The World's best DAD. Happy Father's Day Daddy. He had a wonderful day. His three girls were there and he got a new laptop. He is all fixed up now.  He was on the phone with my brother trying to figure out all his clues to get to his laptop.  

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's, especially those who are away from home serving our great country. A special Happy Father's Day to my son who will soon be a first time Dad.

THANKS USO

I was enjoying an evening last night by a friends pool and at 6:18 p.m.  an unfamiliar number appeared on my caller ID on my cell and I answered it and it was Michael.  Thanks to the USO they can use the phone for free for 20 minutes.  I am not sure if thats every day, but whatever, we will take it.  He says that the internet is free as well.  I think it also has a time limit of 20 minutes.  Not long when you have a wife and mom who your trying to talk to.  We talked for several minutes, and then it was Kristy's turn.

Think it will take a week or so for him to adjust to the time change.  It was 2:18 am his time and he said that he had been sleeping since 5:00 pm.

Kristy and I have a busy day today.  We are headed out bright and early this morning to get her a webcam and then we will go back to their house and get it all set up so that she will be able to communicate and see Michael.

Tonight we are headed to Trustmark Park to watch the Military baseball team play.  

BOOTS ON THE GROUND

Last night was a very long night for all. Not much sleep for any of us. Kristy did not get home until 0200 this morning, as she wanted to see the bus leave Camp Shelby. I did not warn her how hard that would be, but I felt for her and Michael for several hours as he was on the bus and she was standing outside watching. I know that feeling all to well. Did that same thing one cold night in January 2005, probably stood in that same location that she stood in.

We were all burning the texting up. Lots of copying and pasting going on. Very emotional night/morning for us all.

Heard from him again this morning on his first stop, which was still in the USA, then they were headed across the ocean.

He was at another undisclosed location this afternoon and was able to chat via yahoo instant messenger and text with him. I forgot how good that "YAHOO" sounds when he comes online. It's been so long since we had to use the instant messenger, but it won't be a problem getting back in the swing of things.

So I can now say as of this moment...BOOTS ARE ON THE GROUND, and we can start counting the days until he comes back home.

Stay Safe and we love you very much Michael.

JUNE 13TH.....

It was a long day for us all. Think I walked in the door around 1:15 am this morning very tired. Kristy decided to drive on home, so she was closer to 2:00 getting home. It was a very quiet drive down. We stopped at Rasing Cane's for supper and met up with another soldier and her other half and then we headed further south and finally got in the South Gate at Camp Shelby around 8:45 last night. They had formation at 9:30 pm and then we were able to hand around until around 11:45 pm. Everyone was tired I think.

They bought the build a bear yesterday, and it has a message for the baby inside of it along with a little heart.  The bear is the newest on the market Kristy said.

We heard rumors last night of several dates when they will be shipping out, so I guess we will sit back and see which one comes true.

155TH SEND OFF CEREMONY

It was one HOT morning to say the least. The ceremony was not but about 35 minutes long, but we had to arrive early to make sure that we had a seat. Then the traffic getting off the base was worse than I had ever seen it.

We are counting the days down. Not many to count, but they are being counted. It's going to be a busy next few days trying to visit everyone before he has to head out, so it might be quiet around here for a few days.

As Michael's Paw Paw said to the lady sitting in front of him.  You see my grandson, he right there in the camo uniform...Can't you see him!!!

Here are all the photos that were taken today.

D-DAY

A day to remember.