CHRISTMAS DAY WITH VETERANS

A day that I will cherish and never forget. Spend several hours at the local VA Nursing Home with some of our Veterans.

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

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.

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."

MICHAEL AND RONALD

THAT'S MY BOY...

SURE CAN MAKE ME SMILE.

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...

FINALLY

He has finally made it to his destination in the Sand after spending a month in Kuwait. He's feeling great he says. He is trying to track down a package that had arrived before he did. He located one yesterday, but still searching for the other one. He received the first package that Kristy and I packed up for him, but not the one that his Grandmother sent.

He was able to call and talk to Kristy for just a few minutes yesterday afternoon, just long enough to tell her that he had made it safely and ask her to call me to let me know as well.

He's not sure just what he will be doing, but knows that it will be in 12 hour shifts. This deployment is so different from the first one. No cameras, no cell phones and all internet is monitored very closely. So, I know very little about what he will be doing, which might be for the better.

Not sure just how much access he will have to a phone or yahoo instant messenger.

Will keep everyone posted and thanks for all the calls checking on him while he was sick.

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.

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.   

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.

FAMILY DAY AT CAMP SHELBY

He was very happy to see us all. There's no better way to spend Memorial Day than with approximately 111 Soldiers who are getting ready to deploy to Iraq in a few short weeks. They needed this family day as much as the families needed it. Thanks to their Company Commander for making this day possible.

Amber, Charles, Donna (Kristy's Mom), myself, Brandon Godfrey (MP at Camp Shelby who is a very good friend of Michael's), Michael and Kristy.

It was a long quiet ride back home.  Very few words were said between us girls.  It was all I could do to keep the tears from flowing.  I think all I managed to say the whole ride home was to tell Kristy that it does not get easier, that it will actually get much harder over the next several weeks as we say those dreaded words (GOOD-BYE) time and time again.  

Our next big day will be June 2nd, and we are all excited about that day.  More to come about that big day when it gets here.

ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL

We will have the honor tomorrow of spending the day with Michael and lots of other soldiers at Camp Shelby. i will be sure and post pictures once we get back tomorrow night. Our days with him are very limited and we cherish each and every one of them. In just a few weeks he will be back in the sand serving our country once again.

As tomorrow approaches, please remember those that gave some, but mostly remember those that GAVE ALL and their families.

TRAIL OF HONORS

Lots of pictures from the past three days. Today is the big day when all the motorcycles come roaring in at approximately 11:00 this morning, then they will head out and make a stop in Meridian, then on to the Wall in WAshington, DC. Lots of Metal of Honor recipients were on hand for the event. What an honor to be able to sit and talk with these fine veterans. 

HEADED TO CAMP SHELBY

Today's the day that he heads south for the rest of his training.  Then Monday we will get to see them at the send off ceremony and get to eat lunch with them and that's it until June, or at least that is what the rumor is.  Who knows maybe we will get to see him sometime between now and the middle of June.   While he was training in 2004 at Camp Shelby, we were told the same thing, but we were able to see him quite often, so we shall see what happens this go round. 

Not looking forward to the sleepless night that are coming soon.

This has not been a good morning for any of us...

TWO FULL DAYS

Of absorbing more important information than I can begin to imagine. It was a great program to attend, and I would do it all over again. Just another step close to this 2nd deployment.

We had supper last night with Zack and Sara. Zack is Michael's best friend from Junior High and High School. I think we finaly got in the bed sometime after midnight. We had lots to catch up on.

Come Monday, I will have something very important to share with you all.  

DD93

You would not think that those two letters and two numbers (DD93)would bring tears to your eyes, but they did yesterday.  After yesterday, I think Michael will make a few changes to that form when he returns to Camp Shelby on May 1st.  There was also a video talking about making sure that this form was filled out properly just in case, that really was tough to watch.  

Today will be another crammed filled 6 hours and then we will be done. 

I informed Kristi of this blog yesterday.  She had no clue that it had been around since December 2004, and was mesmerized when Michael and I were telling her all about it.  I guess I just assumed that he had told her that the last 4 years of his life were plastered on the internet for all to see.   She is such a good sport.  She is just fine with her picture where all can see.