A few pictures from Scout

My Scout
Scout

1st platoon 1-89 Cav Alpha Troop

Something told me to go ahead and get out of bed early this morning. I really was fighting hard to stay under the warm covers but after tossing and turning for over an hour I decided that 4:30 was at least 1 1/2 hours more than I got yesterday so I went ahead and got up.
Just by chance I checked IM and hello!!! there he was in the middle of typing a message to me. SCORE, the best way I can think of to wake up. And then just to make it a little better he told me to go check out his facebook for new pictures. I told him I had to share them here.
Hope everyone is having a good day. Scout shared some news with me that I can not wait to put up but he said I had to wait just a little longer so, sorry. LOL

I love you Scout

God Bless,
Cav Mom

1-71 Cavalry recognizes Soldiers for extending contracts

By Pfc. Blair Neelands
1st Brigade Combat Team Journalist

Leaders of 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment recognized and honored several Soldiers for extending their service contracts through 1st Brigade Combat Team’s upcoming deployment during a special breakfast ceremony July 23.
After the breakfast, 32 troopers each received a certificate of appreciation from the battalion’s command team, Lt. Col. John Paganini and Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Oldroyd. By taking part in the Army’s new Deployment Incentive Extension Program, the Soldiers receive an additional $500 per month. This extra pay kicks in after their actual enlistment service contract ends and continues until their extension is complete. One Soldier who took advantage of this incentive is Spec. Joseph Anderson, an infantryman with C Troop. Anderson said he decided to extend in order to spend another deployment with the unit.
“I am going to re-enlist eventually and move to another post, but for now I will stay here,” he said. “I want to finish this third and last deployment with 1-71.”Anderson, who grew up a “Navy brat,” joined the Army nearly four years ago. He said he may want to go the distance and make a career out of the military for himself as well. The benefits of the program were just a plus for him.
“I didn’t even know about the benefits,” Anderson said. “I just knew I wanted to stay in the Army. All the extra stuff was just an added bonus.”Before presenting certificates, Oldroyd said how much it meant to him to see so many Soldiers extend their contracts, fully knowing what they are about to face.“In my 24 years of being in the Army, I have decided I love being a Soldier and I love everything we stand for,” Oldroyd said. “What blows me away every day is the young Soldiers (who) come in and feel that same way.”
Oldroyd explained that the Deployment Incentive Extension Program was developed to replace stop-loss. Initially, the Army expected some 23 percent of Soldiers to re-enlist and serve another tour.
“Our unit has had between 55 and 60 percent of our Soldiers take advantage of this,” Oldroyd said to his troops. “This is awesome – you are awesome.”Following the ceremony, Paganini echoed Oldroyd’s words of thanks. “You guys who have extended make my job a whole lot easier,” he said. “We can’t replace any of you or your Family Members.”
Before the ceremony came to an end, Paganini expressed to his troops what their actions meant to him.
“As a professional, as a Soldier and as a man, I cannot thank you enough for what you have done,” he said.

1 day till Scout Sighting

Dinner with the Cav Scouts

D~man with Christopher
Kyle and Christopher

We spent 8 hours on the road today and finally arrived at Ft. Knox around 2 pm. We had to be at the Leaders Club on base at 5 pm and the new Cavalry Scouts started coming in around 5:45. As each troop walked in they were greeted with a standing ovation, screaming and whistling from the crowd. It was a sight to see.
It was so good to see Christopher walk through that door. I picked him out immediately even with his BCG's on. He hates those glasses and can not wait for tomorrow when he will never have to wear them again.
It was funny to watch all of the Soldiers sitting around with their families, relaxed and enjoying their food but the second a Drill Sergent came into view they would sit straight up in their chair and freeze.
Christopher is excited to be heading to Ft. Drum tomorrow. He told me as we were leaving tonight: Mom, I will see you tomorrow and then I will get on an airplane and leave again. I didn't think it was funny but he did.
It was great to finally meet Andrea and Gaby and to see Matt and Chris together. I got a great picture of the two of them but I don't want to post it here until I get Matt's permission. I took each of the boys a goody bag full of candy and junk food and I thought their eyes were going to pop out of their heads when they saw all the chocolate. They passed up the dessert part of dinner and dug into the bags. LOL and Andrea has one for each of them tomorrow.
We also spent some time in the Calvary Scout store and I had a ball in there buying Army mom stuff. I can't wait to add the decals to my Xterra, and I bought a Proud Army Mom license plate cover. I doubt anyone will have a hard time figuring out that I have a Soldier.
We are going to run back in the morning before graduation and buy Chris a back pack to use as a carry on for the plane.
I promise to post more pictures in the next few days. We are spending an extra day here visiting with old friends that we haven't seen in several years and I have to make a stop at Archival scrapbook store while we are this close.
Have a great end of the week.

God Bless

aam