Thanksgiving phone call

Yep you read the title right. We actually got a phone call from Christopher last night. I had actually given up on the phone ringing and Kyle and I had sat down to watch our favorite comedian Jeff Dunham.
So you can imagine my surprise when a little after 8:00 pm the phone rang and I saw the area code. Chris is doing fine and is ready to leave Ft. Knox forever. He said they are leaving for the field today or tomorrow and will not be back until sometime next week and then it will be turning in gear, cleaning the bays and out processing. He is ready to get to Ft. Drum and get this career started.
I have a list of things to bring to graduation and he is still hoping that he can get leave once he gets to New York.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and enjoys their weekend.

God Bless,

aam

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

I have so many things to be thankful for each and every year but off of the top of my head the things I am most Thankful for this year besides my family and health are:

1.> The Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Marines that serve this great Country of ours each and everyday.

2.> The unfailing support from my husband while I have had my almost 16 week mental breakdown titled: My baby joined the Army.

3.> Kyle and Devin for knowing that mom is nuts and loving me anyway. LOL

4.> The battle buddies that Chris has been able to share this adventure with. (especially Matt)

5.> Carla, who never let me wade to far into the pity pool and always held on to a lifesaver just in case.

6.> Andrea who has been in the seat beside me while we shared this rollercoaster ride.

7.> The American people that show support 24/7 for our service members. (shout out to the mystery women)

8.> The Go Army Parents website

9.> The wonderful friends and Military parents that I have met thru this blog.

10.> The fact that it is less than two weeks until OSUT is over.

I am sure I could think of about a gazillion other things but there is a turkey on my counter ready to be cooked.

Remember our Service men and women today as you say your Holiday blessings.

God Bless;

Tami

Wednesday Hero

Lance Cpl. Samuel Joyce, from Boston, accepts a bagfull of toys during the Toys For Tots 5k Run at Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Runners donated new toys to the local Marine's Toys for Tots program.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Have Every Right To Dream Heroic Dreams. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look.

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Oh WOW

I did not realize it had been so long since I posted, I have really been falling down on my job.
One thing I have learned is: No News is Good News.
I haven't heard much from Chris lately and what I have heard is mostly things that he needs us to bring to graduation. Can you believe it is less than 2 weeks till we head to Kentucky? I am getting so excited even though the letter today said that we would only have about 20 minutes with him after graduation before he has to bus to the airport. We will get to go to the airport and hang with him until he leaves.
Chris is ready to leave Ft. Knox. I think he is ready to get started on the next adventure and from what I can tell by researching Ft. Drum, that adventure is going to have one main attraction: COLD.

If you get a second will you please head over to mudpuppy's blog. He is currently in Afganastan and is working on project for the local children. He could use all the help possible. Head over there and see if you can help please.

God Bless,
aam

Wednesday Hero

Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody

55 years old from Fort Belvoir, Virginia

Call it breaking the brass ceiling. Ann E. Dunwoody, after 33 years in the Army, ascended Friday to a peak never before reached by a woman in the U.S. military: four-star general. At an emotional promotion ceremony, Dunwoody looked back on her years in uniform, said it was a credit to the Army—and a great surprise to her—that she would make history in a male-dominated military."Thirty-three years after I took the oath as a second lieutenant, I have to tell you this is not exactly how I envisioned my life unfolding," she told a standing-room-only auditorium. "Even as a young kid, all I ever wanted to do was teach physical education and raise a family."It was clear to me that my Army experience was just going to be a two-year detour en route to my fitness profession," she added. "So when asked, `Ann, did you ever think you were going to be a general officer, to say nothing about a four-star?' I say, `Not in my wildest dreams.'"There is no one more surprised than I—except, of course, my husband. You know what they say, `Behind every successful woman there is an astonished man.'"

You can read the rest of Gen. Dunwoody's story here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

They are out there:

Chris telling the story of the two mystery women.

Mystery woman #1:

We do not know who this lady is or where she was headed but we do know that she sat next to Chris on the airplane when he was flying home for Nana's funeral. She struck up a conversation with Chris and kept him company throughout the flight and when the plane landed in Memphis, Chris had to collect his Class A's from the overhead. This lady turned to Chris and said Thank you for what you do, shook his hand and placed $20.00 in it and said make sure you get something to eat, with that she turned around and walked away.

Mystery woman #2:

During Chris' layover in Memphis and away from DS' that tell them what to do and when to do it for the first time in 10 weeks, Chris decided to do just what the first lady had instructed and find some kind of food that didn't look anything like what he had been eating in the mess hall at Ft. Knox. He walked up to a pizza stand and ordered a slice of his favorite pepperoni pizza. When the person behind the counter brought it to him and told him how much he owed, Chris reached in his pocket to get the $20.00 and out of nowhere another lady swept in, laid money on the counter, told Chris thank you and walked away.

Yes, they are out there and they do support our Troops. And even though I have no idea who these ladies are, they are in my prayers every night.

God Bless both of the mystery ladies that took care of my boy.

aam

Wednesday Hero

Spc. Kenneth W. Haines 25 years old from Fulton, New York2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division December 3, 2006
Spc. Kenneth Haines joined the United States Army in September 2000 as a fire support specialist and had been assigned to his unit for just over three years. He deployed to Iraq in October of 2006. During his time in service, he received several military awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and National Defense Service Medal. Spc. Haines was killed by an IED that was detonated near his vehicle while on patrol in Abu Hishma, Iraq.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Remember our Veterans

Thank you to all of our Veterans passed and present.

God Bless,

Tami

Soldier's Mother's Creed

SOLDIER'S MOTHER'S CREED

I am the mother of an American Soldier. I give my complete and unwavering support to my Soldier. As my son serves the people of the United States, so I humbly offer up prayers for his safety and the safety and health of those he serves beside. I respect his choice to adhere to a strict moral code and a system of values that has preserved our country over two centuries. I accept that my soldier's first duty is to his country and I understand that this sacrifice he willingly makes is what keeps our nation great. I will never expect anything but the best from my Soldier, for I know he is capable. I know that a Soldier's heart is true and strong, and that my Soldier will endure.I will never abandon my Soldier, my son. I will love him unconditionally. He will know I am there with him, even when he is alone. I am disciplined, emotionally and mentally tough, learning to wait for phone calls and letters or emails home. I, like my Soldier, am an expert. I stand ready to do whatever I can do to let my son, my Soldier, know that we are here for him, behind him, we love him, and I will pray for the swift destruction of the enemies of our country.I am the person who stood guardian of this man who has become my Soldier, now our guardian of freedom and the American way of life.

I am the proud mother of an American Soldier

~Anonymous~

God Bless,

aam

Tami

Gone again

Welcome Home Son
Some things never change

Gone again

Chris is back at Knox completing his last 5 weeks of training and we are home trying to move on.

I thought I would share a little of our time together with all of you. First off let me say again Thank You to everyone that has left comments and the many emails that I have received.

This week has been bittersweet but we were able to spend time with Chris and listen to his stories and even to laugh at times.

Chris told us one story about them going on breach exercises. He said that each of them took turns having to kick in the door of a building and how when it was Matt's turn he came out of nowhere and completed a full round house kick. Chris said it was one of the funniest things he had ever seen.

One thing I observed while he was home is table manners no longer exist. He ate from the time he got here till the time he left and he did it with a spoon. They do not use forks during chow because the DS' told them that forks take to much time because food falls between the tines.

Chris got up each morning before anyone else and did his PT. He stands at parade rest when he is talking and he jumps up the minute anything is asked of him. He also called me Drill Sgt more than once. LOL

I honestly thought we were going to need a pry bar and the jaws of life to separate the little brothers from Chris' side when it was time for him to get back on the plane and head to Ft. Knox on Wednesday. The airport gave each of us a Courtesy Pass and allowed us to accompany Chris to the gate and wait with him until it was time for him to leave.

I will try to post more pictures this weekend.

Have a great weekend,

God Bless,

Tami

Wednesday Hero

Cpt. Gussie M. Jones 41 years old from Raleigh, Arkansas 31st Combat Support Hospital March 07, 2004
Cpt. Gussie Jones was born in Arkansas and was one of eight children. She began her Army career by enlisting in 1988 as a personnel clerk and climbed to the rank of a sergeant. In 1986, Jones earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Arkansas Central University. She was selected to attend the Army Enlisted Commissioning Program and earned her second bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in 1998. It was in nursing. Her career as a registered nurse and a commissioned officer began in September 1998 at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. In 2002, after completing a course in critical-care nursing, she was assigned to Beaumont Army Medical Center, where she became a mentor."She was a very dedicated person and was always smiling, said a co-worker and friend, Capt. Susan Gilbert. If anyone asked her to do something, she would do it. And she was very kind and gentle and patient with the patients."Cpt. Jones died of a heart attack while on duty in Baghdad, Iraq. During her 15 years of military services, Jones received a Joint Service Commendation medal, four Army Commendation medals and three Army Achievement medals."She was so much a part of their team, and so her death must really affect their morale," Gilbert said. "I'm very worried about the other soldiers because they've lost their battle buddy."

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.

We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Home for a few days

Out in the front yard this morning
At the airport

Thank you U.S. Army.

Chris was given permission to come home for the funeral. He came in late last night and will have to fly out Wednesday morning. But for right now he is home.

The next few days will be busy and full of mixed emotions. I will be taking a blogging break until the end of the week. I will post more pictures this weekend.

Thank you to everyone that has left comments and sent personal emails. Your thoughts and prayers are greatly appreciated and I love each and everyone of you.

Until then

God Bless,

Tami

A voice on the phone

Yesterday morning our family was hit hard when we were notified that my 85 yr old Nana had been in a car accident and things were not looking good. Within 15 minutes of our arrival at the hospital the Doctor came and told us that she was gone.

I know that I have been hard on Drill Sgt's. here on this blog but today I want to say Thank You. The Red Cross was notified around 4:00 pm yesterday and we were told that they would pass the message to Christopher within 24 hours. Chris was and will always be his Nana's boy. My boys are the only great grandchildren and Nana thought the sun rose and sat on them. She was so proud of her Soldier and made sure that everyone she met knew that her boy was in the Army.

At 9:30 last night my phone rang. I knew immediately it was Chris, but without caller ID, I never would have recognized the voice that came through the phone. His voice has deepened, he no longer sounds like a 19 year old kid, now he sounds like a man. His concern for me was his first thoughts and the maturity that he possessed was unbelievable.

Chris told me that the DS that broke the news to him talked to him like a human being not just a recruit. He said that he was told to call home immediately and to take his time on the phone and that he could also call his dad. The DS gave him a phone number to pass on to us and while I was talking to Chris, my husband called the number and spoke with the 1st Sgt. He was very helpful and said that as soon as the arrangements are made we are to call them back and they will make all of Chris' travel arrangements to get him home for the funeral. He assured Mo that Chris would not miss anything important and that coming home would not affect any timeline that he is on.

I do not know how long they will give Chris but we had already determined that we would encourage Chris to make this a fast turnaround. I know that they have a big field march on Thursday and if at all possible I will encourage Chris to be back in time for it.

It was so important to Nana that Chris was following his dream that she would not stand for him to fall behind. Chris teased Nana all the time because he had been taller than her since he was about 11. It wasn't hard she was barely 5 ft tall and he is at least 6' 3" but she would tell him quick that it didn't matter she was still his Nana and she would "turn him over her knee" if she needed to. I can see her now putting that tiny foot down and pointing her finger as she said Carry on Soldier, complete your mission and make me proud.

I also want to thank Christi who is Christopher's step mom for insisting that she get the picture that is posted above of Chris and Nana at Chris' going away party. Thank you Christi, we will treasure this always.

God Bless,

Tami