Heros onboard!

[VetteLuv]

Let us all pray that Ben may continue to stay safe over there.
The 3 missing GIs are from the 10th Mountain Division that is home stationed close by here in central NYS and we all take it personnally when something tragic happens to any of them. Many banners & yellow ribbons for them all - and flags at half-mast for those already kmown to be KIA......
It's so good that you are able to communicate with him as you are. I know it meant a lot to my wife & I when our son Adam was deployed. We just received word that he'll be heading over there again in September.....

[dbaumis]

We talked today....he was in camp Falcon doing more training and then back to camp Liberty.They go every where at this point by chopper, he said it was really cool to fly in one finally....
He said that they have American fast food there in the mess hall for the soldiers and an internet "cafe" for those who have wifi....$4 a day gets you online but you need your own laptop, fortunatly he took one on advise from a friend.
Hes homesick already but his confidence level is very high and he is ready to go....

~Chas

Chas,

I'm located at Camp Striker which is only 1/2 hour drive from Camp Liberty. Let me know where your son is located (what PAD he stays on and what is the name of his unit) I'll stop by and visit, take some pics. I'll send pics back to you or post them here. I've been here for 10 1/2 months....only have 42 days to go!!!

Take care and be safe,

Don

[Chas]

Chas,

I'm located at Camp Striker which is only 1/2 hour drive from Camp Liberty. Let me know where your son is located (what PAD he stays on and what is the name of his unit) I'll stop by and visit, take some pics. I'll send pics back to you or post them here. I've been here for 10 1/2 months....only have 42 days to go!!!

Take care and be safe,

Don

Don, thats so cool! you have a pm dude, please take care , be safe, and God bless.

~Chas

[Chas]

He was in a fire fight and is up for a combat action badge, said he emptied alot of lead in their direction and no one in his patrol was injured....Thats the good part.Was 118 degrees today and expected to reach 140 in the coming months.
I really dont need anyone else to hate , the ones shooting at my son seem to be my pick at this time.
Keep them in your prayers, they should be in the sun and sand here in the USA on our beaches enjoying the Freedom they have chosen to protect for us all.

God Bless

~Chas & Theresa

[Chas]

Finally ......as expected he uses his time on the phone with his girlfriend.
Shes great about calling us when she hears from him so we know he is ok.
He is in 120' heat and it is expected to get hotter.His patrols have all returned safely and he is doing well, sleeping and working out is about all he is doing to pass his time when not out on patrol.He does 2 a day patrols or 2 day long patrols, that seems to be his usual day. The other day we sent him 3 boxes of stuff, one contained my Uncle Charlie's Final Flag, I asked Ben to take it out on patrol and bring it home when he can.(When he returned from that patrol he has 7 boxes from the states....like Christmas he said! 3 from us, 2 from his g/f, and 2 from a school in California.)
My Uncle Charlie helped build a runway on the Island of Tinian , which was used by the Enola Gay. So his flag will patrol the streets of a war and return home to fly proudly....I think he would approve.

"Hooaah" young man, way to go SPC. Stoddart!

Chas

[Mac]

My nephew (Army Reserve) just got back from Afghanistan. I'd love to have a chance to sit down with him and hear some stories but I'm on the west coast and he's on the east coast.

I asked my mom about the homecoming. She was quite annoyed the first thing he did upon arrival was to head to a hotel with his girlfriend for a "booty call" so I asked "Well, what did you expect?"

-Mac

[Bioscache2]

Good to hear, both Chas and Mac.

Chas I was wondering do you remember the airline that Ben flew on. I have noticed that Airtran asks during purchasing if you are active duty and as a result always makes a point of upgrading active duty members or announcing they are on board and asking for a show of appreciation or both.

[Chas]

Good to hear, both Chas and Mac.

Chas I was wondering do you remember the airline that Ben flew on. I have noticed that Airtran asks during purchasing if you are active duty and as a result always makes a point of upgrading active duty members or announcing they are on board and asking for a show of appreciation or both.

Ryan, Im not sure of the airlines, he depolyed out of Ft.Riley in Kansas....but more than once over the last few years, he has been bumped to first class when boarding, I guess if the seat is available they ask the men and women who serve to please move to the front. It not only makes the soldier feel good, it gives everyone onboard a good feeling knowing that if someone bad made it onboard, they would have to go through an American Soldier on the way!

Mac, I cant wait to hear the stories when he gets leave time.....when we talk its almost hard to find words to say...but just knowing he is on the other end makes the call worth it.
His girlfriend lives in Oklahoma so Im sure when he arrives stateside, that will be his first stop.

thanks guys, Chas

[Chas]

We spoke to Ben yesterday and it looks like he will get to have leave in late October. He was assuming it would be in February but it has been changed to Oct. and had 4 extra days added to it. So without getting our hopes up too high, we plan to see him then.
He actually sounded like our son again, he is getting into a groove and knows what is expected and what the daily grind is.
A Vietnam Veteran told me that Christmas isnt the time to come home, as not much is happening during this time , everyone is homesick and not much action so the pre-season is best to go home at.
Let the countdown begin

Chas

[Chas]

Ben called today and gave us news....he has applied for Helicoptor pilot!

He has been thinkin for some time now that a Gunner is not really a job he can use when he gets out, he has a new goal and we couldnt be any prouder than we already are of our son.

~Chas

[twiget]

Ben called today and gave us news....he has applied for Helicoptor pilot!

He has been thinkin for some time now that a Gunner is not really a job he can use when he gets out, he has a new goal and we couldnt be any prouder than we already are of our son.

~Chas

That's good to hear Chas. I'm glad Ben is doing well over there. Will the Army make him a CWO once he get his wings?

Jason

[Mac]

My nephew turned over the keys to his LAV-III and he's debriefing in Cypress. His reserve unit should be back in Canada by mid-month!!

-Mac

[dbaumis]

Ben called today and gave us news....he has applied for Helicoptor pilot!

He has been thinkin for some time now that a Gunner is not really a job he can use when he gets out, he has a new goal and we couldnt be any prouder than we already are of our son.

~Chas

Chas,

It's good to hear that Ben is doing well!!!! I've been out of the loop since returning home 3 weeks ago. I'm trying to get back into the "groove" again.

Are you planning on attending the Mid America Funfest in Effingham, IL in mid September? We'll be there and we're planning on parking in the special parking area for CAC members....hope to see you there!!!

Please tell Ben to be safe and to watch his "6".

Don

[Chas]

Chas,

It's good to hear that Ben is doing well!!!! I've been out of the loop since returning home 3 weeks ago. I'm trying to get back into the "groove" again.

Are you planning on attending the Mid America Funfest in Effingham, IL in mid September? We'll be there and we're planning on parking in the special parking area for CAC members....hope to see you there!!!

Please tell Ben to be safe and to watch his "6".

Don

Welcome home my friend, if it works out right, we would like to go to the Funfest, I dont thinks its more than a few hours away, if i go you will know first and we will park in the same area too.

Dude, beer is on us that night...im glad you made it home.

Life is good, and Freedom makes it BETTER.. Many Thanks Don....

Time to embrace the young man and enjoy life as his hard work is paying off as well Mac...
Our family wishes him and all your family all the best...military familys have a special bond that is hard to explain....but we are trying to get the hang of it as we go, Eh?

twiget,I have no idea what will happen, but if i find out i will let you know...Thanks for your support!

Chas & Theresa

[Bioscache2]

Mac and Chas, good to hear once again about your nephew and son. They'll both be back safe and sound before you know it.

Twidget, if approved, Chas would most likely be promoted to WO1 (chief doesn't come until later) as I've never seen anyone but warrent officers or commissioned officers fly.