Story Photos
 Bravo Battery Spc. Christopher Merwin and his wife, Alicia, live in Kalama with their daughter Lilea. Greg Ebersole / The Daily News.
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Training at Ft. McCoy in Wisconsin (updated Sept. 17)
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 10:06 AM PDT
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E-mail this articleCompiled by The Daily News
Editor's Note: The following comments represent journal or blog entries from three members of Longview-based Bravo Battery and their immediate family members.
Part of the U.S. Army National Guard 81st Armored Brigade, Bravo left July 12 for its annual training in Yakima. After a brief stay back home, Bravo members left for Fort McCoy in Wisconsin on Aug. 22. The unit will deploy to an undisclosed location in northern Iraq at an unknown time this fall. The unit traveled to Saudi Arabia for its first Iraq War tour in 2004.
Included are comments from Sgt. Josh Albright and wife Sung Ja Albright of Kelso, Spc. Chris Merwin and wife Alicia Merwin of Kalama and Spc. Tutulu Kaumatule of Vancouver.
Related articles:
Local guard gets second call to war (March 21)
Bravo to Iraq: Local Guardsmen prepare for looming deployment (June 15)
Bravo Battery headed to Yakima before Iraq deployment (July 12)
Posted Sept. 17
Sgt. First Class Christopher Bailey (Sept. 17):
We have been in a field exercise for the first 7 days of a 10 day process. This is where we are putting all of the training together like a big puzzle, and is pretty much the finishing touches on our preparation.
I can tell you that we will be flying sometime in mid-October, but specific times and dates aren't possible at this time. The best I could do would be to let you know when we have already left, but I am sure you will know through ALbright, Merwin, or Kaumatule by the time I am able to get it to you.
Our boys are primed and ready to go! It all seems to be coming together nicely, and all of us are ready to get there, complete the mission, and get home to families.
Posted Sept. 15
Sung Ja Albright (Sept. 15):
Another week has gone by, and I finally feel like things are starting to get into a routine, but I know that in another few weeks, we'll have to adjust all over again once Josh leaves for Iraq. It's been nice having him call me at night, letting me know how he is. Usually our conversations are brief, 5 minutes here, maybe 20 there. It's hard to condense all of the days' events into just a few brief minutes. I try and let all the kids talk to Josh, and Cayden will bring me the phone during the day, wanting to talk to him. Tonight he found a picture book that I had made of Josh during his first deployment, and it just flooded me with memories of what it was like then. Cayden and Dylan just sat and looked at pictures of their daddy, just excited to see his face. It was hard to watch them get excited, knowing that we still have such a long way to go.
Dylan started kindergarten, and I was sad that Josh had to miss his first day. We've been having problems with him adjusting to his daddy being gone. Josh was the one that put him to bed, gave him a bath, read the night time story- it was special father and son time, and I know Dylan is having a hard time with him being gone. Cayden continues to look for his daddy all the time, noticing that his truck is still parked in our driveway, yet daddy is never anywhere to be found. He has started to say "daddy 'sin' " which stands for "daddy is in Wisconsin," which is always the answer I give when he asks where he is. I can't wait until we start sending each other videos, so the kids can actually see him, and he can see all the things they are up to.
Payton just keep growing so much - she just turned 4 months old, and in the few weeks that Josh has been gone, she's changed so much! I think one of the hardest things will be for her to get used to Josh once he comes home. She's the same age Dylan was when Josh first deployed, and I just remember how long it took for Dylan to remember his dad. She hasn't really had a chance to know him at all, and so I've been trying to show her pictures, and have her listen to Josh on the phone when he calls. As I go to places like the grocery store, or walk the lake, I start noticing fathers who are out with their children, or couples who are out with their kids, and part of me gets envious, that they get to have a normal life with their children and be together as a family. I know it's his job, but it's still hard just the same. I'm just counting down the days until he leaves for Iraq, because that's when everything will change. Even though he's far away right now, I still have a sense of security, because he's still in the U.S. Once he's in Iraq, my whole perspective will change, and I won't be quite as comfortable with him being gone. I know that we won't have as much contact as we do now, and that we won't get to talk nearly as much. I'm just hoping that this year goes by quickly, and that his unit will be kept safe, and that all the other families out there going through the same thing will be supported through this difficult time.
Posted Sept. 10
Spc. Tutulu Kaumatule (Sept. 10):
This place is not fun at all, so far away from Washington but this place reminds you so much of it. ... It's nice being on my own journey through life that wasn't planned out. I just felt like joining, so I did. I didn't make a mistake in when I signed that paper because I don't know whether I'd be dead out on the streets or doing drugs on the streets.
I'm proud of myself. Its just hard having a new son knowing I'm so far from him. ... I'm not gonna be there for a lot of his first ... but I got to fulfill this mission and get home whenever I do... I can't wait to be overseas soon, get there, do my job and get home.
Alicia Merwin (Sept. 10):
Things are going as smoothly as possible without Chris here. I guess that we have just learned how to make the best from this situation. Lilea and I will be going to see him in October and we cannot wait. We have been keeping busy with my Mom and sister's softball team. The hardest time of my day is going to bed, knowing that Chris isn't there really makes that hard. Saturdays we used to just go to town and mess around so I miss that too. I don't want to count down the days, it only makes them longer, so I am counting down the weeks instead. I cannot wait to see him.
I get scared about him going overseas. I don't really know what is going on over there and I am scared for the unit's safety. I know that they work hard to keep each other safe. I am not excited for the days when I might not be able to talk to him for a whole day, or maybe even two. Right now, though, I am just taking all of this in and trying to stay strong for Lilea. Thank you for your interest in our thoughts.
Spc. Chris Merwin (Sept. 10):
We have been training hard on convoy missions and working long hours. We are going to be going out to the field for ten days and doing some more training with pop up targets and convoy missions. The one week at home was not nearly enough, it seemed to be only a couple days. I am looking forward to Alicia and Lilea coming out here in October, we have some fun stuff planned. Our conexs have shipped over to Iraq so we only have one duffle and a pack now. We have been doing a lot of running and shooting training called reflex firing. We have mock towns and and have been doing a lot of range shooting. Over here it is really physical and hard work but it is worth it knowing that I am doing something good for my country.
Posted Sept. 3
Sgt. Josh Albright (Sept. 3):
Well we have been at Ft McCoy, Wisc. for about 10 days now and what a change from Yakima and good old Washington. I was definitely not prepared for the humidity.
Our training here has been fast paced and realistic. We just finished 3 days of short range marksmanship (training to shoot targets closer than 25 meters). We cleared rooms in a building that has thick rubber walls designed to absorb bullets, and practiced moving through and engaging targets on a city street. The weapon ranges here at Ft McCoy are some of the nicest I have seen in my career. Tomorrow we move to a training area designed for engaging targets from a vehicle (should be fun and fast paced).
I have enjoyed being able to call home in the evenings, however it is heart breaking to hear all the new things the kids are doing. I have stepped back to the 90's and send postcards and letters because they are too young for e-mail and phone conversations. Today is especially hard because it is Dylan's first day of kindergarten.
Alicia Merwin (Aug. 29):
The only thing on my mind right now is how soon we will be heading over to Fort McCoy to see Chris. I am excited, but anticipating what will happen with having to say good bye for the third time. Things are going very great considering the circumstances. Our baby girl is growing very quickly and I wish that Chris was here to savor these moments with me. I have been keeping very busy with her.
It is hard having Chris two hours ahead of us. It seems as though the days are shorter. There is not as much time to talk on the phone with him. I have received some letters from him, and that is very nice. It is as though we are more connected through the words on paper. Your continued support is greatly appreciated and thank you for keeping us in your thoughts.
Posted Aug. 25
Sgt. Josh Albright (Aug. 22):
Well, today is the day. We leave for Wisconsin in about an hour. Had to say good bye to the family about 2 hours ago, that was a miserable experience, knowing that I may not see them for 11 months. I am looking forward to getting through our training in Wisconsin and getting to Iraq.
Time moves faster in Iraq. I will update everyone on our training over the next several weeks. I hope everyone will forgive the brief entry as it is a very emotional day.
Sung Ja Albright (Aug. 23):
As I sit here typing this, it's very hard to not get emotional. Josh left us yesterday afternoon, and it was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Even harder then the first deployment, because now I had to watch 3 of my children say goodbye to their daddy, and know that this will affect my children for the rest of their lives. The tears were flowing as we drove in complete silence to the armory, trying to go over in my head anything I may have forgotten. We just held hands, and could not help but look at our kids, oblivious to what was about to happen. Josh said goodbye to Dylan, and I just could not watch, as he hugged him and told our 5 year old that he was the man of the house, that he wishes he could be there for his first day of kindergarten. He hugged our 2 year old, and told him to keep learning his words, that he was so proud of him. He kissed our little 3 1/2 month old daughter, just choking up. I thought I had built myself up for this day, but as it approached, I just couldn't do it. I sobbed as I hugged Josh for the last time, knowing I would not see him again for a whole year. He told me to be strong for our kids, and all I could do was cry. I know I have to be strong for my children, and I will try my best, but it's going to be a long year.
Last night my 5 year old crept in bed with me, and it was so nice just to have that warm little body next to me, in Josh's place. I think he knew more than he let on. My 2 year old asked me this morning "where's dadda?" He doesn't understand why daddy's truck is in the driveway, but daddy is nowhere to be found. I'm heartbroken that Josh will have to miss such a big year in our lives- the first year of kindergarten, learning to talk, getting potty trained, and of course all the changes little Payton will go through- from rolling over, to crawling, to walking- he will miss it all. Emails and phone calls are a blessing, and webcams work every once in awhile, but nothing can compare to seeing and holding your children in person, and my heart breaks to think that Josh will not get to do that for a whole year.
I'm so thankful that I have great friends to help me through this year. I have a best friend who's husband deploys later in October, and we've already vowed that we will be each others support. I sit and wonder how many wives don't have the support that they need through this difficult time. It makes me sad, knowing that such a difficult road lies ahead for all of us. Once again, I'll always be afraid to watch the news, never knowing when that news report of more soldiers dying will be on. I'll hear every report, and pray that Josh is out of danger, and my heart won't start again until I can talk to him and he re-assures me that he's alright. It's a year of bad dreams, not only for me, but this time for our children. It's a year of getting used to being a single parent again, and trying to juggle everything on my own. Mostly, it's a lonely year, without my best friend by my side, without the father of my children being able to be here, without the love of my life to hold me and tell me everything is okay. Josh called me tonight to tell me that they made it safely to Wisconsin, and I just couldn't help but cry after he hung up. It makes me appreciate him so much more, and our time together is quality time, because we only have a few minutes here and there. I just can't write anymore right now- it's still too new, and hurts too much to think about. I'm going to go kiss my children goodnight, and mark another day off my calendar, and wait for this year to be over.
Posted Aug. 22
Alicia Merwin (Aug. 16):
Having Chris home has been really nice, now more than ever I really don't want him to go. With the week off we have been getting things ready for the big departure. We have just been together as a family and taking in every minute. Now that Lilea is more mobile it is a bigger reminder of the things to come that Chris will only know through photos and vidoes. His birthday will be celebrated at Fort McCoy, and Thanksgiving, Christmas, Lilea, and My birthdays will be celebrated in Iraq.
I think that we have been taking more photos in this past week than in the year combined. Mostly I think that the year will go by fast with me trying to keep up with Lilea, and the break with us going to Fort McCoy to see Chris one last time before he heads overseas. Thank you for your interest in our family and the unit.
Posted Aug. 13
Sung Ja Albright (Aug. 4):
I have a few minutes now finally to myself ... which is very hard to come by given that I have 3 children under 6! I've tried keeping myself busy these past few weeks — I'm very involved in my MOPS group (Mothers of Preschoolers), and my friends have been so wonderful in supporting me.
It's very hard to think that as much as I am excited to see Josh when he gets home this week, he's leaving again in just a few more. Sometimes life just doesn't seem fair. I think about how much he has missed out on in the month he's been gone, then realize how much he will miss in a span of 12 months. First steps, first words, first day of kindergarten, they are all moments that we'll never get back. When our oldest son Dylan was 4 months old, Josh left for his first deployment. I think back on how much Josh missed with just 1 child — now add in another 2 — that's a whole lot of first's to miss out on.
I'm trying to get our finances and business in order, wills done, insurance, power of attorney- these are things that normal people just don't have to go through! What other 30-year-old even has a will made up? My middle child is such a daddy's boy, and he's had the hardest time with Josh being gone. It breaks my heart every morning when he gets up and asks me "where's daddy?" He's too young to understand, yet runs to the window every time he hears a truck go by, and looks in our bed every morning for his dad. We are going to try and spend as much time together as we can when he gets home, and I have learned that every moment possible together, no matter what we are doing, whether it be watching tv, playing with the kids, or even if we get in an argument with each other — we're blessed because we are at least together for it. For now....
Alicia Merwin (Aug. 6):
Chris gets to come home tomorrow, but it is kind of bitter sweet. I know that this will be only a short stay, I am really learning to value our time together as a couple and as a family.
There are a lot of different emotions that go along with the deployment. So many different feels are going through you and it really takes some time to sort them out. I am feeling more confident in our long distance relationship everyday and I hope that we will not have to start from square one once he leaves again.
I have never really understood the power of body language until now, having to really go into details about what is going on, and really trying to keep Chris feeling involved. I have gotten pretty good at noticing the little things in life. Keeping our long distance relationship skills strong will be very important for the both of us.
I have been keeping busy, though. My sister just had a little boy and I cannot believe that our daughter was once that small. She is growing by leaps and bounds. Trying to beat the weather is hard too, I am not a fan of the heat, walking towards the night is so much nicer.
Well, I thank you again for being interested in our family and what is happening with your local troops. I look forward to seeing your comments.
Thank you Grammydont. Talk to you all soon.
Posted July 21, 2008
Sgt. Josh Albright:
The first week is over and training has been fast and furious. Tulu (Spc. Tululu Kaumatule) and Chris (Spc. Chris Merwin) may not have the opportunity to write this week as we have been very busy spending most days either shooting the M203 (40mm grenade launcher), throwing grenades, or qualifying with our individual weapons. When we are not at weapons ranges we are either training on small unit tactics, or convoy operations, or spending endless hours in lines waiting for our Soldier Readiness packets are in order. All this while trying to find time to spend a few minutes talking to our families.
Aside from the food being bad, not enough sleep, and the high temperatures (and all the other things all soldiers complain about) our stay here hasn't been too bad. I can see huge changes in our approach to training compared to our last deployment. The IED training we are receiving is impressive and to say the least.
On a personal note, I am looking forward to coming home for a few weeks in August. It's easy to forget how much you miss loved ones until you're gone for a while. Sung Ja tells me every night something new the kids are doing ... It's a strange mix of emotions falling somewhere between pure joy and heartache. Oh well, I will see them soon.
Josh
Sung Ja Albright:
Josh has been gone now officially for three days, yet they have been three of the longest days in my mind! The heat of course doesn't help, but now having gone through one of the worst days possible, it really doesn't help me at all! Having had no sleep last night, I had two kids crawl in bed with me at different hours of the night, two night feedings with Payton, and I could not seem to get comfortable at all in the heat! Both my boys were running fevers all day today, clinging to me, and just not wanting to do anything. Finally, a call from Josh comes — hurray!
For just a few minutes, we get to talk to Josh on the phone, and I have both the boys say hello to daddy. Yet once the call is over, Cayden (my 1 almost 2 year old) just starts bawling, and will not calm down. He just doesn't understand the phone yet, and how he can hear his daddy, but can't see him. He doesn't understand the concept of time yet, so telling him that he'll be home in just a few weeks, really doesn't help him. He gives the phone a kiss, and talks to his daddy, and keeps looking at the phone, wondering how his daddy got into such a tiny space! He clings to his blanket, yelling "dadda, dadda" and it just makes me sad for him. My 5 year old stays on the couch all day, not feeling well, and looks out the window, looking for Josh's truck, thinking he'll come home from work soon. Even the concept of time for him is a hard thing to grasp. He knows that Josh is gone, but the length of time is still a mystery.
Everyday I wake up, thinking "One day down, another one to go." That countdown to the end is always hard — you want your days to go faster, and you can't wait until it's finally time for them to come back. At night is always the hardest, when the kids are in bed, and that empty feeling comes creeping around. Nighttime is always the time that we get to spend together, watching a show, talking about our day, playing games, or just vegging out after picking up after the kids. It's hard to cram quality time together into a five minute phone conversation or a two sentence email. Of course, I appreciate that I get to talk to him at all, and the night's that I don't get to talk to him, I understand it's because he's in meetings, or too exhausted. I'm used to that after seven years of this. But it all changes once he boards that plane to Iraq, because then that's when the wait begins ... waiting for that first call to say that he made it safely, waiting for him to tell me how to contact him, and how often he'll be able to call, and waiting to find out when he can come home. But when he does call, I'll make sure the kids get to talk to him, even if it's only for a minute or two, because I know that Josh needs to hear them just as much as they need to hear his voice. So now I'll go and finish some housework, and wait to see if he'll get a chance to call tonight, knowing that I may or may not get a chance to hear from him at all. But if I do, even for a few minutes, it will make my night go by that much quicker.
Alicia Merwin:
Time does not stand still for you when you would like a moment to think about what is going on and what to do about the situation. Although having said that, there isn't much you can do. I do miss Chris every day. It is the small things that really make me remember that this is not just a regular year of training, and that when he gets home he will only have to go again. When Lilea reaches milestones it is always bittersweet.
Our little girl is growing up faster then I thought was possible. The new things that she does every day really amaze me. She is really wanting to crawl, and moving around a lot more. My sister is getting ready to have her little baby boy pretty soon here so that gives me something to look forward to.
It always feels like something is missing. I wait for Chris to call me and hope that it will be more often then the day before. Really though there is no substitute for him being gone from home. I am kind of glad though that this year has started because we don't have to think about it anymore. The wheels are turning and time will keep on moving forward whether we are ready for it to or not. I know that this experience will only make our relationship stronger and teach us how to value our time together even more.
I really appreciate your interest in our family and the unit's deployment. I look forward to reading your comments.
Posted July 14, 2008
Alicia Merwin:
Well, where to start? I was thinking about this and curious as to what I should write in here. I have been just trying not to really think about what is going on, hoping that it might help to slow the time, but that is not working out quite the way that I had hoped. When every day goes by so fast it is hard not to see the calendar and say, how did this happen, where has time gone? To most people one month doesn't really sound like that long, and any other year it would just be a regular annual training. But knowing that the month will come and go, and when they get home there will only be more preparing for a longer trip. The 12th really feels, to me anyhow, more like the beginning of the deployment.
Having this be the first year of our little girl’s life it is hard not to get down every once and awhile, thinking about all the big firsts that he will not be here for. I try to keep in mind however, that she will not remember those days, and he will be here for the things that she will remember. Between Chris and I both we are both just trying to think of creative ways to keep each other up to date on daily events while we are not together. This week we are going to buy a camcorder so that I can send him DVDs of what we are doing at home. Hopefully for even that short time he will not feel so far away from his family. For now though while he is home we are keeping the moments close and the time far from our minds.
Thank you for your interest in our story. And I look forward to hearing your comments.
Sgt. Josh Albright:
I have procrastinated writing this for several days mainly because putting it on paper makes leaving that much more real. I have packed my bags and removed them from the house so hopefully I can spend as much quality time with the family as possible. I have done everything I can think of to avoid the facing the fact that I'm leaving for a year. How do I explain to a boy who turns five on the day I leave just how long a year is? I guess you can tell them "it's the time between Santa visits" or "I'll be back just in time for your 6th birthday."
Right now I am just trying to spend as much quality time with the family as possible, however that's hard to do when there are so many thing that need to get done both at work and at home prior to leaving. I am jealous of some of my friends in the unit who left their job before the 4th of July. They are out spending time with their families, going on Hawaiian vacations, to the beach, and hiking. My job is full-time here at the Longview Armory and the only vacation I have to look forward to is a month or so when we return from Iraq.
Soon e-mail and brief phone calls will be the only way for us to communicate.
Hopefully I have done enough to prepare my family for my absence.
Spc. Tutulu Kaumatule:
Sorry I’m sending this so late, but I’m glad my chief reminded me about it. My Fourth of July was a great and very long day. Some of my family members came from Hawaii, California, and some came from Texas to spend time with me before I leave. I was with friends and family, and to me you can't get better than that. We had a big BBQ and lots of food. This was probably the best Fourth I've had in my whole life. It's just that I know I won’t be seeing my family for a while and that hurts cause my family is always there for me. Knowing this is kind of hard, because I’m going to be on the other side of the world.
I’m just going to have to realize that my family will be there with me in their prayers. I really can’t wait to leave so that I can start looking forward to coming back home. My family will be my source of motivation. The thoughts of them will keep me from going insane. All I want is to come back home and spend time with my family.
Sung Ja Albright:
I'm typing this blog as I'm listening to my 1-year-old whining for more juice, my 4-year-old playing with the baby and watching cartoons, and my 8-week-old has just finished yet another feeding. Sometimes I feel like I don't even have time to think about Josh leaving. It's so hard thinking about the next few hours of my day, let alone the next year of our lives. I've had a huge pile of Josh's gear just sitting by the front door, all waiting to be taken down to the armory for their Annual Training on Saturday. Really though, it's all the gear he will need for his deployment as well, sitting there as a daily reminder of what's to come. It puts a smile to my face as I watch my 4-year-old, so proud that he's helping daddy pack his stuff. It still hasn’t sunk in that he's leaving – I've gone through his AT every year for the past 7 years, and he's always been gone for at least 3 weeks, so this isn't anything new. However, leaving for Iraq two weeks after he comes back is.
It's hard to think that he's leaving us for a year – this week has been full of doctor's appointments and annual check-ups, and to everyone else it seems we're just a normal family. However in the car rides, talk isn't lighthearted and questions about one’s day. We have been talking about planning wills, power of attorney, life insurance, getting our daughter enrolled in our health insurance ... the list seems to go on and on. And even while we talk about what needs to be done, I still feel that it hasn't really clicked in my brain that Josh is leaving. In my head, I'm piling up my to do list for things that have to be done before he goes. I haven't actually thought about the part when he's really gone. It's too hard to think that far, and part of me just doesn't want to think about it at all. I know that when I do think about it, I'll break down, and I'm just not ready to do that yet. I have to be strong for Josh so that he knows things will be okay while he's gone. I have to be strong for my 3 children, who won't understand what's happening. So for now, I'm pushing my feelings aside, and just trying to concentrate on what needs to be done.
When I do think about Josh's deployment, it's just sheer frustration that comes out. It's hard to help pack up things and sew on name patches, when I think of what he's going into, and why. I find myself constantly thinking how unfair things are – we've just had a new baby, and trying to get adjusted to that is hard enough. I can't help but feel frustrated at how I now have to rely on others to do the things that Josh would normally be able to do for us. Even something as simple as climbing up into the attic to get our Christmas decorations – Josh is the one that does that. Who's going to be my handyman around the house when something breaks? Who's going to take the kids off my hands in the evening when I just can't take anymore? And all because we are still in a war that I feel we should not be involved with in the first place, a war that already took its toll on our family four years ago! Yet here we are, years later, going through the same thing. Only this time around, we have three kids, not one, and I have to watch them all struggle with losing their daddy again. Only this time Dylan understands much more, and will ask me where daddy is, Cayden will cry and cry because daddy isn't home and won't understand that seeing him on a webcam doesn't mean he's close by, he won't understand that daddy can't come home for a long time, and Payton is so young, she won't really get to learn who her daddy is. He'll be a stranger to her when he comes back, and she'll have to get to know him all over again when he comes home. I know it took my oldest son a long time to adjust to having him back in our lives after the first deployment, and it broke my heart, seeing my son "meet" his daddy again. It breaks my heart to think my daughter will have to go through the same thing.
The day to day things now are getting harder to do. Josh leaves next Saturday, and in my mind, it seems like such a short time. But we keep going about our lives like nothing's going to change – we don't have a choice. We still have to get up in the night to feed the baby, we still have to comfort our son who wakes up having nightmares, we still have to change diapers, feed the kids, clean the house. Sometimes I feel it's a blessing that my days are so occupied, because it gives me less free time to think about the upcoming weeks. Even as I write this, Josh is running around the house, gathering things together to pack up, and we're discussing more items we need taken care of before he goes. Not a typical Saturday morning, that's for sure. I watch the stack of ACU gear stack up by the front door, and my first thought is "Josh, move your stuff! It's cluttering up the room!" Then I remember, removing that clutter means that he's gone. I guess for now I'm okay with the clutter in my house. At least it means that he's still here with us. Once it's gone, I know that I'll miss it. But for now, it's back to the ol' grind. I have to go feed the kids, and go pick up toys, and finish laundry – just another typical day in the Albright house. But now, the days are numbered, and even though I don't enjoy the mundane list of chores that we have to go through, at least I know that for a few more days, we can do the chores together as a family. After all, that's what's important, right?
Spc. Chris Merwin:
We are preparing for annual training in about four days before we leave for Yakima. We are putting the final touches on packing, paperwork, and trying to spend quality time with the family. So this is the start of the next year, and I'm already feeling the sadness that comes with leaving your family, but it also feels good to get deployment started. For the last year we have been anticipating this deployment; I'm ready to get this year started so we can get it finished and get back home safe to my family.
Our family had a great 4th of July; we had some good food, spent time with family, and just made the most of our time. I already miss my family and we haven't even left yet.
Grammydont wrote on Aug 3, 2008 6:40 AM:
just a joe wrote on Aug 8, 2008 10:26 PM:
Washington Rez wrote on Aug 15, 2008 5:08 PM:
General_Tzu wrote on Aug 20, 2008 1:24 PM:
It has been hard news to hear about you guys going again and I've kept on top of the news and stories being printed. I was offered to re-enlist, but when I got out, I put that part of my life behind me and began my family and career. May sound weak or selfish, but I did still put in 8 years, which seems like more than what 90% of the population puts in.
It was a good experiance to go in the last deployment. It made me realize the biggest problem with Americans is that they are born in America. This puts them at a disadvantage to see the comparisons between different nations and truly appreciate and know what they have here.
Nothing is more prestigous than serving your country, community or state. And, nothing should be more honorable than taking the risk of dying for your country. It seems that the blood-lust of battle has left many of our generation, but recall what you may only get from (unfortunately) movies, how battle was something that most cultures looked forward to and was a measure of your manhood. I'm just saying, you find yourself in a situation, never regret what you have to do. Never.
Good luck guys, (cont) "
happymom wrote on Aug 23, 2008 8:23 AM:
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