In a Different Desert...

OK I though that FT Bliss TX was a sand pit. I am now in Kuwait and honestly El Paso was a dusty sage brush desert cactus garden. This place has NOTHING but sand, check that, it has a kind of dust that is about the same consistency of talcum powder but the color of sand. I have gotten to see a heard of camels, that was cool since when I was in Egypt all I got to see was 2 or 3 of them and one all most ran me over! I will add pics of the camels later. I have made sure I got the kids christmas preseants cause even though I am not going to be there christmas morning does nto mean that something from me can't be! I got them ACU back packs for 2 and an ACU Boonie hat for one. I got their names on it in english and aribic. I think they will like them. I am adding pics of them here with this post.

Mamalang is supposed to be adding a link on here to Operation Happy Note (http://www.operationhappynote.com/)
They send musical instuments free to US military members that are deployed in combat zones no charge at all to the member! They have had thousands of instuments donated to them to send out but not quite enough for postage to send them out! Please if you read this and can help send them a few dollars. For everythign that they do and have done it is a great service they are doing for us deployed folks to get a little bit of home. They only need $35 to send out an instrument! They are a few months behnd sending out the instuments because of nothing more than needing postage. Please again give them a hand if you can!!!!!

I am going to finish up by saying that I have been married to MamaLang for 11 years, I love her more now than ever and the time we have been apart has shown me more ways in which I want, need rely on her in every thing that I do. I tell people that she is my better half, I think that is a very true statement. She is definitly the better of us and she is definitly part of me, a part I miss very very much. I Love You Honey!

Not nearly enough time...

I am currently home on pass visiting my wonderful wife and children. I did not realize how much I would miss them. I am on my second day of a 4 day pass. I am no where near ready to go back. I know how long it will be until I see them again. My wife does an unbelievable job being both parents when I am gone "playing Army" as we tell the kids. I know she is a strong woman that does not need any help, but I love to be there for her. It hurts when I am not there, it especially hurts when I can hear or see how much life id getting to her and I can't be there. She understands why I must go and supports me to go, but she isn't happy about it. I don't blame her but I very much appreciate her support. I probably don't tell her that enough, what husband really does? I love her more than I could ever express with words but I probably don't tell her that enough either. I have looked forward so much to coming to see her and the kids I have so much needed this visit and enjoyed it. That it is going to hurt to leave more this time than it did when I left last time. I know I am going to miss Thanksgiving, Monsters birthday, Christmas, New years, Valentines day with them. I will see them again hopefully for spring break. It is up to the Army if that happens but I will love them with all my heart no mater what happens.

For you...

I am an American Soldier
I fight for freedom each day
To preserve the freedoms we live in
That's the American way

My father fought for this country
And my Fathers Father served this land
When their country called they answered
Willing to lend a helping hand

Some will stand beside us
Some will protest our war
Nevertheless we shall continue
To keep oppresion from our hallowed shores

How can one protest what we do?
When lives are sacrificed for freedoms sake
It's the life we Soldiers choose to live
If we die our souls are Gods to take

How can one protest what we stand for?
When liberty's bell still continues to toll
And you can voice thoughts without consequence
While shouting from your soapbox so bold

How can one protest our actions?
While we put our lives on the line
And you stand in the realm of safety
Listening to Hollywood stars bitch, moan and whine

Don't feel sorry for us
This is what we have chosen to do
To fight for honor and freedom
Under the colors of the Red, White and blue

For You!

A Poem That Touched ME

A small and precious child
My Dad's been sent to fight
The only place I'll see his face
Is in my dreams at night

He will be gone too many days
For my young mind to keep track
I may be sad but I am proud
My Daddy's got yout back

I am a caring mother
My son has gone to war
My mind is full of worries
I have never known before

Everyday I try to keep
My thoughts from turning black
I may be scared, but I am proud
My son has got your back

I am a strong and loving wife
My husband too soon to go
There are many times I am terrified
In a way most will never know


I bite my lip and force a smile
As I watch my husband pack
My heart may break but I am proud
My husbands got your back

I am a Soldier (Marine, Airman, Sailor)
Serving proudly, Standing Tall
I fight for freedom, Yours and mine
By Answering this call

I do my job while knowing
The thanks it sometimes lacks
Say a prayer that I'll come ome
It's ME whose got your back

I read this poem tonight. It touched me.

I hope it touches you too......