Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Staying at the Ronald McDonald House
I always thought the ads for this place were hokey, but it's been a great experience. There are a few paid people and the rest is volunteer/self service. It's like a big group home with lots of stuff for the kids. Volunteer groups fix meals for us and, of course there's internet access. My son should be extubated today or tomorrow and then I head back to Ft. Dix
I always thought the ads for this place were hokey, but it's been a great experience. There are a few paid people and the rest is volunteer/self service. It's like a big group home with lots of stuff for the kids. Volunteer groups fix meals for us and, of course there's internet access. My son should be extubated today or tomorrow and then I head back to Ft. Dix
Monday, January 26, 2004
Quinn in intensive care. The saddest part was that he had been given a drug to block voluntary muscle movement, so that he would not continue to cause trauma to his swollen tongue. It must have been so scary for him to be awake and not be able to move or open his eyes. Tears would run out of them and we'd tried to comfort him.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
On Emergency Leave
My younger son's cleft palate surgery had some complications. He is in the ICU on a ventilator, but is improving. The Army was very good about letting my go for a few days and the platoon took up a collection for me for travel money. Speaking of generosity, an airman from McGuire gave me a lift the other day, which a appreciated in the frigid air.
My younger son's cleft palate surgery had some complications. He is in the ICU on a ventilator, but is improving. The Army was very good about letting my go for a few days and the platoon took up a collection for me for travel money. Speaking of generosity, an airman from McGuire gave me a lift the other day, which a appreciated in the frigid air.
Wednesday, January 21, 2004
Getting Closer
Another guy dropped out and I'm told there's no one else left. Nothing official though.
Another guy dropped out and I'm told there's no one else left. Nothing official though.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Desert training at Ft Dix continues...
Thursday, January 15, 2004
Boarding the busses for another day of training.
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
Minutia about a National Guard Soldier's Efforts to Get Deployed
Sounds crazy, huh? As you can guess it's a paper work SNAFU. The Army didn't have my original file in which the Army doctor said my 20 year old elbow injury was OK, so I had to go to the back of the line. I thought I was getting old when the barber offered to trim my eyebrows, but I've found a new standard: the prostate exam.
Colin: But I'm not 40.
PA: Yes, but you might be by the time you get back.
I'm 183/184 out of 182 soldiers going. I'm putting together a top ten reason why I'm a high speed soldier:
Squad leader, Basic Training
Assistant Squad Leader, AIT
Distingiushed Honor Grad, Combat Medic School
Junior Leader of the Cycle, AIT
Two years, doc for light infantry platoon.
Two years with Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad.
99 on the ASVAB
I can pass the pt test.
I can pass the body fat test.
I want to go. And right now, the only thing worse than going is not going.
I should state that I won't be discussing operations on this blog, just personal experiences.
Sounds crazy, huh? As you can guess it's a paper work SNAFU. The Army didn't have my original file in which the Army doctor said my 20 year old elbow injury was OK, so I had to go to the back of the line. I thought I was getting old when the barber offered to trim my eyebrows, but I've found a new standard: the prostate exam.
Colin: But I'm not 40.
PA: Yes, but you might be by the time you get back.
I'm 183/184 out of 182 soldiers going. I'm putting together a top ten reason why I'm a high speed soldier:
Squad leader, Basic Training
Assistant Squad Leader, AIT
Distingiushed Honor Grad, Combat Medic School
Junior Leader of the Cycle, AIT
Two years, doc for light infantry platoon.
Two years with Bethesda Chevy Chase Rescue Squad.
99 on the ASVAB
I can pass the pt test.
I can pass the body fat test.
I want to go. And right now, the only thing worse than going is not going.
I should state that I won't be discussing operations on this blog, just personal experiences.
Saturday, January 10, 2004
Arriving at Ft. Dix
Sunday, January 04, 2004
Emergency vehicles escort us from the Hometown armory to the higway leading to Ft. Indiantown Gap.
Friday, January 02, 2004
Happy New Year
The New Year started out pretty crummy as I have strep throat. Mary did all the packing with me laying on the couch.
I got some great tips on gear from a guy who just got back from Iraq. He did the same thing we are going to do: convoy escort and route security.
I remind myself why I re-enlisted, and have no regrets about it.
The New Year started out pretty crummy as I have strep throat. Mary did all the packing with me laying on the couch.
I got some great tips on gear from a guy who just got back from Iraq. He did the same thing we are going to do: convoy escort and route security.
I remind myself why I re-enlisted, and have no regrets about it.
