Fabulous news!!!! Carry all of our wishes for a safe return in your back pocket and these final days will fly by. Thank you again for representing us and for all of your trials. We deeply appreciate it.

4 u

Every moment is a moment closer friend

Hey Y'all....been out of the loop today....I'm taking a crash class on medical procedures for the next 3 days.....Combat Life Saver is what they teach the troops (like me) who aren't medics.....techniques to tend to folks until the medics or docs get to them.....we learned how to do a chest decompression in case of a collapsed lung....how to apply a tourniquet....and they showed us some seriously gnarly pics of different injuries that they've dealt with out on the streets....its amazing when you sit and really think of the cruelty that humans are capable of inflicting on each other.... there was one picture that damned near made me cry because even though the guy survived, he has no quality of life....

anyway, I get to learn how to actually give an I.V tomorrow....and I'm getting stuck as well.... I hate needles and shit like that with a passion, but its a necessary skill...I'm gonna take some pics as we stick each other up.....and at the very least, I'll post them when I get back to the house.....

.....so a big for everyone who's dropped well wishes....I'll drop in and give y'all an update on how I did (if I pass out, I'll never tell.... ) in the class.....

much .....

interesting they are doing the life saver stuff now... in your last three months!!
but just glad you are not in a position to likely encounter such horrors.
your story was an interesting read on the "how did you get where you are" thread.
much love to you and your family... mind your back and hello to your fellow army guys

think iggycat would mind if i posted your picture?

emm said:

thanx for the love, emm...how have you been?

the class is a training requirement that I successfully put off as long as I could....like I said the needle thing is one of those phobias that tuff old grizzled non commissioned officers like me aren't supposed to have... but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be....

I don't think that she'd mind much at all....she rarely hits the org much anymore since I'm not home....so by all means...I just hope that its a flattering good pic....

reneGade20 said:

Is the big tough NCO scared of a needle?

mdiver said:

I'm NOT scared.....

reneGade20 said:

you are shirtless
at least i think so
my crazy org stalker file isn't on this computer.

baby I count the days...

Safe return and may you never leave again!

reneGade20 said:

Ren, I feel exactly as Shanti feels, even exponentially if that is at all possible. For however this whole thing all went down and how we have all disagreed about it at home and abroad...it's soooo important for you to know that we appreciate you and have love for you and will be happy as hell upon your safe return! Your people, your countrymen have real love for you, hon. Lord H'ammercy I wish I could send you a case of booze right about now!

emm said:

oh you mean THAT picture.....?? I remember that one....

CynthiasSocks said:

Thanx....but word on the street is that if I stay in this unit, I may very well bring my ass back over here a year from our return home.....bummer.....so I'm in full on, makin' moves mode....if I can weasel my way into the school that is my career goal, then I should be good.....

at any rate, backatcha.....lotsa

Ottensen said:

I feel the all the time....trust me....there hasn't been a day thats passed that I ever felt unsupported, even though so many people disagree with the action itself....and thats what means so much to me.....the kind words and packages have lifted spirits more than I can ever explain or describe....and even if my troops don't org or even listen to Prince, they know that their crazy Platoon Sergeant bleeds purple and has some pretty cool friends out there...

now, if you were able to send some booze....and I was actually able to accept delivery of it, then I'm sure they'd be new members and orging like pros in no time.....

Hi ReneGade,

how's it going today? I am so glad that peeps are giving you the support that you need particularly in that part of the world which is so troubled.

Weather here in England is overcast with occasional sunshine but quite cool....envious now eh? but it will be the day when we get a decent summer this year. it has been terrible with all the floods etc but what the hell am I complaining about I am safe and sound and you are out there. How many days to go now my friend before you are home safe and sound with your wife and family?

Tell your friends that I send my love and can they feel the big fat wet kiss on their cheeks and tell them and this goes for you to, please keep safe.

Oooodles of love'n' stuff Carol...xxx

blueblossom said:

Hey.....

I am jealous of the weather....though I do feel your pain with the floods....it used to flood every spring in New Orleans....and now in Arizona we get some flash flooding during monsoon season....but honestly I'll take some coolness over the easy bake oven over here..... as of now, I've got 81 days.... and I will pass along the kiss and the love.....and I'll keep mine....and I'm sending along my own to you..... kiss:

one day at a time, one day at a time

here's hoping time passes quickly and safely until your return. God bless you.

Time keeps ticking away..till you get to come home!

Can't wait 'til you're back here and we can have an Invasion with you present.

MoniGram said:

yes indeed!!! as I check out of the office, its under 80 days.....

but with the excitement comes apprehension....for the reunion and also sitting here hoping that none of us falls victim to some random occurance....that's the hardest part of not being a grunt....

INSATIABLE said:

That sounds like a plan..... I'm down for that!!!!

I mailed the package this morning so hopefully you'll receive it in a couple weeks.

Hi ReneGade,

Isn't this thread great, so positive. Well here in god ol' England it is pouring with rain again..... with occasional intervals of blue sky which quickly disappear followed by the big bad grey/black ones....no wonder so many Britons go abroad!!!

Well I'm glad to hear that its now under 80 days when you will be back with your family. Heard it was a bad day yesterday in Iraq so please take care and send my best regards to all your mates.

Regards,

Carol

reneGade20 said:

And I am praying nothing like that happens!

reneGade20 said:

ReneGade how's are ya mate?

Hope everything is tickety boo with you...

everythings ok here nothing changes, how many days to go now eh? I hope that the days are flying by.

Take care my friend, be good and careful.

reneGade20 said:

Can't you just sit tight for a couple of months. Pretend you have an incredible ammount of paperwork to do

I don't envy you at all, take care and keep those troops out of trouble. I think about you each time I see or read a headline from Iraq. I am determined to have that beer in sunny AZ.

.....did I see AZ invasion?

Karen! Get on it! Easter? Spring Break?

reneGade20 said:

My folks are in Green Valley. I see Fort Huachuca signs when I'm out there.

Safe home...and many thanks for your service.