My Soldier Update

Time seems to be going by alot faster now that Zach is expected to be home, hopefully before Christmas. He has said that a new unit just arrived there at FOB Sykes, the line for the chow hall is about an hour long!!! They are starting to pack up their personal things and start shipping them back home. And boy does he have alot of things. 2 guitars, small amp, printer, 2 laptop computers, hundreds of $$$$ worth of tools that he personally ordered, bought and had shipped home then in turn I shipped to IRAQ. He said it feels good to be preparing to leave. He will return to Camp Atterbury for demobilization for awhile before coming home. Zach has already been in the military for almost 4 years. He is in for a total of 6 years. Hopefully when returning home in December, it will be for good, it is in his contract that he can attend school, so he plans to enroll ASAP. His plans are to pursue music.

My son has been through alot these past few years, he has matured, and become independent. I am sure families of alot of these young soldiers feel the same. I am happy that this journey is almost over for my son and he can get on with his life. I continue to pray for my son's safety and for all of our soldiers to return home soon. I have some recent pictures Zach has sent me.

My Soldier's Update

Well, Zachary left to return to Iraq on August 23, 2009 after a 14 day leave. Those 2 weeks went by too quickly. Good bye again was hard. He did seem a little more emotional this time, I am always emotional when it comes to this military stuff. He is doing fine though,counting the months down. Hopefully to return Jan. 2010. He has long days, up early, still works out every morning, which helps him alot. He had lost alot of weight earlier this summer, the heat there reaching 120 degrees did not help his appetite. After returning he has gained some back, also the temp there is cooling down some. Again he never complains. while home he seemed a little serious, maybe thinking about the short time he has at home before returning to a war zone. Pictures of where he is are few. There is really nothing to see. It is literally all brown, dusty, sand for miles. Sandstorms there are the worst in 10 years. they do not get regular mail delivery, planes do not land in sand storms. Equally as dangerous for him if he is out on a mission in a vehicle and cannot see, roadside bombs are still a huge danger for them. I continue to pray for my son and all our U.S. military serving overseas. IT IS A HUGE SACRIFICE! Our freedom is not free. And we are thankful for each and everyone of them, may they always be in God's care.

He is home!!!! Finally today at around 12:30 we got his call, "Come get me!"

A long lost update on my soldier son.

Well we are anxiously awating his arrival for a 14 day leave. Actually have been waiting since last Friday, July 31! He is stuck in IRAQ. Sandstorms have not allowed him to fly out. Worst sandstorms in decades. People have actually died.

He was moved down country about 1 1/2 weeks ago. Just waiting for a plane out of there. On to Kuwait, Germany, maybe Atlanta, then Indianapolis. He has not slept in two days. We did not hear anything from him for 24 hours, did not know where he was, if he even left or not. and today August 5, 2009 is his 21st birthday, and I am sad because he is not here. If he was able to get a flight out last nite which was already today here, he will be calling us to pick him up at the airport tonight around 10:00. but we don't know yet. I am hoping and praying it is tonight. I don't know how much more I can take. ZACH COME HOME! WE MISS YOU AND LOVE YOU.

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It's been a while since my last update, and where did I leave off? Zach has spent 3 1/2 weeks at Fort Dix, N.J. from there an 18 hr. plane trip to Kuwait where he received training for about 3 1/2 weeks then on to Iraq, where he is in northern Iraq. His FOB (forward operating base) is FOB Sykes. Kind of set up in the middle of the desert surrounded by barbed wire and sand bags. I remember the first phone call when he arrived in Iraq, he said, " there is nothing but sand for as far as I can see." There is so much dust at all times, and sand storms. He has to wear something over his nose and mouth because of all the dust he breathes. He sounds congested when I speak to him over the phone. The connection is not good, our conversations are all choppy, and we repeat alot of things to each other. This makes him frustrated, he said he hates not being to talk to his family. I tell him it is okay, it could be worse, no contact at all.

They finally found his tote with all the things he had sent earlier from home, he was happy to get it! It contained his guitar, bed sheets and blankets from home, plus speakers for his stereo, he has to have his music, me too. He has been in Iraq for about 1 month now. We are still hoping he will be home around Christmas this year. Maybe not until early 2010 though.
He tells me his days are long, he is up at 4:00 a.m. and works until late. They are currently 7 hours ahead. so he tries to call me on my lunch hour at work, when his day is almost ending. He is a very tough person, and has shown more strength than I could have imagined. He always just says, "Mom I am fine" every time I talk to him, the same comment. And of course I cry after every phone call after our I love you's and good bye's.
His time there has just begun, I pray that his strength will continue and he can endure the remaining months ahead. I am his mom and I worry unceasingly for my son so far away. I know God watches over him and all of our soldiers. I am thankful for all the heartfelt prayers, and I know Zach feels them too. I continue to miss him every day, but I am getting a little stronger as time goes by, and spring is just around the corner!

"Just A little Update"

January 22, 2009

I talked to Zach last night, he is still at Ft. Dix until the end of the month. He seems in good spirits, anxious to get on with his call to duty in Iraq. We can talk on the phone only if he goes outside, in the cold (12 degrees) stands between two trailers with the wind whipping thru just to get a phone signal. Ha ha. We also use AOL instant messenger.

The last couple of weeks in Ft. Dix he will be spending 9 days in the field, day and night. Very cold. Funny though in just a couple of weeks he will be in the desert heat. Although at night in the winter it gets down to the 30's. They have all the equipment and training necessary to endure either situation.

I am always amazed at how much he does not complain about anything. He has gained alot of endurance while in the military. I am so very proud of him, for who he is and what he stands for.

Departure

Thursday Januaury 8, 2009

Zach left from camp atterbury by bus to Ft. Dix, New Jersey. Non-stop bus ride. He will have direct training there to prepare for a year in Iraq. His grandfather Larry was there, his grandmother Evelyn, his Aunt Donna & Uncle Mike, and of course his brothers Ty & Cole. At this time I communicate with Zach by e-mail. Some phone calls, connection not good inside buildings on a military base.

He seems upbeat and ready to accomplish his mission. We are so very proud of him. Please remember him in your prayers for a safe year and return home to us.

A Year Long Journey in IRAQ

Today January 5th, 2009, my son Zach reports to Camp Atterbury to begin a year long deployment in IRAQ.