HOME SWEET HOME

There is nothing like being home. After 6 months of being away from family and friends and especially my wife, I cant say I could have had a better first couple of days home. . My wife and I have hung out at the mall, gone out for dinner, and just been with one another since Thursday. Also, we went out to dinner and a movie with some friends. I was able to go play some disc golf with a good buddy. And then when I thought it couldn’t get any better I went to church today…..

Man, nothing feels better than being appreciated by many many people that you didn’t even realize that you effected in your life. Everyone at church asked how I was doing, told me they were happy that I was back home, and was just happy to see me. Now, I know you guys might be thinking they were just being polite and yes you might be right for some but not everyone. They all threw me a little picnic for my return and then the children. Children are so innocent… they don’t know that you should be polite and say I am glad you are home. But these children that I have shared life with with their parents came up to me this morning with cards and hugs and genuine concern. One little girl ran to me with open arms and gave me a big hug. When I put her down from the hug she just stood there and stared at me for minutes. These children made me feel so good that they missed me. I guess its what they mean when we share life and learn together as extended families.

For all of those who have followed my deployment and welcomed me home I THANK YOU. You guys all know that you make the deployment life easier knowing that you are all here at home taking care of my family, my wife. I appreciate all of you and thanks for the great welcome home.

An extension of my Amer. Gov't class...

I have been taking an American Government class while I am out here in Iraq to help pass the time. The class is teaching me a lot. In addition it is pushing me that much closer to a bachelor's degree. Anyways, for class I had a case study on an article written by Scott Ritter. I really enjoyed the article and where Ritter was coming from. So I looked into more of his columns. One of which was Obama's Alternative Universe back on January.

One of the paragraphs that really interested me is the one that follows;

“The “war on terror” into which Obama seems to have thrust himself (the most recent manifestation being Yemen) remains the largest obstacle for any rational resolution of America’s problems in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Simply put, so long as the United States seeks an enemy that does not exist, it will always be looking for an enemy in its stead. The “war on terror” has the United States combing the world in search of enemies, and because American policymakers are responsive not to the reality that exists in the world today, but rather the perceptions of an American people largely ignorant of the world in which they live, and paralyzed by the fear such ignorance generates, there will always be countries and causes America will anoint as foe.”

I can see what Ritter is trying to say. We, Americans, were hurt by the attacks on 9/11 and for most of us that was the first sign of what we thought was al-Qaida or terrorists. All of us at a young age pretty much learn “eye for an eye” or some form of retaliation no matter how right or wrong it might be and that doesn’t even bring in the point, “You don’t mess with the USA.” So what is we don’t actually have a tangible enemy. What if we are attacking an idea or ideals? Do we ever “win”?

This might be our generations Vietnam and it will be very unpopular no matter what we do. The President and Congress just need to make tough decisions that they feel is the greater good for America and no one else and if it costs them their seat then so be it.

WORLD CUP Robbery!!

Call the cops! The U.S. Soccer team just got a win stolen from them.

Man, what a fustrating finish to a good second half of the US vs. Slovenia soccer match. I thought we were going to pull it out. Its so cliche to say blame it on the ref but it seems to fit.

Seperate from the dissappointment of the tie game, I am thouroughly enjoying watching all these World Cup soccer matches. It reminds me how much I like the game of soccer. Back at home the closest professional team is the Houston Dynamos. I guess I am going to have to take the road trip to watch a couple of their games now. Well thats if I can get my wife interested in watching it.

Well anyways, the U.S. team is still in it. I will be watching the England vs Algeria game tonight hopefully for a big upset.

The Freedoms I fight for...

In a discussion among classmates in my American Government class we discussed things that might upset us being military members or just Americans in general. Several things got brought up to include but not limited to the burning of the American Flag in protest, protesting at funerals of American soldiers, and plans to build a mosque near 9/11 site.

Several of us discussed these in pretty good detail of why it angers us and then I was thrown for a loop. Our instructor was so gracious to let inform us that all the things that angered us where all freedoms that we fight for. See we fight as military members to uphold and protect the Constitution. Our constitution gives us the freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. That is for both sides of the things we like and dislike the same.

So even though I don’t think it is right for someone to protest outside of a fellow soldier, airman, sailor, or marine’s burial ground or during the funeral, they have the right. Even if I think I should be allowed to place an American flag in my window of my house, the home owner’s association or apartment complex etc has the right to have rules against it. And the examples are endless.

So I guess I have become a little bit educated and have had my mind opened to the truth that what I fight for aren’t for freedoms limited to me and my perspectives. As hard as it is to swallow I fight for the freedoms of everyone in the United States whether I agree with them or not.

I think I will stay inside?

Well looking forward this week. Trying to plan out what I might want to do on my day off and what things might seem interesting to do after work. So I take a look at the 5 day forecast and see a wonderful list of days over 100 degrees and dust.

For those who dont know what I mean by dusty, I am talking about orange skies. Today we had maybe 100 feet of visibility and if you were smart or had any common sense you didnt go outside without glasses and something to cover you face. The dust was everywhere. If you werent blessed with a little bit of common sense you probably ate about 3 tablespoons of dirt on your way to work this morning. The dust filled the hallways indoors where it looked like the smoke alarm should be going off.

Well if the dust doesnt clear up I guess I wont be going to the pool this week not like sitting in the pool when its 115 degrees outside is really all that nice. If someone would have asked me a couple months ago if it could be to hot to go swimming I would have said no. Now that I have some experience I would probably say yes to the question. I dont really know how to explain it but the jumping in the water doesnt really cool you off when its as hot as its been here lately.

Oh well I guess a lot of movies this week will keep me occupied. Looking forward to USA v. England soccer on saturday and UFC 115 on sunday. I guess that will help me make it through the week.

Jethro likes Facebook

Jethrois hanging out in a very hot climate.

Now, I have to admit I am constantly on Facebook checking to see what everyone is up to. I am probably a bit nosey. Who is where? What are you having for dinner? It doesn't matter I just want to know what people are doing. But in this environment its ok. I can even comment and let them know if I have done the same thing or add a sly remark for a little laugh.

You know the last time I was deployed I didnt have a Facebook account. I dont even remember if Facebook was around but I bet it was. Either way I did have a MySpace account which I didnt even use. I guess the interface just didnt suit me. For one, I guess you actually had to go to peoples' pages to see what they were up to and with Facebook all the information comes to you.

I am glad I have a Facebook account this deployment. It is really keeping me sane and making the time go by a lot faster. There is something about knowing what all my friends and family are up to while I am out here. And they are probably happy that they get to see what I am up to. I guess it gives a feel of closeness no matter how far away you are. I am able to post pictures for any one of my friends to see and say I am doing ok. Its easier than an email and allows everyone to chime in just to say hey.

There are so many facets of Facebook I couldnt even get into all of them if I wanted to and I dont. But I am glad that Facebook is here and I hope it is here to stay. It has brought me closer to some family and friends then I probably would have been if it wasnt here.

Thanks Facebook!

Memorial Day

In response to several remarks of thanks and appreciations for my military service through out the Memorial Day weekend, I did some well needed research on Memorial Day. It brought some things to light for me.

First of all, as much as I am truly thankful for all the kind remarks and thanks, I am not the one that deserves them. Memorial Day is for those you have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Their sacrifices gave me my freedom. Their sacrifices gave me the choice of religion, the choice of future, the choice of whether or not to join the military. There are many things that I take for granted daily that I wouldn’t be able to do or maybe even talk about if it wasn’t for the brave men and women that came before me. I thank those people and I thank those families. Today you are in my mind and my heart.

Also, I would like to point out individuals that show me how close life and death really are. These two men went to school with me at Zephyrhills High School in Zephyrhills, Fl. Are paths have crossed many times, whether it have been at school, in the streets, an airport or a military base.

Army Sgt. Marcus C. Mathes : Sgt Mathes died in Baghdad in April 2008 from wounds sustained when enemy forces hit his base by an indirect fire attack. Sgt Mathes and I graduated from Zephyrhills High School together in 2002. I joined the Air Force in Oct 2003 and he the Army in March 2005. We might not have been the greatest friends but we will always be brothers. Sgt Mathes will be missed.

Sgt, I thank you for your service to our country. You paid the ultimate sacrifice that so few yet too many make. I thank your family for being strong through the whole process and keeping your name strong so that we may remember you in your strength. May God bless you family.

Army Specialist Jonathan O’Neill: SPC O’Neill was injured by an improvised explosive ordinance that hit is vehicle in Afghanistan. SPC O’Neill graduated from Zephyrhills High School in 2004. We never we in any classes together. We went to school together and share the Bulldog Pride. SPC O’Neill passed away while at Brooks Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, TX while I was doing a TDY at BAMC. Once again our journeys crossed each other.

SPC, I thank you for your service to our country. I know you were young and people will probably say you were only but a child. But I stand witness that you are more of man they many that walk our streets are today. Thanks for volunteering the serve your nation. We all know that the ultimate sacrifice is a possibility when we repeat the Oath of Enlistment. Thanks for being brave and strong. Thank you for your family and friends that keep your memories strong. May God bless your family.

Both these men have done what many have done before. Let us not forget these men who have touched so many before paying the ultimate price of freedom while serving the strongest military in the world. Let us remember what Memorial Day is all about and let us remember that just because it might not be someone in family doesn’t mean your circle of influence hasn’t been affected.
I finish this blog by saying I will no longer see Memorial Day as a 3 day weekend that gets me out of work. I will no longer just be happy with being thanked for my service on this day. But I will make sure I remember and I participate in honoring our fallen heroes.

Please if you have not already taken a moment of remembrance I ask you do so now. May God bless all of you and your families.

- Jethro