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Read Thread: Huge sigh of relief!

Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Apr 10, 2008 7:50pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Finally-----FINALLY----after 3 more changes to date and time of arrival----

NOT ONLY IS GREG IS BACK HOME---Safe and sound--- but

He is in EXCELLENT spirits as well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot stress the second part enough! That has been a huge worry considering their losses and just how grueling this deployment has been. Even the media was there at the "Green ramp". At Fort Bragg---with so many troops coming and going---the media is rarely there.

I took some pictures and will post them --- somewhere --- over the weekend. About half of these pictures were "crap shoot" shots....aiming camera over our heads....off to our sides.....couldn't see through the lense for teared up eyes....some are bleached out from the bright sun....some are blurry....but they are keepsakes just the same!

There were more obstacles to overcome than we have ever had to endure----but it was all worth it, of course when we got to see the plane come in for the landing----the Army band started playing----all the families started waving banners, signs, American flags and were cheering their heads off and they opened the door and our soldiers filed out!!!!! That doesn't even include all the tears and hugs and kisses!! It just can't GET more patriotic than this.

It was a glorious day for those of us blessed enough to get our soldiers back! Something this Army mom never takes for granted.

I just got back tonight and so I will share more when I come up for air! I wanted to be sure to at least share that much for those who have been sending private emails etc. and have been waiting to hear!!
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211826 by Trailtracker
Apr 10, 2008 7:53pm
Thread (disabled) Board
TT---I'm so glad to hear that he is finally home! Hooray for you! I can just picture in my mind all the families waiting, flags waving in the breeze, the anticipation in the air. I imagine you're pretty exhausted after all you've done. I hope you get some rest :0)
songwriter
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211831 by Bone Yard Recorder
Apr 10, 2008 7:58pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Thank you, Greg and Trailtracker family! Your dedication and sacrifices keep me and my family safe. Again, Thank You!
So glad to hear you are home!
B L3
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211826 by Trailtracker
Apr 10, 2008 7:59pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Glad to hear some GOOD news today!!!
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211826 by Trailtracker
Apr 10, 2008 7:59pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Welcome Home!
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211826 by Trailtracker
Apr 10, 2008 8:18pm
Thread (disabled) Board
when we got to see the plane come in for the landing----the Army band started playing----all the families started waving banners, signs, American flags and were cheering their heads off and they opened the door and our soldiers filed out!!!!! That doesn't even include all the tears and hugs and kisses!! It just can't GET more patriotic than this.

Sometime when the dust has settled and he makes a trip to visit you, we'd all like to meet him so we can personally thank him. But prepare him for lots of hugs, because we all feel we know him.

Rest easy Mom! You deserve it.
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211826 by Trailtracker
Apr 10, 2008 8:31pm
Thread (disabled) Board
I am so glad he is back home on American soil, safe and sound! Now you can rest easy, too, knowing he is back home!

Please give him our thank you's as well, for serving our country! We would not have the freedoms that we enjoy today if it were not for our armed forces!
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211826 by Trailtracker
Apr 11, 2008 1:53am
Thread (disabled) Board
Thank God! Welcome Home Greg! and I Can't wait to see your pics TT.
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211826 by Trailtracker
Apr 11, 2008 4:10am
Thread (disabled) Board
Hey TrailTracker,
Your story of the welcome home for Greg and the rest of our boys at the airfield turned me from macho to wet eyes!! Glad they are home and got the reception they did. Hooray for them and to your welcoming party .....for doing that for them. And to you for writing about it!
Glenn/Safari Man
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211826 by Trailtracker
Apr 11, 2008 4:32am
Thread (disabled) Board
Great news, Thank You Greg, Welcome Home
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211826 by Trailtracker
Apr 11, 2008 8:25am
Thread (disabled) Board
AMEN AND AMEN! Thank you Greg and to the family for THEIR service during these tough times.
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211826 by Trailtracker
Apr 11, 2008 9:03am
Thread (disabled) Board
TT - I am so happy for you, Greg and the rest of your clan. What a relief this is for you - no more worrying whether he'll stay alive long enough to make it home. I'm very happy to hear he is in great spirits. Just remember that once the reality of being home sinks in, he might need some extra love and support. God Bless!
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211826 by Trailtracker
Apr 11, 2008 10:28am
Thread (disabled) Board
I'm doing a happy dance for you!!! We're looking at early May to get our soldier back.

BG
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211826 by Trailtracker
Apr 11, 2008 12:05pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Trailtracker,
Excellent news! Thank you Greg!!!
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211826 by Trailtracker
Apr 11, 2008 1:20pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Now if we can just keep him home and safe.
He doesn't have to go back now, does he? Ever?
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211826 by Trailtracker
Apr 11, 2008 2:17pm
Thread (disabled) Board
TT, I am so happy for you and your family!!! I got goose bumps reading your post! I can't even imagine how happy you are!
Best wishes to your and yours!!!!
Welcome home to your son and his buddies!
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #212057 by Capt Kirk
Apr 11, 2008 3:07pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Thanks so much to everyone for their posts of support, thanks and love!

Batty Girl----I'm so glad to hear your son will be home next month!!! Please update us!! I hope that you do not have nearly as many date and time changes as we did---this was THE worst by far. It about broke me this time. It was the first time I have ever let Greg hear my emotions but I could no longer stop. Some significant stories behind all of that---but the really sad part was that while I got to drive all the way back home to OH...and then turn around and get back down there for the welcome home, other families were not able to attend at all (one of Greg's men from Chicago, for example) and some folks ran out of money for hotels, food etc and ran out of vacation time already and had to leave before their soldier got back home. ....sooooo emotional for everyone for a hundred reasons. To come back home---see hundreds of family members there waving flags and more---and none of them are for you. The actual pain you feel in your chest for someone in that position is horrible. More on this when I post some pictures.

I ran into the dad and very close friend of mine---his son just replaced Greg. Nathan is his name and he is the guy that Greg grew up with playing soccer and went through Cub and Boy Scouts together. We compared notes and I was able to tell him (from a parent's perspective) what all he could expect---and Greg and Nathan got to spend 5 hours catching up in Kandahar on old times plus Greg gave Nathan the run-down on what he is now up against.

CK---MANY folks on the Ohio board and beyond have generously supported Greg this deployment both monetarily, through food donations, cards, letters, and SO MUCH MORE from the very beginning. So a cliff note catch-up---this was Greg's 3rd deployment in 5 1/2 years. This was by far the longest---in fact it was double the other two added together. (If a train leaves Chicago at 73.5 mph...and....) Anyway, Greg will not be redeploying again for the next 3 1/2 years because he reenlisted while over in Kandahar....and part of the deal is that Greg will now become a recruiter. That is a non-deployable position. Otherwise----the rest of the 82nd Airborne are already on the schedule to deploy for the 4th time---and back to Baghdad for the 3rd time. They are Heavy Field Artillery---so they primarily shoot the big 155 howitzers---not off the front ends of tanks but with the ones that they sink plates into the ground and fire from there. However, going back to Baghdad specifically, they will most likely be walking the streets of Baghdad and working security check points. This is one of the most dangerous jobs of all. Greg did hear about the recruiting station in Time Square getting hit---and was less than amused.

I hope to be able to get pictures posted tonight! I really want to share with those of you who may never get the opportunity to experience the overwhelming emotions that come with welcoming home our troops---all troops no matter what the position---but especially combat troops and those directly connected to them. I am going to upload them to the military event---for lack of a better way to do this since I don't have a web site or My Space page. I will include the link in an email here---to make it easier---and if you reorder them to view newest posted pics first, you won't have to go back through the pictures from the actual military event.

Okay....jumping off my patriotic wagon for now. I'm baking 12 dozen muffins for the big Pheasants Forever event at Fish & Game tomorrow!
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #212091 by Trailtracker
Apr 11, 2008 4:03pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Thank You for the update. I know how busy you are.
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #212091 by Trailtracker
Apr 11, 2008 5:43pm
Thread (disabled) Board
Good Job, Greg and Mom!

TT, is there something we can do to celebrate his homecoming? The daffodils I planted last fall began opening up yesterday and are a joy to behold. I selected the yellow center/white background variety and I planted $100 worth of daffodils; the tulips have not opened yet. Thinking of you helping get Greg and his wife settle in their new place made me think they deserve to be showered with some niceties.

I haven't posted my gratitude because so many others have said it so well. And I can't get though the posts without a tissue, including my own.

~speedsquare
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #212139 by speedsquare
Apr 12, 2008 2:04am
Thread (disabled) Board
ss---thank you so much for the kind thoughts about helping celebrate Greg's homecoming. I believe it was Dr. Watson who said something similar as well. I honestly cannot think of anything at this point. Right now we are all leaving Greg and Beth alone just in general but also so that they can get some things taken care of. (Like filing taxes right off the bat coming home....ughhhhhhhh) I will keep my radar up and see if there is anything---but I can definitely tell you that these messages of positive support mean more than anyone realizes.

A few of you know that I have had a "letter to the editor" brewing in my head for about 4 months based on some really rude and harsh things said to me by what I thought were close friends regarding the war etc. I have a very difficult time understanding where they got their information from because if they had asked, I would have been able to give them concrete examples shedding some different light.

I also know they have no idea how long-lasting the cuts of their comments have been----but the support of so many of you has been equally uplifting and has allowed me to stay strong---so that Greg knew he could lean on me and share even the worst of experiences. That was the deal between us when he enlisted and that in turn has allowed Greg to be there for not only his men, but for those he reports to. 1LT Throckmorton, in particular. I know I have said this a couple of times before----but it is very much worth repeating---you all have made a difference---there was not a single gesture that was too small.

What I am tempted to do instead, is to see if there is anything that might be done for Greg's friend who got killed on Dec. 9th. Tanner's mother is now raising his 4 year old daughter on the Sioux reservation in SD---if I have my information correct. I have to tread lightly to see if I can even bring this back up with Greg. I hit a nerve when I mentioned this the first time. There are lots of unspoken military guidelines that I obviously are not privy to. I may go to Greg's old recruiter to see if this is appropriate or not before reapproaching Greg about it.
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #212091 by Trailtracker
Apr 12, 2008 4:56am
Thread (disabled) Board
TT,

With tears in my eyes, I just finished reading your posts. I am so very thankful that Greg is home and that you can rest easier. But I know that you will now have new worries about his adjustment to a more normal life. Mom's always have something to worry about!

And again, thank you for sharing. If not for you, I would not know the personal toll that this has all taken.

Greg, welcome home and thank you.

LS
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #212230 by Trailtracker
Apr 12, 2008 5:02am
Thread (disabled) Board
What ever you decide to do about Tanner, let me know. Count me in.
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #211870 by Safari Man
Apr 12, 2008 5:06am
Thread (disabled) Board
Your story of the welcome home for Greg and the rest of our boys at the airfield turned me from macho to wet eyes!! Glad they are home and got the reception they did. Hooray for them and to your welcoming party .....for doing that for them. And to you for writing about it!


Me too! Wooooooooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooo! So very glad to hear this news! Thanks so much for sharing with us when you must have a million things to do! Rest easy, as others have said, and let it sink in...your baby boy is home!!!!!!

MHD
doin' the happy dance!
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #212251 by Lindsays Snowman
Apr 12, 2008 8:31am
Thread (disabled) Board
To you all----and in response to LS's comments about me sharing the hardships of our soldiers and of being a military mom----you just don't know how much I appreciate comments like yours and in LETTING me share. Please know two things. I had no idea either until Greg enlisted and I am so grateful to Greg for being willing to share with me. Running into Nathan's father yesterday---he said Nathan isn't sharing ANYthing with them. I found out from Greg that Nathan is filling the role of Company Forward Observer and told his dad.

The second thing is that is it extremely theraputic for me to share with all of you. It relieves my stress and keeps me a bit more grounded. I can't tell, if it weren't for all of your feedback, what others know or don't know about this part of being a military mom any more. Hearing your feedback has allowed me to respond to others (noxers) at the grocery store etc. when they ask questions or have comments. It has been a tremendous help to me and has helped keep my heart softened and so I know there must be some of you out there who are tolerating my posts. My most sincere thanks go out to you as well. This has been sort of a "safe zone" for me like Kandahar and Kuwait are to our soldiers.

More EXCELLENT news!!!! Greg just called. They found out that their Battary is receiving the Knox Award which goes to the single best performing Battery over the past year in the entire United States Army ! This award was started during the Civil War.

On top of that, Greg's 1LT pulled him aside and said that he is the BEST artillery section chief in their battary and that puts him at the top of the pile for success and accuracy over the past year. Greg knew they broke some records during their very first mission and he also did for the entire 82nd ABN before he left. He was personally given a medal from the Battalian Chief under the netting they were firing their howitzers from.

Last, Greg did have a picture taken of him and his hometown buddy, Nathan while they were hangin' out in Kandahar. He said he will be sending it to me as soon as he finds his camera! =) I know I sound like a broken record---but Greg sounds better than he has since coming back from his first deployment to Iraq in 2003! What a blessing this is!
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #212291 by Trailtracker
Apr 12, 2008 10:35am
Thread (disabled) Board
you just don't know how much I appreciate....LETTING me share


Share on, Mom! Share on! We all need a safe zone and if we can help provide it for you what better service can we provide to our soldiers but to keep their moms going, who in turn keep their boys (and girls!) going! Yes, share on!

MHD
Re: Huge sigh of relief!
Board: State: Ohio
Reply to: #212312 by Mama Huntin Dog
Apr 12, 2008 10:59am
Thread (disabled) Board
Trailtracker, keep on sharing. Sometimes we don't know what to do for our soldiers (and their Moms) but we can certainly be listeners and share the good times as well as the bad times.