19 Mar 09 - It happened again

Afternoon,
I'm hoping today is 19 Mar 09. This morning when I woke up I wasn't quite sure. I did know another day had passed and I was one more day closer to coming home. The days of the week are blending together already and not because I'm old and somewhat forgetful (be careful Susan). Yesterday at about 2:00 PM (8:00 AM Minnesota time) I talked to my wife on her way to work. We agreed I would call her back this morning at 6:00 AM my time, which was last night (10:00 PM her time). It didn't work that way because I was up bringing soldiers home from the airport until after 1130PM. On top of that all 29 of us guys had to move out of our tent to a different one. So when I finally got back to the tent it was hit and miss trying to get my area set up and not wake the guy next to you. Did I mention the harder you try to be quiet the more noise you make? Needless to say when my alarm went off at 5:AM my time the alarm made some noise as it fell to the floor.

It's not that I didn't want to talk to her. It was more than likely the fact that I had to shave, put my uniform on and drive to a phone 1/2 mile away. However because of the guys I picked up, I had to escort them to breakfast and then have them report in for duty.

So like I said in my title "it happened again". My job found a way of coming between us. Was it avoidable, more than likely. Will it happen again, probably. Does it mean I love her less, hell no. What it means is we (Susan and Myself) just have to work harder to make it work. Looking back I am a little embarrassed that my butt was stuck in the infant position on my too small cot. I wanted to talk to her, listen to her voice, and picture her smile. Her voice smooths me, if I had a blood pressure cup on to monitor my blood pressure it would prove that she calms me. She makes this deployment go away for a short time and makes my sadness go away. Talking to her makes time stand still. I want to take her in my arms and tell her I'm sorry I missed our call, but she already knows that, She knows I'm doing the best I can with the time I have available. She also knows that her ability to understand my situation is another of many of why I love her.

Enough of the soft side of Dave. This morning in my office (Bathroom) I was thinking of my life, my love, and my home so far away. Since we have been married and before, I have been to the following Army bases for one thing or another in my almost 30 years:

Ft Leonard Wood, MO
Ft Jackson, SC
Ft Lee, VA
Ft Hood, TX
Ft Bliss, TX
Ft Chaffe, AR
Ft McCoy, WI
Ft Campbell, KY
Ft Irwin, Ca
Ft Sill, OK
PEC Little Rock, AR
Camp Shelby, MI
Not to mention hundreds of time to Camp Ripley, MN

Just name a few. Not to mention that I have worn 3 different uniforms, and several pairs of combat boots. Days like today I feel old and historical. But I know that what I do makes a difference. Whether it's the gate guard, cook, food server, bus driver, janitor or the soldier I make a difference. However the saying goes sometimes I bring joy when I enter the room other time it's when I leave. I guess it's up to tomorrows generation to use me know while they can, for tomorrow I may not be there. 30 years of wearing the uniform has me dreaming of a life a little closer to home with my wife by my side.

Tonight I ask that you say a prayer for the men and women serving in the Armed forces.

That is all,

Dave