The Outpost : An Untold Story of American Valor

Last weekend Erik and I traveled (ALONE! Unencumbered by baby gear!!) to Washington DC to celebrate the release of Jake Tapper's book, The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor. The book was written about 4 Battalions’ tours in Afghanistan, 1-91 CAV, 6-4 CAV, 3-61 CAV, and in Book 1, the BN Erik served in at Ft. Drum, 3-71 CAV.

In the book you can read about the lives of men you've likely only heard about: LTC Fenty, SFC Monti, CPT Bostick, LT Keating, just to name a few. Men who were and are more than just names on outposts in Afghanistan. You can read about my own husband and just a few examples of his bravery, and far less importantly, you can read the email he sent to me when he told me that his deployment had been extended by 4 months and that I had to cancel our wedding (an email that was sent only 2 weeks before he should have marched into the gym at Ft. Drum to be welcomed home).

The book release party was held at the Newseum, appropriately, and many of the troops from the 3 BNs focused on in the book were in attendance. After the party kicked off, toasts were made and then a few Soldiers presented Mr. Tapper with tokens of their appreciation for writing the book. One of which was a flag that was one of just a few things rescued from the burning operations center of COP Keating before it was evacuated. Trust me when I tell you there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

It has been my belief for a while that 3-71 CAVs participation in OEF VIII-IX was a perfect storm, the likes of which many hadn't seen or wouldn't believe. I'm so grateful that a light has been shone on the heroics of these men, and so many others, who I believe make up the new Greatest Generation. Until now, so little was known about those who have given SO much.

The weekend also brought about the reunion of old college buddies, delicious sushi (that I have desperately needed since we left HI) and many sites visited, including Arlington on Veterans Day. I think Erik and I were both stricken by the number of names we recognized the latest sections of the cemetery. Honestly, there had to be at least 20 people we knew or had connections to. Twenty. Can you imagine? It's not that we didn't know they were gone, but just the sheer magnitude of walking around and just happening up familiar names really brought things home to us, even more so than they already were to this Army family. We are so lucky Erik has come home safely from his 3 deployments.

I remember thinking that night at the party that I was in the company of heroes. And then it occurred to me that as a military spouse (a term I hate to use to define myself, by the way) I am lucky enough in the company of heroes every single day of my life.

 (The men of 3-71CAV that were able to attend, and Jake Tapper)

 

Here is the link to the transcript of an interview Mr. Tapper did regarding the book. It's the best interview I've seen yet. http://www.hughhewitt.com/transcripts.aspx?id=dd755e93-a1b1-4ba6-b185-9e7ac964f87b

***I don't feel educated enough to write a full review of the book, because the truth is I haven't been able to finish it. I read, remember, cry, and put it down again for a while. I have read a good portion of it (2/3ish, which is about 99% more than expected), and someday I hope to finish it, but that day is just not today. I can say that it seems as accurate as it could be for a book whose story began more than 5 years ago (by Erik's description, not my own).

Back in the 808

I got home on Saturday afternoon. I had the brilliant idea to stay up all night Friday night (as I hadn't really adjusted to the time change anyway) and then sleep all the way home. I did end up cat-napping on the couch for a couple of hours but my plan worked just the same. I was only conscious for about the last hour and a half of my flight into Honolulu. I'm not saying I'll ever do that again, but it worked this time.

So home was good. It was great to see everyone, and I was able to drive myself from Oklahoma City to Cherokee (a good three hours) so that was amazing (no traffic on a 2 lane country road at midnight!), and of course there were plenty of Sonic drinks.

*******************************
I want a word that describes the feeling you get - a cold, sick feeling deep down inside - when you know something is going to happen that will change you, and you don't want it to but you can't stop it. And you know for the first time, for the very first time, that there will now be a before and an after, a was and a will be. And you will never again be quite the same person you were.
-Jennifer Donnelly

What a month!

So a couple of days after my last blog, Erik came home (a day early, and got to stay a day late!) and we had a great time. We flew to Kona (stayed in an AMAZING B&B - thanks to the recession for such a great deal!) from there we drove to Hilo and went to see Volcanoes National Park (because of which I'm still half dead from the sulfur dioxide). We also drove to the southern-most point in the United States. And, there is one tiny strip of land on the Big Island that is still governed by the British (it's a monument to Captain Cook). While we couldn't to the land its self (because one of us, I'm not going to say which one, didn't want to get muddy), we did get to see Britain from a bay in Kona and I think that's still pretty amazing. Then we went to Maui for a few days and drove to the top of Haleakala (well, Erik drove, I closed my eyes and willed myself not to get car sick). Then we came home and hung out here, spent a night in Waikiki (where we saw people we saw in Maui), and in a flash he was gone. I was able to take off most of the time he was here so we were able to go and do as we pleased, which was very nice. We ran around the islands, bought some "art" and too much wine, ate too much, drank too much and just enjoyed each other. Baxter and I both were very happy to have him here and very, VERY sad to see him go. I always feel like our time together goes far too fast.

In Kona

Still in Kona.
This is Hilo. We were at the Place of Refuge. Basically in ancient Hawaiian times, if you commit a crime (or, kapu, as they called it) like letting your shadow fall in front of the chief (serious, I know) you could be put to death. OR if you could make it to the place of refuge, you would be blessed by a priest and your transgressions were forgiven. Pretty weird idea, but a very beautiful area!

Now we're in Maui. So this is us in the 'Iao Valley. Google it, there is a very interesting story that I don't feel like typing out. It involved Kamehameha though, and we all know how I feel about him...

This is us in Maui at the top of Haleakala. It was windy and damn cold up there. Maybe 42* isn't cold to you, but when it's half of what you're used to it's awful!

And now, let us fast forward to 3 days after Erik left.

I'm laying on the couch, minding my business, when the doorbell rings. It's 8:30PM, so I cautiously open the door to find Dave, Vickie and Lori on my porch - apparently they had gotten a great deal on tickets and flew out here to surprise me. I screamed and jumped around so much that it looked like I had won the Publishers Clearing House (I know because they taped it). It was such a great surprise and really helped pull me out of my post R&R funk. I couldn't take off while they were here so they went to the beach every day and we grilled and drank champagne in the evenings. And on a whim we decided we'd go to Maui. And take a helicopter tour, amongst other things.

Everyone I tell about my surprise guests says "Wow! That takes guts!" but that's totally them. I wish I could be so laid back!

This may or may not have been in the car while they were waiting 4 hours for me to come home. Thing was, I was already home!

This is my face when I opened the door. I don't have the video :( Pardon my hair, I had just flung open my door.

We had a few skype dates with Erik!

This is us before our tour in Maui!

Dave during the tour.

Pardon the haze, we were above the clouds. ;)

Lori and I during the ride.

So anyway, that's my the recap of my amazing mid-April through mid-May. Hopefully I'll remember to update this thing before mid-June. :)

Ghost of R&R Past

I just wish the ghost of R&R present would get it's butt here.

Montreal. September 2006.

Quick Update

So work is going well. I feel like I'm bringing home work every night. No, I'm not getting paid overtime, but I just have SO much to do and no-brainer tasks (organization of paperwork) and the like are getting in my way. So until I can get caught up on things that HAVE to be done during the day, homework is my fate. Although I'm trying to avoid bringing much since I don't have much longer with Erik home. After that, I'm sure I'll be glad to have extra work to fill my evenings (although in theory I should be caught up by then... God willing).

I got my first pay check today - YAY!! AND as a bonus for bringing home work all the time, I decided I needed a new tote. I wanted a leather one initially, but I decided I'd save some money and just get a new Vera Bag. I'm pretty stoked. I was going to post a link for you to look at it, but I can't without showing the price, and thats weird. I'm pissed now though. I thought I was getting a great deal at the PX and it's on sale on the VeraBradley website. I paid $12 more than necessary! Although, I guess shipping to paradise would have made up for the savings... Either way, AAFES is falling down on the job. Gas is cheaper in town than on post today (BTW, we're BELOW $4/gallon for the first time since we got here!)

Okay, so since Erik is going to be leaving soon, you won't get many updates out of me before then. BUT I don't want to leaving you hanging - so I've saved the best for last! Pictures of our trip to Massachusetts! No, I do not recommend flying across the freakin' world for a weekend (okay, so it might not have been that long but damn it felt like it!) but for the most part a great time was had.

Here we go! Oh. Have we talked about how blogger is gay and won't let me put the pictures in the places I want, in the order I want? I'm lucky I can put damn captions in. I miss xanga.

So here's Pat and Ken dancing. You can see Erik and I in the back ground. I think it's fun.
The gang. Minus the bride and groom. Where were they!?
Erik and I dancing.
So rewind back to the rehearsal dinner - Erik and I and Dave and Vicki bought matching Hawaiian outfits. This is the worst picture ever, but at least you get the idea. And yes, the bride and groom got their own matching outfits also.
Erik and I infront of the pumpkin fountain. Look over here, buddy! Maybe Ken has a better one.
The fam infront of the pumpkin fountain. I guess it was more of a waterfall that they had turned off and decorated for autumn. I miss autumn. This was Lori, Vic and I before the wedding. Lori and I had recently purchased the largest sunglasses we could find.
Oh, and now we're back to the reception. Here's me and Lori. I HEART her!

So that's that. I'm off for Itallian Deliciousness with Erik, Rich and Melissa. Got to get all the good eatin' in before the boys leave!

Lindsay isn't the only one

having trouble leaving comments - every time I try to, I get a "busy signal" from the internet. Someone call Al Gore and tell him I'd dissatisfied.

So work is going well. I'm through training and I'll be in my office (re: cubicle) tomorrow, all by my lonesome. I think I'll be okay though - today I was SUPER busy in another office, so I learned a LOT! For those of you who don't know, here's the breakdown of what I do: The state of Hawaii only allows cizens to be on "assistance" for 5 years. After 5 years you are done. No loop hole, no moving to another state, NOTHING, you are on your own. Well, in order to keep their assistance (and hopefully become self sufficient) the state has a program in which they partner with community business and agree to reiburse wages ($7.25/hour plus 50 cents for every dollar on top of that) in return for the employer hiring one of our clients (who may or may not be reliable/willing/experienced), with the idea that the employee will receive the training they need to do the job. That's where I come in. Basically I match the clients with the jobs they like and try to make them fit. If they don't fit, I find something else. If the employee won't work, I recommend that they get their benefits taken away. Basically I'm a social worker without a license, but technically I don't work for the state so I get paid better! ;) It's fun, but my GOD it's a lot of paperwork and record keeping. Luckily I'm crazy anal enough to almost enjoy that sort of thing.

So in a few days Erik and I take off for Massachusetts to see some folks and attend a wedding before d-day. I'm really looking forward to it. I miss having Dave and Vicki around! But truthfully I'm dreading watching Erik say goodbye to everyone. I hate goodbyes, even when they're not my own.

So do you watch the Houston Animal Cops? If you don't, don't start. If you do, you know our plight. We watch it A LOT and each time we look at eachother and say "I want another dog", and we found one online too - at the MAUI SPCA. Erik was FULLY ready to ferry to Maui and back on Saturday to "interview" him with Bax and go pick him up (his name is Harry, but I was pusshing to change it to Kevin) but when I emailed, he already had a home. :( You'd think we'd have learned our lesson of adopting from the SPCA the first time... Maybe instead of adopting another dog with only one "parent" home, we should just donate.

Oh! And now some pictures from our visit with Dave and Vicki (and Maui!!). They are in no particular order because I can't really figure out how to get blogger to do what I want it to to do.


In this picture I was teaching Vicki the "baby shark" song. Erik was proud, can't you tell? Why weren't we paying attention to the Luau?


Still not paying attention to the luau. And also after having enjoyed a little (free) livation.

At the "3 Bears" waterfall. I'd really like to tell you that the reason I'm not in it is because I'm taking it, but lets face facts folks. I'm not a hiker. I sat on the wall nearby reading by book. Dry and clean.

FYI
This is us at a beach on our island.
Vic was excited. And wet.
When in Rome (or in the Dole Pineapple Plantation) do as the pineapples do.
Mary likes leis.
Us chilling by a waterfall.

Another year, another attempt at regular blogging...

I'm a procrastinator. It's a wonder I ever got through college this way.

I'm supposed to be tidying up. Our landlords are getting out of the "biz", so our house will be on the market in the future. Appreciating our landlords for saving us from 6 months in the Lawton ghetto, I'd like to help them sell the place by not having Erik's crap everywhere when the house gets shown. However, that's become a task since nothing I do or say can rouse him into action. I've given up - if 4 years at a military university didn't do it, I certainly can't. Let it be known though: I'll happily pick up his shoes off the floor dozens of times daily if it means he's here to leave them there...

We're going to North Dakota this weekend to see Erik's grandparents and the rest of his ND fam that I've never met. Should be fun. But I want to have the house clean before we go because a) I hate coming home to a dirty house and b) It might get shown while we're gone.

Enough about cleaning - what am I? June Cleaver?

The plans for the big move to Hawaii are coming along. As far as they can come without the Army telling us when we have to be there... We should know on Thursday though, and on that day I'll go into full overwhelmed mode.

It's not like a regular move where you can pack your own valuables without the movers knowing about them, or move them yourself so you know nothing bad happens. Noooo, this time I have to put everything I own on a ship and hope it doesn't end up bubbling up from the bottom of the Pacific. I'm sure I'm being dramatic but ... it's what I do.

House hunting is going well. Before we knew we'd be going to Hawaii we had hoped to buy at our next duty station. HOWEVER, you can't even look at a decent house without paying half a million dollars, so we're going to be renters for the next 3-7 years. Things are looking up though, ahrn (thanks Jackie) has been most helpful.

So I'm going to try to be more regular at this, and I'm sure when we're less busy and prepping for the next deployment (it's coming quicker than I'd like...) you'll be hearing more from me.

Until next time!