Dad 230

Zach was in my thoughts a lot today. He told us in the next several days he will be going out on a convoy with “all greens”. Greens meaning those who had not gone outside the wire or in short have never left the safety of the Forward Operating Base. My wife has written about this so I won’t elaborate but very few soldiers, marines and airmen actually go “outside the wire”. Most probably 85% serve their duty from inside the heavily protected FOB’s and only about 10% - 15% actually go out on patrols and missions outside the wire. So when Zach said he was going out with a bunch of green troops, I could feel his apprehension even though it was only by instant messaging that we were talking. Zach is comfortable with his normal team and they spend a majority of their time “outside the wire”. But he said they are now “experienced” but not so with this group of greens and he wanted them to get some additional training before they go out and some attitudes were getting in the way. He indicated that some of the newbies were a bit cocky and not realizing the gravity of what they were going to do where life and death walk a fine line. I told part of that might be a reaction to fear! He indicated how the First Sergeant had told him that since he was the "experience" in the group they will lean on him to get them all through it and bring them back. I thought about this Zach, who two years ago was starting his senior year of High School Lacrosse, a game he hopes to play in college and he was looking at tuxedos for the prom, now he is the "experienced one" taking a group of young troopers outside then wire in Afghanistan and into the wild – the dangerous wild. Zach was promoted in early March on the first day he was eligible so they see some leadership potential, it is amazing little Zachman, always undersized but full of spunk oh how far you have come. There is no doubt in my mind that he will do well, he has a knack for that! He will succeed because he is a superman! Just keep your eyes open your senses in tune and say your prayers! I am just ready for him to be home and go to college and start the next phase of his life! I love you Zach, I am so proud of you and I miss you every day!

Day 230

Mom – Day 230

At Day 182.5 Zach will be at the half way mark. That is still a long time from now. I am already tired and I still have 230 more days. I honestly don’t know how our military people do it – day in and day out - . I also don’t know how they put up with all of the red tape and B.S in general. I don’t want Zach in Afghanistan but if he is going to be there I wish he were with his team. I will feel better when he is back with his team. Zach speaks highly of his team; I know they are his other family.

I love you Zach
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Day 231

Mom – Day 231

Zach will be heading out soon – I don’t really want to talk about it because I am too worried. Let’s put it this way, I didn’t put on my waterproof mascara and that was a mistake.

Zach please be extra vigilant. I will be praying extra hard. I hope this is a short one.

I love you Zach
Xoxoxoxoxo
Love your Mama

Dad 232

Just a note to say I talked via skype with Zach for a couple of minutes. He is getting back in to the swing of things. Wrote a letter to Sen Collins, and Rep Michaud, concerning the non charged R&R! Typical Army BS but it is not fair and I am sick of the not fair types who have nothing whine about and yet soldiers in the field get rolled over I will not accept it! You are superman I love you bud!

Day 232

Mom – Day 232

It is getting late and I am still working so I decided to quit for a bit and write my blog. So President Obama went to Afghanistan yesterday. I was very happy to hear that because honestly, I thought he forgot about the men and women of our military serving out there. I know that realistically he cannot go out and about where the military personnel are engaged but I wish he would have others that do go out there, really speak to our military people that go outside of the wire and ask what their needs are. There always seems to be a show for them – skip the show and get down to business.

I hope one day Zach will want to take his kids to Afghanistan and show them how beautiful it is and how rich their culture is. I hope that one-day in my lifetime that I will want to go there to enjoy the great things it has to offer.

I love you Zach
xoxoxoxoxoxo

Day 233

Mom – Day 233

For the first time since Zach has been in Afghanistan was I ever able to Skype with him. There is something about Skype that is so fulfilling. I can’t hug and kiss him but I can see him and see his expressions. It really is wonderful. I was thinking how this will really help me to be able to see him every now and then (and it won’t cost me a fortune). Well, that didn’t last long. First, I asked Zach if the Army is charging him to use the Internet? Yes, he said, he signed up for the slower connection. So what is he being charged – try $25 a week for the slow connection. The monthly rate is $75 - $125 a month depending on the speed you want. I thought Zach’s last Internet bill from Germany (last bill plus they charge you for all these additional things) of 290 Euros was bad but I guess even in Afghanistan they get you. Now, I do believe he could still go and use the military’s computer and Internet for free but remember how little access Zach had to this. Anyway, all of this will be a mute point soon because he will be off soon with nothing. I will be back to praying that I could have the opportunity to call him – at the Afghani call rate. I know we are lucky to even be able to communicate with him but the fact is at this time in history, it is possible. I feel like our military is taking advantage of our soldiers. I know Zach has been out there in the fight doing his job, why can’t the bureaucracy of the military do their job!

I love you Zach
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Day 234

Mom – Day 234

Yesterday was blog number 100 for this year. At the moment I am speaking to Zach – limited because it is on Facebook chat. He sounds so homesick. I worry about this because he needs to be very focused in what he does. Zach did say that the Internet is more available now☺

I love you Zach
xoxoxoxoxoxo