The Jingle Bell 5K Run

Well theres nothing like waking up at 4:30 a.m. to go run in subarctic weather, but for some strange reason I thought I would give it a shot. Today was the Bagam Jingle Bell 5K run. There were about 300 brave souls who decieded that they wanted to run. I guess I don't know if we were brave or just plain stupid. We got in line to register about 5 a.m. and the race started at 6. It was a warmer morning today compared to other mornings, in the low 20's but I was still cold. This was a 5k fun run to celebrate the Christmas Holiday coming up next week. For running, you got a neat T-shirt and a bracelet that had bells on it. (thats why its called the Jingle Bell Run). If you could have been here to listen to all of us run. All you could hear was loud breathing and those damn bells. SFC Moss and myself completed the run in a little over 26 minutes. It felt like much longer though. I have attached a few pictures of us about 35 minutes after the run. Once we finished we went to the gym and worked out for about another 20 minutes and then went to the office to get some pics. I hope you enjoy. Please look closley and you can see our bell covered braclets. SFC Moss had to be unique so he decied to do the famous Captain Morgan pose.

Enjoy

A Tree from Heaven

They say that picking the right Christmas Tree for the Christmas Holiday is very Important. Thousands of people each year spend countless hours trying to find that one special tree that will make their Christmas perfect. For me this year it was impossible to go find that tree. Truthfully, you don't find many pine trees here in Afghanistan. I had just thought that this year I would have to go without. My family on the other hand decieded that I needed a tree. They spent many hours making me my own personal Christmas Tree and sent it to me here in Bagram. I can say that in over 30 years worth of Christmas's, that this was the best present I have ever gotten. Thank you Megan and kids for taking the time to give to me something that I can never forget. The Tree was everything that I could have wished for and so much more. Not only did you give me a tree but you gave me so many wonderful memories to hold in my heart. I am glad that we each were able to spend time together and to have these great memories together. Please know that you are forver on my mind and in my heart. I want yo all to know that even though I can't physically be there with you this Christmas Season that I am there in spirit. I am saddend that I can't be home but I know that the pictures and wonderful words will get me through this time. Thank you again fo the best Christmas present a Soldier could ask for. Thank you for loving me and taking the time to make this wonderful tree for me. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and I know that we will be together again very soon.

The Concert

Here is a picture of "Bubba" from Forrest Gump

Here is a picture of Gary Sinese playing the bass Guitar and one of his singers.

The USO is a fantastic organization. They do so much to help out our military. I was able to go to a USO concert last Monday night here in Bagram. I went and saw the Lt. Dan Band. Many people might say well who the heck is that. The lt. Dan band was started by actor Gary Sinese who played in the Movie Forrest Gump. In the Movie his character's name was Lt. Dan. The concert was fantastic, and even Bubba from the same movie was there playing harmonica. They allowed us all to forget even if it was just for a couple ours that we are fighting a war and took us back home. They played all kinds of music from modern things, to old Jimmy Hendrix. It was outstanding. I am so greatful for their service to us and that they were willing to spend their Thanksgivng Holiday with our military. thank you for what you do and we appreciate your sacrifice to help support our military. I have attached a few pictures to show you.

McDonalds

Me and My buddy Ronald in Ali Asalim Airbase in Kuwait
This was my last Fast food Meal prior to flying into Afghanistan

No matter where you go in the world you can always find a McDonalds

The First Step

There is a old Chinese quote that says "Every Great Journey Starts with a single Step". The quote did not say how hard it is to take it. I had to leave my family a little over a week ago, and it was the hardest thing I have had to do. For the last week I have been getting ready for my deployment to Afghanistan. There were so many things to do and train up for. I was mentally ready for what I needed to do, but had no idea of what it was going to be like to have to say goodbye to my family. People say that you just have to take that leap of faith and that everything will be okay. There will always be memories and images that are forever imprinted in my thoughts. Leaving my family and the watching them for the last time for a while was one of them. Yet another image is when my plane was taking off to fly over seas. One of the most powerful images I could see was as our plane began the taxi to the flight line there was a group of soldiers off to the side in a formation salute us as we left. It is difficult to put into words the feeling you get t see this but it was overwelming and brought out all of the emotion I felt inside I arrived a few days ago in the middle east, I can't say exactly right now where but what an expierence so far. I will try and post to this blog as often as possible to journal my thoughts and expirences while I am on this journey. To all of those people who may read this. I am not a special person. I am just a normal guy who loves his family and his country. I hope that by reading this blog you gain a little understanding about my life and the importance of freedom, and family. To my wife and family, know that I love you all so very much. We all have begun our great journey, and between now and then....I will be loving you.