Thoughts

Well, here I sit... 60 miles away from home, on yet another TDY trip. It seems that all I do these days is travel. I love to travel, don't get me wrong. I am fortunate that in my life, I have been all over the world, tasted many different cultures, lived among the people, and still get to come home to the greatest nation on the planet.

I love my country, and what it stands for. But, I don't really care for the partisan politics that have run rampant in the past few years. I try to distance myself from it, but it get's put in my face more and more.

I am proud to be a US Soldier... a Professional... and an American.

The other night, we started watching the series "John Adams" and I must say, I am completely taken by it. As a modern day "defender of freedom" I am first on the front to know that freedom is not free.

Liberty means many things to many people, but it is the basis on which this country was formed. This little mini-series gave me some insight into what our forefathers went through to carve out our independence, and to make sure our brand new government would not self destruct.

If you have not seen it, I would highly recommend it.

Now, as for deployment... it's the waiting game that drives me insane.

Once the call comes down, and you are told you are going, many different emotions well up inside of you. Since this is not my first rodeo, I know what to expect. I have seen the things that need to be changed from my last mission, and it frustrates me when the winds of change do not blow.

I don't have any news to tell now, but I will soon. I plan on taking some MUCH needed vacation before I have to start working those 18-20 hour days.

Also, as the OP Tempo climbs, I may have some lags between entries. I plan on continuing a daily diary, but may have to post several day's worth of entries under one posts, due to internet connections, or lack thereof.

So, I ask you to be patient... this is new to me and there are surely growing pains to be felt.

Until then, good night, and God bless!

RLTW!!!