Journey Home

Thoughts on Leaving Afghanistan,,

Well the last 10 days have been something else. Mostly it was a lot of
waiting.

Out journey started with trying to get out of FOB Lightning in Gardez. To
do this we were lucky enough to get a Helicopter scheduled. The helicopter
showed up but could not land since the weather had turned bad. This meant
we got to stay another night. The weather front that had moved in was going
to be there for a few days. So the decision was made to get out by convoy.
Our convoy consisted of over 20 humvees and the biggest problem was getting
through the KG Pass.

When we got to Camp Phoenix we had a roller coaster of expectations. First
we were told we would leave the next day and at the last minute the Flight
was cancelled. Well our day came to leave Afghanistan for good and we loaded
on a C17 and flew to Manas. What a greeting we received at Manas. It was
cold. Freezing actually, the warmest day was 13 degrees. I cannot remember
ever being that cold in my life. I think Kyrzygstan when translated into
English means actually Siberia. Well we killed time at Manas waiting for
the day that has been marked on everyone's calendar for 9 months.

This is what made things so hard. Everyone wants to be on the next plane to
the states! So we spent another 5 days just killing time. The hardest part
was to let the time pass because our minds were racing thinking about
getting home. On the 22nd we had our briefing for leaving the 23rd. When I
went to get my ticket I was told that I was actually leaving today (the
22nd). I needed to get my bags and be back at the terminal ASAP. My
initial reaction was ecstacy as I went and got my bag. Then sadness hit me
as I realized I would be going home without my friends and brothers from
BHUT 311. I get back to the terminal and get my follow on tickets, then I
am told that I am actually on the 23rd flight and they had made a mistake.
So I asked them if they could make another mistake because my bags were out
on the truck to get loaded onto the plane. That didn't happen and we went
digging for my bags.

We all endure through the night and make it through the morning and get
loaded on a 737 for our trip home. We were scheduled to stop in Romania and
Ireland then BWI. Bad news. When we get to Romania they tell us a
hydraulic part is broken and needs to be flown in. So they put us up in a
hotel not knowing if it would be 1, 2 or more days. The following morning
we were told that we would be leaving that night at 11pm. So we had a day
to kill. Thank goodness the hotel had wireless internet so most were able
to contact families and friends.

Here I am now on the plane after having taken off from Keflavik, Iceland on
our way to Portsmith NH, then on to BWI and hopefully home.

What a surprise we got in New Hampshire. We stopped at what used to be Pease AFB for a Crew Change and when we got off the plane at 3am there were over a hundred folks from the local VFW chapter there to give us a heroes welcome. It was great...most of these men and women were not given a heroes welcome when they came back from Vietnam but they wanted to make sure that didn't happen to us. So to all the men and women who came out at such an ungodly hour THANKS!!!!!!!!!

The trip back was no different than the entire time over and that was a lot
of waiting.

I was very blessed to have family and friends that made sure I knew that I
was remembered. For those I am most thankful! I have lots of good and bad
memories. I saw stuff that most Americans never will. I hope I can forget
the bad things and treasure the good.

Arriving at home! After 10 days of trveling and most of the time being late
my last leg of the trip I arrived home early. I was due to get into Gulfport
at 2pm and the plane landed at 1:30 pm...you know what that means. I got to
surprise my family!

As I was coming out of the terminal I ran into my Mom and some great friends
as they were just getting there. Then as I was going down the escalator I
saw Carrie fly by in our car. I had sent her a text when we landed and she
became "Speed Racer".

It was wonderful to be with my family again. The rest of the weekend was a
blur but very productive. On Saturday my oldest son Colin got his new car a
97 Plymouth Breeze. I fixed the TIVO and Family computer and we went to
Outback for Dinner on Saturday!

My view from my hotel in Romania.

A view from our "Miami International" chartered flight standing on the Tarmac in Keflavik, Icelend.

Colin's NEW CAR