Taking time to NOT forget!

2 opposing views from palace to gate and vice versa. Friends will be flying into BIAP(in the distance of 2nd photo) very soon.
Well, Meritt reminds us in todays post that in some way we are ALL affected by the conflicts overseas in that we know a family member or friend or coworker serving this country right now overseas or having done so in the recent past myself obviously included.
I can be happy my time for now over there is done, HOWEVER, for the same reason I thought I was UNFORTUNATE to be one of the chosen few from my unit to go on last years rotation, the 1st BCT from the 34th ID here in mostly Minnesota and Iowa is staged at Camp Shelby MS some having already flown out, and others waiting for the short notice to get their crap and fly! I got lucky to be on the last one and home now!
I will tell you I wanted to bring this issue up today because here in the midwest it is affecting us at this time in a big way. 4000 troops from the midwest heading out. Yes, BCT's from LA, PA, AR, MS, and WA have come and gone, but it is our turn to lend our friends for awhile!
I would say that seeing the press so much recently from this area makes me a little jealous in some way, mainly because I was not able to go with a huge group of friends or people that I know, but I can say, I am not THAT jealous. I had a good gig over there, and they will not have it as good as I did. I was able to see so much more than most people who are stuck at their mission for the whole dang time.
So, I can also say that some of my great friends are leaving, and I have told you about DAN, and his wife Emily. Dan is one of the best humans you could know. I saw them at Christmas, but He took the time to keep up with me while was gone, get me a job when I got back, laugh at my jokes, and just be a great person. Dan, I would LOVE to be able to deploy next to you, maybe next time(NOT!) Pete, you are my longest NG friend. I used to say to our leadership that the person I would trust most in my life besides my family would be YOU, based on your convictions.
I know Michelle does most of your online spokemanship, and we'll do what we can to help her out. With the exception of Dan who now makes 2 poeple have the utmost respect for! Yes,, there are plenty others like SSG Lee, Wayne L., and the rest of the crew from CG! I will not forget you are over there this year, and it may seem like you are forgotten while you are there, but you are not! Not by me anyways!
I know in the past while I was gone I said I wanted to start a foundation when I got home to support families of military soldiers, especially deployed. Well, for us here I have found the Minnesota Military Family Foundation that supoorts families of soldiers while deployed in financial hardship or need. It provides grants when families need it. I know they have helped people make mortgage payments, and car payments, and that is one I will pledge to support. So if you live in the midwest, know that you have a mass of folks leaving the area for our countries greater good.(Don't be fooled by the left, we are in too deep, and leaving now would provide a greater danger to YOU!) If you know someone deployed, take care of their family, check up on their family periodically, and don't wait for them to ask for help. It doesn't work that way! If you have an employee that is gone, support them, and honor their sacrifice of giving up life for a year, or maybe EVER! Think about it that way. If they never come back, won't you feel like crap for not supporting them and their family because YOUR life was too important to think about someone else! Sorry, I know plenty that think like that, and just know that you don't want to be one of those!
Long Story longer.........I love you guys who are leaving, and you will do us proud back home!!!
Later,
Erik