I have nothing new to report at this time. Though, this has me thinking, since my return, I don't think my posts are no where near as interesting as they were while I was in Iraq. So, who still likes to read these posts anyways?
By the way, I am doing various Toys for Tots this week throughout Columbus. So make sure to go out and drop off a toy in the box.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Thanksgiving
Well, as you can see, I was responsible for cooking the turkey this year. Actually, more like deep frying the turkey this year, which is something new for my family. I must admit, I was a little concerned about my lack of training on deep frying, but it turned out very well in the end and quite delicious, along with the rest of the fixins.
I would also like to take the time to recognize some things, this past year, that I am grateful for.
First and foremost, God's protection over my life and giving me the strength to continue on with the mission during the most trying times.
Family and friends. I have such awesome people backing me up that it just amazes me sometimes. I know that whenever I am gone, there are people who will take care of my mother and my mother will take care of me when I am gone.
The Marines. No better person than a Marine to cover your back in combat.
The Columbus community for showing tremendous support to Lima Company.
Monday, November 14, 2005
A End to a Great Weekend
This past weekend was the official welcome home for the Marines in Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines. It started on Thursday with the Columbus Veteran's Day Parade. Our company was welcomed home during the opening ceremonies in downtown Columbus followed by our participation in the parade. We were marched along the parade route where thousands of people cheered us on and thank us for a job well done. Unfortunately, I couldn't take any pictures.
Then come Friday evening, the Columbus Blue Jackets honored our company by inviting us and a guest to the game. Before the start of the game, we all went out on the ice, was acknowledged, and received a 2-minute standing ovation. It was a really great way to be treated and I had the honor to participate in the color guard during the national anthem. It was a great game, with some great fights, but the Blue Jackets didn't win.
Saturday morning, we did a memorial service, at the drill center, for all of the families and friends of the 23 fallen warriors of our company. It was emotional for a lot of guys and even myself as I got the chance to meet some of the family of the men I fought along with, but didn't make it home.
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A grieving widow placed some roses upon her husband's memorial.
And the best part of my weekend, the celebration of the 230th Marine Corps Birthday on Saturday evening. It was a chance to see some of the other Marines, who came from other units, and we hadn't seen in over a month. And with the support from the community, we didn't have to pay for anything and got a room at the Renaissance Hotel.
Cpl Watkins, Sgt Taylor, Cpl Bunker, and Cpl McCauley
Then come Friday evening, the Columbus Blue Jackets honored our company by inviting us and a guest to the game. Before the start of the game, we all went out on the ice, was acknowledged, and received a 2-minute standing ovation. It was a really great way to be treated and I had the honor to participate in the color guard during the national anthem. It was a great game, with some great fights, but the Blue Jackets didn't win.
Saturday morning, we did a memorial service, at the drill center, for all of the families and friends of the 23 fallen warriors of our company. It was emotional for a lot of guys and even myself as I got the chance to meet some of the family of the men I fought along with, but didn't make it home.
<
A grieving widow placed some roses upon her husband's memorial.
And the best part of my weekend, the celebration of the 230th Marine Corps Birthday on Saturday evening. It was a chance to see some of the other Marines, who came from other units, and we hadn't seen in over a month. And with the support from the community, we didn't have to pay for anything and got a room at the Renaissance Hotel.
Cpl Watkins, Sgt Taylor, Cpl Bunker, and Cpl McCauley
Thursday, November 03, 2005
Beans
This is a story that I heard about while I was in Iraq and totally forgot about until I found this article. I remember hearing some guys talking about a sniper hiding a dog from our Sergeant Major, but I didn't know that they got the dog home. I just wanted to share this because it is a really cool story and I knew Corporal Boskovitch.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1500797/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1500797/posts
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Military Honors
Today at work started like all others; show up and sit down and do nothing for about 30-60 minutes. Well, it ended up that there was a funeral for a Vietnam Vet. and there was a need for a NCO to do it. So instead of sitting around doing nothing and cleaning weapons, I volunteered to go and perform military honors at this man's funeral. Since I was the NCOIC (noncommissioned officer in charge), I had to lead this thing and such. It was pretty easy since I already done every other role, except this time I had to present the flag to the man's daughter.
A bit of advice was given to me before I left from a sergeant. He told me to not look into the person's eyes when I present them the flag because the majority of the time, they are crying and I don't want to be caught up in it all and forget what I need to tell them. Well, I find it odd to not look at someone when you are talking to them. So what did I do, I looked into the daughter's eyes while presenting her the flag and she started to cry. Then I almost got into the whole emotions of it and had to take a second to stop. I was able to finish the presentation without too much of a problem. Overall, I'm glad to get a chance to perform this honor for the locals vets.
After the funeral, LCpl. Roessner and myself wanted to get some lunch at a nearby Max & Erma's. It was a great place to eat lunch and even better while wearing our dress blue uniforms because some guy wearing a red shirt paid for our meals. This guy just told our server and then left. We didn't get a chance to say thank you. I have find this odd that a lot of times that I do get a meal paid for at a restaurant, the person who does it usually just leaves without saying but a couple of words or nothing at all.
A bit of advice was given to me before I left from a sergeant. He told me to not look into the person's eyes when I present them the flag because the majority of the time, they are crying and I don't want to be caught up in it all and forget what I need to tell them. Well, I find it odd to not look at someone when you are talking to them. So what did I do, I looked into the daughter's eyes while presenting her the flag and she started to cry. Then I almost got into the whole emotions of it and had to take a second to stop. I was able to finish the presentation without too much of a problem. Overall, I'm glad to get a chance to perform this honor for the locals vets.
After the funeral, LCpl. Roessner and myself wanted to get some lunch at a nearby Max & Erma's. It was a great place to eat lunch and even better while wearing our dress blue uniforms because some guy wearing a red shirt paid for our meals. This guy just told our server and then left. We didn't get a chance to say thank you. I have find this odd that a lot of times that I do get a meal paid for at a restaurant, the person who does it usually just leaves without saying but a couple of words or nothing at all.
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