Bad news, Good news...

[ROCK6]

Hello all! Well, it's been quite busy here in Afghanistan, but things are moving along. Our Battalion lost a Soldier a couple weeks ago; it wasn't combat related, but more unfortunately a senseless "hit and run". He was an outstanding young man from South Carolina with a promising future and one of America's finest. It's was pretty rough on me personally, but it's the price we sometimes pay in our occupation. Send a little smoke and some prayers to his family. His fiancé was also in our unit...a double punch to the gut.

I'm still on track to return home late October and we'll be moving to Georgia in December (Thomson to be more specific). My wife just finalized our bid on a country farm-house on a little lake. It has a few acres and part-ownership of the lake with the potential to purchase adjacent land in the future. I'm pretty stoked...it's a big house, so I'll get my own "man-cave". We'll be out in the country with plenty of woods and several hiking trails. I'm looking foward to some good backpacking, camping, hunting and woods bumming next year. Our current house already has renters pending with the option to buy...good news and we've been blessed.

Thanks all for your continued support. It chokes me up to see some of these "young" American kids over here who are so well grounded, hard working and excellent examples of what most of us remember our Nation to be founded on. I say "Americans", but it amazes me how many naturalized citizens are in the military...we have Soldiers originally from Africa, Korea, Russia, Czech Republic, Mexico...a real melting pot where diversity is truly our strongest aspect. Keep the faith; keep sending the prayers and thanks for all your support!

We have several close-working allies as well...Canucks, Brits, Aussies, Slovakians, Bulgarians, Dutch and French. In fact our Signal Battalion is playing the Signal's unit from Canada in hockey this afternoon...truly a great relationship with our brothers and sisters in arms.

ROCK6

 

[WILLIAM.M]

I'm sure I speak for all of us on this forum that we THANK YOU for your service and wish you a SAFE return...

Keep us posted Bro

 

[Fonly]

thats too bad, it hurts alot more for me knowing friends going over, its alot different when people that are lost are close.

I just hop things can clean up soon and we can get our guys home, from all allied forces.:thumbup:

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Hey Rock,

Glad to hear you're ok - be safe and get home soon.

Doc

 

[Masteroffajitas]

Wow, sorry about your buddy. My brother has been deplyed twice and he'll be doing another tour next year. Get home safe.

 

[C Bryant]

Thank you for your service, stay safe, and thanks for checking in. Smoke, thoughts, and prayers your way.

 

[koyote]

Got a lot of words, maybe over a beer sometime. That's a lot of goings on going on for you. Bad and Good.

Stay frosty, come back.

 

[ROCK6]

Thanks guys; I was the senior guy on the ground for the "Ramp Ceremony" and that's the longest, most sobering and solemn stretch of airfield I never want to walk again.

ROCK6

 

[dougo83]

That's tough Rock, prayers are inbound for all y'all. My lil brother just got back in May and my cousin just deployed to the 'stan recently. Take care and keep yer head down...

 

[j williams]

Keep on keepin on, and get back safe brother. Always tugs at me to hear about losing good soldiers. You are in my thoughts.

Stay safe Sir.

-J

 

[Diomedes Industries]

Hey Rock, Did your wife ever get the package with the new knife and sheath in it?

Keep your ass low and your bed roll dry brother.

Semper Fi,

TF

 

[ejes]

Smoke headed your way. Thank you for your service. Many of us back home think of you guys each and every minute whether or not we have family or friends in the mix; just know that. Watch your top-knot brother and come back safe!

 

[Rockywolf]

Ditto to all the others said. My cousin is in Iraq right now, 3rd tour. Thanks for doing what you do!

 

[kgd]

Glad to hear your coming back in a few weeks Rock. All the best on the new home. I hope your man cave has a reinforced floor, because I've seen how much steel you have. Keep safe!

 

[milani74]

Smoke sent. Thank you for your sacrifices and service Rock.

 

[azshaman]

Smoke up for your loss, and for all of the losses.

Happy to hear that you have such a beautiful place to come home to! It is good to remember that we all have our special places because of the service of our brothers and sisters in arms!

Thanks again. Never forget that we support you!

 

[Midnight Scout]

Sorry to hear about your Soldier. I went to a few memorial services for Soldiers killed in Iraq on my last trip to Germany a few years ago and they were difficult ceremonies to attend. Being a major I figured it would not be a good thing to bawl, but that is what I wanted to do when very young Soldiers were remembered at these ceremonies by their families. Rough.

Thank you for the sacrifices you and your Soldiers make.

 

[sicily02]

Hi all,

Rocks 6 glad to hear you are ok and that is to bad about your fellow Soldier passing away.
Thanks again for your service. Take care and chat with you later,

Bryan

 

[dawsonbob]

Sorry about your losing one of your own. It always hurts, and you remember them always. For me, the worst part was having to write their wives or families, which caused my face to leak almost every time.

Stay safe, and make sure you don't lose you: come back safe and whole. Thanks for what you're doing for all of us.

Semper Fi, Rock.

 

[banana-clip]

Sorry to hear about your Soldier that passed away, hope you have a safe return back to the states. Sounds like you have a really nice place to come back to in Thomson. Thats just about 20 minutes up the road from me on I-20. I'm in Augusta stationed at Fort Gordon. Take care and thanks for your service.