Five days...

[montmil]

...That's what the latest email from Soldier Son SFC Zachary said.

Five days until his battalion goes wheels in the well and hauls ass outta that hell hole called Afghanistan. Thank you, Jesus.

My youngest son has about 17 years in traces with the USArmy. Airborne, He leads the sniper section of his battalion. Five combat deployments, so far, to some of the nastiest places on the planet. Scared shitless many times, he says, but has remained ding-free.

We plan on lots of decompression hours on BMW Airheads searching for good barbecue and cold beer. I am gifting him my 1983 R65 as his welcome home present. The bike will be heading to Austin, Texas.

 [smiley=clap.gif] [smiley=clap.gif] [smiley=clap.gif] [smiley=clap.gif]

[SCJJR65]

You'll have a smile as big as Texas after that fifth day, huh, Monte?  

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Me and Mrs. Phorqs are damb happy for your family and congratulations to your son and thanks for his service.

[Bob_Roller]

Monte, great to hear that someone will be out of harms way, in the 'hell hole' called the mideast .

I had a coworker when I worked for an airline in Chicago, he started working for Southwest Airlines a few months after I did, he was based in Oakland, California .

I had heard in around the time of the Iraqi invasion, that he had re-enlisted in the Army, got tired of the same old routine and needed a bit of excitement .

Well, unfortunately, he found it in an IED (improvised explosive device), he was critically injured in the explosion and died about 2 weeks later of his wounds at Walter Reed hospital in the Washington D.C. area .

If you ever see a listing of the people killed in this current war, look for Michael Vega's name on that list, a good man that as far as I'm concerned, died an unnecessary death .

The following article doesn't mention the explosive device, as there was a great concern of the vulnerability of the Humvee vehicle, due to it's lack of armor on the underside of the vehicle at the time .


http://www.militarytimes.com/valor/army-1st-lt-michael-w-vega/257109/

[Red_Hen]

This is great news, Monte!  I wish everyone in your family the very best!

Our youngest, Isaac, 19 is leaving 11/26 for Marine boot camp.

Kinda scary - we'll hoping and a praying for him every day!

[montmil]

Freakin' Hurricane Sandy may delay the departure of the 143rd Para. I hope not but you can't mess with Ma Nature.

Ken, Good luck to your son Isaac. Keep us posted on his new adventures. If it's any consolation, Marines and Navy usually do six-month deployments rather than the year-long gigs of the USArmy. Son Zach has seventeen years in... so far... and five deployments. Crusty ol' vet, he is.

[Lucky_Lou]

Hope Zach has made it home safe .... training beer for the first week ??
Lou

[montmil]

The US east coast storms have made a mess of getting charter aircraft into the Manas Transit Air base in Kyrzigstan.

The marvels of instant communication now put son Zachary, as of 43 minutes ago, at Shannon Airport. Getting ready to hop over the Pond, they are.

I deeply appreciate everyone's thoughts and prayers over the last year on behalf of our son. This fifth deployment has had be more concerned than ever before. Pray God keep his strong hands wrapped around our Soldier.

And it will be Texas' Shiner Bock beer when he lands at DFW Airport in a few days. Thanks. Lou, for your note.

[mrm]

my thoughts and prayers sent his (and your) way for a safe homecoming.

[montmil]

UPDATE:

At approx 1100 HRS/ZULU, SFC Zachary Miller and company arrived safely at McGuire AFB, New Jersey.

Next stop, their original departure point in Indiana where they will spend 4-5 days in demob activities at an Army facility.

Completing that, each Soldier will then be flown to his home; in Zach's case, Dallas-Ft Worth Airport.

Although there was far less CQB -Close Quarter Battle- than in his previous deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, the threat of "Green Fire" made this deployment very stressful for all involved Soldiers.

I would be premature in saying that this will be Zach's last deployment. International situations do not seem to be improving. A small contingent of USArmy Special Forces have already been deployed into areas surrounding Syria.

We are all very happy to have Zach home for awhile. Actually, he may be able to enjoy both Thanksgiving and Christmas with his family for the first time in many, many years.

I need to be sure the Airheads are all good to go. Zach's already saying he wants to ring out the "new" R100S.

There will be barbecue runs. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[suecanada]

Thank you for letting me join in the excitment of Zach's return home...wouldn't it be great to be home for Christmas after many years not being home...i can't imagine the thrill of it all!!

[montmil]

Thank you for letting me join in the excitment of Zach's return home...wouldn't it be great to be home for Christmas after many years not being home...i can't imagine the thrill of it all!!

Thanks, Sue.
We're looking forward to having Zach home this Christmas. Best gift we could ask for.

[montmil]

Pretty Wife and I will be at DFW American Airlines gate C-27 Thursday morning, 08 Nov, at 0820 hours when Soldier Son walks off the aircraft.

Finally home, almost... in sixteen plus hours.



This is an older photograph of Zach from the first Iraq War. He was a Spec 4 at the time serving with the 1st Cav. I like the composition of the image so thought I'd share it.

Permit me to thank each and every individual who has taken the time to keep our son in your thoughts. It does make a difference. God bless all here.

[trips]

It's all stupid and unnecessary, they are wars of aggression, not defense. What a waste of life.

[montmil]

Son Zachary's flight was on time. So happy to see him well and in fine shape.

Several other families also welcoming home their "Texas T-Patchers" -the 36th INF Division. Was fortunate to see one young Soldier's first meeting with his new born son. A happy man.

Us, too.