[ohioWfan]

Lord willing, I will soon be able to give my final update on this phase of Eric's military experience, and he will be safely home. Lord, may it please be so.....

[ohioWfan]

PING!

[xsmommy]

Bless your little towheaded boy! prayers for him, and for you, as well!

[mountaineer]

Thanks, L. We know you and the family are so proud of this outstanding young man; thanks for letting us share in that pride. He and his comrades remain in my prayers.

[bmwcyle]

AMEN

[Carolina]

Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping Eric as well as all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

[Carolinamom]

Eric is a son to be proud of.....as you and all of us are who have been priviledged to learn about him. Although I've never met him in person, I feel like I'm his aunt or something! LOL! I love his smile too!

[HiJinx]

What a wonderfully moving recounting of Eric's career to date. You've been blessed by our Lord in ways many will never know...and in my heart, I know those blessings will continue for a long time.

Next time you speak with Eric, please thank him on our behalf.

HJ

[A_perfect_lady]

He sounds like a great kid! I sympathize with the sweaty-immediately-after-the-shower part. I was anchored off the coast of Oman on the USS Emory S. Land for three months in the summer of 1988. The heat and humidity there were astounding. I lost so much weight I melted down to 103 lbs (5'4"). I was actually pretty happy about that, but the minute I came back to the US and saw the Golden Arches, the button just shot off of my dungaree pants. LOL!

[Jeff Head]

God bless you and your family for your feelings, thoughs and actions regarding our Republic and for your son's service. God bless him for that service and bring him home safe to the arms and bosom of his family.

Here's my own effort as a tribute to what is being accomplished there.

WinningIraqiFreedom

[dansangel]

I have been praying fervently for you and your brave, handsome and *wonderful* son Eric since he joined.

We have to have faith in our Father that Eric and all of his fellow troops deployed over in Irag will have Christ's Bloodline of Protection surrounding them.

We have to keep these men and women in our hearts and prayers always because, as you have stated so eloquently, ((((((OWF)))))), the war may be *over* but the ***danger*** still remains.

Thank you for sharing this *exceptional* journey and testimonial with us. God is *good* and He listens to our prayers and petitions. Please dear Father, hold these young men and women close to you in an embrace of love and protection. Allow them to return home to their families and loved ones. We trust in You, dear God, to listen to our pleas and to grant our wishes if it be Your Will. We ask this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

(((((((Eric))))))))) - you ROCK!

[My back yard]

Prayers for your wonderful son Eric who is protecting freedom and liberty, and for his safe return home. And, prayers and thanks to you and his mother for raising such a fine young man.

[armymarinemom]

Prayers all around. God Bless your son and tell him thank you for his service.

Word on departure keeps getting longer.

[MissAmericanPie]

What a blessing to have such an amazing young man reflect on you as a parent. I pray that God protects your boy and returns him home to you soon.

[farmfriend]

Prayers for all who serve.

[DLfromthedesert]

I pray with you and your family that this magnificent young man makes it safely home.

[SuziQ]

Thanks so much for your continued updates about Eric. I keep him ( and y'all) in my prayers, with a special one for a quick return home.

Our daughter is fixing to join a Senior Girl Scout troop. Our town split the only Cadette troop into two groups and there will be 10 girls in her troop. Would it be OK if they sent goodie boxes and letters to Eric? I'll ask them when we get together for the first time next week.

Somehow I don't think he'd MIND getting a care package from them, but let me know! ;o)

[boxerblues]

Great Story...I pray everyday that all of these fine men and women can come home soon. I know the feeling all too well when you havent heard from them and you sit and worry yourself sick that something is wrong, and cry like a baby when they do call. The 101st homecoming has been delayed once again, it was suppose to be sometime in Sept. but has been pushed back to whenever.

[manna]

Thanks for the update. Eric, his buddies, and their families are still in my prayers ...

[harpseal]

BTT

[zip]

Thanks for sharing a personal part of your life with us and a HUGE THANK YOU TO ERIC for his service. As an Infinite FReeper (Columbia MO) I salute you for supporting your son and our troops. He is in my prayers.