[Long Cut]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

Hello to all my FRiends! If I missed your name on my ping list, it's because I am blessed with more of you than I can remember at once, so please, take no offense. Sorry it's been so long since I've popped my head in to say "HELLO", but I am sort of busy.

My crew, and a few others, has been permanently "re-deployed" to Sigonella, Sicily to support PATRON 45 (the "PELICANS") in operation ENDURING FREEDOM. We'll be here for te remainder of our deployment, flying operations patrolling the Mediterranean for "bad guy" merchant ships smuggling "bad guy stuff", both to Europe and the Middle East. We also do "other missions", which I can't talk about, but which I fear I'll have a hard time forgetting. I wish I could.

Our missions can last up to 20 hours of flying in hostile areas with no support or backup. They are stressful, cold, and scary. We fly against people who would like nothing better than to kill us, and we do it unarmed...we have no pistols, rifles, missiles, or bombs. We don't know why that is, but we do our jobs, anyway. Always trust, we will do that no matter what. We always keep in mind just who we are protecting, and how much worse some other Soldiers and Sailors and Marines have it than we do.

I'd like to say "THANK YOU" to all the FReepers who have pinged, FReepmailed, and just thought good wishes to me, I have read all your mails and pings that I could, which regrettably is not many, given the circumstances. Please know that they all are appreciated. Woahhs, I guess you don't need to send out that search party!

For those who know, I am still working on that novel I began a couple of months ago, and I'm about two-thirds done, with some research and writing to be completed when I get back Stateside. I've shown it to some of the lads, and they all like it.

Mrs. Cut and Mini Cut, who are today with Mrs. Cut's family in Maine celebrating Thanksgiving, are very well, and in the warmth of joyful relatives. There are, I'm told, no less than four new babies at their little celebration, so everyone's as happy as they could be.

I wish to God I was there.

Anyhoo, please do me a big favor and raise a glass to all of us overseas today, as we will (if able) to you. I hope every one of you has a safe, healthy, and happy Holiday season. And please, don't worry...

...We're watching your backs.

[Long Cut]

PING to 107!

[tomkow6]

...please do me a big favor and raise a glass to all of us overseas today, as we will (if able) to you...

SALUTE!

 

[Soaring Feather]

Hi LC!!

So good to hear from you today!

Thank You for your service to our nation!

God be with you all on your mission.

Our thoughts are always with you.

[Fawnn]

Thank you for taking the time to stop by today. I'm so thankful for you and those so many like you who serve our country.

Prayers lifted for your continued safety (and help with dealing with whatever other matters your missions may entail). Prayers also for your beautiful baby and wife.

You're also two-thirds of the way towards being a member of another elite force! (According to the late R. Karl Largent, less than 1% of those who start writing a novel ever finish writing a novel!)

I wish there were more that I could do. Please accept my humble prayers and good wishes. God bless you and keep you safe!

[Long Cut]

Hi, DOAIJV! Ping to #107.

[StarCMC]

Thank you Long Cut. (that seems like such a little bit of nothing to say, but I mean it with all my heart!) God bless you today.

[HairOfTheDog]

...We're watching your backs.

Thank you Long Cut... For the update and news. Prayers for your continued safety.

I hope you are home with that family of yours soon!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Thank You for the update(s)
Happy Thanksgiving
SALUTE

[DollyCali]

Hi Sailor and All..

Thanks LC for your holiday letter. I mostly lurk but read almost daily all the nice things on this thread.

Thansk Tonk for the pings.

Great profile page Long cut.. I am sure that you miss being with your new son in the next weeks of holiday & excitement.

Thanks for doing your part to keep our nation safe.

God Bless you!

[radu]

Heeeey, heeeey, heeeey, Long Cut!!!! It's wonderful to hear from you!!!! Moving right along on that novel, aren't you? Knowing you've been busy these days, it's good to know you have some time to work on it.

You take care of yourself, y'hear? I wish you could be home with Mrs. Cut and that precious Mini Cut. Thank you for sacrificing in order to watch our backs!

Why wait til dinner to raise a glass? Right now is a great time.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Okay, I was "on the edge" after watching the President - your post finally made me cry.

God bless you, Long Cut - may He keep you safe, and watch over your beautiful wife and little baby in your absence.

May His blessings also be on all those who serve with you.

We have nothing without people like you who are willing to step up, strap it on, and "watch our backs".

God bless you. God bless you. (I can't say it enough.)

Happy Thanksgiving, my friend.

(P.S. I'm glad to hear you're working on that book - you're so talented.)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Here's to you, Long Cut, Mrs Long Cut and Mini Cut! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Glad to hear that the novel is coming along. Prayers will continue for the safety and success of your missions.

Thank you for the job you are doing to help keep all of us safe.