Posted on 01/17/2006 10:59:47 PM PST by Swordmaker
Hugs, kisses after seeing war up close
The shrieking and shouting, the first signs of tears and trembling hands, began at 1:57 p.m. as men, women and children stood on folding metal chairs Monday to peer over a tall fence onto the tarmac at Sacramento International Airport. . . .
. . . Then came the roar. And more tears - tears of joy and anticipation and frayed nerves. The chartered jet was in view, taxiing toward them.
War-weary California National Guardsmen were arriving after 18 months away from home - a full year of it in the thick of combat in Iraq. The returning guardsmen are members of the Modesto-based 1st Battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment, which has seen some of the heaviest action and had one of the highest injury tolls of any unit of its kind since the Korean War, authorities said. . .
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
FYI....No, jmpmstr4u2 is not Swordmaker's son....I don't think he's quite old enough to be his Dad, but I'm sure that if Swordmaker had a son, he'd want him to be like SFC Greg. Swordmaker is just a great FRamily FRiend and family friend way before Jumpmstr4u2 and I joined FR. However, he's just as proud of SFC Greg, as if he were his own. : )
Jmpmstr4u2's Dad is included in a photo in.... post #79
I do have several swordcanes... but I think a Gleneddichcane is much more useful and easier to sneak past metal detectors.
Major goosebumps! Thanks, Swordmaker. My son, a Marine, returned home from Desert Storm in 1991 and I remember waiting with his brother and their father thru a long evening--when an advance party of two arrived around midnight. Then all thru the next day until evening when he finally arrived with the rest of his men. The anticipation as each bus approached, and passed, the suspense, the fellowship of all the families and the hope we would soon see them, the flags and signs and then that long-awaited moment after dark--it was incredible. And so I have some idea of how Greg's mother and brother and niece felt, waiting. It's truly overwhelming!
Hey there..... how could I take those pics, when I'm in them? Gail took them and I just sent them on to you. LOL
You know what I'm thinkin"?
Someone on this thread belongs in the ZOO. ROFL!
Well, I have some good news for you...we have a "support our troops" rally the first Friday of each month at Blackstone and Shaw in Fresno and then go to dinner afterwards. (When we have someone special attending our rally we usually go somewhere special for dinner.) So, round up the whole family and come on down! :-)
Thanks for the picture ping, Syncro.
WelL...what can I say? Greg will be going back to Texas for a few weeks and won't be available until after he gets back. We'll see what we can do about joining ya'll one of these Friday's. We're all up in the Sacramento area so it's a good drive, but will be worth it all to come down sometime....to Frellowship with ya'll and for sure..... WE DO LOVE AND SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!!!
I lost the sword for mine.
I should make it into a flask...
I guess I should have said the pictures you sent me instead of that you took.
Mr. Parkinson doesn't like crab so Dr. Zoo transmorphed it into steak for him.
Thank you all so much. It really means alot to me. I appreciate all of your well wishes. Yea, you too syncro...lol
When is the next picnic? Just let me know ahead of time so I can put in for leave. I would love to meet all of you.
Greg
Hey there... Long time no speak... How are you? Hope that you will be at the next picnic. I can't wait to meet you in person... Greg
Amy, can you add jmpmster4u2 to your list of contacts for info regarding the picnic next summer? He needs to put in for leave in order to be able to come so needs to be reminded ahead of time.
Thank you so much. Sounds fun. Too bad it is so far off...
Nice to "see" you too! HUGS! I haven't forgotten about you, just figured you're BUSY with reunions and stuff.
Can't wait for that picnic, but darn, couldn't it be in July? Well, for now, I've got the date on my calendar. Still have your e-mail so will write soon.
Hope you're enjoying the U.S. of A.! Clink!
Thanks for the heads-up, MamaBear.
Welcome home jmpmstr4u2! Thank you for your service.
We are looking forward to meeting you and to seeing your family again.
I've added your name and La Enchiladita's to our picnic ping list. Looking forward to meeting both of you. :)
Thanks, JustAmy. It seems a long ways off, but you know how that goes...!!
It is a long way off, but I've added you to our ping list so you will be reminded later. :)
Howdy FRiends,
Would it be possible to make it a semi-annual afFRair.....like maybe a "Spring FRing" as soon as it gets warm enough.....have a potluck picnic?? Sounds like fun to me and I'll betcha a bunch of others FReepers will agree. We could meet in a pretty park somewhere in Fresno, as it will be more centrally located there. I know that Fresno will be closer for La Enchiladita to come.
I know also there is something that's going on in Santa Rosa or somewhere up around that area, but can't remember the date, but would like to added to that ping list with who ever has it. We live up by Sacramento and so does Jmpmstr4u2 and any way you slice it...it'll be a couple hours drive for us. Just let us know (give us the heads-up in advance) and we'll be there with bells on!!
I still think a "Spring FRing" is in order. Doesn't have to be anything fancy....just something simple....just to get together and to FRellowship ; ))
Think about it. ; ))
((Hugs)) SPM
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