Getting back to life…

Went surfing this morning. First time in about nine months. It was good to be in the water. It was good to be out there with my friend Jamie. The surf wasn’t great but we each got a few good rides. I didn’t forget too much. Swimming in Kuwait seems to have helped maintain my … Read more

Home Again

I’m home. I’ve been home for about a week. It took about a week to de-mob. I left San Diego on the afternoon of the 15th. I had some business to take care of in the Los Angeles area so I stopped and stayed with friends there. Had breakfast with Charles Knief on Friday morning … Read more

The Long Ride Home…

Sept 7 & 8 – Day 184 & 185 It’s been a long day. A good day but a long day. Today started at 2300C last night. As I explained, I was the only one in my tent last night. It was wonderful. I hooked up speakers to my computer and listened to music as … Read more

Entries On Hold…

Day 183 —————————- Although I am still writing entries to this blog I cannot publish them just now. Entries written between 30 Aug and 13 Sept will be posted on 13 Sept. —————————- We had some country & western singer put on a USO show last night. I walked over and listened for a little … Read more

Goodbyes & Chapters

Sept 04 – Day 181 Today we mustered, quite possibly for the last time as a unit. Upon arrival San Diego the unit is heading in a number of different directions. It’s kind of sad. There was no formal ceremony bringing us into this deployment and it appears there will be no formal ceremony marking … Read more

IT2 Smith, front and center…

Sept 2 – Day 179 Today a got an award. The Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal. I would like to think it’s a big deal and that I really worked hard to deserve it. The efforts mentioned in the citation were, in my opinion, significant and beyond the scope of a Second Class, especially … Read more

MIUW 104 has been relieved…

Sept 1 – Day 178 We have been relieved. MIUW 104 is no longer executing the mission in Mina Al Shuaiba, Kuwait. At 1500C MIUW 204 relieved us of the mission. Now all we have left is to pack our gear and our personal belongings, clear customs, board planes and begin our homecoming celebrations. I’m … Read more

This One’s for My Little Boy…

Came across the Navy Wives web site and there found a link to the song Little Soldiers. It made me think about my little soldier back home. The words to the song made me cry as I thought about how strong my boy and my daughter have been throughout this deployment. “That’s a long time, … Read more

People read my blog…

Day 177 Here it is, the end of August. Wow! Six months we’ve been here. March 8th seems like a long time ago. There are some new guys in camp. It was interesting. I introduced myself and they said, “yeah, we know you.” You know me. What’s your name? Turns out they’ve been reading this … Read more

My Strength at Home…

Day 168 This letter, written by Ben Stein, is titled Strength At Home. Altough it is addressed to one particular Army wife, in the text of the letter Mr. Stein makes it clear he is talking to all military spouses. I love the whole letter but there are two passages that I would like to … Read more