Howdy Nick & Trudy

I gave you a rating of 5 for a very good post.

Being a Veteran and had a son in Iraq. I would like to receive them. I wish your son all the best and really appreciate the sacrifice your family is making for our country.

If you would e-mail me by AR I will give you my every day e-mail.

Thank you

Have a good one

Hi Nick and Trudy: My son also just returned from a tour in Iraq as a door gunner on a blackhawk, Our thoughts are with you as I certainly know what a scary, stressful time this is for your family. We wish him all the best and really appreciate the sacrifice your family and your son are making for this country. I will look for future posts, especially the one that lets us know he is back, safe and sound. Feel free to email me anytime you need some support from someone who has been there. i had a friend whose son came home as mine left and we were in constant contact-it helped us both! Best wishes...

Dale Thanks for the grade, it really is not me, but Jeremy who deserves the credit, he is a good writer and communicator and remains positive even when the going gets hard.

Cheri - Thanks, I am sure over the length of the tour you will no doubt hear from us in one way or another.

 comments by Jeremy's commanding officer

LtCol J.R. Shafer

Dear Recon Friends,

Hello from hot and sunny 29 Palms California! Since arriving nearly two weeks ago, we've been quite busy executing our very aggressive training schedule. The Battalions' Marines and Sailors started with several days of classroom instruction, covering everything from Middle Eastern culture to convoy operations. We then progressed into field training, with individual "training lanes" established to concentrate on specific skills that will be required throughout our deployment. We have also utilized the multiple firing ranges aboard the base. We have worked on individual combat marksmanship skills, conducted platoon sized live-fire maneuver exercises, and have practiced calling in artillery support. These demanding training events have been made all the more difficult by the hot and dusty conditions; however, the Marines have performed superbly and excelled at their tasks. Although 29 Palms may not be every Marines' favorite place in the Corps, it certainly is a tremendous base in that it is many times larger than Camp Lejeune, and offers virtually unlimited training opportunities and live fire exercises with dedicated support cadre. While 29 Palms may be much more mountainous than Iraq, it certainly has similar desert-like conditions and challenges. This past week, within a matter of hours, we experienced 110 + degree temperatures, exceptionally heavy rains that washed out dirt roads in training areas, and a significant sandstorm. These conditions are often experienced in Iraq, and require prompt and detailed maintenance to keep all equipment working and in good order, and the Marines fully prepared to do their jobs. Our Headquarters and Support Marines have done a magnificent job keeping the Marines in the field supported with everything from equipment maintenance and transportation, to freshly prepared meals, ice, and cold drinks. When not in the field training, Camp Wilson, although quite Spartan, offers a PX, gourmet coffee shop, a "warrior's club" for burgers and pizza, chow hall and phone center. Marines have the opportunity and are encouraged to call home often to stay in touch. Your Marines are enjoying the training and spirits are high. With slightly more than two weeks to go, I anticipate that the battalion will do exceptionally well all the way up to and through the final exercise, when all focus and attention will shift on returning to Camp Lejeune and reuniting with loved ones. Not a day goes by where I am not completely impressed by the character, dedication, professionalism and esprit de Corps of your Marines and Sailors. They continue to energetically tackle any task, with smiles on their faces, and take pride in a job well done. Your continued love, support and backing of your Marine and the unit undoubtedly reflects in their tireless spirit! Thank you, and God bless! J.R. Shafer LtCol, USMC Commanding Officer 2d Reconnaissance Battalion

My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. I know you are proud of your son for his service and sacrifices in duty while apprehensive at the same time. Keep your faith up and his too. My husband is not religious at all (did not even believe in God) but sure has realized the importance of reading the Bible and believing since he has been in country. 

As I approach 14 years as an Army wife who has been through many deployments the past 7.5 years, I know some of what you are going through but I am sure it is tougher when it is a child going. Fortunately for my family there is light at the end of our tunnel finally - we received word this past week that his unit is coming home in about 12 weeks after 15 months of duty. But I know it won't be long before he is back over there to one of the sandboxes or even someplace new yet again.

Keep us posted! Our thoughts are with y'all.

Melissa I cannot imagine what you have been going through. I do not think it is so different having a child or a husband in harm's way. What many forget is that it is not just the servicemen and women who serve but their whole families. The war affects all of us. So thank you for what you have been going through and I hope the next 12 weeks fly by for you. I know when Jeremy came home last time it was as emotional as when he was born. Having done that so many times I am sure each one is different, but i am sure it is emotional to see the unit return.

Dear Everyone else,     

I finished my training in CA finally after 34 days of the desert. It feels good to be "home" again even if it is still in a barracks room. At least i'm not sleeping on a cot and the temperature can be controlled.    On the plus side, the plane was overweight so they removed some bags that we checked. Both of mine are still in CA until an unknown point in time. C'est la vie.    

is a picture of my new platoon.

If you don't know who i am or somehow have still not seen me, i'm the one in front just to the left of the black guy with the weird aviators and black gloves. I get a lot of crap for my choice in sunglasses.      There are also two people not visible because they are blocked by some other people so we'll have to get another good group photo some time.    

On the schedule is a little bit of training here in NC before leave starts. Then we'll head off to our respective homes to do whatever it is we all do for fun. Then we'll leave to fight again October time frame.  

Restfully,    jeremiah