Sorry for the long gap since the last blog. As I tell everyone, we’re pretty busy over here. Still going strong working 14+ hour days, seven days a week for the past 14 weeks. But, we’re over the hump; just around 12 weeks to go. Several things have happened since I last wrote:
- On October 9, I celebrated my 21st anniversary to my beloved wife, Karen. Can’t really say we celebrated – it’s hard to do that when you’re half a world away. But, I still enjoy the fact that she has been my best friend all these years. Without her support and encouragement, this deployment would have been so much more difficult. Being able to call home every so often and sharing e-mails has done so much for my piece of mind. I truly look forward to the next 21 years.
- My son Craig turned 11 on October 21. I can’t believe how fast he is growing up. He is the joy of my life and so much fun to be around. During my semi-weekly phone calls home, he keeps me up to speed on sports. I so enjoy his viewpoints and analysis (he doesn’t think the Phillies stand a chance against the Yankees). He is also a great student. I can’t imagine being more proud.
- The Eagles started the season looking like the team people thought they could be. Then, they lost to the Raiders. Enough said.
Around here, there have been some changes. My team has been folded into a larger unit, now known as the 777 Expeditionary Prime BEEF Squadron (EPBS). Prime BEEF is a pseudo-acronym for Primary Base Expedient Engineering Force. We’re a larger unit and I have been tasked as the Engineering Flight Chief. So I head up the efforts of the engineers, designers, surveyors, planners and construction managers. Accordingly, I have that much more to do.
BUT, that is no excuse for not writing more. I will venture to share more funny stories and other odd things from this deployment. So, stay tuned!
Best wishes,
-Dave
(P.S. – pic below is of me opening a care package from Karen and Craig. Home made cookies!)
