I'M HOME!!

Friends,

Well, I finally got home late Tuesday night (Jan 26). Karen and Craig were there to greet me, along with quite a crowd from Operation Welcome Home. It was a very nice reception. We spent the night in Baltimore because I had to in-process at my base on Wednesday. By Wednesday night, we were back at the house, which I had left last June 14. Not much has changed, except that Karen completely remodeled our bedroom. She did a great job. After six months sleeping on a twin bed or cot, our king sized bed is like laying on a continent. Of course, Karen is used to having the bed to herself, so now it's crowded. All a matter of perspective I guess. Craig has grown so much, I swear he's six inches taller.

According to my calculations, I was away from home around 220 days. From where I sit now, the time did go by rather quickly, but that is still a long time away from loved ones. I'm not sure exactly how I will look back on my experience these past seven months, but I'm proud of what my team accomplished in our relatively short time in theater and glad I had a chance to do my part for the Air Force. I met a lot of good servicemen and made some new friends while developing deeper friendships with others.

The support from friends and family at home was incredible. The care packages, e-mails and cards/letters played a large part in keeping my spirits up. I cannot thank you enough for your kind thoughts and encouragement. I know there are differing views regarding the conduct and validity of our involvement in Afghanistan, but the support of our troops has never waivered nor been in question. While my time in theater has come to an end, there are thousands of servicemen in harms way every day. Please remember to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

With that, I will close this blog. It's been a hell of a ride. I hope to print out all the e-mails and posts and create some sort of keepsake. Since I have given it out to so many people, I will maintain the e-mail address dave.pollock@us.army.mil. Please keep in touch.

Best wishes and take care,

- Dave

Almost home!

Hey Followers!

Well, after many aborted attempts, me and my team finally made it to Manas Air Base in Kyrgystan. It is cold here with snow on the ground; good way to get acclimatized(?) to the weather back home.

Sorry for not writing for so long. It was a busy time doing "turn-over" with our replacements. Also, we had to move out of our rooms so they could move in, resulting in a loss of internet access. Air flow in theater has been affected by snow here in Manas and the earthquake in Haiti, believe it or not. Air assets have been redirected to assist in the relief effort. I know it is a nobel cause and the right thing to do, I just hate the fact that it is delaying my return trip. (Cold hearted, I know, but I gotta be honest.)

If all goes as planned, I should be getting into Baltimore sometime Tuesday morning, East Coast time. I need to out-process at the base, so I'll likely not get back to the house until sometime Wednesday. Haven't been there since June 14th - seems like eons ago.

Sorry for not having any pictures to share. I'll try to put up a few on my next - and probably last - post. Until then...

Take care!

-Dave

Home Stretch / Lousy Eagles

Hello followers,

We’re in the home stretch now. Down to the last full week and a few days; 25 weeks completed. The feeling is that this week will last FOREVER, but I’m sure it will pass as fast as the rest. I started packing today because we will have to vacate the room for the new folks to move in. It’s easier for us to move into a tent for a short time preparing to leave for home than for those just getting here to move twice.
So, I got my butt out of bed at 0500 this morning just to watch an uninspired Eagles team get waxed by those hated Cowboys. If you know me well, you know that is a huge deal. Almost cataclysmic. But while it ruined my morning (and the opportunity to sleep in on a Sunday), I didn’t let it ruin the whole day. Strange how I view things in a different way since I’ve been away. (Don’t get me wrong. I will still root against the Cowboys the rest of the way. I’m just sayin…)
In other news, we moved our office from the “cans” into tents within our new compound. The pictures below are of me behind my old desk on the new space and of the outside of the tents. They are called Alaskans because they are made by the Alaskan Manufacturing Co. Quick funny story. At one time these were referred to as Alaskan Small Shelters. Knowing the military’s propensity to use acronyms, you can see why the name didn’t stick. I mean, who’d want to sleep in an ASS. Or worse, go to work in one.

Until next time, take care.

-Dave

Happy New Year!

Hey followers!

Happy New Year! I beat you to it by over nine hours, but I was dead asleep. No parties, no celebrations (at least that I was aware of), no fireworks. Today was business as usual, which actually suited most people just fine. One more day closer to going home. Celebrating the New Year just reminds you that of what you’re missing.

But, that is no reason to skip making resolutions. I have come up with a few that I hope will be easy to keep:
1. Spend more time with my family. (I should beat 2009 right around July 1)
2. Spend less time on military duty. (Due to existing circumstances, this ties in directly with number 1.)
3. Watch more football!
4. Spend more money!
(See how easy this is!)
5. Try not to gain back any weight. (This could be a tough one.)
6. Listen to the radio and catch up on the latest music.
7. Go out to dinner. (Pizza first; Five Guys next.)
8. Drink a beer. (Or two)
9. Don’t work too hard. (Sorry Rob and Ahmad.)
And my favorite:
10. WATCH MORE TELEVISION!!!
(There are other things of a more personal nature that I also resolve to do, but that is not for this particular forum.)

So, my friends, please enjoy the New Year and time with family and friends. I’m down to a few weeks now and I’m looking forward to seeing you all when I get back.

Take care,

-Dave

(P.S. – picture below is of my friend Maj Pete Keegan. We did have a small party, but the food never showed up. Don't ask.)