| Hallo |
[27 Dec 2004|01:11pm] |
| [ |
mood |
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 mellow |
] |
It's been awhile since I've updated this thing so I figured I should start writing again every so often.
I've been here in Friedberg for about 1 1/2 months now and I'm starting to get tired of the partying scene already...haha. It's great being able to drink legally but it's getting pretty expensive going out every night. But it's also fun to meet new and interesting people with a totally different background then us Americans.
I had a wonderful Christmas here in Germany, I liked it here a lot more then I thought I would over the holidays. Christmas day here just felt like any other day, I kind of missed the Christmas tree, opening presents and all that good stuff. Instead we had a keg party on Christmas, infact 4 kegs of German beer...we had a great time. Definitely an unique experience.
I pretty much got a chance to give everyone a call back in the states and say Merry Christmas, I got to catch up with a couple of friends that I haven't spoken to in forever. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and has a Happy New Years as well, I'll be heading over to Amsterdam to celebrate New Years 2005! That will be a blast, I'll try to post some pics when I return.
Until next time...
-Brian
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| 10/29/04 |
[28 Oct 2004|02:48pm] |
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Brian has officially graduated from boot camp. Way to go, Bri!! He's on his way to Florida and will be back at home late Sunday night. : )
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| POSTCARD HOME - REC'D 10/20/04 |
[20 Oct 2004|08:06pm] |
(POSTCARD IS A PICTURE OF A M2A2 BRADLEY WHICH ALSO STATES: THE BRADLEY IS A HEAVILY ARMORED, FULLY TRACKED COMBAT WEAPONS PLATFORM. TWO VERSIONS OF THE BRADLEY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED - THE M2 INFANTRY FIGHTING VEHICLE AND THE M3 CAVALRY FIGHTING VEHICLE.)
04OCT04
WEEK 13
DRIVE WEEK
TODAY WAS THE START OF DRIVE WEEK, WE JUMP RIGHT INTO DRIVING THE M2A2 BRADLEY (SEE FRONT) RIGHT IN THE MORNING. WE ARRIVED AT THE BDC (BASE DRIVING COURSE) AROUND 0700, THAT WAS JUST THE BEGINNING. WE GOT TO DRIVE THE BRADLEY FOUR TIMES. 3 LAPS AROUND THE BDC TRACK (DAY), ALL-TERRAIN OFF-ROAD DRIVE, BDC TRACK (NIGHT) AND THEN THE ALL-TERRAIN COURSE AT NIGHT. DRIVING THIS BEAST IS LIKE DRIVING A BIG ASS GO-CART. I GOT BACK TO THE BARRACKS AROUND 0030, I WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES...SOME GUYS DIDN'T RETURN UNTIL 0330! BUT I HAD FUN!
UPDATE 06OCT04
STILL NO MAIL CALL, I SEE THE MAIL COME IN BUT YET THE DS WON'T PASS IT OUT. I'LL GET THOSE PICS SOMEDAY! : )
- BRIAN
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| LETTER HOME - REC'D 19OCT04 |
[19 Oct 2004|07:04pm] |
17OCT04
DEAR MOM,
WHAT'S GOING ON? I JUST GOT YOUR LETTERS TODAY. I HAVE TO SAY I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET SCUFFED UP WHEN I HEARD THE DRILL SERGEANT SCREAMING MY NAME. I WAS RELIEVED WHEN I FOUND OUT IT WAS THE MAILMAN THAT NEEDED ME BECAUSE I HAD TO SIGN FOR IT. HOWEVER, I DID GET DROPPED FOR A FEW PUSH UPS WHEN THE DRILL SERGEANT SAW THE PICTURE OF BROWN AND I WITH OUR HANDS IN OUR POCKETS. I FORGOT TO MENTION TO YOU NOT TO SEND THAT PICTURE BUT IT'S OVER NOW...MY BAD.
TODAY HAS BEEN A PRETTY QUIET DAY. MYSELF AND 1ST PLATOON HAD TO GO TO THE WASHRACKS AND GIVE THE BRADLEY'S AND HMMWV'S A BATH. ABOUT 15 MINUTES INTO THAT LITTLE ADVENTURE SERGEANT GLOVER (E 5/15 BOOKMAN) STOPPED BY AND WANTED ANY PRIVATES THAT ARE GOING OVERSEAS TO HOP IN HIS TRUCK. HE TOOK US OVER TO DENTAL TO MAKE SURE WE WERE ALL SQUARED AWAY BEFORE WE SHIPPED OVERSEAS.. SOMETHING THAT IS MADE VERY CLEAR TO US IS THAT THEY ABSOLUTELY HATE TEETH. THE ARMY WILL PULL BEFORE THEY PAY. FORTUNATELY, THE DENTIST SAID I HAVE EXCELLENT TEETH, WHICH IS GREAT. UNFORTUNATELY, FOR SOME OTHER GUYS THEIR TEETH ARE SO MESSED UP THAT THEY MIGHT NOT GRADUATE WITH US. THE ARMY CLASSIFIED THESE GUYS AS CATS3'S WHICH BASICALLY MEANS THAT YOUR TEETH ARE SO FUCKED UP YOU CAN'T GRADUATE UNTIL YOU GET THEM FIXED.
WE HAVE THE APFT TOMORROW ON MY BIRTHDAY, BY THE WAY, I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE BIRTHDAY CARDS. ANYWAYS, WE GOT OUR FINAL PT TEST FIRST THING IN THE A.M. THEN WE GET OUR ORDERS! AFTER WE GET OUR ORDERS US OCONUS FOLK HAVE A BRIEFING ON THE PROCEDURE WE NEED TO TAKE TO GET TO MY DUTY STATION IN GERMANY. THE FORECAST FOR TOMORROW MORNING IS 38 DEGREES WITH A WIND CHILL, IT'S GONNA SUCK.
ANYWAYS, I GOTTA RUN. WE LEAVE FOR STX ON SATURDAY 16OCT04, SO THIS WILL PROBABLY BE THE LAST LETTER I WILL WRITE HOME. I MADE THIS LETTER LONGER THAN USUAL JUST FOR THIS OCCASION. TELL EVERYONE I SAID HELLO FOR ME...TAKE CARE.
YOUR SON,
BRIAN V CRAIG II
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| CALL HOME - 10/15/04 |
[17 Oct 2004|11:15am] |
HI -
BRIAN SURPRISED US FRIDAY NIGHT WITH A CALL HOME. HE HAD SAID THAT HE WAS GOING ON A SEVEN DAY MISSION WITH HIS TROOP SO WE HADN'T EXPECTED TO HEAR FROM HIM FOR A WHILE. IT WAS NICE TO TALK TO HIM ON HIS BIRTHDAY -
IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I WASN'T ABLE TO SEE OR EXPECT TO TALK TO HIM ON THAT DAY AND I WAS BUMMED. HEARING HIS VOICE DEFINITELY CHEERED ME UP!
HE GOT HIS ORDERS LAST WEEK AND KNOWS THAT HE WILL BE GOING TO GERMANY AFTER HIS 10 DAY LEAVE. HE IS STILL NOT SURE WHERE HE WILL BE LEAVING FROM AND IS STILL HOPING TO LEAVE FROM BOSTON. HIS STINT IN GERMANY WILL BE FOR TWO YEARS RATHER THAN THE THREE YEARS BUT STILL DOESN'T KNOW WHERE IN GERMANY YET.
WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE DRILL SARGENTS, SPIDERS (YUCK!),HIS PLANS WHILE ON LEAVE AND WASHING THE TANKS. HE WAS ONE OF THE GUYS ASSIGNED TO CLEANING THE INSIDE OF THE TANK WHICH ENTAILED TAKING ALL OF THE PARTS OUT, CLEANING THEM PIECE BY PIECE AND THEN REINSTALLING EVERYTHING CORRECTLY. I ASKED HIM HOW HE DID SINCE I HAVEN'T KNOWN HIM TO BE A MECHANIC AND BRI TOLD ME THAT HE GOT CALLED AWAY AND COULDN'T FINISH.
BRIAN ALSO TOLD ME ABOUT HIS TRIP TO THE BASE DENTIST (NO CAVITIES!) AND HE HAS A NASTY COUGH. SOME OF THE GUYS IN HIS TROOP HAVE BEEN HAVING A DIFFICULT TIME WAKING BRIAN UP FOR HIS TURN ON FIRE PATROL LATELY. HE SAYS THAT HE IS SO EXHAUSTED HE DROPS RIGHT TO SLEEP. I'M SURE THAT COLD OF HIS ISN'T HELPING.
BRI SAID THAT THE GUYS GOING OVERSEES ARE GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION THESE DAYS. THAT'S WHY HE HAS GONE TO THE DENTIST AND WILL PROBABLY GET HIS SHOTS THIS WEEK.
AS FAR AS I KNOW RIGHT NOW, BRIAN WILL BE IN BANGOR ON NOVEMBER 1ST. I'M SURE THAT HE WILL BE IN TOUCH AND HE WILL HAVE MY TAHOE SO HE CAN GET AROUND.
I HOPE EVERYTHING IS GOING WELL FOR ALL OF YOU TOO.
JILL : )
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| WEEKEND CALLS HOME 10/09/04 & 10/10/04 |
[10 Oct 2004|08:36am] |
HI -
BRIAN SURPRISED US AND CALLED HOME LAST NIGHT. HE HAD A THREE HOUR PASS AND TOOK TIME TO SAY HI TO US. BRI WAS TELLING ME THAT HE IS JUST COUNTING THE DAYS UNTIL HE LEAVES FT KNOX. HE STILL HASN'T RECEIVED HIS ORDERS YET AND THINKS HE MAY GET THEM THIS WEEK SINCE THE DS HAS THEM IN HAND. BRI HOPES THAT HIS PORT OF CALL WILL BE BOSTON SINCE IT'S THE NEAREST PORT TO HOME. IT MEANS THAT ON THE DAY HE IS DUE TO REPORT AFTER HIS BREAK, HE WILL NEED TO REPORT IN THAT CITY AND HAS UP TO TEN DAYS IN WHICH HE COULD LEAVE FOR GERMANY. HE IS QUITE ANXIOUS TO GET HIS CAREER STARTED.
BRI TOLD US ABOUT HIS DRIVING THE BRADLEY THIS WEEK. HE DESCRIBED IT AS "DRIVING A REALLY BIG GO KART." FIVE SOLDIERS IN THE TANK AT ONE TIME AND HE WAS DRIVING. I WISH I COULD HAVE SEEN THAT. THE WAY BRIAN TALKS ABOUT ALL THE MACHINERY AND TANKS IT FEELS AS THOUGH WE ARE RIGHT THERE WITH HIM. HE REALLY GETS INTO THIS STUFF!
THIS MORNING HE HAD CALLED ALREADY AND IS ON AN ALL DAY PASS. HE IS NOT SURE WHAT HE WILL DO TODAY BUT HAS ALREADY CHECKED OUT THE ARCADES AND PC'S. HE MENTIONED A MOVIE, THEY HAVE A PRETTY NICE THEATRE THERE. A MOVIE IS ONLY A BUCK. HE WAS TELLING ME THIS AFTER HE SAW THE BOURNE SUPREMACY. HE ALSO GOT ONE OF HIS FAVES...MOVIE POPCORN.
TODAY BRI WAS EXPLAINING TO ME ABOUT THE HEAT SEEKING MISSILE THAT FIRES FROM HIS SHOULDER. TO HIM, THIS IS COOL. HE ALSO TOLD ME ABOUT AGONY AND MISERY, THE TWO HILLS THAT THEY CLIMB. UNFORTUNATELY, A DS DIED (A WHILE BACK) ON HEARTBREAK AND THEY NO LONGER GO THERE. BRI DESCRIBED ONE CLIMB AS A STRAIGHT VERTICAL CLIMB WITH HIS PACK. NO HARNESSES. I'M GLAD HE TOLD ME HE ALMOST FELL A COUPLE OF TIMES AFTER THIS EXERCISE.
BRIAN IS ANXIOUS TO GET HOME AND VISIT ALL OF YOU. HE CHECKED HIS BUDDY LIST THIS MORNING AND SAW NO ONE WAS ON LINE. HE DIDN'T WANT TO WAKE UP ANYONE SINCE HE FIGURED YOU WERE UP LATE LAST NIGHT.
HAVE A GREAT DAY AND THANKS AGAIN FOR BEING SO SUPPORTIVE. IT MEANS A LOT TO ALL OF US.
JILL : )
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| SUNDAY PHONE HOME |
[07 Oct 2004|05:53pm] |
HI -
I KNOW I'M LATE POSTING THIS, LIFE IS CRAZY HERE LATELY...
BRIAN DID CALL LAST SUNDAY AND HE CAN'T WAIT TO GRADUATE! HE'S SO CLOSE AND TIME CAN'T GO BY FAST ENOUGH FOR HIM.
HE SAID THAT IT WAS AROUND 40 DEGREES THAT MORNING (AT 9:30AM) AND BY THE AFTERNOON WHEN HE CALLED AGAIN, THE TEMP REACHED AROUND 80.
WE MOSTLY JUST CHATTED ABOUT NOTHING AND EVERYTHING...HE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE EVERYONE WHILE ON LEAVE.
IF YOU CAN GET A CHANCE, TRY TO DROP HIM A CARD IN THE MAIL THIS WEEK. HIS BIRTHDAY IS THE 15TH. THANKS!!
JILL : )
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| WEEKLY CALL HOME |
[26 Sep 2004|06:19pm] |
HI EVERYONE -
BRIAN CALLED HOME THIS MORNING AND SOUNDED GOOD. HE IS NOW COUNTING THE DAYS UNTIL HE GRADUATES. HE IS ANXIOUS TO COME HOME FOR A BREAK AND THEN GET TO GERMANY. HE CALLED AT AROUND 9:30AM AND HE HAD ALREADY HAD CHOW, CLEANED AND WAS ON PASS.
BRIAN TOLD ME THAT HE HAD PINK EYE IN HIS RIGHT EYE THIS WEEK. SINCE NO ONE ELSE HAD IT HE'S NOT SURE HOW IT GOT IT HIMSELF.
HE JUST GOT BACK FROM A THREE DAY TRAINING HIKE. HE'S TIRED BUT THAT'S WHAT HE'S THERE FOR IS TO TRAIN.
WE TALKED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR ABOUT THE BASE AND HOME AND THEN HE HAD TO GO.
JILL : )
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| PACKAGE HOME REC'D 09/25/04 |
[25 Sep 2004|08:11pm] |
HI -
BRIAN SENT HOME A PACKAGE OF PICTURES HE HAD TAKEN AT RECEPTION BACK IN JULY. HE WARNED ME LAST SUNDAY THAT THE PICTURE WASN'T VERY GOOD BUT HE KNEW THAT I WOULD WANT THEM ANYWAY. I HAVE LOADED THE PICTURE ON WEBSHOTS UNDER FAMILY WEEKEND - FT. KNOX. THE WEB ADDRESS IS: http://community.webshots.com/user/showtime22
HAVE A GREAT DAY!
JILL : )
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| BRIAN'S BIRTHDAY |
[20 Sep 2004|06:57pm] |
HI -
I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT BRIAN'S 19TH BIRTHDAY IS COMING UP ON OCTOBER 15TH. I'M SURE HE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY WELL WISHES FROM HIS FRIENDS. THANKS -
JILL : )
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| LETTER HOME - REC'D 09/20/04 |
[20 Sep 2004|06:49pm] |
16SEPT04
DEAR MOM,
HOW IS EVERYONE? I'M DOING FINE RIGHT NOW, JUST ANOTHER DAY. OF COURSE, WE GOT REAL MESSED UP THAT SUNDAY NIGHT WE GOT BACK FROM FAMILY DAY. WE EVEN GOT DRUG TESTED TOO, TEST RESULTS SHOULD BE BACK NEXT WEEK...SOME GUYS ARE GONNA GET MESSED UP FOR THAT CRAP.
RIGHT NOW I GOT ONE GUY IN MY BAY WHO THE DOCTORS THINK HE'S GOT MONO...MONO IS BAD NEWS. THAT CRAP WILL SEND YOU HOME REAL QUICK, IT SPREADS LIKE WILDFIRE. TOMORROW, I'M GOING TO SICK CALL FOR THE FIRST TIME. I'M NOT SICK BUT I NEED TO GET SOME PREVENTIVE MEDICATION. THERE ARE TWO THINGS I NEED YOU TO SEND...1. VITAMIN C DROPS, LOTS OF THEM! PREVENT SICKNESS! 2. THREE PT SHIRTS, I THINK I'M GOING TO NEED THEM. IF YOU COULD SEND THOSE ASAP THAT WOULD BE GREAT!
I ALSO FOUND OUT THE OTHER DAY THAT I WILL HAVE TO BUY MY PLANE TICKET TO GERMANY. THE ARMY WILL REIMBURSE ME BUT THAT WILL PROBABLY PUT A DAMPER IN MY LAPTOP IDEA. COULD YOU GIVE ME AN IDEA OF ABOUT HOW MUCH IT'S GONNA COST ME TO FLY TO GERMANY FROM BANGOR, PORTLAND OR BOSTON AND SEND ME THE INFO. THANKS A LOT...I'LL BE HOME SOON.
-BRIAN
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| CALL HOME - 09/19/04 |
[19 Sep 2004|04:20pm] |
HI -
BRIAN CALLED THIS MORNING AND SOUNDED GOOD. HE SAID THAT THEY MAY BE GETTING A PASS WHICH WOULD LET THEM GO TO THE ARCADES, MOVIES ETC ON BASE. A NICE PRIVILEGE THAT THEY HAVEN'T HAD PRIOR TO NOW.
BRIAN TOLD ME THAT ONCE HE RETURNED TO HIS TROOP LAST WEEK THAT THEY IMMEDIATELY GAVE THEM ALL DRUG TESTS. I GUESS SOME OF THE GUYS WERE A LITTLE WORRIED. THE DS ALSO WORKED THEM HARD.
HE SAID THAT THIS WEEK HE MAY BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE MACHINES THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON LIKE THE HUMVEE AND TANK. THE TANK HAS A NIGHT VISION SCOPE THAT LETS YOU SEE FOR FOURTEEN MILES. PRETTY COOL.
BRI HAS PLANS TO GO TO INTERLACHEN FLORIDA AFTER HIS TRAINING. IT'S ABOUT A HALF HOUR FROM GAINSVILLE AND HIS AUNT LIVES THERE. HE'S REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT WEEKEND LONG TRIP. HE'S NOT SURE HOW LONG HIS LEAVE WILL BE AND HE SHOULD KNOW SOMETIME BETWEEN WEEK ELEVEN (THIS WEEK) AND WEEK FOURTEEN. HE'S REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO CATCHING UP WITH HIS FRIENDS BACK HERE AS WELL.
HE FOUND OUT THAT HE HAS TO BUY HIS OWN TICKET TO GERMANY AND THE MILITARY WILL REIMBURSE HIM. I HAVE TO GET SOME FLIGHT INFO FOR HIM. SOUNDS LIKE GERMANY WILL BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR HIM TO TRAVEL. I HOPE THAT IRAQ IS NOT ON HIS LIST OF COUNTRIES TO VISIT.
HIS BUDDIES AT CAMP HAS BEEN CALLING HIM "THANKLES" BECAUSE OF HIS CALVES. THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE SEEN BRIAN PLAY BASKETBALL KNOW HOW BIG THEY ARE! I AM ALWAYS TELLING HIM THAT THEY LOOK LIKE IMPLANTS! THERE IS SOME GUY IN HIS PLATOON THAT HAS SOME HAND ISSUE AND THE GUY S HAVE BEEN TEASING HIM SAYING THAT HE IS LIKE THE BUTLER FROM SCARY MOVIE 2. UNFORTUNATELY, NO ONE COULD REMEMBER THIS BUTLERS NAME SO BRI HAD ME LOOK IT UP. POOR GUY HAS A NEW NAME NOW.
BEFORE I HAD A CHANCE TO POST BRI'S PHONE CALL, HE CALLED AGAIN. HE HAS BEEN ON PASS AND WENT TO SEE A MOVIE "I, ROBOT." HE ONLY STAYED FOR A HALF HOUR BUT MANAGED TO HAVE SOME POPCORN. HE LOVES MOVIE POPCORN. HE WAS BORED HE SAID. HE ALSO SAID THAT THE WEATHER THERE TODAY WAS IN THE 80'S AND VERY NICE. BIG CHANGE FROM THE COLD WINDY WET WEATHER HERE TODAY!
JILL
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| BRIAN'S LETTER - REC'D 09/16/04 |
[16 Sep 2004|12:44pm] |
30AUG04
DEAR MOM,
FIRST THING THIS MORNING AT 0500 WE HAD OUR BASIC PHYSICAL FITNESS TEST (BPFT). THIS WAS THE TEST WE NEEDED TO PASS TO GET FAMILY DAY. I PASSED : ). I ENDED UP DOING PRETTY GOOD 40 PUSHUPS, 70 SITUPS AND A 2 MILE RUN I RAN 10 12:30. I SCORED A 244/300...NOT A BAD SCORE BUT IT COULD BE BETTER. I WAS HAPPY WITH MY RUN TIME, I'M THE FASTEST GUY IN MY PLATOON AND TOP 5 IN MY TROOP. BOTH OF MY DRILL SERGEANT'S GIVE ME A HARD TIME SAYING I MUST OF SKIPPED A LAP TO RUN THAT FAST...IT'S A GOOD LAUGH.
THIS AFTERNOON WE WENT TO THE DEMOLITION RANGE AND GOT TO BLOW SOME SHIT UP WITH C4 EXPLOSIVES! C4 IS THE MOST POWERFUL EXPLOSIVE WE HAVE AND LET ME TELL YOU, IT CAUSES SOME MASSIVE DAMAGE. WE DID THE TIMED DELAY AND THE INSTANTIOUS IT WAS A BLAST!
LATER THAT DAY THE BUSES PICKED US UP AND BROUGHT US TO OUR BIV SITE TO START OUR FTX. THE BIGGEST PRIORITY WHEN YOU'RE ON FTX IS SECURITY. WE HAVE BATTLE BUDDY TEAMS OF 2 AND LAST NIGHT WE HAD TO PULL 50% SECURITY UNTIL 0200. SO ME AND MY BATTLE BUDDY PULLED 1 HOUR SECURITY SHIFTS WHILE THE OTHER ONE SLEPT...I DIDN'T GET MUCH SLEEP THAT NIGHT.
31AUG04
THIS MORNING WAKEUP WAS AT 0430. TODAY IS SST1...WHICH STANDS FOR SCOUT SKILLS TEST 1. PRETTY MUCH IT'S A TEST THAT COVERS ALL THE STUFF WE HAVE LEARNED SO FAR IN THE CYCLE.
01SEP04
WE JUST FINISHED UP OUR 2 NIGHT FTX. IT WENT PRETTY SMOOTHLY...BESIDES THAT 15KM ROADMARCH HOME : ).
ONE REQUEST, COULD YOU TAKE A PICTURE OF THE PAUL BUNYAN STATUE IN BANGOR FOR ME? GUYS HERE DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE A BIG STATUE OF HIM.
THANKS : ) MISS YOU GUYS...SEE YOU ON FAMILY DAY.
-BRIAN
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| FAMILY WEEKEND (CON'T.) |
[16 Sep 2004|09:13am] |
HI AGAIN -
AS I SAID BEFORE, WHENEVER BRIAN WENT OUTSIDE HIS ROOM HE HAD TO WEAR HIS CLASS A OR CLASS B'S. SINCE IT WAS SO VERY HUMID DOWN IN KENTUCKY, HE WORE HIS CLASS B'S. WE SORT OF FELT UNDER DRESSED BEING WITH HIM AS HE WAS SO DRESSED UP!
SATURDAY WE ALL WENT TO THE MALL OF ST. MATTHEWS TO DO SOME SHOPPING. BRI WANTED TO CATCH UP ON THE LATEST MUSIC AND ENDED UP WITH A FEW CD'S. GAB AND I WENT OUR OWN WAY AND LEFT THE GUYS TO THEMSELVES. WE MANAGED TO SPEND SOME MONEY AND HAD FUN DOING SO! BRIAN AND HIS DAD WENT OFF ON THEIR OWN TO LOOK AROUND. WHEN WE FINALLY MET UP WITH THE GUYS THEY TOLD US THAT ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, TWO DIFFERENT GUYS CAME UP TO BRIAN, SHOOK HIS HAND AND THANKED HIM FOR PROTECTING OUR COUNTRY. HE WAS VERY TOUCHED BY THIS GESTURE. BRIAN ALSO SAID THAT HE WAS UN EASED BY THE PEOPLE LOOKING AT HIM AS HE WALKED AROUND. HE WASN'T SURE WHY THAT WAS HAPPENING. I THINK THAT SOME PEOPLE WERE NOT SURE IF THEY SHOULD A SOLDIER...
SATURDAY NIGHT WE WENT TO DINNER AT OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE AND HAD A REALLY GOOD MEAL. AT THE END OF OUR MEAL, THE MANAGER, VINCE, CAME OVER TO TALK TO BRIAN, SHAKE HIS HAND AND TO THANK HIM FOR HIS SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY. VINCE ALSO TOOK THE COST OF BRIAN'S MEAL OFF OUR BILL. THAT WAS TOTALLY UNEXPECTED AND EXTREMELY NICE!
BRIAN AND HIS "BATTLE BUDDY" MADE PLANS FOR BOTH OUR FAMILIES TO GET TOGETHER FOR LUNCH BEFORE THE GUYS WENT BACK TO THE BASE. HIS BUDDY'S NAME IS KEVIN BROWN FROM ILLINOIS. KEVIN BROUGHT ALONG HIS GIRLFRIEND AND HIS MOM, KIM. THEY WERE SOME OF THE NICEST PEOPLE WE HAVE MET. WE ALL HAD LUNCH AT THIS PLACE CALLED FOUR STAR RESTAURANT AND HAD A GREAT TIME. WE ALL TALKED LIKED WE KNEW EACH OTHER FOREVER. BRIAN AND KEVIN SHARED SOME OF THEIR STORIES OF BASIC. YOU'LL HAVE TO HEAR SOME OF THEM FROM HIM...
AFTER LUNCH WE STARTED BACK TO FORT KNOX VIA A QUICK TRIP TO DQ FOR THE GUYS TO HAVE THEIR LAST BLIZZARD FOR A WHILE. ONCE BACK TO THEIR BARRACKS WE TOOK LAST MINUTE PICTURES AND SAID OUR GOODBYES. THE DRILL SARGENTS WERE ALREADY OUTSIDE WAITING FOR THE SOLDIERS TO COME BACK AND CHANGE FOR FORMATION AND WE WERE THERE EARLY!
OVER THE COURSE OF THIS WEEKEND WE NOTICED A FEW CHANGES IN BRI SUCH AS HIM SAYING "YES SIR" "YES MA'AM" (BUT NOT TO US!), PUTTING HIS SHOES NEATLY BESIDE HIS BED (I TEASED HIM ABOUT THIS), AND HIS GENERAL NEATNESS (HE WAS NEVER A NEAT KID!). HE ALSO HAD TO SLEEP WITH HIS HEAD AT THE FOOT OF THE BED BECAUSE HE USED TO THIS FROM CAMP.
BRIAN SEEMS TO ENJOY HIS NEW WAY OF LIFE AND THAT'S A COMFORT KNOWING HE IS HAPPY. HE TOLD US THAT HE KNOWS THAT HE WILL BE GOING OVER TO IRAQ AT SOME POINT BUT DOESN'T KNOW WHEN THAT WILL BE. HE WAS VERY HAPPY TO RETURN TO BASE AND I'M NOT SURE IF THAT IS BECAUSE WE BUGGED HIM OR IF HE LIKES THE SOLDIER LIFE. MAYBE A LITTLE OF BOTH?
WE LEFT LOUISVILLE MONDAY MORNING AND I CRIED ALL THE WAY TO OHIO. I FEEL THAT A PART OF ME HAS LOST BRIAN BUT HE IS WELL, HAPPY AND FOR NOW, SAFE.
ONCE I GET ALL THE FILM BACK I WILL TRY TO SCAN IT ONTO WEBSHOTS. I'LL LET YOU KNOW HOW THAT GOES...
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTS BRIAN. IT MEANS A LOT TO HIM AND TO HIS FAMILY. HE WILL BE BACK IN MAINE AROUND THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER FOR A WEEK OR TWO. HE'S OFF TO GERMANY FOR THREE YEARS AFTER THAT.
JILL : )
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| FAMILY WEEKEND 09/10/04 TO 09/13/04 |
[12 Sep 2004|06:57pm] |
HI EVERYONE -
WE MADE IT HERE TO SEE BRI THIS WEEKEND. HE IS HAPPY AND LOOKING GREAT. WE ARRIVED AT FORT KNOX AT 10 AM FRIDAY MORNING FOR THE CEREMONY THAT THE BASE HAD FOR THE FAMILIES. AFTER A GUY GOT DONE SPEAKING, THERE WAS A SKIT ON PT AND THAT WAS OUR FIRST GLANCE AT BRIAN. HE WAS ONE OF THE EIGHT GUYS GIVING THE CROWD A SHOWING OF WHAT SOME OF THEIR PT IS LIKE. HE HASN'T CHANGED TOO MUCH...HE WAS REALLY IN SHAPE PRIOR TO BASIC AND STILL IS, HE JUST HAS MORE MUSCLE IN THE ARMS AND HIS CHEST IS LIKE A WALL. I ALWAYS TEASE HIM ABOUT HIS CALVES...I TELL HIM HE HAS IMPLANTS! THEY LOOK SO GROSS! ANYWAY, AFTER THE SKIT, HE AND THE OTHERS RUN RIGHT BY WHERE WE WERE SITTING. IT WAS GOOD TO SEE HIM. AFTER THE PRESENTATION, THE FAMILIES WALKED DOWN TO THE BARRACKS TO FINALLY MEET UP WITH THEIR SON ETC. THERE WAS A LOT OF HUGGING AND SMILES ALL AROUND. IT TOOK A WHILE TO FIND BRIAN SINCE THERE WERE PEOPLE EVERYWHERE BUT HE FINALLY WALKED UP TO ME DRESSED IN HIS CLASS A'S AND CARRYING HIS LAUNDRY BAG. HE LOOKED SO HANDSOME I HAVE TO SAY.
THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW BRIAN KNOW THAT HE CAN BE A LITTLE QUIET AT TIMES. IT TOOK A COUPLE OF HOURS AT LEAST FOR HIM TO BE HIMSELF. HE WAS SO USED TO THE STRICT DISCIPLINE THAT THEY GO THROUGH DAILY THAT CIVILIAN LIFE WAS OVERWHELMING AT FIRST. THE FIRST THING HE WANTED TO DO ONCE WE SIGNED HIM OFF BASE IS TO GO TO PIZZA HUT FOR A STUFFED CRUSTED PIZZA. THAT WAS THE FIRST OF MUCH JUNK FOOD HE ATE OVER THIS WEEKEND.
THE SOLDIERS HAD SOME RULES TO FOLLOW ONCE OUT IN THE "REAL WORLD." THEY COULD NOT GO MORE THAN 50 MILES OFF BASE, COULD NOT DRINK OR SMOKE, COULD NOT DRIVE AT ALL, HAD TO WEAR EITHER THEIR CLASS A'S (FULL UNIFORM WITH TIE AND JACKET)OR CLASS B'S (UNIFORM WITH NO TIE AND A SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT) AND AT NIGHT THEY HAD TO WEAR THEIR PT'S (ARMY T-SHIRT AND SHORTS). THEY COULD NOT LEAVE THEIR HOTEL ROOM OUT OF UNIFORM AND THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE T-SHIRT AND SHORTS. PRETTY STRICT. HE DID A LOT OF CHANGING.
I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE WENT ON A LITTLE LATER. I HAVE TO GO FOR NOW.
JILL
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| TWO CALLS HOME THIS MORNING 09/05/04 |
[05 Sep 2004|10:06am] |
HI ALL -
THIS MORNING BRI CALLED TO SAY HI AND CHECK IN ON US ALL. HE IS SO LOOKING FORWARD TO FAMILY WEEKEND BECAUSE HE SAID HE NEEDS A CHANGE OF SCENERY AND TO BE OUT IN THE REAL WORLD AGAIN. BRIAN SAID THAT HE HAS FINISHED BASIC TRAINING AND IS NOW ON AIT. HE THINKS HE WILL BE WORKING ON HUMMERS AND SUCH FOR THE WEEK. HE AGAIN SAID THAT LAST WEEKEND WAS A NICE BREAK AND THAT THE VETS ORGANIZED ALL THE ACTIVITIES FOR THEM. IT CERTAINLY WAS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED! BRIAN WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON IN RUSSIA BECAUSE HE KEEPS HEARING PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT. SINCE THE TROOPS HAS NO TV, RADIO OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT HE HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS HAPPENING THERE.
BRIAN TALKED TO LINDSAY VERY BRIEFLY THIS MORNING BUT SHE WAS MOVING INTO HER DORM ROOM. HE WAS GOING TO CALL OTHERS BUT HAS FORGOT MOST OF THE PHONE NUMBERS. HE EVEN FORGOT HIS FATHERS WORK NUMBER SO I HAD TO GIVE IT TO HIM SO HE COULD SPEAK WITH HIS DAD!
HIS "BATTLE BUDDY" IS BROWN FROM ILLINOIS AND SAID "HELLO" TO US. BRIAN IS CRAIG FROM MAINE.
HE'S TRYING TO DECIDE WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO ON HIS "LEAVE" IN OCTOBER/NOVEMBER. SO MUCH TO DO AND SO LITTLE TIME...HE DEFINITELY WANTS TO GET TOGETHER WITH ALL HIS FRIENDS IF POSSIBLE AND WILL PROBABLY GO TO PORTLAND AS WELL.
BRIAN AND I HUNG UP AND I CALLED HIS DAD TO LET HIM KNOW THAT BRI HAD CALLED AND WAS WELL. TEN MINUTES LATER, BRIAN CALLED BACK AGAIN TO TALK. DEFINITELY A BONUS DAY FOR ME...I MISS TALKING TO HIM LIKE WE USED TO DO.
ANY MESSAGES, PHONE NUMBERS OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO GET TO BRIAN, LET ME KNOW AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO PASS THEM ON. HE'S ALSO GOING TO TRY TO GET TO HIS EMAIL THIS COMING WEEKEND SO YOU COULD TRY HIM THERE ON WELL.
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR SUPPORTING BRIAN IN HIS QUEST TO PROTECT, SERVE AND HONOR HIS COUNTRY. HE APPRECIATES IT AS DOES HIS FAMILY. HE HAS GREAT FRIENDS.
JILL : )
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| POSTCARD HOME - REC'D 09/01/04 |
[01 Sep 2004|01:46pm] |
25AUG04
HEY, SOMETHING I FORGOT TO MENTION IN MY LAST POSTCARD...COULD YOU GIVE SGT. HARRIS A CALL AND GET MY USER NAME AND PASSWORD FOR MY AKO AND SEND ME IT? ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THE WAR IN IRAQ/A-STAN SINCE IT'S GOING TO INVOLVE ME. DON'T WORRY ABOUT SENDING ME ARMY PT SHIRTS ANYMORE, WE WERE ALLOWED TO PICK SOME UP YESTERDAY. WE ARE GOING ON A 1-DAY FT ON THURSDAY. WE GET TO ENGAGE TARGETS WITH THE 240B MACHINEGUN AND THE M203 GRENADE LAUNDER...THAT'S GOING TO BE A BLAST! SATURDAY WE HAVE OPERATION FELLOWSHIP ALL DAY. WE CAN PLAY BBALL AND OTHER SPORTS W/JUNK FOOD TOO! MONDAY IS OUR PT TEST. I'LL WRITE WHEN I GET THE TIME...MISS YOU GUYS.
-BRIAN
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| LETTER HOME TO DAD - REC'D 08/31/04 |
[31 Aug 2004|04:07pm] |
28AUG04
HEY DAD,
I THOUGHT I WOULD WRITE YOU A LETTER SINCE I DON'T REALLY HEAR FROM YOU SINCE THE DAY I LEFT.
TODAY IS OPERATION FELLOWSHIP. IT'S ONE FULL DAY OF JUNK FOOD, SPORTS AND JUST HANGING OUT WITHOUT DRILL SERGEANTS. WE GOT ON THE BUS AROUND 0815 AND HEADED OUT TO THE EVENT (IT'S SPONSORED BY A CHURCH IN THE AREA). BEST PART IS THAT THIS CHURCH IS OFF-POST! I GOT TO SEE AND BREATHE THE OUTSIDE WORLD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO MONTHS! OUR BUS DRIVER GAVE US A TOUR OF THE TOWN OF RADCLIFF WHICH IS RIGHT OUTSIDE OF FT KNOX. I FELT LIKE A LITTLE KID IN A CANDY STORE, THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE LIKE PASSING BY A BURGER KING OR SEEING PEOPLE IN CILIVAN CLOTHES MEANT A LOT TO ME. ANYWAYS, WE LOAD OFF THE BUSES AND WERE GREETED BY A BUNCH OF VIETNAM VETS AND RETIRED MILITARY THAT SETUP THIS EVENT. AFTER TWO MONTHS OF SOLID TRAINING IT'S HARD TO GET OUT OF MILITARY MODE AND SWITCH TO CILIVIAN MODE. THEY KEEP ON TELLING UP TO RELAX AND HAVE A GOOD TIME, BUT THAT'S NOT AN EASY TASK. SOMETHING ELSE WE NEED TO WATCH IS OUR PROFANITY HERE BECAUSE WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE AROUND. IN THE MILITARY EVERYTIME WHEN YOU PAUSE TO SPEAK IT'S USUALLY FOLLOWED BY A "FUCK" OR "SHIT." BAD HABITS.
AT 0900 WE HAD A CHURCH SERVICE. I COULDN'T TELL YOU WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME I WENT TO CHURCH. IT WAS A CHRISTIAN SERVICE, DEFINATELY AN INTERESTING EXPERIENCE FOR ME...THE PREACHER WAS VERY "PASSIONALTE" YOU COULD SAY.
CHOW WAS AT 1200 HOURS. THAT WAS ONE OF THE BEST THINGS THEY HAD HERE; ALL THE FOOD YOU CAN EAT! I HAVE NEVER SEEN SO MUCH DESSERTS IN MY LIFE, EVERYTHING WAS HOMECOOKED BY A BUNCH OF DEDICATED WOMEN. AFTER CHOW WE GET INTO A BUNCH OF ACTIVITIES. YOU COULD PLAY BASKETBALL, VOLLEYBALL OR FOOTBALL OUTSIDE OR YOU COULD CHILL INSIDE AND WATCH A MOVIE. RIGHT NOW I'M JUST RELAXING ENJOYING THE BRAND NEW MOUNTAIN DEW PITCH BLACK, SOME KIT-KATS AND WRITING THIS LETTER TO YOU. THIS WHOLE WEEKEND IS WHAT WE CALL NON-TRAINING DAYS SO PRETTY MUCH WE HAVE THE WEEKEND OFF. OUR PT TEST IS MONDAY SO THIS WEEKEND WILL BE GOOD TO US SO WE CAN REST OUR MUSCLES.
THAT'S ALL THE TIME I HAVE RIGHT NOW. TELL MOM AND GAB I SAID HELLO AND YOU MAKE SURE YOU TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
YOUR SON,
PFC BRIAN V. CRAIG II
P.S.
SHARE THIS LETTER WITH MOM SO SHE CAN POST IT IN MY LIVEJOURNAL.
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| LETTER HOME - REC'D 08/31/04 |
[31 Aug 2004|03:55pm] |
26AUG04
DEAR MOM,
IT'S 1403 RIGHT NOW AND I'M HERE ON CRANE RANGE. IT'S BEEN WET AND MISERABLE HERE ALL DAY. THE RAIN HAS BEEN NON-STOP. THIS MORNING WE LEARNED HOW TO SETUP AND ARM A CLAYMORE MINE. THAT'S SOME FUN STUFF. THE MINE IS ABOUT 5 INCHES LONG AND 1 INCH WIDE IN THIS LITTLE MINE THERE'S 700 STEEL PELLET AND A 1 1/2 OF C4! RIGHT BEFORE CHOW WE GOT TO FIRE THE M240B MACHINE GUN. THAT WEAPON CAN RIP SOME SHIT UP, IT'S GREAT! OUR TROOP IS JUST CHILLIN IN THE BLEACHERS WAITING FOR NIGHTFALL SO WE CAN FIRE THE 240B WITH TRACERS. I'M GOING TO HAVE TO FIND A PICTURE OF FIRING A WEAPON WITH TRACERS DURING THE NIGHT...IT'S AN AWESOME SIGHT.
27AUG04
BACK TO TRAINING, GOT TO BED AROUND 0030 LAST NIGHT AND WOKE UP WAS 0430...NOT TOO BAD. ONCE AGAIN WE HAD FIELD FOOD FOR BREAKFAST CHOW. THE FOOD SUCKS BUT WHEN YOU'RE HUNGRY...YOU'RE HUNGRY.
AFTER ABOUT A 1KM ROAD MARCH WE ARRIVED AT MILLER RANGE TO FIRE THE N203 GRENADE LAUNCHER AND THE AT-4 RPG! THE AT-4 WAS BY FAR THE BEST WEAPON I'VE COME ACROSS. WE ONLY SHOT DUMMY ROUNDS BUT IT WAS REALLY COOL. WE HAD 2 GUYS FROM OUR TROOP GOT TO FIRE 1 LIVE AT-4 ROUND EACH. EACH LIVE ROUND COSTS THE GOVERNMENT 6 GRAND...WE GOT TO SEE THE GOVERNMENT SPEND $12,000 IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. EVERYTHING WE ARE ISSUED COSTS A GOOD CHUNK OF CHANGE. I CAN SEE HOW OUR GOVERNMENT SPENDS BILLIONS UPON BILLIONS ON NATIONAL SECURITY.
IT'S 1240 RIGHT NOW AND WE ARE IN HOT CAT 3 A.K.A. IT'S FRIGGIN HOT OUT! WE HAVE A 10KM ROADMARCH BACK TO THE BARRACKS IN A FEW MINUTES. THAT IS GOING TO SUCK!
TOMORROW IS OPERATION FELLOWSHIP ALL DAY! IT'S BASICALLY A DAY OFF. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.
MISS Y'ALL
-BRIAN
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