Update on Joshua: Joshua has made it to Iraq, an spent his first full day there. He says it is so cold there. He was given new body armour designed for the hot and cold extreme temps there. He got his orders already, an knows his job will be behind the fence or in camp. Big relief for me, an i'm sure him too. But he still will have to go out of camp once in awhile but he is still concidered to new to do that. He told me if i hear morter shells being shot an large booms not to worry its just the camp shooting at a target. ( i about fainted just hearing that news, imagine if i actually heard the morters going off.) He said the army is taking care of them for christmas with a big dinner then social hour. then back to work. ( i feel so guilty here) But all is well so far, an he will call me when he can again. Just thought i would let all know. --------------------------------------------- Joshua called me from Germany, an said it was one **** of a long flight, an was leaving for Kuwait in 3 hours. When he arrived in Kuwait he was there for a day before he called an said it was so hot there an freezing at night. They were given a few days off to recouperate from the time zone difference. He said he has jet lag so bad he can barely move. They were starting their desert training the next day. He will call once a week while there if he can, an should be leaving for Iraq in 3 weeks to a month if all goes well. He thanks everyone who emailed him but says sorry he can't answer just yet, no internet. ----------------------------------------------- I just got word, that my son will leave for Iraq on Sunday the 9th. The good news just keeps comming. lol. Thats sarcasm for those who don't know my humor. He was supposed to leave on the 22nd, but got "volunteered" to go with another corp. He said he is all packed, got everything into his bags,,,lol, his humor is he rubs it in to the other 2 guys who got volunteered, because they can't get all their gear to fit. Josh was in Delta, but got moved to Alpha division. He will be in Kuwait for 2 weeks to a month in a holding sector until further notice. I can't write or talk to him until the end of January when he is settled at Camp Anaconda. He will be stationed there for the next 15 months or unless something is done with this war. If anyone is intrested in sending him emails or mail after January here is his email address and his station address: // edit by Frank: PM Biita for the email address so that spammers can't abuse it PFC Joshua Gathers A Company 40th Expeditionary Signal Battalion APO AE 09391 Thanks for reading. He can recieve emails until Saturday the 8th. after that he can recieve them but can't read them until he gets hooked back up to the internet once in Iraq. Again thank you for reading this.
On such occasions words are too few and say too little. *hug* Biita, is that the full mail address for him where he's going? It looks so shorn somehow.
I hope his tour of duty is totally uneventful Biita. Give him our love and best wishes and tell him we'll be thinking of him until he returns home safe and sound.
yes droopy, thats the address it goes straight to Iraq an to the camp. I know it does look short but thats what he told me late last night, an the army sent me via email. Also he sent me the address via email an they both match up,, Thank you eileen,,, i hope he is bored out of his ever lovin mind....lol. Hes all happy because they got a Burger King, 4 theaters, an 2 swimming pool, an a few gyms to work out in,,,,, goodness what a war!!!
Biita, (((HUG))) I just emailed him, hopefully he won't wonder too long about who I am and why I am writing him.
thank you toni, but i told him last night i was going to let all of you know,, an he said,, cool! i also told him when he does get hooked back up, if there are folks over there that never get any mail or email to let me know so i can send them a little note too.
Oh Biita my heart goes out to you. (((Many Many hugs))) Our circumstances are so very different, yet similar in some instances. FOr most of my years my son is with his father and I only get to see him once in a while. (That is about four to five times a year.) I know it is far from being on tour, though it feels the same. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and hope that his tour is as uneventful as can be. He must come home safe and sound.
My fingers are crossed. I hope that he will have it easy there and not have to get involved with actual combat. I wish you folks strength during his tour of duty. Perhaps I shall also drop a like once he has settled-in over there. He might also enjoy hearing from a guy too. heh heh. Of course he'll be the envy of all his mates because he will be getting e-mails from so many ladies.
Thank you everyone for caring. ((((hugs))))) to everyone,, thank you so much. Sjoerd if i know my son believe me he will rub it in too about all the ladies emailing him...lol. I can hear him now,, an i can also see the other platoon members throwing stuff at him,,lol. Palm tree i don't think it matters the circumstances at all,, when a child is away from you whether war or in another state or part of the country or another country, there is always that worry factor. So I know what you mean, an i share your feelings with you. The good part to all this is that when he does get leave, because Josh's parent lives in another country other than the USA, they will fly him to me an back when his leave is over,,, so hopefully i will see him this summer or a little later.
I too have emailed him. Having a Vet email him isn't as nice as all the ladies, but hey it's better than none at all! :0
Glad to hear his journey has been safe. I have never had jet lag but hear that it is a 'bear' to contend with. Has the military told you how long it will take 'snail' mail to reach him? When is his birthday?
I'm glad Joshua has made it to Kuwait OK Biita. I hope the jet lag abates soon as I know it can really drain all the energy from your body. I sent an e.mail and a Chrissy card - even although I know it won't get to him for Christmas. I'd like to know when his birthday is too please as I'd love to make him a special card. Please let us know from time to time how things are going in Iraq for Joshua won't you? Give him our love next time you hear from him and tell him we're all thinking of him.
Thank you!! His birthday is April 24th, an will be 21 yrs old. He will also spend the next birthday over there too. (hopefully not) he didn't say anything about how long snail mail will take but i'll send his goodies boxes anyways once i know he is situated. But, i have been corrupted by all of you,,lol. I actually asked him if he sees a really cool looking plant out in the desert somewhere, to please take pictures an send me,,,omg, i can't believe i asked him that. He just laughed, an said sure mom, i'll tell the other soldiers to wait i have to take a pic of that really pretty flower for my mom,, he said mom if i don't get beat up by this war, the guys are going to do it for him. i told him to sneak a pic then.
