A HERO'S HOMECOMING

Well, where to begin with this sad story. This has been a week of tragedy for everyone here at home. Along with being in the one of the longest heat waves on record, they say it is even worse than the one back in the 30's during the dust bowl years, our town has brought home a local hero from Iraq to bury tomorrow.

He arrived home at Tri-State Aero yesterday at 1100 and there was a small private service at the airport for his family, however I think his family was not prepared for the turnout that showed. I do believe everyone in our town, all 300,000 plus residents. He was escorted by the City Police Department Motorcycle Squad in front, followed by the Sheriff's Department Motorcycle Squad, the Evansville Fire Department, then there was the Patriot Guard Riders followed by the Rolling Thunder riders. I can honestly say I don't believe there was a dry eye anywhere in the crowd lining any street in the city. The took the long way making it a true HERO's parade and welcome home for this young man that had just turned 21 a few days before his death.

So now I will spend my Saturday with his family helping them to get through this next step in their grieving process, but I must say they have been so strong through it all believing that their son died fighting for what he believed was a true and just cause. To bring peace and freedom to a country and to people that so desperately want it. So if through all this they can see that, why can't people here that have no interest in this war see that. There is nothing that twists me the wrong way more than to see some idiot out there protesting who doesn't even have a clue what is really going on. If we pull out now and bring our men and boys home it won't be 2 years and what happened on 9/11 will look like a car accident. If you don't believe me, just ask the guys that are over there fighting everyday.

Well enough of my grandstanding and politicking I have other things I need to do today. After all today is visitation from 1200-2100 and I promised to be there. So time to get ready and head to funeral home. Let us all remember each and every one of our HERO's as we say our prayers and please, please ask GOD to keep and watchful eye and a safe arm around them until they all come home.

My Fort Rucker Trip

Well, I had a few days off so I took the opportunity and went down to Fort Rucker to see my daddy. My favorite HERO out there. What a great time it was except for the heat. I tell you one day the them. read 114, add the heat index to that, and no telling what the temp really was.

Daddy took me to the base several times and even spent some time at the Aviation Museum. All I can say is it was absolutely wonderful to be back on a military base again. It has been, well since 2001 since I was on a military base, unless you count the trips to Fort Campbell with the Major. I guess I better count those since I do get to see everything. But let me tell you, Fort Rucker is the Aviation training facility for the military, so all you hear there is helicopter flying non-stop. But let me tell you it is a wonderful sound. Because you know that when they are flying, it means that they are getting the much needed training and skills to keep are boys safe and sound and bring them home again.

So one week there, with the exception of a couple of days in Panama City, Florida. Man that was also beautiful. I really enjoyed the Gulf Coast. Spent the afternoon sitting on the beach with my daddy, if you didn't know, I am still "Daddy's Little Girl", just running my toes through the sand and enjoying the sun and sand. I definitely plan on going back this fall when it isn't so hot. I mean I found out it is only a 7 hour drive to Daddy's and then a 1 1/2 hour drive to the beach.

But I think what I miss the most is just spending time with my dad. As a child growing up I can remember always being attached at the hip to my dad. On Saturdays we would go to the store together and do the grocery shopping. I would push the cart, and he would go down the aisle and get the things we needed. Then every once in a while I would hear daddy holler think fast, and I would turn around and there would be something flying down the aisle at me that I was suppose to catch and put in the cart. Ahh the good ole days. Then on Saturday nights, me and all the kids in the neighborhood would pile in the back on daddy's pickup truck, and he would haul all of us to the skating rink for a night of roller skating and he would always be there to pick us up at the end of the session.

To this day, I still love to go roller skating and go at least once a week, more if I have the time. I still even have the same skates I had in high school that I bought myself with the money I saved one summer babysitting. In the local skating rink here, they still have my picture hanging in there with the speed team back in my day. How scary do you think that is to walk in and see a picture of myself hanging on the wall in there some umpteen years ago.

Well everybody out there in the cyber world take care, and don't forget to remember our HERO's in Iraq and Afghanistan. Please say a prayer for them that they may all return home safely.

Thank You to All our Soldiers

Well, just sitting here wondering what the month of August will bring. The German festivals have all started everywhere, nothing like the smell of sauerkraut and pigs knuckles. How disgusting if you ask me, but that is what you get when you live in a German area. So every weekend somewhere there is a festival where you can go and eat all the German food you want, and drink all the beer and polka dance all you want.

So other than that, there is nothing else going on except the EXTREME heat, but I can't complain. My friends in Iraq and A'stan have it a whole lot worse than me. Here we have temps in the 90's with a heat index in around 103, but my buddy in Iraq says the temps there are running in the 130's to 140's. I guess I am fortunate because all I have to do is go outside and jump in the pool or lake, I am not stuck in the desert with nothing but a water bottle for a shower.

So to all you guys out there fighting the war on terror, I would like to say and great big THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for everything you do each and every day with little more than a bottle of water and a hard spot in the sand to sleep on. With out you, we could never have the things we have here in the United States. I hope they all know how much they are loved by us all and appreciated by us all for their sacrifices there where we all know they are not wanted by some of the local people. So I ask everyone person that takes the time to read this, the next time you see a Soldier, Airman, Marine or Seaman, please take the time to tell them THANK YOU. If nothing more just remember that they are doing what they do for probably less pay and respect than what they would have in the civilian world, and without them, we would not have our freedoms here.

So I will get off my soapbox now and give it a rest, time to take my baby out for her walk she is jumping on the door. So please don't forget to take the time to thank your American soldiers for everything they do for all of us here.
Good Night all.