Fallen Angel...

I saw the press release alert earlier this week and my first thought was - oh Lord, not again. Could it be another fallen angel from the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment? Did it matter? That knock was coming and hearts would be breaking some where around the world...my face was already stained with tears. It didn't matter what unit this warrior was from...

The press release was sterile yet it cut right to the quick. You have probably seen the words. If not, here they are: A Multi-National Division-Baghdad Soldier was killed during a small arms fire attack while conducting combat operations. The deceased Soldier’s name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin and release by the Department of Defense.

To the family of Spc. Milo, I offer my condolences upon the loss of our Hero, who gave his all in the cause of freedom, the defense of our nation and his fellow warriors. I am so very proud of his service. Father God, comfort this family and their loved ones. Surround them with loving arms during this very difficult time.

Army Spc. Avealalo Milo, 23, of Hayward, Calif., died Oct. 4 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Vilseck, Germany.

As difficult as it is I am holding fast and staying strong...will I have enough tears to see me through this?

v/r,
- Collabman

Talking R&R...

R&R - two letters that stir my emotions and cause me to glance at a calendar. May of '08 - still a ways off but not too early to start planning as we look forward to seeing Chris...

How about you? What comes to mind for you as you think of your warrior and his/her upcoming period of rest and relaxation?

I was reading some war blogs recently and stumbled across these thoughts on R&R. You can read the entire blog by clicking here.

In preparing soldiers to go home for their leave, the Army really does a good job in making sure they are emotionally ready. Many times, they reinforce things we already know, and help ease us in the transition, even if it is only a few weeks of R&R. Clearly, a lot changes while we’re away. Some soldiers have compared deployments to being in a coma, with a world full of friends and family that grow accustomed to you not being around. People change a lot in a year, and seeing the glimpses of those changes in the span of a few weeks is shocking for some soldiers. I considered taking a vacation to some exotic locale instead...

Interesting and something to consider...

Also, how many days do they get and when does the clock start? Here is the policy...

The new policy, signed into effect by Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness David S. Chu, increases the amount of time for rest and recuperation, commonly known as R & R, given to military personnel deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Periods of leave away from the combat zones have been increased from 15 days to 18 days for those service members who are deployed for 15 month tours. The days away from the Central Command area of operations are charged to each service member's leave account, similar to vacation days for those individuals employed in the private sector.

While the 18 days of rest and recuperation away from the combat zones are counted against a military member's leave account, the days required for travel to and from the area of operations are not charged to military personnel and are not included in the 18 days allowed by the new policy. According to the announcement, a military member's rest and recuperation leave "...begins when the service member arrives at the commercial airport nearest their leave destination." (Source: U.S. DoD Press Release No. 888-07; July 17, 2007)

Here is a video package about 2nd SCR Soldiers expressing what they are looking forward to during their upcoming leave. Produced by Staff Sgt. Jose Colon.

Enjoy the video and your weekend...and feel free to share on how you will be preparing for your warriors R&R...

Chris, it was great to hear from you son. We love you more than words can say and we are praying for you and the entire 2nd SCR team!

Be safe!

v/r,
- Collabman

A Call in the Night...

The sound of a cell phone. A dream - huh? What time is it? Does it matter? It's oh dark thirty. No one calls us at this time. Could it be?

Chris!

This was not a dream and there is nothing sweeter than hearing his voice from Baghdad...

Here is a recap from Chris' mom who took the call:

Chris sounded great! He said his unit really hasn't had that much action but one of the guys in his platoon got shot in the shoulder and that he was back in the fight after two days. These guys are tough! Chris is like the rest of the warriors from our support group in that he said he really doesn't need anything. He appreciates anything we send him though. Now I'm sending him newspaper articles about the baseball playoffs and our local sport teams. Chris said he would be back at the FOB for a while (don't know exactly how long) but I'm glad for any down time he has there.

Chris said it was really boring at his COP. He didn't know if his unit will be at the same COP throughout his tour there, but he really hoped not! I had to tell him that I don't care if he's bored - I care if he's safe!

Hopefully I'll sleep better tonight! It was definitely worth losing a few hours last night to talk to my warrior.

So there you go...the latest update from our Chris. Bored? For those of you who know Chris, does that sound like him or what? ;-) Never happy unless he is in the middle of the fight doing his part...

Chris, I love you son and I remember you every day...your sacrifice...your heart...your commitment to your fellow warriors...how else can I say it except...I love you!

Be safe son and keep those calls coming...any time...it does not matter...

v/r,
- Collabman