Dale arrived in Virginia to the accompaniment of the Manry Family Band: Josiah on Baritone, Abby on Flute, Gabe on Tambourine, and Zeke on Bongos. They played a rousing rendition of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again” with a slight variation of the wording. It took Dale by surprise and gave him a good laugh. Although the kids were all mortified that their mother had made them do it, they received a round of applause from everyone in baggage claim. We celebrated with a dinner of burgers and fries at 5 Guys and ice cream sundaes at Jo Jos. The long, long, terribly long year is finally over. Dale is home and we are joyous! We praise God for the safety, health, and comfort He showered upon us this year. And we thank you all so very much for all the prayers, actions, and encouragement you offered on our behalf. IT IS DONE! GOD BE PRAISED!
Dale arrived at Fort Benning, turned in his gear, bought a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup and a Coke, and is now sitting in front of a T.V. watching the Olympics. He will arrive back in Virginia tomorrow. They will tell him his flight time in the morning.
Dale called this morning from New Jersey. He’s back in the U.S. I’d drive up and get him if they’d let me. He has a lay over of a few hours in Jersey and then he will fly down to Georgia. We’ll wave as he flies overhead. So far, the flight has lasted 17 hours. He turns in his gear tomorrow morning and he should be on a flight home tomorrow afternoon or evening to Virginia. He spent his last day in Kuwait seeing the sights. It’s hard to believe, but we have one day to go.
Last week, while Rick was in Kuwait waiting for his flight out of country, he called me in Mosul. He told me that SGM Franz, the NCOIC of the USACE reception station, was expecting my arrival in Kuwait and would take care of me. In fact, he said I would be a VIP. Having been through tent city here at Ali Al Salem Airbase three previous times, I didn’t know what could possibly constitute VIP status. I figured it might mean that my tent would be closer to the latrine than the non-VIP. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that USACE has a separate office building in Kuwait where they allow senior individuals to sleep instead of the tent city accommodations. The building even has male and female latrines, but I still have to walk to the shower. SGM F acquired the building for his use when USACE closed the Resident Office on the airbase.
On my flight down from Mosul, we stopped in Baghdad, dropped of some passengers and picked up a few. COL Pease, COL West, and LTC Roemhildt, all from USACE GRD in Baghdad, joined the flight. I didn’t see them on the bus from the airfield to the reception area. I found out later that SGM F picked them up in a van, and they didn’t have to ride the bus. COL W is going on his R&R, while COL P and LTC R and redeploying home. I figured COL P and LTC R would be waiting with me for the Freedom Flight back to Ft Benning later this week. I was wrong. They flew out last night on a commercial flight and don’t have to outprocess through Ft Benning. They get to outprocess through USACE in Winchester, VA. I think I’d prefer that VIP status!
Dale arrived safely in Kuwait this morning. He expects to stay in Kuwait for several days. During his time in Kuwait, he will sleep on a cot in tent city, watch the Olympics in the MWR tent, and spend all his change and pogs on coffee and junk food. He will then fly to Fort Benning, Georgia to turn in his gear. We expect him to arrive home in Virginia early next week. During his time in Virginia, he will sleep in his own bed, watch the Olympics in his own living room, and drink coffee from one of his many cups. We will be thrilled to have him home.
