When the Smoke Clears

“To be honest, buddy, I’m ready for another deployment.”
I snorted, “I’m sure you haven’t told T [the wife] about that one…”
“Oh no. No. No nonononononono NO.”
“Things change.”
MAJ K sat across from me at the diner, picking at his salad, avoiding the carrot slivers before finally giving in. Physically he’s a fairly [...]

Our town is ringed in crosses and flags. The week up until Memorial Day, volunteers called for in our local newspapers set out around our perimeter and throughout our square, posting these symbols of thanks, of remembrance. I see the tradition in nearby towns, but many of those places pick a single location to post [...]

The other night was guy’s night. The Trusty Bulldog called to ask me down to the Ballgame. He was driving in from North Carolina. I checked with our fellow friend, the Viking Medic and he was up for the game as well, so with a little internet magic, we had tickets waiting for the Bulldog [...]

This coming weekend the lovely blog-daughter is getting married and I think I’m ready for it.
The past weekend was busy with one wedding, and another. The first was the marriage of the “supercouple.” Two people, both recently minted lieutenants who excel at everything they do, found each other.
For some reason they decided to [...]

No, that’s not the buzz around the cabin today, although there are a few, far fewer than last year.
No, today the buzz is SpouseBuzz, sponsored by Military.com.
A big gathering in San Diego, it will be streaming live to the web today.
Support the families of the men and women who support you.

(Milblog thoughts, part 2 of 3)
Some people leave positive impressions on almost everyone they meet. I think it comes down to the energy, the life they bring to the moment. Everyone’s friend this weekend seemed to be Chuck Ziegenfuss, but few were prepared for just how incredible his wife was as well, I think. They [...]

(Milblog thoughts, part 1)
I went a little crazy. Sorry.
Times have been particularly stressful lately, as if anyone reading the last few posts hadn’t noticed. What should be a period of happiness for me is turning into a headache of massive proportions, but it is the way in which a person handles the difficult times [...]

Alright, I’ve been wallowing in my private world, keeping things to myself. Yes, the rumors are true, I had dinner last night with a fine bunch of men: Denny, Zonker, Richard, Elisson, and That1Guy. I had good beer. I had great lamb, but we are all tired of Denny using his crutch as a crutch. [...]

Speed up time at work yet again, and yet, here I go again, volunteering and I’m gone again this weekend to do my medical duties. Regular ones this time. Next weekend we’re back with the elite.
They say I’m getting my own Humvee and driver this weekend. Too bad I’ll spend most of my time [...]

There’s something building… it’s stirring up inside me like a calling back to a fight I had hoped to walk away from the first time, after the first shoves.
Yes, the press and the left are exploiting this Walter Reed scandal as if it is proof positive about the inaction of the current administration. From [...]

Last night I ran by the barracks to pick up some things one of the elite young ones had borrowed. I thought I’d sneak in and sneak out, but a couple of the other elites spotted me and called me over. They said they were headed to eat in town and wondered if I could [...]

One of the joys of ODI was being able to spend a little time with some of my friends among the younger ones. Two of my favorites were there at the same table, including “Vince.”
Vince is a giant of a man, emphasized even more so in a picture someone snapped of the two of [...]

The first thing I wondered was how I was going to provide safe medical care to a hundred training soldiers while combatting my own upper respiratory infection. For the most part I kept my distance, constantly rinsed with hand sanitizer until my fingers cracked and chafed, and kept my neck gaiter pulled up when I [...]

I’m back, I’m still a little sick, but after one good night sleeping out in the 20-degree frost, it apparently was too cold for many of the bugs rampaging my system. After that first night I felt a good bit better. Now there is only a bit of congestion left.
The boys and girls are [...]

Someone come up with it. I feel a rasping and burning coming on in my lungs. I need to be better. Right away. No choice. On Thursday I am to leave with a bunch of soldiers on four days of training to serve as their medic… yet again. The weather is calling for some really [...]