Deployment Blog

The deployment is finally over. I picked up Josh at the Bloomington Armory yesterday. You might've seen us on the Fox 9 news yesterday - we made the 5:00pm and 9:00pm news broadcasts. Here are some photos and video clips from yesterday.

Leaving Fort McCoy, Wisconsin:

The soldiers on the bus:

The soliders on the bus smiling (some of them):

Looking out the front window of the bus while approaching the St. Croix River:

The St. Croix River (between Wisconsin and Minnesota):

Welcome to Minnesota:

Meeting up with The Patriot Guard (on motorcycles) who will escort the bus to the armory:

Just a few exits before getting to the Bloomington Armory - at this time, the police escort has joined the convoy and is leading the way:

Meanwhile, at the Bloomington Armory, excited families wait for the troops:

The Patriot Guard had volunteers holding flags along the road in front of the Bloomington Armory to welcome the troops:

Amy waits in front of the armory for Josh to arrive:

Although hard to see, her shirt says WELCOME HOME DAD - AND THE OTHER RED BULLS!:

Kelly was there too:

Josh's view from the bus as they arrived at the Bloomington Armory:

And here's what it sounded/looked like from Kelly's perspective as the bus rolled into the armory (you can hear the motorcylces of The Patriot Guard and Kelly comforting Amy, who was scared of the loud motorcycle noises and cheering):

Josh took a couple photos of Kelly and Amy after being reunited:

Josh, Kelly, and Amy are finally together (thanks to the Fox 9 news guy who took this photo):

To answer some questions: Although Josh is home, there exists the chance that he could be deployed again, since he does plan to stay in the Minnesota Army National Guard for at least another year. At this point (and with the current world situation), it seems likely that Josh should be home for at least 2-3 years before he deploys again. For now, however, he is home and this deployment is complete. THANK YOU RED BULLS (1/34 BCT - Josh's unit) FOR A JOB WELL-DONE!!!

From Kelly | Posted at 9:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Some photos taken over the past couple of weeks by Josh.

A dust storm rolling towards Tallil Air Base (in Iraq):

A stop in Ireland:

A stop in Maine, where local volunteers greet the troops who come through:

Arriving in Wisconsin:

Photos of Fort McCoy, Wisconsin:

From Josh | Posted at 9:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Josh made it safe and sound to Fort McCoy, Wisconsin! He will spend the next 10 days or so out-processing there (attending briefings, meetings, filling out paperwork, getting health check-ups, etc.). Once he's done there, he will be allowed to come home! YAY!

He also made it on the news! If you check out the 26-second mark on this video clip, you will see Josh's not-so-smiling face (typical Josh - ha ha) when they pan around the airplane, right in front (he is not interviewed, but at least you can see him there as proof he did arrive in Wisconsin):

http://wcco.com/video/?id=28922@wcco.dayport.com

It is SUCH a relief to know he's back in the U.S. and it won't be much longer until he's HOME in Minnesota! Yay!

From Kelly | Posted at 11:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Wow - I read this and it sounds VERY VERY familiar: Mother, toddler await soldier's return from Iraq

Only Josh and I were married in July 2005 - today is actually our 2nd anniversary. It is also the 2nd one he's missed. (Last year, Josh sent me flowers with a note that said, "Next year will be better - I promise!" That was before the extension. Oops. He owes me one for that!)

I found out I was pregnant the day after he left for training down in Mississippi (although we had a hunch I was pregnant right before he left). He's only seen Amy for 2 weeks, back when she was 5 months old. She's changed a lot since then.

Now Amy is just over 13 months old. She can feed herself. She says UH OH and HI and WOOF WOOF (when she sees a dog) and VAROOM (when she sees a car - or NASCAR). Just this week, her very first tooth appeared! Dad missed out on all those firsts, but it seems like he may be back in time to catch her first steps. Amy can pull herself up and cruise pretty well while holding onto the coffee table or couch, but she can't quite get going on her own yet. Hopefully, she is saving that "first" for when Daddy comes home - which should be in the next few weeks.

Much like the family in the above article, we already have plans to vacation up north as a family (just Josh, Amy, and me). We didn't find a place that will let us stay for free, but at least they are willing to give us a military discount which is better than nothing.

It is an amazing feeling to know that he is probably on his way home somewhere in the world at this very moment. I don't know if he's left Iraq or if he's stuck in Kuwait or if he's actually in Wisconsin by now. I don't know where he'll have to stop on the way or how long it will take him to get from one place to the next. For security purposes, I'm not allowed to know the details. I just know that the end of this deployment is coming soon. And I am ready to have my husband - Amy's Daddy - home.

From Kelly | Posted at 11:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)