Update from Tahoe

“Hello everyone!
Man what a busy time it has been since the activation of my guard unit. We are stationed in Ft. Lewis, Washington right now. We have been doing a lot of training in chemical warfare and also on our weapons.
We still do not know exactly where we are heading or when we are leaving, but the best guess right now is somewhere south of Baghdad, and we should leave around mid February.
My company got 5 days off for the holiday, and I just arrived at home, fresh from a C-130 airplane.
Happy holidays everyone!!!”

“C-130, what a flight. Pretty noisy eh? Good deal on some leave days.

(aka Pathman)”

“Welcome home! Nice you can spend a little time here during the holidays. Enjoy, peace to you & yours.”

“Hey, C-130s haven't changed in all these years. Surprisingly, I rode on them whenever I went overseas while i was in the army. Yes i was a very fit gal at one time. And, I remember how hoisy and cold they were. It was a really miserable flight to Germany, etc.
Good Luck Tahoe on your service! Glad we have good folks like you protecting our country.

Thanks again and god bless, Santa's helper!”

“C-130 ahh I remember well. Well maybe not well but I won't freak ya out. Best of luck in your future dispursement. Have a great Christmas home with your loved ones. Thanks for doing what you're doing.”

“Does this mean there is a slim possibility of beers with Buddha before ya ship back out?”

“I'm so glad they let you spend the holidays with your family. Merry Christmas. Enjoy!”

“Buddah, I forget what your arrival day is. Let me know. I have to be at Flight Operations at 6:00 a.m. on the 28th. If your arrival day is between now and the 27th I will certainly raise a glass with you.”

“Buddah, I just looked through the Winterfest thread. It looks like you'll be in on the 29th, at which point I will be back out in a foxhole, doing some more weapons training. Sorry bro.”

“Glad you got to come home for the holiday. I hope you get to eat all your favorite foods, kiss all your favorite people, and store up lots of laughs for the difficult days ahead. Thanks for thinking of us and sending greetings.”

“It's nice to hear that you got a break to enjoy the holidays before you head out on the journey before you.

Happy Holidays!”

“Good luck out there Tahoe, stay safe, and I'll meet up with you next year!”

“my unit will be leaving for Kuwait on the 25th of February. You should see all the new backpacking gear we have!! We got Interceptor body armor, new desert colored clothes, and a cool new Camelback. Can't wait to find some trails in Kuwait or Iraq to hike on LOL. When I get back from this deployment I will be looking forward to getting into the woods with some of you all.
Take it easy, and take a hike!!”

“Take good care of yourself, Tahoe, we want to see you back posting here after your tour.



BTW, do you get to keep some of the gear?”

“Take very good care, my friend. Stay in touch when you can, I'll have lot's of trails bookmarked for us when you return!”

“Thanks for the update. You really really must take photos if you get to explore some of the area.

That would be quite something to get a look at the mountains in that area. I've read about them a little and having seen some photos, it looks like it can be a pretty austere place. You know, camels, dudes with draped head-wear, and images of the Sahara come to mind. LOL.

And be sure to keep extra safe when you venture out. You never know.

When you get settled with your unit, will you be able to check in and keep with TT?”

“Let us know if there are any trees over there.”

“Let us know what you might like for care packages. Do you like mail? Take care and hurry back.”