In My Own Words

DoD Announces Change-In-Status of Army Soldier The Department of Defense today announced the death of a soldier supporting Operation Enduring Freedom who was previously listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown. Sgt. Brandon T. Islip, 23, of Richmond, Va., had been listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown.  His status was changed Nov. 29 to having died [...]

I got the last of the Christmas items that Jini and I bought, and the ones that were donated by three people at work, packed into boxes and on their way to the troops. Now I’m ready to switch gears back to “general care packages.” During the holidays, people will send a lot of stuff, [...]

A friend asked if I would mind helping spread the word about a Welcome Home/Reunion for Vietnam Veterans that will be held in Crossville, TN in June 2010. I went to his website to read what it’s all about, and I’m including information for any of y’all who may be interested. If you go to [...]

Rodney Carrington has a new Christmas album out (no, it’s not a comedy album, nor is it his usual “raunchy” style) with a song on it titled “Camouflage and Christmas Lights.” One of my friends at work had told me about the song and said I really needed to hear it, so I Googled “Rodney [...]

First I got an e-mail from one of my Marines in Afghanistan, with a picture attached. The picture is of him raising the Tennessee State flag at the FOB where he’s stationed. He has friends in Greeneville (which is where Nolichuckey Bluffs is; our favorite vacation spot) that he’s sending the flag to. In the [...]

The Department of Defense today announced the identity of a soldier currently listed as Duty Status Whereabouts Unknown (DUSTWUN) and the death of a soldier who were both supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. The two soldiers were members of the 1st Battalion, 508thParachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. Sgt. [...]

Jennifer brought me another folder full of letters/cards/artwork from students at Harpeth Middle School. I always look through them before I put them in the big envelope and send them on their way. This bundle of correspondence had Veteran’s Day cards, Christmas cards, and letters of thanks, probably about 160 all together. I have two [...]

Well, not just to Iraq; got some on the way to Afghanistan, as well. Jack and I dropped off four packages this morning. One was a very small box (the customs form was bigger than the box), headed for a young man in Iraq who has insisted on letters only, but I couldn’t let him [...]

I’m looking forward to the Veteran’s Day ceremony on the courthouse lawn in Ashland City tomorrow. One of my favorite parts (which generally brings tears to my eyes) is when students from Ashland City Elementary who have parents deployed lead the crowd in reciting the pledge of allegiance. Our local politicians will of course have [...]

The Things I Carry The old train lumbered up the track amid a hoofbeat clatter, its cloudy windows streaked by rain that fell in gentle patter. With duffle heavy on my back I trudged along the aisle Until I saw an empty seat next to a welcome smile. A stifled groan curled in my chest [...]