HI! Captain Daniel Kearney has his last post up today! Battle Co. is getting ready to redeploy soon.

Hi all,

I spoke to my husband today and he told me he received another care package from one of you AMAZING people.  He didn't have a name for me yet, but I still wanted to post a THANK YOU here for the support you are giving us.  He got a box from Joanne a few weeks ago too with some great stuff in it and was happy to see another box - especially from people who don't even know him.  It means so much to him to get something from you - it livens up the day, it is a change from the usual grueling pace, it's exciting to open the box and see what he's gotten, and most of all, it's very affirming for him to know he has the support of his fellow Americans.  This is the war the country seems to have forgotten - if they ever even knew.  People ask me all the time what he's doing there instead of being in Iraq and they are shocked to find out we're at war in Afghanistan.  So, thank you from both of us for reminding him that he's not forgotten and he is appreciated.  It means the world to us both and makes us both feel very much less alone in this. 

-Jenna 

Jenna, I get that kind of response all the time when people ask me how my son is doing.  Many have no concept of our having troops in Afghanistan, they just assume Daniel went back to Iraq. Usually their next statement is something about how relieved I should be that he isn't where it is dangerous! I really try to show patience with them at that point,but the teacher in me really wants to give them a lesson or two. 

I hope your guy stays safe and well and returns home to you soon.  Lynne

Yep, I hear it often "at least he's not in danger." I do tend to explain briefly that actually he's in one of the most dangerous places he could be but he's a brave and knowledgeable soldier and wouldn't want to be any place else.  It's depressing how uninformed the American people are as a whole.  You're right though, patience is key...and a little education never hurt anyone either. 

 Thanks for your well wishes and right back at you! 

LongIslandgirl:

HI! Captain Daniel Kearney has his last post up today! Battle Co. is getting ready to redeploy soon.

 David Lebron's post includes a tribute to the fallen heros of the 173 rd. So many beautiful spirits have been taken from us.

Same here..I'm so happy they're coming home!!

On the other hand, it's painful when you realize how many have fallen.

Michael Moad made his last post today.

Wow...  I am SO emotional today. It's so touching to read about them going home, it's like in a few weeks we'll be able to breathe a collective sigh of relief that some of Battle Company is home safe... only to turn back to the KOP and seek out the new guys who are in for the fight of their lives.  What a roller coaster.  And what heroes.

Wanted to let everyone know - please dont send anything else to Justin and his group - they will be back in Italy hopefully within a month.

KristenF:

Wow...  I am SO emotional today. It's so touching to read about them going home, it's like in a few weeks we'll be able to breathe a collective sigh of relief that some of Battle Company is home safe... only to turn back to the KOP and seek out the new guys who are in for the fight of their lives.  What a roller coaster.  And what heroes.

Right on Kristen. These guys have a special place in my heart and I'm just praying hard their last few weeks go smoothly and the whole of the 173rd travels safely home. Although it's impossible to forget they aren't quite whole and what they have been through the last 14 months.These guys have really touched me. Very proud of them today and a little emotional about it as well. Shelly

Just wanted to let everyone know that I had a letter returned on Thurs, 6/19/08, from one of the soldiers of 173rd 2/503. I was on the understanding that we could mail up until 7-1-08.  Have they already stopped the mail?

Hello Everyone!

I hope this all finds you doing well.  I wanted to first off say THANK YOU to all of you who have sent me items for the homecoming.  It seems like they will be getting a much deserved warm and inviting homecoming and room to sleep in.  I wish I knew more of what the other companies out at the KOP are getting but I am only working with Michaels company at this time.  sorry :(

The countdown has begun and we are all getting ready here. Posters, flags, decorations of all sorts are starting to take place here.  Gets you anxious just driving on post now! haha  I'm beginning that "nesting" period again it seems and ramsacking the house haha Thing is its not dirty or out of place and yet I'm still redoing everything! lmao  Like he's even going to notice! haha

Okay just wanted to check in and let you all know that we are all doing well and getting ready.  I check in quite often just don't post much....so no talking about me! haha Just kidding!!

Take care and love to you all and to your families,

Angela

I thought that I would share an email from Reginald Sweed I received today. .. . 

To all
        I am coming to the end of my Deployment here in Afghanistan and I wanted to say thanks for all of your support that you have given me and the Soldiers Of the 173RD ABCT. Please continue to pray for the fallen Hero's families. We have 40 days before we can go home and we are still in the fight, so all the prayer are still needed. I can't give you a number as to how many Soldiers we have lost, but I can say that we have lost more then 30 Troops in the time we have been here. On a sad note we lost one today and he was a young troop we a new baby and a young wife. There were many things that were hard on us, but we still had a job to do, now the hard parts come. We must go home and leave all the stress behind us, for some it's hard and others it's even harder. Most of us Soldiers will be returning home to our families and trying to join back with there families. I will be passing my duties to my replacement on the 2 of Aug 2008. I also get to talk to every Soldier that leaves here to go home and I will be sure to tell them not to forget the people like yourself that help them in the fight. I'm going to end here and go put our fallen Hero on a plane to go home to his family.

Oh, George...  thanks for sharing that with us.  It's a sobering reminder of everything they have been through and go through still.  I'll admit to being "out of it" since so many of the guys dropped contact-always thinking about them, but not really concentrating on how utterly dangerous the KOP is.  I know that conventional communication is always going to be hit or miss out there, I just wish there was a way for them to feel our love and prayers... to the Soldiers, and the families who love them, like the young ones who just lost their husband/father.  All we can do is pray that then next 40 days go by swiftly and safely for all who remain there in service...