My son Andrew seems to be in the same unit.  He left in June and has been in Afghanistan now for 2 weeks.  Please send me a private email and I will give you my email address at home and we can keep in touch. 

Dianna

THANK YOU to all of you who have sent me messages of your thoughts and prayers. Still no news on this end.  I know a little but can't give any out. Hoping to get the official message soon, its taking much longer than ever before, the nok must be away.

To the moms of the boys out there you all are in my thoughts and prayers also, along with your soldiers.  We are almost done with this on my end and I hope that your time flies by as mine seems to go super fast on some days/months.

Thank you again,

Ang 

check in with the www.armyfrg.org to get your son's address....this official web site helped me when my son left for Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne May 27, 2007. You will need to get a user name and passcode  to sign on  as a family member for a soldier that is deployed. Have your soldier's social security number handy and his unit so they can direct you to the frg(family readiness group) specific to your son.  Our frg site had a map of afghanistan showing where the bases, and out posts. The frg also provides   a parent forum.  They also post  pictures of our brave soldiers in afghanistan....the frg site was a big comfort for us moms  and that helped us stay in touch with our sons....do not say anything on the frg that is classified.  Also, when sending packages to your sons use the FLAT RATE BOXES  provided free from the post office.  The smaller boxes have a flat discount  rate & arrive faster than other large package. It is better to send two small flat packages than one big box.  Do not send chocolate during the summer, it will melt before it gets there...jolly ranchers travel well.

Hi Tamra,

Sounds like my Chris and your Shawn will be in the same place.  I just talked to Chris this morning, most of the platoon has headed to the base but about 4 guys have been delayed due to lack of room on the plane. Chris was one of them.

He was unaware of the loss yesterday. I am still waiting to hear more news.

Angela

I have you guys in my prayers. I know no one wants any sadness

Check today's posting by Mitch (Taco) Bell. He mentions the attack and says, "if you can, pick a Marine or Soldier who is serving in Nangarhar, Pakita, Paktika, Kandahar or Helmand. Heck, anywhere in Afghanistan is good enough." 

 Here are a few names that mention those areas

Angela,

My son, Ronnie, also just left from Ft. Hood on the 11th headed to Korengal also.    He is also in the 1st and 3rd. I spoke to him today and they are not yet in Afghanistan, but close.  I asked and he said he had a Chris in his unit.  Our sons' just might be together.  They are all in my prayers.  I will PM you for last names and will keep in touch.

Rachael

Ladies, it is great that we all have something in common.  My son is also in the 1st Infantry, 3rd Brigade.  He is in Korengal now.  He said it is intense.  I haven't talked to him for the past couple days.  I am sure communications are down.  The boys will be in my prayers.

Dianna

A few of the bases in the Korengal Valley are, Camp Blessing (main base) Camp Phoenix, outpost, FOB (firebase out post) California.  Just google Camp Blessing Korengal Valley or google Camp Phoenix Korengal Valley and you will get some hits that show your the information you seek.  Hope this helps everyone. 

Howdy,

I'm the dad of a 20 year old Army Private who deployed out of Fort Hood on Friday. It's nice to hear all the supportive comments from this fine group of concerned loved ones. Thanks to all your sons & daughters, who will be protecting the life of mine for the next year and a half. I hope they all come home together and in one piece. 

Ran across this Myspace amateur mini-documentary video by a guy named Dronetek. The footage was mostly taken in the Korengal Valley about Christmas of 2006. http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=19757330 

 Arboreally yours,

 Ox

Widget:

 Here are a few names that mention those areas

John Okerson - 110 people, 22 requests

Brian Elliott - 8 ppl / 70 req

Eric Peterson - 40 ppl / 27 req

John Pethel - 95 / 117 req

Cindy Tampasis - 12 / 95 req

 

Hi Widget, Add:

PFC Hector I Rivas 5 troops, 11 requests

Hi Amanda,

Just wanted to say Thank You for your sacrifices. Please tell your husband Thank You for HIS service for OUR country!

All my best,

Joanne

I haven't heard from Andrew yet.  Still waiting.  My thoughts and prayers go out to all our troops.  I have enjoyed every ones blog.  Thank you for the support and new friendships.  May God bless our children.

In Him,

Dianna