Almost Home

Where is Sgt. Butters now? Not quite home, but he is less than 8,000 miles away from home and is no longer in a country that ends in Something-Stan. He is currently at Ft. Stewart, Georgia (Rock of the Marne!), where he will process out for the next 5-8 days...or something like that.

His dad and I had a chance to pay him a surprise visit this weekend (at the military's expense via the Yellow Ribbon Program). He was quite shocked and confused when I showed up. The look was priceless. Ahh...good times! Soon...he will be back home.

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TOUCHDOWN

See ya Stans.....he's home!

More to come.

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HMMMM....

What Every Military Guy Should Know About His Girl

1.) If she wasn't emotional before, that is all about to change.
2.) You getting a higher rank could just mean an automatic free lay.
3.) Get her a pair of dog tags, ASAP. This is crucial, she will never take them off.
4.) Most of the time, you losing reception during training is your fault (though, she will eventually understand).
5.) Most of the time, everything is your fault. (This especially goes for when she is pregnant)
6.) She WILL start talking like your guys and you talk, including using your last names.
7.) Her patriotism could out-do most of your men... she will be proud... VERY proud.
8.) Be Ready: your car will end up with a yellow ribbon magnet or an "I LOVE MY _____" sticker eventually. (if you have separate cars, hers will DEFINITELY have these)
9.) She will most likely need a pair of dog tags to hang from the car's rear view mirror. (see 3)
10.) Every week she'll have "another song" that makes her think of you when you're away. (And she'll cry to it, even when you're in the same room)
11.) If you're married, she may know the base better than you do... Don't take it personal.
12.) You will catch her comparing your relationship with "other couples" in the military constantly.
13.) She'll make 5 million friends online, and talk to you about them all the time because her "old friends just don't understand" like they do.
14.) Don't be shocked when she just drops civilian chicks out of her life like flies (she mostly does this when they complain to her).
15.) DO NOT if you love her, say anything about you not wanting to make her wait for you... (TRUST me men, YOU ARE WORTH every breath to these women, or they wouldn't be here).
16.) Most women actually do LOVE it when you are sweaty and dirty, even the girlie girls. It's sexy as hell.
17.) Only bring up the field once, say it clear, and don't bring it up again. We will remember the time, the dates, like stone inside our mind. Don't remind us.
18.) You ARE our hero. That isn't us being cute, it's us swelling with pride, feeling like a princess every time we glance over and you're standing there.
19.) Don't worry about waking her up when you get a chance to call, trust me, she's NOT sleeping. If she is, she's been waiting for you to call all night, and fell asleep next to the phone.
20.) Leave at least 3 of your shirts for her... she'll wear them all the time and if she doesn't wear them out she WILL wear them to sleep.
21.) No matter what she was like before, she is tough & harder than a rock now. She can handle anything, she will get through it, tears or no tears.
22.) Don't be discouraged or taken back from her strength. It comes with the territory. When in your arms, she's still your queen, soft and sweet.
23.) Your kids might see mommy as the one in charge for a while, it's okay, they WILL respect you, just give it time.
24.) EVERYTHING in her life will be complicated, so she might not always get the simple things you say to her.
25.) Tag Chasers are her WORST enemy, she CAN and WILL spot these girls... random profane comments may come out of your little queens' mouth... its okay, shes protecting her best asset...you.
26.) She will spend hours to look good on cam & pics for you, this is just a pastime until you get home, be prepared for messy ponytails and comfy pants when you finally do get home.
27.) Her favorite sentences from you start with "when i get home" or "when i get out".

Lastly guys,

28.) No matter how much she's changed, never forget that you mean the world to her, she loves you more than anything, and you will ALWAYS be her hero..whether you think you are one or not.

http://awtr.blogspot.com/2010/03/what-every-military-guy-should-know.html

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MOVIN' ON OUT

Transit Center at Manas

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SUNDAY MORNING CARTOONS

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INSANE IN THE MEMBRANE

Good golly!!! It is an accurate statement rather, exclamation when I say this - I am literally going batty from the wait!!!!!!!!!!!! Losing my mind!!!

It may be soon (although every hour feels like an eternity) that Sgt. Butters' and his peeps bust loose from A-Stan. Units from the 48th started making their way stateside since the end of February. However, Sgt. Butters' unit still lingers. Ugh! Ugh!!

http://gadod.net/index.php/component/content/article/41-top-headlines/190-second-major-wave-of-georgia-guardsmen-returning-home-from-afghanistan

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NO BEER FOR THE 48TH

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Of course, it would be a happier occasion if Sgt. Butters were here, home safe and sound. But, like many members of the 48th Brigade of the Georgia Army National Guard, he'll have to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in A-Stan, sans beer. Until then, be safe! Stay vigilant, Sgt. Butters!!!!!!!

http://www.wtoc.com/Global/story.asp?S=12151559

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RESONATES

I tip my hat to the full-time Army Wives. It ain't for the faint of heart.

Military Families Tired Of Deployments, Separation
December 3, 2009

Georgie Hanlin is the wife of an Army officer in Afghanistan on his sixth deployment. Her husband is a company commander with the Second Infantry Division's Stryker Brigade, which has had dozens of fatalities since deploying in July. Hanlin talks to Renee Montagne about what President Obama's new Afghan strategy might mean for her family.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121045008

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4.4 Rumbler

Stop, Drop, and Roll....or is that for fire?? So, last night around 4 a.m., we, in the greater LA area, were awoken by a little rumbler. I felt it. Then, I went back to sleep and dreamt of preparing earthquake emergency kits for my family. HA!

Even more disturbing than the earthquake, on the front page of the LA Times online, the biggest headline is about Tiger Woods returning to golf. And the world is right again. Seriously!! Geez...

For more on the earthquake...

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2010/03/4-point-4-earthquake-awakens-southern-california-no-major-damage-or-injuries-reported.html

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SUNDAY MORNING CARTOONS

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She Made A Difference

Almost a year ago from today (it will be officially a year in April), Butters left once again for the Army. This time in support of the military efforts in Afghanistan. A second deployment for him. The first one for me.

In the military, it's a rule of thumb to always have a battle buddy during missions. Someone to always "watch your six." One of the first people I reached out to was Rebekah Sanderlin from Fayetville, North Carolina. She is a military wife, mother, and prominent blogger. She has also endured four deployments. Since that time last year, she has been a mentor, a fellow blogger, and a true battle buddy. Blog on, Rebekah!!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

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Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Defense Minister of Afghanistan Abdul Rahim Wardak are escorted by British Brig. Gen. Simon Levey, commanding general of the Combined Training Advisory Group, during a visit to the Combined Fielding Center at Camp Blackhorse, Afghanistan, (March 10, 2010)

Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates! Stopped by at Camp Blackhorse to watch the ANA train. As you recall, Sgt. Butters was a trainer at Camp Blackhorse and earned the Meritorious Service Award for his mad skeelz!

Camp Blackhorse is home to the Central Fielding Center (CFC), where ANA officers and non commissioned officers who have completed their respective basic training courses, come together to form units, or Kandaks, and learn how to operate together as a functioning unit. All ANA soldiers, including those from regional training centers, process through the CFC for collective training; about 7,000 soldiers graduate every month. The course is a total of seven weeks and officers and NCO’s spend an additional two weeks learning how to lead troops.

Gates, Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak, and NATO trainers, watched as the ANA soldiers conducted several training maneuvers, including mounted and dismounted patrols and reactions to improvised explosive device detonations. Afterward, Gates spoke to the soldiers, telling them that the future of Afghanistan was in their hands and that only Afghans would ultimately be able to provide long-term security for Afghanistan. Both Minister Wardak and Gates emphasized that producing quality soldiers was vital to transition success.

“It is our patriotic duty and responsibility to defend our country against threats,” said Wardak. “A prosperous, stable Afghanistan is in the best interest of the whole region.”

http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=58251
http://ntm-a.com/news/1-categorynews/281-secretary-gates-tours-ana-training-facility

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SUNDAY MORNING CARTOONS

A day late, but still amusing...

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A Message to the CIA

And the CIA's response....it's raining drones!

Watch CBS News Videos Online

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Positive Afghan News

On a happier note...

http://www.goodafghannews.com/

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