So if you read the the posts below, you aren't even sure if I've deployed. I did. On Sept 19 I started on active duty. I had taken off the week before to spend with the wife and kids. That was a great week. It was sad knowing I'd be going but we spent everyday just being together, getting things in order and having fun.

I also went into the kids' school and talked to their classes. Wow were they full of questions! I think we tlaked for about 45 minutes before we had to cut it off.

Sept 19 was the hardest day. I had been told that I would be able to go home every night until we actually left but we weren't sure. So that morning we're had to say our goodbyes like this was it. Fortunately I did get to come home each evening. It was still hard on us but the time together was nice and I think it helped ease us all into military life.

On September 24th we finally had to say our real goodbyes. My wife and kids drove me to the armory and we had our last hugs and kisses. I gave them each a kiss on the palm of their hand so if the missed me they could hold it to their cheek and get a kiss from me. Then I watched them drive away.

It turned out they could have stayed at the armory to see us all off, but I was glad they didn't. I had work to do so I wouldn't have been able to see them. When we finally did leave we had a police escort out of town. Lots of people waved at us as we drove by to wish us well. A long bus ride to Erie followed by a long plane ride to Gulfport, MS, and then another bus ride to Camp Shelby got us to our knew home for the next two months.