For those who don't have facebook...

I thought I'd keep up on Bri's facebook posts. They aren't always cheerful, but I always breathe a little sigh of relief when he posts a new one.

March 25, 2009
Brian Zdychnec having such a grand ole time.............. hope you can catch the sarcasim
7:40am · Comment · LikeUnlike

Our 6Th Anniversary in Iraq and An E-Mail So Far

Well, this past Thursday we reached the 6th anniversary of the war in Iraq. I'm sure we all recall watching the "shock and awe" of the war when we entered Bagdhad in 2003. Who would have thought we would still be there 6 years later- and Brian is now there as a part of it. It's pretty unreal to us.

We received a brief e-mail from Brian this morning telling us everything is moving along as planned and he'll get in touch with us when he gets a minute and they get their connections all established (we don't know where he is at this point). We talked to him very briefly from Kuwait last Saturday and said he didn't know when he would get a chance to call again. He told us it could be quite awhile- so we've just been patient. This is the tough part as all you can do is just wait.

He did tell us when we talked to him that on their way out of the country they made a stop at an air force base in Maine. They arrived around 12:30 a.m. and there was a contingent of military veterans waiting for them when they arrived to welcome them, thank them, and wish them well. Brian said it was pretty cool. We can be a really neat country when we want to be.

He said in his e-mail that he would send us a list of the things they can use over there. I'm attaching a link here from MarineParents.com that provides a pretty comprehensive list of items. He did say when he was home that socks are a big item- and he really liked getting the Kool-Aid packets and some of the "quick-food" stuff we sent to him the last time. It's going to get hotter than crap there over the next few months so anything that can help with trying to stay cool and keeping the fluids flowing will be good.

http://www.carepackageproject.com/carepkg-project-needs-list.asp

Some Other Photos I Liked

The landscape of Kuwait (From last deployment) Just a lot of sand.



This is a picture of some kids welcoming home the Minnesota National Guard when they went through Walker on their way home to Bemidji in 2007 (cute kids). If my facts are right these soldiers served the longest deployment in Iraq- almost 2 years- of any other military unit in the country. Talk about sacrifice. It was pretty neat to watch them go through and be part of the whole deal.


We'll certainly keep everyone updated as we hear anything. Thanks for your support and prayers.

Semper Fi

Neither One Is "Better"

I've been really surprised with the number of people who have told me "at least he's not in Afghanistan" when I'm asked where Brian is serving. I know some people say it to make us feel better. But many others actually seem to think it's all over, we've won, no more combat, nothing more to do since we're going to start bringing some of our troops home.

No doubt, the situation in Iraq has improved since the military was finally provided the resources and management to do what they needed to do. Our country (and many families) sacrificed a lot along the way to get us here. But, the folks over there now aren't just sitting in the sand and eating bon-bons just because our politicians say we're drawing-down or because we don't hear about Iraq as much in the media. There are missions still taking place and the enemy we are fighting is still nuts. As we have seen in the past, the landscape over there changes in an instant. A sign over the exit to one of our bases over there says it best, "Complacency Kills".

There are still over 140,000 sons, brothers, fathers, mothers, wives, and daughters sacrificing for us over there every day. They are sacrificing precious time away from family and friends and putting their lives out there each day. Iraq is still dangerous and (in my opinion) still a mess. And, despite what our own views are of why we are there- most are completing their missions without question. They are "just doing their job" (I've heard that a lot)

Make no mistake, Afghanistan is extremely dangerous now and we pray every day for the troops that are serving there. But, from my perspective, neither place is "better". As long as there are still casualties and sacrifices being made in either place and as long as both remain unstable, despite what the politicians communicate or media says (or doesn't say), we're still at war in both.

For those who have served in Iraq in the past, are serving now, and will be serving in the future- I hope our country doesn't become complacent- or more naive.

Semper Fi

Brian's Address- And Other Stuff

We've connected with Brian a couple of times over the past few days - he's obviously got a lot going on right now- but we did get his address. I've posted it off to the left here- so feel free to use it whenever you can. We'll try to get a list of things they can use while they're over there. There are also some web-sites you can use to help out- I'll try to post some of them out here when I get a minute.

Some trivia on the address- (and in case you care) FPO- stands for Fleet Post Office (administered through the navy) and AP stands for Armed Forces Pacific. The zip codes are used the same way we use them privately- just through a military postal service. I'm learning more every day (and Laura thinks I'm nuts for even wondering about it).

We won't be posting when he's actually leaving- or where he's going (except Iraq). Sorry. This is one of the "military rules" for e-mails and blogs- and Brian was very clear to me (on several occasions) to make sure I didn't violate the rule.

Laura and I are doing ok. It's always a huge shock to the system when you have the brief period of chaos and activity- and then it all quiets down again very quickly. We've had our moments- but overall we're doing ok. Moving into "deployment mode" is a lot different than when he's on base and "in-country". It's also tougher to hang-up the phone now when we've finished talking. So, we'll give ourselves a little time to adjust.

Thought I'd post a couple of pictures from Laura's spaghetti dinner with everyone last week when Brian was home. Once again, thanks to all family and friends who showed up- it meant a lot to us.

This one is with Laura and baby Brody Henry (Megan and Justin's baby). Don't tell me Laura isn't a natural with babies.

It also meant a lot to all of us to have my Dad spend some time with us. He was able to spend some real quality time with his grandson and I know it meant a lot to both of them. Thanks again Dad.

And, here is one of my favorite pictures of Brian and his buddies at Camp Pendleton (Brian is on the far right). They had just completed some Urban Combat Training and had this picture taken at the site. Quite the crew- those guns are huge.

The postings may get a little more sporadic for awhile as we wait to establish connections again. That will likely not happen until they reach their destination and possibly as much as a month or longer before he can actually call or e-mail (we'll get the e-mail address to you too- assuming they have access where they are going). But, we'll keep you as informed as we can.

Thanks again for all of your support. Keep all of our troops in your prayers as they are all doing amazing things to protect us and making unbelievable sacrifices for us. Let's not forget it.

Semper Fi

St. Michael

In the mass we attended where Brian was blessed, at the end the entire congregation did a prayer to St. Michael the Archangel. I thought it was a good sign and is one that is fitting for the next few months for all of us!

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil;
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray:
And do thou, o Prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
Thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits
who wander through the world for the ruin of souls.
Amen

Linds

Going To The Airport Still Sucks

With as many times as we've now had to do this- you would think it would get easier. It doesn't. It's especially tough when you realize and accept it's going to be 7 months before you'll see each other again. But, we did ok.

Over the past few years we've learned to live with dates or markers you put out there to try to put some context around all of this. Leaving for bootcamp, graduating from bootcamp; coming home on leave, heading back from leave; leaving on first deployment, home from first deployment; home for the holidays, going back from the holidays; these are all the "markers" we've had so far. It seems like the first part always lasts way too long, and the second part goes by way too fast. Now we'll be adding leaving for second deployment (March) and returning from second deployment (some time in October) to the list.

The last day always sucks. You try to spend some quality time together- but you know it's coming to an end for awhile. It's a weird emotional flow- like a roller-coaster. But, it's reality- and you just try to deal with it as best you can.

Brian had friends over and spent most of the morning packing and getting his gear together. Lindsey came over with the puppies and we took the picture here just before we headed out the door to say our "good-byes" and head to the airport.

Brian wanted to give his mother a "Mommy Hug" at breakfast one morning- just to show you that some things don't change- even in Marines.

And, this photo was taken on his last deployment while they were on a mission- just to show you the other side. (It's no wonder we're schizophrenic)

But, overall we did well. It was a wonderful week together and we are thankful for that. Brian is back at Camp Pendleton for a few days and will let us know what's going on later. We'll make sure to get his address out to everyone when we get it.

Semper Fi

The Beginning- A Wonderful Week Together

Hello to all. We're going to be using this blog to try to keep you informed of what's going on as Brian enters the next part of his Marine journey. There will be a lot we can't post or won't be able to say (for security reasons), but hopefully this will help everyone stay connected and as informed as we can. And, I'm sure we will be including some of our political views on things as its very tough to keep the politics and reality separate when you have "skin in the game". Those of you who received an "invite" will be able to post your own thoughts- you just need to sign-up for a Google account- which is very simple.

We had a wonderful week together as Brian made it home last Saturday morning for his "pre-deployment leave". Thanks to all of you who participated in Laura's "spaghetti dinner" last Saturday. It meant a lot to us to have you here. A special thanks to Michael's dad who made the journey from Dallas to spend some time with us.

Last Sunday, we all went to Mass together and Brian was blessed by Father Tom again (we also had this done on his last deployment). It never hurts to have the "Big Guy" watching over him and his buddies. Father Tom is a very special priest who stressed to us it is "an honor and a priviledge" to do this for us. Thanks again Father Tom.

The week went by too fast, as they always do. We've had the opportunity to spend some real quality time together. It is these times when you appreciate what is really important in life. We'll be heading to the airport on Sunday afternoon as he'll return to Camp Pendleton for a few days before they all head out.

Keep all of our troops in your prayers. We'll keep you filled in as we can.