Even the Best Laid Plans. . . .

I consider myself a pretty decent “planner.” I tend to try to anticipate all possibilities with any specific situation and then plan accordingly. I probably overdo it in some areas and don't plan enough in others. Planning helps keep things in perspective. Needless to say, for someone who likes to anticipate and plan- these last four years have been quite the challenge.

We thought we had some “dates.” Plane tickets were bought, a car was reserved, and hotel reservations were made. The exercise of putting the trip together was a challenge in itself. Was the finish line really that close?

Well, things changed last week. At this point, we aren’t sure what our “dates” really are. I can’t go into details- suffice it to say we’re on hold until we hear otherwise (we aren’t cancelling/changing our original schedule just yet, we just need to wait).

Lu and I are doing ok. We’re naturally tired and frustrated but that doesn’t even compare to the frustration that the guys 7,000 miles away must be feeling. So we’re trying to suck-it-up. We told Brian we would adjust to whatever happens. As we've said throughout this journey, we still have to stay positive and take it just one day at a time. The most important thing is that he and his buddies return to us safe. The rest is irrelevant.

Just posting some of my favorite “older” pictures of Brian at Camp Pendleton (I believe these were when he was at the School of Infantry- seems like a lifetime ago.)



Kicking Down Doors And
Big Guns
Brian is On The Right

A New Marine

In The Field

As things become clearer we will certainly let you know. Just keep the positive thoughts and prayers flowing to Afghanistan- and hopefully we’ll hear something soon.

Semper Fi

"Almost There!"

We’re now at the part of the marathon where those lining the streets start to yell, “You’re almost there.” You know the intentions are sincere but you also know you’ve got more miles to go. You can’t let yourself focus on the finish-line just yet. In spite of the physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion you just keep putting one foot in front of the other and taking each mile one at a time.

As I’ve mentioned before, Brian has been wonderful keeping connected through this deployment. Many times we talk to him when he is on “watch.” When he’s on watch he’s up all night and sometimes it’s 2 or 3 a.m. Afghani time when he calls. That was the case last week. He’s sounding good and doing an unbelievable job staying focused and helping his team stay focused as well. I can’t begin to comprehend the mental and emotional exhaustion they must be feeling right now. It has cooled down to about 107 during the day and around 80 at night and the air conditioner continues to run full-bore 24/7.

I’m posting another picture of the guys when they arrived in Afghanistan over 6 months ago. In some ways it seems like an eternity, in others it seems like yesterday. I remember taking Brian to the airport last February. While all those trips suck, that one sucked more than the others. As I watched him walk down the jet-way and disappear from sight I wondered what the next seven months had in store for all of us. The Marine offensive in Marjah was just getting underway and the pace of the activity in Afghanistan overall was increasing. He was heading right into the middle of it. I knew this one was going to be different. I just didn’t know how different.

The situation we were facing in Marjah back in February (and Afghanistan generally) reminded me of what I had heard and read about Fallujah (and Iraq generally) during the very difficult period in the war in Iraq. Our country was not optimistic. We lost many young heroes just after the surge in Iraq. I knew there would be difficult times during this period in Afghanistan as well. You try not to focus on it- but it’s reality.

Last week the U.S. Army 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry was the last combat group to leave Iraq. Please remember that while the media and politicians have been focusing on the exit of the last formal “combat team” there are over 50,000 Americans still remaining. While the focus of those remaining will be different, these Americans will still carry guns, they will still be attacked by insurgents and IEDs, and, yes, there will still be casualties. Iraq is still not safe for our troops.

However, the final outcome in Iraq now lies in the hands of the Iraqi people. This is a tremendous milestone in Iraq and a tribute to over 4000 Americans who sacrificed everything to even make this milestone possible (I’m not ignoring the efforts of the other countries involved- but let’s be honest, the United States has carried the ball on this one).

Can the same thing happen in Afghanistan? Back in February I wasn’t so sure. Six months later I’m more optimistic that with the right military leadership we can at least help set the stage. It hasn’t been pretty but progress has been made. And, just like in Iraq, it will ultimately be up to the Afghani people to decide the direction they want their country to take. The direction they choose can have a significant impact on the stability of the region and on the national security of our own country. I hope they choose their direction wisely.

I promise I will post more specifics and details concerning Brian’s deployment schedule when I am able. I have a ton of things I would love to communicate- but just can’t until we’re further down the road.

Thanks again for all of your prayers and support; just a while longer.

Semper Fi

One Day At A Time

We just have to take it a day at a time. I know Brian is trying to do the same on the other end. We talked to him this past week and he sounds good. I can’t post a lot of the items we talked about but suffice it to say- the marines are ready to call it a day. They have served well. It’s easy to start jumping ahead to the finish-line right about now but Lu and I try to keep pushing ourselves back to “one day at a time.” Sometimes it’s not so easy.

I have to admit, there have been many times throughout this experience that I have wondered where all of this is heading. It didn’t seem like what was being communicated about this war (if anything) fit with what I would see and hear. Many times I honestly haven't known who was leading the effort. While I thought some clarity was provided by President Obama during his West Point Address in December, 2009, our media and politicians quickly ripped any clarity apart. It wasn’t until the Rolling Stone adventure involving General Stanley McCrystal transpired that my inclinations of confusion and frustration became real.

I watched the NBC interview with General Patreaus. I think I learned (at least on a very broad level) more about the goals, the situation, and the strategy of what we’re doing there in that hour than I had learned over the past 7 months. Patreaus manages the media- McCrystal was a victim of it. General Patreaus certainly understands the frustration the country is feeling with a war that has lasted for 9 years. Many Americans have made tremendous sacrifices in the effort along the way. He has not forgotten why the war was started in the first place and what the results would be if we left Afghanistan today. Even though over 60% of Americans are understandably not all that optimistic at this point, he realizes this is not simply an “Afghanistan issue” but an issue of stability for this important region in the Middle East. And, even though the media and politicians continue to focus primarily on the “July, 2011” exit date- he is focused on “doing his job” and leaving the politics to others. He is informed by the context of the politics but “not driven by it.”

Once again, I am feeling a little more encouraged. Finally, I feel there is someone in charge that will take control of both the military and civilian aspects of the mission and make them work together. For all of the soldiers, marines, and loved ones who have already sacrificed so much- it’s about time.

I’m lacking new photos from Afghanistan so am posting a picture of Brian after he graduated from boot camp four years ago- we’ve been through a lot, have learned a ton, and honestly believe we have become better and more engaged Americans as a result. Thanks Bug.





A New Marine
A World of Experience
In Four Years











And, Ethan continues to be a joy for all of us. Lindsey, Jason, and Ethan stopped over last week for a visit. These visits always make the wait to get Brian home a little easier.

Lu And Ethan

Makes It All Worthwhile

We'll certainly keep you posted as we know (and can communicate) specifics and details. Thanks again for your support and prayers.

Semper Fi

Still Remembering After 65 Years

We’re in a sort of “hold pattern” right now. We’re well over 20 miles, but still have to just take it one mile at a time. We can’t see the finish line yet- all we know is that with each day we’re getting closer.

We talked to Brian this week and he’s been staying much more active than we would like. Lu and I have made our views very clear but he can’t listen to his parents on this one. He has to “do his job.” As always, it’s good to hear his voice and we’ll just need to keep praying harder.

We continue to be amazed by what these men and women are doing for us. With each day we grow even more appreciative of the sacrifices being made every day to carry out a very complex and dangerous mission. I think our country appreciates the sacrifices to a certain extent; but doesn’t really have a clue of all that is involved. Most just think about it occasionally- usually when something comes up on one of the news channels.

A friend of mine sent me a beautiful story of the small town of Pilsen in the Czech Republic. This little community adores America, the American soldier, and continues to appreciate the sacrifices that were made on its behalf. Pilsen was liberated from the Nazis by General Patton 65 years ago. Every 5 years since, Pilsen has held a Liberation Celebration to honor its liberation, America, and the American soldier.

Pilsen is also the crash site of Lt. Virgil P. Kirkham, the last recorded American pilot killed in Europe during World War II. Lt. Kirkham was flying his 82nd mission (and one he volunteered to go on). He was only 20 years old when he died.

A young 14 year old Czech girl, Zdenka Sladkova, witnessed the crash of Lt. Kirkham’s P-47 Thunderbolt and was so moved by his sacrifice that she made a vow to care for his memory. For 65 straight years (and now 79 years old) she has assumed the responsibility to care for Virgil’s crash site and memorial created near her home.





Family Remembering
An American Hero
In the Czech Republic

Zdenka Sladkova

Keeping a 65 Year

Commitment To an

American Hero

These folks appreciate freedom- and know what it took to obtain it and keep it.

I’m posting some more Ethan pics from our time at the cabin last weekend.



I Still Like
The Shades

Some Great Teachers

We can’t thank everyone enough for your thoughts and especially your prayers. This one has been tougher than the other two- but we know your prayers have made a difference for Brian and for us.

Semper Fi

Making A Difference

By our best estimates we have passed the 22 mile marker of our marathon. As I’ve said before, the last six are the toughest and we’ve got four more miles to go. But, we’re getting closer and we’ll gut it out to the finish line.

We talked with Brian this past week and from the sounds of it the Marines are staying very busy. As you know, we don’t talk about the details but he continues to sound good- much better since they got the air conditioner. They have had a few sandstorms to contend with and the brutal heat of the summer may be letting up just a little (maybe 110 degrees as a high). I’m sure they are ready to get out of there- we’re all ready for them to get out of there. They have done more than their share.

While this whole journey has been a challenge for Lu and I, Ethan’s arrival has made it a little easier. We still can’t get our heads around the whole “grandparents” thing (we will eventually) but we have really enjoyed watching him grow and watching Lindsey and Jason become the parents that they are. They have been sending Brian pictures of Ethan and I’ve tried to keep him updated with this blog. Lindsey made Ethan a book full of uncle-Brian pictures so even though he’s thousands of miles away right now- they have already been introduced in a very special way.

Lindsey, Ethan, and Jason joined us up north this past weekend and Ethan had his first real experience with the water. Here are a few pictures from the weekend.





A Very Big
Bathtub
July, 2010

Cool Shades

July, 2010

When I talked to Brian last week he said something to me on the phone that I’ve been thinking a lot about lately. A couple weeks ago I posted some pictures of Brian with some of the Afghani kids. (I’m posting the high-five picture again because I think it’s pretty cool). He told me when he looked at that picture after he had returned to the base he realized something. He thought about the reasons he joined the Marines four years ago- (and there were several). One of the reasons was to share the blessings (my word) he felt he has received with those less fortunate than he. He told me that as he looked at the picture with that little boy he realized he “had accomplished one of his goals.” These children live in complete poverty and have to worry about being blown up every time they walk outside. That’s the reality of their life. Some will say “that’s the breaks” and it’s none of our business to be involved. I think Brian (and many of those serving with him) would say he was at least doing his part to make a little change in lives that could use a little changing- and perhaps saving lives along the way.


There is no doubt, the war is brutal. The politics behind the war (and everything else for that matter) is becoming brutal as well. As I thought about the lesson Brian taught me, I realized I can either sit on the sidelines and complain, or get involved and do my part to help change what needs changing. You don’t need to be 7,000 miles away in a war zone to have a positive impact on somebody’s life. You just need the heart and the passion to make it happen. I know it’s time I got off my ass to do my part as well.

Semper Fi