We also surprised Dominic one day at school and had lunch with him. He really enjoyed having us there and saw a very social side of our nephew. We ventured up to Fort Drum to get my ID, so that I can have base privileges - commissary, PX - shopping at a discount and tax free prices. It will be worth it for a large shopping trip. While we were up there, Josh gave me a mini-tour of the base and showed me where they stayed during each of their visits throughout the past year.
The Send-Off Ceremony was held on Wednesday, January 16 at the Armory in Ithaca. It was very nice - short, but a nice recognition of them. I have attached some pictures of the ceremony. I have also included a listing of the articles and video clips from the ceremony at the bottom of this email.
Josh reported for duty on January 17, 18 and 19. We had a very untimely deployment briefing on Saturday morning and said our goodbyes on Saturday night. They left for Ft. Drum from Ithaca around 8:00 p.m. We were able to see them and the police escort as they traveled through Cortland. They arrived Ft. Drum late on the 19th and left at 2 a.m. on the 20th, arriving in Ft. Bragg around 5:00 a.m.
Life at Ft. Bragg is a bit different. There are 17 of them (the platoon) in a tent together. Pretty much everything is in a tent. Josh is amazed at the amount of sand already. All of the signage is both the Afghani language and English. To prepare them for Afghanistan, they even have the call to prayer on the loudspeakers at several points throughout the day.
We have an address for Josh, though it has changed three times since he arrived there. This one seems to be the lucky one, no word of any changes in about 36 hours. At this time, please send ONLY letters or cards, NO packages. They are still getting settled and space is at a premium.
2125 GSU/ATTN: 27th BCT D. CO. 2-108th
BACIGALUPI, JOSHUA
A-32780
BUTNER ROAD
FT. BRAGG, NC 28310-7500
I will be in touch as I hear more. Below are the links to articles and video clips...
Ithaca Journal - Photo Gallery
NOTE: If you look in the background of the first picture, our family is on each side of Lt. Jensen and his daughter.
NOTE: Josh is in between the two soldiers in the picture attached to this article. There is also a video clip.
Ithaca Journal - Tuesday, January 15
