First Letter from Josh

Josh mailed his first letter to me and I received it on Friday, February 8. It was such a wonderful sight in the mailbox. I knew that it was coming, but after almost a week of waiting, it had finally arrived. Three simple words sum it up... they are busy! They have spent several days at the range zeroing their weapons and qualifying. A couple of days have been spent in language classes. With Josh's TESOL Master's degree, I think he is enjoying that aspect of the training. There are some times where they are waiting around, but at the same time, they have to be ready to go at the drop of a hat.

A busy schedule leaves little time for calling or writing. His cell phone service is sporadic, at best. So, he calls when he can and tries to find time to write, but typically only on the weekends. Before long, all cell phones will probably be turned off to simulate the actual Afghanistan experience. From then on, I believe that we will rely on calling cards to hear from him, but they might get to use their phone. It's all a mystery until it happens the first time. I know that people are shocked when they ask about how often we get to chat, but really it is in the best interest of everyone, to prepare us for what is ahead. As hard as it is, it is just something that we have to accept. We won't get to talk to them everyday, or even every week.

Josh likes to call it "the middle of nowhere Ft. Bragg", hence the low cell phone signals. They are in a pretty remote area of the base. Living quarters consist of tents filled with about 2,000 soldiers. There are approximately 1,400 NY Guardsmen there, and the rest is a combination of Marines, Air Force and Navy who are attached to the mission. Their tent was missing the liner, which helps to insulate it. You wouldn't think it would be needed in North Carolina, but it was 32 the day they arrived. After looking at the tags on the tent, the company was from Binghamton, NY. The platoon sergeant's wife, also from Binghamton, called the company and they shipped the liner to the platoon for free!! They were all very excited and appreciative of the gesture. Since then, the temperatures have been warmer, but the nights are still cooler. They have had a few days of 70 - 80 degree weather!

Of course tight living quarters means... sickness. Pretty much everyone has had their share of the flu or cold. In combination with some more shots and wearing 75 - 100 pounds of gear and armor, their bodies were just worn down. I think at this point everyone is starting to feel better.

They were able to watch the Superbowl last Sunday and were very excited for the Giant's win!

For those of you who know Josh well, you know that he LOVES his Coke! He enjoys every opportunity to go to the Main Post and PX to enjoy a piece of pizza and an ice cold coke, while everyone else shops at the PX. He has stashed a few bottles back in his tent too.

He would like to thank everyone who has mailed him letters, cards and packages! He is quite popular for receiving mail. Even some of the officers in the unit have joked with him about how the mailbox should be renamed from Delta Company to Bacigalupi. He really enjoys reading it all and said that he appreciates everyone's support.

I hosted some other soldier's wives and children at the house this weekend. We had a wonderful time together and enjoyed each other's company. We discovered after the guys left that we all enjoyed scrapbooking, so we got together for the weekend, but only showed each other what we had done, and didn't do anything new. It really was just a nice opportunity for us to hang out, drink some wine, eat good food, share stories and support one another. One of the soldiers is no longer in Josh's truck. He was an extra for the platoon and would be assigned to any truck as needed to fill-in for any number of reasons. Since arriving at Ft. Bragg, he has already filled a permanent position within the platoon. We made several batches of cookies and I shipped out a large package for the guys on Monday morning. We are pretty sure that they will enjoy all of the goodies that we packed. A nice mid-week treat for them. I think my favorite moment was when one of the soldiers called and talked to his two year old son. We were able to take a picture on our phones of the little boy talking to his Daddy and send it to him. He was just so excited to be talking to his Daddy.