Busy Times in Ft. Bragg

Josh called this morning at 4:33 a.m. His good friend Hulsizer still has his cell phone and let him borrow it. Josh destroyed his cell phone prior to leaving -- unintentionally. They were doing some "army tactics" where he had to keep dropping out of the turret and it just kept getting beat up, so he bid it adieu prior to leaving for Afghanistan. We'll get him a new one once the dust settles and he has been home for a bit.

They are keeping them VERY busy in Ft. Bragg. They were in the demob process until 11 p.m. last night and had to be ready to go at 5 a.m. this morning for more. They can get away with this because 1.) WE WANT THEM HOME! 2.) THEY WANT TO BE HOME! and 3.) Their internal clocks are so screwed up that they don't know what is day or night. He said when he got up at 4 to make some phone calls that lights were out, but everyone was awake. It does sound promising that they continue to push them through as quickly as possible.

All in all, from Kyrgyzstan to Ft. Bragg, they were flying for 26 HOURS!!! Insane!! I am not sure if I would ever want to fly again, but I know Josh will! They flew from Afghanistan to Krygyzstan to Azerbaijan to Ireland to Maine to Ft. Bragg. They were delayed twice - once on the way out of Afghanistan and then again on the way out of Kyrgyzstan. I am not sure the cause of the delay in Afghanistan, but I do know it was weather related in Kyrgyzstan. In the end, it really doesn't matter. I firmly believe that regardless of when he left any destination that it would have been after Christmas for him to come home. I do think that him arriving in the US so close to Christmas is working to our advantage as they are trying to get them home as soon as possible after Christmas. In the end, it's a reminder that Christmas is a day, but it can be celebrated whenever and for however long - it's the spirit of the season!!

It was such a wonderful surprise. Of course, I am now awake - WIDE awake, but it gives me a jump start on the day. I can always take a nap later! I should hear from Josh tomorrow. So, if you are interested and need a break from the delicious food or sharing in gift giving and receiving, I hope to post to the blog tomorrow once I have heard from him.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!