Another rumble in A-stan (and some sad news) . . .

Another 6.0 earthquake hit yesterday in Afghanistan, about 42 miles southeast of Kabul. Josh said that everything and everyone in their group was fine, but that it did wake him up around 3 a.m.

Locally, some of you may have seen in the news where another member of the Jamestown Unit was killed in action on October 2. The incident is still under investigation. Spc. Jason E. von Zerneck is the sixth member of the Jamestown Unit to have lost his life in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and unit.

Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Dedicated Today

When we were visiting the Pentagon in July while Josh was home, our tour guide took us down to see the interior Pentagon Memorial that has been established. Today, the outdoor Pentagon 9/11 Memorial site was dedicated and will be open for public viewing beginning tonight. It was still under construction when we were visiting, but we were able to catch a glimpse of what it would look like. From the direction each person is facing to the timeline of of the victim's ages, the design is amazing and a true tribute to those who lost their lives and their loved ones. Here is a great article that was recently posted about this morning's ceremony. Here is the Washington Post's recent coverage, as well as the link to the virtual memorial on their site.

"Jake", who provided the tour of the Pentagon, sent me the following pictures today. Below, I included a portion of his e-mail that he sent.

"While the dedication was a remembrance of those who died here seven years ago, Josh and all the other men and women who serve our country were the subject of every speech given at the ceremony. We are so thankful and lucky for all of those who continue to fight for our freedom, both here and abroad.

"The dedication was a very nice--and indeed moving--event. I have attached a couple of pictures taken by one of the other gents in the office. I look forward to taking you through the site the next time you guys are in town for a visit.

"Please pass my very best to Josh. I cannot tell you how much I admire him, especially after Jen filled me in on his background and vocation. I know you are counting the days until his safe return, and I can only hope that it goes by quickly for you."

When you don't want to connect the dots...

When Josh called last Thursday and indicated that he was fine and the unit was fine, I knew that something had obviously happened to one of the other units; however, Josh could say no more. Late yesterday, the news of two more NY Guard troops killed in action was released - both of which were killed in the attacks that Josh "referenced" in the phone call, but could not share details about. They were from the Jamestown Unit in Western New York and fell under the 2nd Squadron, 101st Calvary Unit, same as the Geneva Unit. Ours thoughts and prayers go out to the families, friends and fellow soldiers of the fallen.

Here is a breakdown of the 27th Brigade Combat Team and where the soldiers are from. You will see the Ithaca Unit listed as Company D (Delta Company) under the 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry. Hence his mailing address, Delta Co 2-108th INF.

Synonyms for "fine"

Well, okay, all right... He's fine. These days the news seem to carry something from Afghanistan quite regularly. As noted in recent posts, it's the "spring offensive," so we anticipated this being a hair-raising time; however, I don't think we expected it to be so active over there.

I did to speak to Josh on the phone today. Both he and his unit are fine. He said to remember that the media has their way of making things appear more intense or worse than it really is, though he did say things have not been very good over there.

Saturday morning was a rough time as I woke up to news of Task Force Phoenix being involved in an IED attack. Fortunately up to that point, Josh had always been able to write or call before the news broke. It was a couple of hours before I heard from him that day, which was excruciating to watch the time tick and not know, but certainly not the devastating news that three families from the Geneva unit received. Three NY Guardsmen were involved in that IED attack from the Geneva unit. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their familes, friends and fellow soldiers during this time.