Finally figured out how to convert back to English!

Ok, I finally figured out how to convert my blog back into English so I will be posting again now from time to time. I will add pictures as I get them also. We had a crazy night last night but everything is good. I love my job and work with some of the best people in the world. A friend of mine is a second grade school teacher and her kids are writing to me and sending me pictures of their class and drawings they did. They really make it feel like what we are doing here is worth while. I am so thankful for those kids.

Most Memorable Hour Ever

A few years ago mom bought me a book called "Heart of a Soldier." To this day it is one of the best books I have ever read. It tels the book aims to capture the enormity of the World Trade Center attack by retracing one of the lives lost in the disaster: that of Rick Rescorla, head of security for Morgan Stanley. From the late 1980s on, Rescorla tried to warn Port Authority officials that the World Trade Center was an easy target for terrorists. On September 11, after safely evacuating the Morgan Stanley offices in the south tower (he kept people calm by singing into his megaphone), Rescorla went back into the building minutes before it collapsed to search for stragglers. This wasn't his first selfless act of bravery: a Vietnam veteran, Rescorla won a Silver Star and other medals for his role in the Ia Drang valley an important American victory, but one whose devastating losses turned Rescorla against the war. Piecing together the recollections of, among others, Rescorla's widow, Susan, his best friend and fellow soldier, Daniel Hill, to narrate Rescorla's life story, the book also weaves in Susan's, and describes the Rescorlas' blissful mid-life relationship, a second marriage for both. His feats are portrayed in "We Were Soldiers." Today at the National Infantry Museum, a memorial for Rick Rescorla was dedicated. The NY Fire Department brought down a fire engine which is dedicated to those who lost their lives during 9/11. It had the names of all the fire men written on a plaque on the side of the fire engine. They also brought a twelve foot section of the steel from the south tower (where Rescorla worked) and gave it as part of the memorial. It was very moving. Firemen nationwide had helped relay the twelve foot steel piece across the U.S. There had been police escorts, parades, and flags lining the cars as they brought the beam down to Georgia. Rescorla's wife, Susan, also came and I was allowed the opportunity to meet her. She was a very gracious woman and appreciative of the military. The post two star general gave the speech and after unveiling the memorial, those in attendance went to sign the beam before being set up behind the museum. There were veterans there who had served with Rescorla in Vietnam and two walked up wearing their old cavalry uniforms, saluted me, and then told me some stories about Rescorla. It was a great day for me because I was in the presence of greatness. I will never forget this day.
The statue of Rick Rescorla in Vietnam


Ms. Susan Rescorla and Me

The twelve foot steel from the World Trade Centers south tower

Gunnery

We went out to a 50 cal range yesterday and man was it fun! Took a couple videos I thought ya'll might enjoy.

Deployment

It's been a while since I last posted. I will try to update more frequently when I am in Iraq. I got a call today and was told that I am now to deploy October 2.

Promotion!

Well my first 18 months is up and I am now promoted to 1st Lieutenant! I ordered a chicken platter from Chic-Fil-A for the promotion ceremony and spent $135! Oh well, that's why I get paid the big bucks :)

Garrett of the Mojave

Well, I'm back from the National Training Center (NTC as we Army people like to pointlessly abbreviate it). It was hot and sandy but not humid like Georgia so it wasn't that bad. The training was pretty cool. They spent $30 million on Hollywood special effects artists to come and make simulated towns, explosions, and rockets shooting. They even had live goats and chickens roaming around. The most impressive though were the simulated "RPG's". They would fly down a guide wire so fast you could barely see them other than the trail of smoke. They hit a building and would send dust and dirt flying all over you. It was AWESOME! Kinda scary too. Anyway, I included some pics of the desert for ya'll to see....or see that there is nothing to see.

Boarding flight leaving Fort Benning and bound for NTCHome sweet home!
Day 1

Day 2

Day 4

Abrams tank in the desert

The post general flying over our position

Two of my bad boy Paladins!

View of the desert from the top of one of my Paladins

Sunset

Just thought I would throw in a couple pics of the art our soldiers did on our building to give us a more "Automatic Steel" feel

Nice picture

I came across this on the Fort Benning website. It was on our last field exercise. I love how they caught the round in flight. The caption beneath the photo reads: The artillerymen of Battery A, 1/10 FA, 3HBCT, send a round down range during a field training event at a range on Fort Benning, April 28. Reporters from every local television network were on hand to talk with Soldiers and ask them about Hammer Focus, the 3rd HBCT's largest field exercise at Fort Benning.

Rail loading=major headache

Well it has been a while since I last posted. We have been loading all our vehicles onto railcars to ship to Fort Irwin, CA. It's been about 16 hours a day Monday-Saturday. That really stinks because I am going to miss Father's Day and I could really use some relaxation time. Oh well, such is life. It was kinda cool to see literally miles worth of vehicles loading trains. The main hassle was that we were supposed to order certain vehicle tie-downs such as chains, links, and shackles. We bought the items we were told we needed, but as we went to load the vehicles, they told us we needed entirely different gear. I spent the next six hours running to different units trying to see if they had what we needed and if I could take them. They were very helpful and we managed to get everything accomplished. I took some pictures of the vehicles being loaded but you can only see the very front. There are many, many vehicles behind the ones I took pictures of.

More pics and vids of the field

Never a dull moment

So we are back from the field finally. I have been promoted to platoon leader and was replaced by another lieutenant. While we were out in the field one of my soldiers decided to put on about 30 chem lights and give us a show. It is posted here for all to see. It was alot of fun. These guys really keep you on your toes.

Shift work

Well I have been training in the field for the last two weeks and am ready for a shower and a break. The family, Mallory and I are going to Fripp Island next weekend so that will be a great change of pace. I love the Army but you really get tired of being with nothing but unshowered dudes pretty quickly. Its all good though. It cant be that bad. After all, I am sitting in a chair and posting to my blog via cell phone. Dont worry, I will be busy shooting vehicles in another hour or so.

Veterans

A few moments ago I went to the Commissary to buy some groceries. As I was walking in a veteran in a wheelchair was sitting in front of a table requesting monetary support for disabled veterans. I told him I would draw out some cash and come back when I had finished shopping. I purchased my items and came back to see the veteran. I placed the money in a jar and he thanked me for serving. I told him it was I who should be doing the thanking. He handed me a small blue cloth flower which said simply "Forget-Me-Not." As I shook his hand, thanked him for his service, and that America owed him its deepest respect. He tried to stand up from his wheelchair and hug me. He began to fall so I awkwardly and clumsily tried to help him sit back down. He tried to stand up again and clung to my arms for balance. I again had to help him sit and this time I leaned over and hugged him. I thanked him again, gathered up my groceries, and left for the parking lot. I was crying by the time I reached my truck. I am so blessed to be part of an organization that has such outstanding men. I felt so proud as I drove away to be so readily accepted by men who have done far more than I ever have. Even after becoming disabled, this man, and many other veterans across the country, still look after their own and continue to serve and help soldiers. I believe they encompass what is described in the book of John 15;13. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Well it has been a great couple weeks. I have been able to come home the last two weekends in a row. Mallory's family, my family, and Marissa hosted an engagement party for us at Smith State Park. Thank you to everyone who came and celebated with us, and put up with listening to my speech. Tomorrow is the celebration of Trinity's 25th year. I am greatly looking forward to seeing my church friends both old and new.

Wow so it has rained here alot this week. One of my guns was going out to the field as a replacement and the weight of the track caused a suction and sank the whole thing up to the turret. The repairs will be several hundred thousand dollars. Everything inside was totaled. I do have good news though. I just got promoted to platoon leader this week! Which means I am now responsible for trying to get that gun fixed. :(

Overdue for something new

Well, I haven't posted in a while so it's time for an update. I just came back from field training yesterday. We came in a day and a half early which was nice. On the way back the FDC (fire direction center) vehicle hit a pothole and threw everything inside the vehicle forward. Nine soldiers, rifles, books, and tools were everywhere. Fortunately nobody was hurt seriously. A few bruised wrists, backs, legs and a banged up collar bone. The rest of the trip home was uneventful. I got home and received a call from a friend of mine who lives in Pennsylvania and is in the National Guard there. He said he was coming in for training and wanted to see if he could spend the night. I happily obliged. That is something I really love about the military. You develop close relationships and although you may move around alot, odds are, wherever you go, there are other friends there too.

Various Pictures

I figured I would add some pics I took while training at Fort Sill. Hope you enjoy these.

I finally did it.

Well, I have been telling people I would make some sort of monthly newsletter or bulletin, so I decided I would try my hand at blogging. This blog is intended to be used by anyone. Whether family, friends, past members of the armed forces or anyone else, please feel free to share your thoughts and questions. I think the best way to start this blog is with a video which tells the history of the field artillery.