Got a call this morning from Rob, my son.  They were in Maine where they stopped for fuel, and then on to California for a chance to depressurize and clean up and turn in gear that they won't be bringing to Chicago.  Then he'll be HOME next Saturday!!!!!!! [smiley=happy.gif] [smiley=shore.gif]  (That's the best happy dance I could find.)

60 towns in the Chicagoland area are sending police cars, and possible some fire trucks to escort them from the airport to the Allstate Arena in Rosemont for dismissal.  We are promised there will be NO traffic tie-ups to delay them! :)

I thought I had done pretty well with his deployment until Linda and I went to a briefing on the return on last Sat.  At the conclusion of all the tedious, dull, boring, time-wasting briefs presented by insurance, welfare, medical, and other such bureaucratic idiots the final frame shown on the screen was of one of our guys being welcomed home by his wife after the last deployment.  I almost lost it.  I did have trouble seeing the screen and talking for a while.

I am profoundly grateful for the job they have done, and I am very happy to have it over for now.

One proud and happy Marine Dad,
Jerry

[smiley=headbanger.gif] [smiley=shore.gif] [smiley=headbanger.gif] [smiley=shore.gif] [smiley=headbanger.gif]

                          YEAH BABY!!!!!

He's probably coming in to san Diego, right Jerry?   I live on the other end of the State, so I can't make it, but maybe some of our San Diego clusterheads  could welcome him home here.  

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HOORAY!!!!!!!

Happy reunion!

Sandy

He'll be going into Los Angeles I think.  The go to 29 Palms for their decompression and processing.  they don't give us any of that information as they don't want us going out there to see them.  They have to much to do in the next few days, but if you were in the airport as they arrived you could let they know you appreciate them.

Jerry

One step closer to home.

God bless you and him.  We're very proud!!

Jerry,

Damn it, even though I do not know your son personally, I wanna shake his hand nonetheless for being one of those fearless people who are willing to defend us, the free West.
I hope he realises many folks all over America and Europe support the cause he's fighting for, and certainly him and his troops.

Every month there are numerous casualties for the Americans, the Danes, the Dutch, the Australians. So so sad, but let us not forget they do it for us all. Freedom is not negotiable. Freedom is worth fighting for.

Jerry, please thank your son from all of us, Americans and Europeans.

I'll have a drink on him!

With the greatest respect from the Netherlands,
Pascal.

Wonderful!  Tell your son that we appreciate all he does.

Carolyn

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He's a good kid.....they all are and I love to hear of them coming home. It's a pretty good place to be.

Charlie

maalstroom wrote on Aug 16^th, 2008 at 4:12pm:

let us not forget they do it for us all. Freedom is not negotiable. Freedom is worth fighting for.

It will never be said better than that!  :'(

Thank you, Pac-man!

Pacman, think i'm gonna like that nickname. You may call me that if you like, Jonny.

Freedom is not negotiable. Thank the danish prime minister Fogh Rasmussen for that quote, it's not mine. Wish it was, though. It stands for all I believe in. He said something along the lines of this during the Danish cartoon crisis.
Remember that one? Muslems going peculiar over some remotely funny cartoons in jyllands-Posten, an Aarhus based newspaper, depicting their beloved prophet. As far as I know, we in the west have a right to ridicule whom ever who like, and it's not expected of those who oppose to riot and use violence.
But you know what? That's Islam in Europe. Go figure.

Greetings, Pascal the pacman.

You must be so relieved... I know how that feels... Good for you Dad... enjoy this worry free time and thank that young man for his service...

Semperrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Fi!!!

love Ree

   Good to hear you're getting your Marine back. 29 Stumps sucks, he'll be glad to get away from that dump.
  Tell him welcome back from an old member of K Co. 3/3, when you find the time.
Semper Fi! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

I'm with pacman,, I wanna meet that young man, shake his hand, and tell him " God bless ya son, Thank you"!!! Then, I would like to buy him and his old man a drink! and brag to the entire bar what great Americans they BOTH are!!!!   Tuck  

Fantastic news! :)

Sanna

Happy dance for ya hun.... Give that boy a big hug from Granny B down here in Texas...

Hugs BD

So  glad to hear Jerry, and please give him a huge thank you from my family!

:)mel

That is great news Jerry!  Let him know how proud of him we all are!

Beth

How wonderful!!!

Hearing his voice and knowing he was back on U.S. soil had to be music to you ears, Jerry.

Please thank him for Clusterville and give him a big hug too......

Much Love,
Jackie

"They also serve who sit and wait"

Thank you for posting this. Those who serve, and those who wait...they're all in my prayers. I cannot imagine a child of mine in harms way...but I can imagine the joy of a safe return. I want them all back...

Best,

Jon

YAY!!!
I'm so happy for you guys!   :D

May God bless and protect all our brave young men and women who serve.

   Welcome home troop.

             Potter

wow jerry, it's an honer and a privilege to be friends with the father of such a great american. you are truly blessed. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]