Last Day

Well...today was the last day. Said goodbye to the students, now I get one more week with the family...and then...

Then training up to my eyeballs everyday.

But that is not for another week...for now, finish out this day at work and pack up my classroom, then spend the next week getting my family settled in our new house.

That is enough for me to think about for now. The next few months and year will look after themselves in time.

Mik, out

2 weeks

Today I start my last week of my civilian job for this year...

It is hard to describe the feelings that this invokes. I will miss my students greatly...they have been a great bunch of kids to teach and work with. I teach 6th, 7th, and 8th grades; of all of these it will be hardest to say goodbye to my 7th grade class. This is because my 8th graders are off to another school next year, and I would be losing them anyway, and my 6th graders I should be getting back (as 8th graders) when I return...but my 7th graders...whom I would have had for one more year...will be gone when I return as well.

Well...we have one more week to get something productive done...and I will be in touch with them next year...

Time to get back to grading papers...

Mik, out

21 Days

That's how long I have left as a civilian for this year...

In just a three weeks I will be hanging up my civvies...and donning the Army green until some time in May or June 2006...

I try not to think of all the things that I will miss while I am gone...kids birthdays...my anniversary...Thanksgiving, Christmas...my students at school....

That part of my life...has to go on hold...has to go the the back of my awareness if I am to get through this...if I am to complete my mission. I won't forget, nor will I just ignore that part of my life. I just cannot focus on that.

We will be doing a very important task, protecting the citizes of Afghanistan, and their new-won freedoms from those that want to destroy those freedoms. In doing this, we will be further protecting the citizens of America. We do this by denying those that want to destroy freedom a base of operations from which to launch further terrorist attacks on our country.

Does that mean that they cannot attack us? No, it just makes it more difficult for them to plan and execute those attacks and gives us more time to detect their plans beforehand.

I'm excited and nervous about the training and situations that I will encounter...but I will place my trust in my God, and my comrades...and with the knowledge that I have the full support of my family and friends (as well as their prayers) I know that I will succeed.

God Bless all

Officially...

The official word came down this weekend...several of us from the 112th AR will be mobilized in support of units from the 141st Infantry to deploy overseas.

It is hard to describe the emotions that I am feeling over this. Eagerness, excitement, worry, sadness...all in equal measure...whatever happens, the 112th is Raring To Go and get it over with...