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