I cannot believe it has been 2 weeks since I last posted on here. It feels like only yesterday. I know you all say not to worry if I don't post a lot, but I at least like to post 1 per week. We have been really busy in more ways than one. We have bid farewell to most of the Air Force personnel that have been with us the past 4 months. I would like to take this time to personally thank them for their hard work and support while they were here. We have been welcoming the new crew. Can't get into details, but lets just say they were "thrown in the mix". They started seeing the worst right off the bat. It has been a big adjustment for them I am sure, but adjusting they are. I am very impressed with their ability to adapt to the constant change they are seeing. I haven't had my camera with me lately and it is a shame. We were going to attempt to adopt a puppy that was going to be put to sleep. However, we have even better news. The puppy was given a great home elsewhere and we are glad to see she is doing well. Most anyoe who knows me back home will tell you that I'm an avid dog lover.
The weather is warming up quite a bit. Ok, we're in the desert, lets face it, its getting right down hot at times...lol. Its surprisingly not as hot as I thought it would be though. I've been in worse in TX and FL. The good thing about being over here is that they have the heat without the humidity. I have been getting more and more excited each and every day as the time keeps going by. I will soon be going home to see the family and I cannot wait.
Remember a couple of months ago I wrote a post about "Sad Faced Children"? Well, I must admit...we just discharged a patient that was a young boy and he was always smiling. He had been struck by a vehicle and had received a bad burn to his lower leg. The doctors were amazing with the care they provided as was the rest of our staff. This boy had a smile that could lighten up the entire room. He thought much of what we did was funny and his smile would warm your heart. He loved throwing ball. We didn't have an actual baseball (probably best for safety reasons), but we had a plush easter egg and a baseball glove. We would throw the ball with him and he would set there in his wheelchair and throw forever. He loved it any time the staff would miss and get hit with the ball. He would do one of those "belly laughs" where you can hear the laugh come from deep within. I am so glad that he is better but hate to see him go. We should be able to keep pre-packaged muffins stocked no because that boy could really tear into some blueberry and chocolate muffins.
Other than that, its basically business as usual here at Salerno. The bugs are coming out, the creepy critters are crawling, and the enemy is starting to act like cockroaches when the lights go out. Thats ok though....our brothers at arms seem to be dealing with that pretty darn well. I hope this post finds all of you all doing great and until next time....SFC Jeffries out!
I must admit...time is going by a lot faster now than it once was. I cannot believe that it has been almost 2 weeks since my last post on here. That is truly amazing. I am trying to get some pictures to post on here of today's events. No, no major trauma or anything like that....we did have to call for backup though. Are you worried? Do you think I'm about to tell you of some major fight that we were in? WRONG!!!! There was a 4 ft. monitor lizard in one of our buildings!!!! Yep, I've seen pictures of him and even a video tape of them capturing him. Ok, so maybe it sounded a little more fierce when I first started telling the story, but that thing was big. I would have loved to have seen it up close, but I was still sleeping. I have been getting a better "routine" down here lately. I had my better half coaching me on it and she was able to help me get a better sleep pattern. I'm not even taking Ambien anymore to help me sleep. I'm feeling much more rested than I was, feeling much more energetic during the day, and going to the gym twice a day for 1 1/2 - 2 hrs. each time. Its just amazing how great I feel compared to a couple of months ago. Plus, I need to add that I will be experiencing the comforts of home beofre too long....yeah!!!! Soon it will be time for some R&R.
I would also like to take this time to thank the elementary school students who sent us the pillows. They are from Grand Rapids, MI. Thank you all so much for the wonderful pillows that had some great artwork on them. The students took markers and drew patriotic pictures and notes of love to us. I have one on my bed right now. I still use the memory foam that I had already, but the pillow these children sent is fantastic as well. Thank you all so very much....teachers, students, and faculty. I am still receiving messages of support from family, friends, and supporters from all across our wonderful nation. Obviously, we all know where most of it comes from.....thank you honey.....but the amount of support we receive from our fellow Americans shows why our nation is as great as it is. Sure, we have election/campaign battles going on right now, we have murder, drugs, and numerous other crimes being committed. There are some obvious flaws in some of the things that we do as a nation, but by God we're the best of the best and we stick together. I was thinking the other day of an old Charlie Daniels Band song called "In America". Regardless of whether or not you listen to country music, you will still enjoy some of the words he says. Take these words (written after the Vietnam War while we were in the Cold War with Russia) and apply them to our situaiton today. Just think of it and it will make you proud to be an American.......
"The Eagle has been flying slow, and our flags been flying low, and a lot of people say that America is fixing to fall...." - (How man of you feel that way today? Really, look at where we're at as a nation....20-25 years later and we're still saying these same things)
"And you never did think that it ever would happen again...In America....You never did think that we'd ever get together again....but we damn sure fooled ya, we're walking real proud and we're talking real loud again.....In America......"
"....and we may have done a little bit of fighting amongst ourselves, but you outside people best leave us alone...cause we'll all stick together, and you can take that to the bank....thats the cowboys and the hippies and the rebels and the yanks...you just go and lay your hand on a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, and I think you're gonna finally understand...."
Then he repeats the chorus a few times.
As I sat there thinking of this song, I couldn't help but laugh a little. I mean, this is where we are today. Sure, we'll bitch, gripe, moan, and complain about each other, but no one else better get near us. Reminds me of my days in the Marines. Us grunts would fight each other, cuss each other, just want to kill each other....then, next thing you know, that Marine that you were punching a couple of days earlier is in a bar fight and what do you do......you go jump in and start swinging with him, fighting off the people he is fighting with. Thats just the way it is. Its kind of the same thing with our nation. We can do our complaining and fighting with each other, but if someone else messes with us, you'd better watch out!!!!! We WILL come together and WE WILL seek justice...whatever that may be. But I also feel that our country is losing focus. Sure, these wars are costing the tax payers a lot of money, and we're seeing rising gas prices, rising everything prices, but haven't we always bounced back and come out better than we were? What.....so this is the end, we're not going to bounce back from this period??? Yeah right, come on people. So many people say, "Well I support the troops but not the war." That is why the troops are here fighting the war....so you can say that. You can express your opinion and live your life freely. Please talk to your friends and neighbors. Lets stay in this fight TOGETHER!!!!! I remember 9/11. It didn't matter if you hated someone....as tears streamed down your face, you looked at them like they were your family. You actually felt sorrow for those you had never met before. I was there with you. I had tears streaming down my face...I wanted to load up my guns and go on a manhunt right then and there. However, now here we are 7 years later and America's patience is wearing thin with these wars. I don't understand everything that we're doing in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, I have faith in our leaders and in the American people, in our system, our way of life. Stand together fellow Americans. Pass this onto as many people as you want. Hell, start a damn chain email for all I care, but we have got to stick together and win this fight together. Of course that is like preaching to the choir by telling you all that. You are sticking together or you wouldn't be on this website. You aren't the ones who need to hear this, its those who aren't supporting their nation, their troops in harms way....those are the ones who need to find faith. Faith in God, Faith in the system, faith in something....you can't just live life without having faith. I will step down from my soap box now and let you get back to your lives. I hope you enjoyed another episode of "Eric rallies the homeland troops"....lol. You all take care! Until next time...SSG Jeffries "out". Please see below pics of the pillows sent by the children.
My wife is extremely excited and wanted everyone to see her new Mother's Day present. Here you go baby!!!! Hope you enjoy!!! Can't wait until I get to ride in it too. By the way...she's not spoiled or anything.....lol!!!! She deserves it so much. I must tell the story, some details a little more than I would like to admit, but this story says so much about her. First of all, my wife is excellent and she is a wonderful mother to our girls. She still gets our daughter (who isn't her biological daughter, but my wife treats her as if she was) for visitation even though I'm not there. Her mother and my wife are doing what is best for everyone, especially my daughter. She is exceptional with doing what the children want to do and making sure that their needs are met before her own. Now, the story that I was wanting to tell. I have an SUV that has been the best vehicle I ever owned. However, when my wife and I met....I had an old 1981 Dodge pickup that barely ran. I had borrowed money from my grandmother to buy a 1995 Cavalier that was about 8 years old. It was dependable, but nothing fancy. The paint was fading, the window tint was bubbling, but it got me where I needed to go. The heater didn't even work in the old dodge and the bed was rusting out. I had went through a divorce and was really having a rough time trying to get back on my feet. I was not even thinking about finding someone or being serious when out of the blue - BAM...there she was. She was just as overwhelmed as I was. We talked for days and before you know it....we couldn't stay away from each other long enough for me to leave, so she and I decided that I would move in. I had already met her daughter and we hit it off great. She loved the idea as much as we did. That was the start to this wonderful life we have together. Now, for the SUV. We had said that I needed something much more dependable now and that we needed something we could use for the family as well. I went and tried out a few SUVs and stuff, but my credit was shot. I wasn't buying anything without cash. I could afford the payments, just didn't have the credit. I wanted it so bad and my wife knew it although I wouldn't flat out tell her how bad I wanted it. Well, I'm sitting at work one day talking to a co-worker and her husband when I look out the window and see an unfamiliar SUV pull up. Then I see my brother-in-law get out of the driver's side. He is the general manager of a popular car lot where we live. If you ever need a car at a good deal, let me know....he'll work a deal for you that you can't beat. Anyway, so he gets out of this SUV and then I see my wife get out of the passenger's side. I'm wondering...."Now what are these two doing here at my work in this strange SUV? Great, my girlfriend (at the time) is leaving me for our soon-to-be brother in law and they're coming to tell me.....lol" So they walk in and she greets me, kisses me, then hands me the keys. I said, "Honey I've already tried it out but I can't get it". She said, "Its yours." I was floored. I'm not sure that these quotes are exact, but this is close to what was really said. I was so astonished. This is just one instance of the way my wife is with me and our girls. If you think that was good, you should see some of the surprises and astonishing things she has done for the girls. I owe her my life, my new way of life, my happiness, and our eternity. We have had our problems along the way, as anyone does. Some were worse than others. We've even spent some time apart....but through it all, we have only learned how much we depend on each other, need each other, and have to be together forever. I cannot say enough or do enough for this woman. She is truly amazing. Thank you so much for being such a wonderful wife, mother, best friend, and companion. Happy Mother's Day! By the way, no I did not go out and "buy" this car for her. I just did her a little favor like she did me and helped another of her dreams come true, just as she has done for me so many times. I love you baby!
Here is my guitar that was autographed by TOBY KEITH yesterday!!!! Isn't that great? I wrote the OEF VIII and who it was because I hope to someday have more autographs on there. Thank you so much to my wife for sending me a guitar. You are the best baby! Thank you and I miss you so much. Thanks to Toby Keith for taking the time out of his extremely busy schedule to perform for us, take pictures, and SIGN MY GUITAR!!!! Enjoy the pics.
HOW COOL IS THIS???????????? Thanks to the USO and a certain patriotic American named TOBY KEITH, the folks here at FOB Salerno were greeted with an uplifting, morale building concert that was a total success for all. As if that wasn't enough, we got group photos with him and a few of us were fortunate enough to get AUTOGRAPHS!!!! Wanna hear the best part???? HE SIGNED MY GUITAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am still so excited that he signed it for me. We really enjoyed his visit and concert today. I am just beyond words about him signing my guitar. I usually don't get all excited about these kinds of things, but these visits that we get (the wrestlers, the PBR bullriders and barrel racers, the professional race car drivers, the actors and actresses that came through)....I mean these people could never imagine what it means to us for them to come here and show their support like this. You all are showing your support every time you log onto this site and check up on us, visit with us via the web, and send your messages of support. I know that you all would come visit in a heartbeat. I cannot tell you how exciting it feels right now to be serving such a great nation of loyal, faithful, supporters and citizens. You are all one of a kind and I appreciate everything you do for us and all of the continued support that you give us. I cannot imagine going without the support we receive from all of you! Thank you Toby and thank you, my fellow Americans for all that you do for us. Enjoy the pics I'm posting. Getting one of the guitar with his autograph to post on here probably tomorrow.
HOW COOL IS THIS???????????? Thanks to the USO and a certain patriotic American named TOBY KEITH, the folks here at FOB Salerno were greeted with an uplifting, morale building concert that was a total success for all. As if that wasn't enough, we got group photos with him and a few of us were fortunate enough to get AUTOGRAPHS!!!! Wanna hear the best part???? HE SIGNED MY GUITAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am still so excited that he signed it for me. We really enjoyed his visit and concert today. I am just beyond words about him signing my guitar. I usually don't get all excited about these kinds of things, but these visits that we get (the wrestlers, the PBR bullriders and barrel racers, the professional race car drivers, the actors and actresses that came through)....I mean these people could never imagine what it means to us for them to come here and show their support like this. You all are showing your support every time you log onto this site and check up on us, visit with us via the web, and send your messages of support. I know that you all would come visit in a heartbeat. I cannot tell you how exciting it feels right now to be serving such a great nation of loyal, faithful, supporters and citizens. You are all one of a kind and I appreciate everything you do for us and all of the continued support that you give us. I cannot imagine going without the support we receive from all of you! Thank you Toby and thank you, my fellow Americans for all that you do for us. Enjoy the pics I'm posting. Getting one of the guitar with his autograph to post on here probably tomorrow.
Hello everyone! Thank you for being patient. I have good news. Well, nothing spectacular, but its sort of good. The reason I haven't been posting more on here is because the weather has been a little better and I've actually been getting out more. I have enjoyed the sun, checked out some new scenery, and am spending 1 1/2 - 2 hrs. everyday in the gym. I feel so much better. Still missing home, but able to get out more and enjoy some of the nicer days. I am posting some pictures of my new friend "Billy". I nicknamed him that. I'm not sure who really lays claim to him, but I go visit him often. He loves saltine crackers, but his favorite is apples. Enjoy! As for work and things going on....not much to tell. Things have been going steady but nothing overwhelming. We're all getting to the stage where we're ready to start focusing on the "downhill" portion of this deployment. Time has been going by a lot faster than I thought it would. Some days continue to drag by, but when I look back, its going by pretty fast.
He loves fresh grass!
Yep, I know...kind of goofy, but he still loves those saltine crackers!
Would have made friends with this iguana, but something else got to him first!
This is the aftermath of our recent hailstorm.
The past few days have been rainy and messy here. The rain was much needed though. It was getting really dry and according to some of our sources, we are entering the "rainy" season. This actually helps with a lot of health issues though because it does cut down on the dust and helps give things a good wash off. I am including some pics and putting captions beside them to explain them a little better.
We have a breadmaker over here and homemade bread is awesome! The bread at the chow hall is usually a little stale. My wife sent some homemade bread packs and this is a loaf that I made one evening. Hot bread with some melted butter....wow!
I have actually had this picture for a long time and never put it on here. This was actually taken at our overnight stop in Kyrgystan. Solitaire on the computer just wore him out!!!
Its not all work and no play. Here, 2 of our service members devote some of their time to an intense game of football on the XBox.
This picture is a little older also. This was about 2 months ago when we had just moved or were just moving into the new hospital.
My wall above my bed. These pictures are part of what gets me through each and everyday. Just knowing that I will go home to this lovely lady and these beautiful girls is so wonderul. Also, notice the Elvis calendar that my wife sent me!!!! She knows how much I like Elvis!
Proof that I am a heavy sleeper. This little trick was performed right before we left Mississippi to come over here. These two wanted to make sure that they pointed out the poor little victim still lying in bed. All of this was done while I was sleeping (including the picture taking) and I never knew until I woke up the next morning.
Here is a picture after we had moved into the new hospital and they were tearing down the old "tent" hospital.
Another one tearing down the old hospital
Please stay tuned....we will soon be putting up pictures of the new hospital....
Here are just some various pics with quotes to explain them. Enjoy!
The 2 pictures above are left to right: formation when being awarded the Combat Action Badge, and being visited by members of the PBR (Professional Bullriders).
This is not exactly what they mean when they say, "Airborne!"
This is a sign that we've already been here too long. When you start making friends with fuzzy monkeys, something has to be wrong.
Not only a nurse, but a painter as well.
Recent Comments
-
Kristi said:
I'm glad the puppy found a new home. I just took a bunch of stuff to the animal shelter Friday.... read more
on Busy ,Busy, Busy -
JudgeBob said:
As I said, its oday, I understand the sentiment. not at all offended. just saying thank you. meant for you... read more
on Busy ,Busy, Busy -
supporter of my husband said:
Yes judgebob, i am very anxious, so sorry if it seemed i am not appreciative of my husband doing his... read more
on Busy ,Busy, Busy -
JudgeBob said:
I take it Supporter is anxious to see her husband. Doesn't want to hear anything else. 'Sokay. I understand the... read more
on Busy ,Busy, Busy
on Busy ,Busy, Busy