Images From Vacation

Here area few more images from our vacation with the Browns.

The Mesa Verde park was a lot of fun to walk and drive around.

Although we were not allowed to touch the stones of the indian dwellings, we were able to walk right up to them during our tour.

This is what it is like to drive around the park and look out of our windows and the scenery we are passing.

The weather was perfect for our time on vacation. Each day was sunny but cool.

I think that the train ride was one of the funnest parts of our vacation. Though it was short, about 45 minutes, it was just enough for Jeffrey not to get bored and enough for us adults to enjoy the country side.

Chocolate milk (schocate milky) is a favorite treat for Jeffrey.

Memorial Ceremony

My leave here in Colorado was just in time to allow me to attend the October memorial ceremony for fallen soldiers of the 4ID back in September. Tricia and Peggy worked to get my Class A ready for me to wear. The memorial was held on 10 OCT 09 at the FT Carson Soldier's Chapel. The soldiers memorialized were

1LT Tyler E. Parten

SSG Randy M. Haney

SGT Youvert Loney

SGT David A. Davis

PFC Matthew E. Wildes

PFC William L. Meredith

At the head of the chapel six M4 were posted barrel down with bayonett, helmet atop and boots posted at the base. SSG Haney was in the MRAP with me when we were hit by the RPG. After the ceremony I had a chance to meet Mrs. Haney, wife of the late SSG. I do not think that she was expecting to meet me as she showed immediate recognition of me when she read my name plate, but became very emotional and could hardly talk. It is not easy to unexpectedly meet the last person to see your significant other alive.

The ceremony was performed well and gave a dignified opportunity for many here in the FT Carson area to bid farewell to their loved friend, associate or family member.

Whosover shall drink of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John 4:14.

Chineese Garden

These are the photos that I took while on the tour of San Antonio a few weeks ago. Most of these are from the Chineese Garden that was built over an old quary. I used to be called the Japaneese Garden, but when WWII kicked off whoever owned it decided it was a good idea not to be associated with the Japaneese.

Get Well Soon

Everyone has been wishing me a get well soon, and I have certainly done that. The wound in my arm is completely healed over, I have full mobility back in my arm and I have softened the scar tissue from the surgery a great deal. I do not know what the doctors will want from me next, but as far as I can tell I am doing just fine.

Tricia's Visit to Texas

I did not get to post any photos during Tricia's visit to see me in Texas, and I am still trying to catch up on the photos I took while on vacation with the Browns. We have had a good time with the time we have been given to spend with each other, and we are taking full advantage of our cell phones to call each other throughout the day. I will be heading back to Texas soon, but I do not know exactly what the future holds for me. What ever it is, Tricia and I are ready for it. We have been very blessed in all that we have been given. Many friends and family have come around us to give us service and make sure we know we are loved and thought of.

Fishing Photos

Just a few photos from my fishing trip that I wrote about several weeks ago.

San Antonio Rodeo

These are a few photos from the San Antonio rodeo that I went to several weeks ago.

Photos from the San Antonio Zoo

Now that I am back in Colorado and have access to Lightroom, I am able to work on a few photos and post these that are back from the trip to the San Antonio Zoo that I visited with Tricia.

Finding Hope

Each week the LDS church puts out a new video on YouTube. I suppose that leaders of the church discovered how many people really pay attention to YouTube and have decided to use it as a means to spread a positive message. This is the video that was posted during the week of September 11.

Mesa Verde

After waking up and enjoying a quick continental breakfast at the Quality Inn, it was off to church at the local ward meeting house. We all slipped in just as the meeting was begining and slided out as soon as it was over as we were on our way to a full day at the Mesa Verde National Park.

While driving to our first destination we finished listening to The Lost Symbol. None of us realized that we had the abriged version until the very end, but it was a good story any way. Tricia and I agree that Dan Brown novels are better to listen to than read.

Our time at Mesa Verde was spent between the Cliff Palace and the Spruce House. I had Jeffrey on my back in his carrier and my camera attached to my face. What a fun day together we all had. Our picnic lunch was held in the van since the wind had picked up at the top of the mesa.

Family Trip to Durango

The Army was good enough to give me 14 days of convalensence leave to go back to Colorado to see the family. They even picked up the price of the airline tickets. Tricia picked me up at the Dever airport with Jeffrey in her arms and carrying a sign that Welcome Home Daddy in red, white and blue letters. Jeffrey was waving a small American flag. I almost did not recognize Jeffrey at first sight. He has grown and changed so much in the last four months that it looked to me like Tricia was holding someone elese's kid.

Jeffrey did have a fun time watching the luggage drop onto the convayor belt until my piece finially came out. Everyone we walked by stopped to watch Jeffrey hauling my big black suit case as we walked toward the exit. Once we were in the car Jeffrey started calling me daddy and that is when I knew that he still recognized me.

On Friday we headed out on our first day of a short vacation together along with Peggy and Phil. We enjoyed the beautiful Colorado country side while we listened to Dan Brown's new novel, The Lost Symbol. Our journey ended in Durango where we spent the evening walking through the historical part of the town.

This morning we enjoyed a short train ride that took us to a small park set up with games and activities for kids of a harvest festival theme. Jeffrey kept wanting to go into the bounce house, but as soon as he discovered he had entered alone, he came right back out to look for his mom. We did get a great picture of him with us and and three Peanuts charachters posing. Jeffrey was of course screaming in the photo. I think he had the most fun out in the grass running through the crisp leaves that had fallen. I did have a fun time with Jeffrey sitting on a bail of hay on the tractor ride.

Pearl Jam

I went on a tour today of the historic San Antonio. Our tour guide was knowledgeable about past and current history of the area and took us to see things and places that many would drive by without realizing how interesting they are. What made the trip the most fun was having another photographer along with me. We had a great time snapping photos and comparing what we had captured.

I jumped on the opportunity to attend the Pearl Jam concert going on in Austin, TX, sponsored by Austin City Limits at the music festival. Pearl Jam was the closing act for the festival and was the highlight event of the three day fest. Our accommodations were better than front row seats. A platform had been constructed stage right and one floor up. We were able to look down on the band playing just a short distance from us. At the midpoint of the concert between songs Ed Vedder, the lead singer, had the lights turned up on us and made sure the audience knew who we were and why we had been invited to be so close. The concert was two hours long and we rocked to many of the old school jams of Ten and Yield.

Tonight I we went to a steak restaurant where we ate our selves full of fresh hot rolls, a melt in your mouth steak, and a baked potato with all of the fixings. I sat next to SPC Ford whom I have come to know and attend a lot of the events with. I enjoy his company because he likes to get out and do fun things to experience the world around him and we can laugh ourselves silly over nearly anything.

Back in San Antonio

I have been making the very best of my time here while at the WTU in FT Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX. All of my doctors have been giving me positive reports about my progress in healing. I lost a lot of mobility in my right arm after the initial surgery, but working daily with the occupational therapist I have already regained most of it. I should be able to start a light workout with my arm soon.

I am back in school and working on my last class that stands between me and my associates degree. After I finish MAT 117 at Axia College of University of Phoenix I will switch to the Art Institute of Pittsburg for a Bachelors of Science of photography.

I recently made the purchase of a Canon EF50mm f/1.4 USM and am loving it. I took it out for its trial run to Operation Float a Soldier. There are four lakes in the San Antonio area at which boat owners have donated their time for a day to take soldiers out skiing, tubing and fishing. I met up with a very nice couple that had a fun boat on Canyon Lake that took me out for a day. When I was not casting my reel I had my camera in hand and looking for great shots. I am also working with my second 580EX II Speedlite. Having two off camera flash gives an amazing amount of control over the texture and feel of nearly any scene. I have found a great website that is all about strobe photography and is constantly being updated. Check out strobist.blogspot.com

Texas Pictures

We had a great week together down in Texas all things considered. Yes, Cory got hit in the arm and had to be evacuated. But I'll take a reunion any day and since my mom was home in Colorado with Jeffrey, it was almost like a second honeymoon. Thanks Mom!

I had to post this to show how cool my Canon G10 is. We were pretty far away from this tiger but it looks like I'm up close right? Well, I love it and so does Cory. This was taken at the San Antonio Zoo. One of the many activities we've been able to take advantage of during Cory's stay in San Antonio. He's at the rodeo tonight. I'm sure he'll fill you in.

Taking refuge from the sun. Why people want to live in Texas is beyond me. It's seriously like the surface of the sun. I'm pretty sure I melted within the first 10 minutes of going outside every day. My body doesn't cope with heat very well. Nope.

See. He's healthy and well (small injury to the arm aside) and he has a whole new wardrobe. They have a program available for those who come directly from theater and don't have anything but their ID card (like Cory). I am seriously touched by all the things they do for them.

This snake was so amazingly green, this isn't the right picture, Cory had a cooler one, but honestly it took forever to upload these, so I'll post it later...or let him do it when he gets here.

This poor bear must have been dying of heat. I know I was.

This one was at the San Antonio Raceway. I've never been to see the drag races, so it was a LOUD and new experience. The guy who arranged everything was just a nice guy...cursed like a sailor but had a heart of gold and would do anything for those wounded warriors. He spent 20 minutes explaining the whole set up to Cory and me and making sure that we had a good time. It was a really fun night. Though I was eaten alive by mosquitoes.

I love my Cory. That's all I have to say about that.

The guy who arranged this built this car with his friend. This was the maiden voyage in the Friday night test and tune. We were only able to see it go once, but it was pretty cool.

This is inside the Warrior and Family Support Center. This is an AMAZING place at Fort Sam Houston. It was built on military land but was the result of donations by others. This place has everything you could want or need to make things comfortable when you are away from home. They have computers, big screen TVs, gaming consoles, a full kitchen, meals several times a week and an activity or three every single day.

You could get more commentary but I have a screaming toddler who has decided the world has come to and end. So just enjoy the pictures.

Creed and Staind

I signed up to go to the Creed and Staind concert at the AT&T center. I was happy to sit in any seat provided, but to my surprise we were directed to the box seats centered on the stage. Wow! Stain opened up and put on a great show. I did not realize how many of their songs I know and like. I may have to get some of their music for my iPod from iTunes. I am not a huge fan of Creed, but I can tell you they put on a great show. Watching them perfom live is an unforgetable experience.

Tricia returned to Colorado on Wednesday. After a few more doctors are able to look me over I should be able to put in for some convalensence leave time to spend in Colorado. I am very excited to get to see Jeffrey. I am amazed at how much he has grown up in the short time I have been gone.

The occupational therapist has given me a few exercises to work on to turn down the nerves in my army that are hyper sensative right now, soften the scar tissue in my wounds and stretch my muscles back out to get full extension back into my arm. She is quite sure that I will regain all of my former mobility in a short time.

Fun Times Together

Tricia and I have been taking advantage of the activities that are offered to the WTU soldiers and family members. In the last few days we have been to the San Antonio Race Way where we watched an evening of drag racing, enjoyed Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs at the local movie theater, spent a day at the zoo, checked out several DVD, and eaten several meals provided at the Family Center.

I have signed up for my last class that stands between me and my associates degree. I will begin in October and finish in December. All I want for Christmas is a graduation certificate in my stocking.

After a few more key doctor appointments I should be able to request some convalesent leave time to go back to Colorado where I can see Jeffrey. A few weeks after I return from that it looks like I will be able to transition back to Colorado to finish my healing time.

San Antonio, Texas

Cory and I have been together the last three days and it has been so good for both of us. Cory was able to arrange for me to fly down and stay in the guest house for a week free. I was amazed when I first got here at how much they do for the wounded warriors. They seem to do everything they can to make their recover and transitions easier and to thank them at every step.

We went to Dave and Buster's on Wednesday night when I got in (it's like ChuckECheese for grownups) and when the bus pulled in there was a huge group of people on their motorcycles who came to help volunteer and to thank each one of the soldiers. It was very much about them that night. We had a good time playing games and driving motorcycles...neither of which we are very good at based on the number of tickets we earned compared with some of the others. It was really fun though. Last night was a chicken dinner and tonight there's two different activities to choose from. I am amazed at how much they do for the soldiers here. It's very touching.

So the update on Cory's arm, he won't let me take a picture of it, and honestly a picture would make it seem much worse than it is. He has two punctures in his arm, one is a little bigger than the other which he is still using the wet-to-dry bandages on. The other has healed enough that the General Surgeon said he doesn't need to cover it any more. The surgery sight is also healing well. There's an incision about 4 inches long that goes from just above his elbow to below a little ways. The Surgeon was able to take the tape off and the stitches seem to be dissolved and it's healing very well also. He's going to have a scar from that, so that's what you'll get to see when you see him.

His knee is still a little sore at the end of the night, but the Orthopaedic Dr. gave him a knee brace that is helping a lot. He should be healed from that in 4-6 weeks without any problem. So that's good news there.

His spirits are as high as ever and you all know Cory, he's anxious to start his next math class so he can finish his Associate's degree and get on with the next step in his educational and career goals.

He should be able to take 30 days of Convelescent leave and return to Colorado in 2-4 weeks. We're planning to take it easy then and just enjoy our time together as a family. Jeffrey is very anxious to see Daddy (who as far as he knows is far away but will come on an airplane to see us) and for us to all be together again. We appreciate very much the love, prayers, and support of all of our family and friends (but we consider all of you family!) Please know that even unexpressed we can't thank you enough for all you've done to help our family in this short time. We love you!

Ah...Finally

Ok so after SEVERAL reminders, I've updated Jeffrey every day at noon blog. You can catch up on all his latest events and happenings. We'll try to get pictures while I'm away in Texas with daddy, but Jeffrey is staying with Sugar and I won't expect her to keep up with that. :)

*Points to link on the left*

Hero Miles

We will be using the Hero Miles program to get Tricia down to see me for a week. Many people have donated their frequent flyer miles into one pool for the military to draw upon to get family to soldiers, and soldiers to their families. While she is here for seven days she will be staying in the guest house on post at no charge. It only took a few minutes of paper work to get this arranged.


I went on a trip to a restaurant called The Barn Door where we had an awesome steak dinner. I got to know a few other WTU soldiers at my table, one of which turned out to be a CW5 helicopter pilot who is a Latter-Day-Saint and has offered to take me to church on Sunday.


Lunch was provided by a local church who's members came to serve us a delicious meal of meat loaf, potaotes and gravy and the other side dishes that make a meal like that great. As we passed through the serving line the servers gave us hearty thanks for our service to the country. After a dinner at the hospital I came back to the Warrior Transition Family Center (WTFC) where I had signed up for a massage. Several professional massus came in with their tables and worked on us for about half an hour each. I feel fantastic right now. Later tonight I will go back to my room to finish watching The Soloist and start reading Rainbow Six, by Tom Clancy, which I picked up from the library.

Discharged From the Hospital

The nurses have shown me how to change my own bandages on my arm. Changing it twice a day will pull off a few skin cells from around the wound site and encourage the skin to continue to grow inward toward the center until I am all healed. I have gained a lot of mobility back in that arm allowing me to bend, flex and use my muscles in more directions each day.


I have already been discharged from the hospital as an out patient. I have begun to in process the local Warrior Transition Unit (WTU). That is a special unit in the army where your place of duty is to make your appointments with doctors and your mission is to get well. I live in the barracks now and have been issued a cell phone and laptop computer. My number is 210-548-7384.

I arrived at the WTU just as the weekend was begining so I did not get to fully in process and I have not yet met my case manager. The case manager is the ultimate authority on what happens and when. I am trying to get moved to the WTU at FT Carson, CO now that I have seen the vascular surgeon here. Some people say that I should be able to move very quickly, while others say it may take months to get me transfered. Ultimately, it is in hands of the case manager as to what happens. It is possible that the administrative work that would have to be done to get me moved would take so long that I would be on my way back to Afghanistan as a fully recovered soldier by the time it would be approved and in effect.

Hopefully I will gain some useful and trustworthy information on Monday when I meet my case manager. I will keep everyone posted on what I learn and what Tricia and I are planning to do as the situation develops.

I went to the PX after lunch and spent the $250 that the Army gave me to purchase civilian clothing. I was able to get three pairs of jeans, 9 shirts and two new hats. I will soon get a new issue of uniforms to replace all that was left behind me.

A Trip to Germany

As soon as the surgeons were done with me in Afghanistan and I had some time to rest, I was off on a military flight to Germany. My litter was strapped into the airplane and I took a long ride over the ocean to the Lanstuhl hospital. There, a surgeon closed the arm that had been left open with a sponge and suction tool used to draw out any germs that would try to grow in site of the prior surgery. I had two great nurses that made sure I was comfortable during my one day stay.

As soon as SSG Link, a friend from the NCOA, heard about my injury and stay at Lanstuhl he arranged for a day off work and came to see me. We talked for about two hours in my room after he arrived. It was great to have a friend there. He brought me some clothing, which came in handy after I left the hospital, and a digital camera to take some photos of my journey home.

Soon I was once again strapped into a litter and on a military flight over the ocean back to the USA.

A Wild Night

Early morning on 06 SEP 09 I was riding in the back of a Bco MRAP who were taking us out to the country side to drop us off for our mission. Before we arrived at the drop off point the vehilce I was riding in, the last in the convoy, was fired upon by an RPG. I was informed later that it went in one wall of the MRAP and out the other. The sudden burst of light from the rocket left SPC H. riding in the back with me and myself temporarily blinded as we lost our night vision.

In the darkness we checked each other out and found injuries on each of us. Working in the dark, SPC H. put a tourniquete on my right arm and we determined that he had a leg injury. By this time I could see soldiers coming around the back of our vehicle as I looked through the windows. I could not get the back door opened, so we both threw open our roof hatches and climbed out. My team leader, SGT Q., was on the roof with us quickly and put a torniquete on SPC H.'s leg. Our medic was soon with us as we took a short movement forward toward the designated landing zone for the helicopter called for us. My fellow squad leader, SSG Y. made sure I got to the chopper safely and loaded on.

As soon as we took off a medic pulled the rip cord on my ballistic vest and all of my gear fell off of me and onto the floor. We soon arrived at the hospital where I was placed on a table and all of my clothing was cut off of me. An Xray team checked out my arm looking for broken bones, which none were, or schrapnel, none of which was left behind. It was determined that I had a soft flesh wound in my forearm and an artery had been damaged.

Another chopper ride took me to another hospital with a surgeon. I was immediatley sent into surgery. When I awoke in bed a few hour later a vein had been taken from my thigh to replace the damaged artery in my arm. The surgery was a success. The battalion commander and Sergeant Major came to visit us. A while later our 1SG came in and let us know that our convoy had made it back to the FOB with no further incident. A two star general came in that evening and presented both me and SPC H. with our Purple Hearts. The F-16 pilot who had escorted our initial medical evacuation chopper even stopped in to pay us a visit.

I was well on my way to recovery.

More New Soldiers

It is the end of another month, which is a reminder to me that I have been in Afghanistan for just over three months. That puts me about ¼ of the way home. Time has been flying by. When I am not busy with work I have been able to accomplish goals of my own. I have found that staying away from television (movies in our case) can give you back a lot of time to use in the day.

New soldiers arrived yesterday. We will be taking them through the same training that the last group went through before we can take them out on mission with us. This will mean a great deal of time invested on the part of the squad and team leaders, but once done the investment will pay off greatly. I took charge of the range today where we zeroed each soldier to his weapon. PV2 F. looks like he is going to fit right into our squad. He is 34 years old and joined the army after he lost his job and was in need of employment to keep his family afloat. I took him out for a run on the track with me in the evening time with our ballistic vests on. He kept up quite well and kept on going when we went to the gym right after to lift some weights in our kits.