Hello all,
Today, I [Sarah] attended a Family Readiness Group Meeting in Hutchinson, MN. Its a time when families of deployed soldiers get together to chat, get updated, and have a good time together. As far as I can remember, we were not updated on anything new, but we did have a good time together. I got to meet a few more of the wives, and...the best part, I got a massage! A local spa donated their services to the women, fixing their hair, doing their makeup and giving massages. It was wonderful. I never realized how tense my muscles were! I think that was the highlight of my day. I also attended a small demonstration and lesson on making homemade barbeque sauce and excellent corn on the cob. Amidst all this, I spend time chatting and listening to other wives talk about how life is going. They've decided that they'll be putting together one of these meetings once a month and the activities will vary each time.
I've decided to leave my job. I put my notice in last Tuesday. I am going to spend the summer getting organized and look for something else part-time in the fall. I've been wanting to get out of corporate retail for some time now and after much thought, prayer and Brandon's encouragement, I did it. I have a lot on my plate right now, and this is the next step for me.
Brandon has been doing weapons training for a couple days now and is loving it. He's finally getting to work with his hands and get some of the training he needs. That's the latest.
23 June 2007
19 June 2007
Catching Some Z's
Greetings. Our dear Bran-man is sleeping at the moment after doing a CQ (night watch) last night. Every night, two soldiers, including one NCO (Non-commissioned officer), and one other soldier have to stay up, listen for phone calls and guard the weapons and equipment. They switch off sleeping throughout the night. Bran did this a few nights ago also. Due to certain circumstances out of his control, he was told late yesterday that he would be doing it again. He's recovering slowly from the bronchitis. He has been quite frustrated with the lack of organization down there. Please pray that things will turn around and that they will get to do the training necessary to equip them for the year ahead. As of right now, we're looking at him leaving for Iraq in August some time. If you want to send him something and you happen upon powdered gatorade mix (the just-add-water kind), that's about all he's mentioned he needs. Thanks again for your support and prayers.
13 June 2007
Greetings from Mississippi
I'VE HAD TO TAKE OUT SOME INFORMATION, BUT THAT IS BECAUSE OF SOMETHING CALLED OPSEC - OPERATIONAL SECURITY. IT IS NOT A BIG PROBLEM. THEY DIDN'T TELL US WHAT WE COULD AND COULDN'T SAY UNTIL A FEW DAYS AFTER THEY TOLD US WHAT OUR NEW MISSION ENTITLED.
Well, it has been a hot and extremely humid 2 1/2 weeks, and I have finally found where I can access some Internet! As Sarah has mentioned in other posts, I suffered from heat cramps and dehydration, even though I was eating all my meals and drinking plenty of fluids. My Minnesota blood was not ready for this heat where you sweat all the time. Then, because the humidity is so high, it doesn't cool you off, so what does your body do? Sweat some more! I basically ran out of salt from sweating so much, then, no matter how much water I drank, I wouldn't have been able to retain it because my salt was gone. Now I have bronchitis, which I have 5 different medicines to take, all of them seemingly at different times throughout the day. I was on bed rest today, and will be on bed rest tomorrow. I then can't do any extraneous activities for 2 more days after that.
As for our mission update, Sarah got the gist of it out there. Once we deploy to Iraq, we will be deploying in a Battalion (which is comprised up of multiple Companies). My Company will not be with the rest of the Battalion, we will be separated from them where it will be our company, and a bunch of "high speed individuals". From there we will be conducting Tower security, and checkpoints in and out of the base. Security is so tight that if your not supposed to be on the base, you will not be let on for any reason. Aside from the duties we have to do on base, we will also be required to do things off base including vehicle convoys (mounted patrols) and dismounted patrols (on foot) through the city, or cities, that surround the base. They have been catching a lot of the IED's (Improvise Explosive Devices or Roadside Bombs) as they are set up on the road and they are able to disarm and destroys these before they are used on convoys.
The Urban part of our mission is 'eerie', as my Platoon Sergeant called it. When we do foot patrols through the city, we do not have the advantage, and he said you can feel it. While he was there, he had to assist the soldiers that were there in clearing an abandoned multi-level, multi-room building where small arms fire (pistols, rifles, etc.) had been reported to be coming from. Having to clear a small, one story 3 room building is hard enough, but a multi level building? That takes a ton of coordination and troops. It is also not uncommon for our base to receive small arms fire on a fairly steady basis.
I say all this, not to scare people, but to show people that what our mission has changed to is not going to be easy. I say this because it gives people the opportunity to pray for more specific things, and to understand what will be going on while I am over there. I also ask that people pray for the mental health of all our soldiers, as there is now a high probability that soldiers will be injured while we are there, and that can take a huge psychological toll on a person. Not that there wasn't a risk of that before, but being on a base that receives small arms fire from buildings that we have to clear increases that risk.
I hope to send out an email updating things for everyone, but right now my personal computer is dead, and it contains all my contacts. Thanks everyone for your continuing prayers and support as Sarah and I go through this difficult step in life.
I'VE HAD TO TAKE OUT SOME INFORMATION, BUT THAT IS BECAUSE OF SOMETHING CALLED OPSEC - OPERATIONAL SECURITY. IT IS NOT A BIG PROBLEM. THEY DIDN'T TELL US WHAT WE COULD AND COULDN'T SAY UNTIL A FEW DAYS AFTER THEY TOLD US WHAT OUR NEW MISSION ENTITLED.
Well, it has been a hot and extremely humid 2 1/2 weeks, and I have finally found where I can access some Internet! As Sarah has mentioned in other posts, I suffered from heat cramps and dehydration, even though I was eating all my meals and drinking plenty of fluids. My Minnesota blood was not ready for this heat where you sweat all the time. Then, because the humidity is so high, it doesn't cool you off, so what does your body do? Sweat some more! I basically ran out of salt from sweating so much, then, no matter how much water I drank, I wouldn't have been able to retain it because my salt was gone. Now I have bronchitis, which I have 5 different medicines to take, all of them seemingly at different times throughout the day. I was on bed rest today, and will be on bed rest tomorrow. I then can't do any extraneous activities for 2 more days after that.
As for our mission update, Sarah got the gist of it out there. Once we deploy to Iraq, we will be deploying in a Battalion (which is comprised up of multiple Companies). My Company will not be with the rest of the Battalion, we will be separated from them where it will be our company, and a bunch of "high speed individuals". From there we will be conducting Tower security, and checkpoints in and out of the base. Security is so tight that if your not supposed to be on the base, you will not be let on for any reason. Aside from the duties we have to do on base, we will also be required to do things off base including vehicle convoys (mounted patrols) and dismounted patrols (on foot) through the city, or cities, that surround the base. They have been catching a lot of the IED's (Improvise Explosive Devices or Roadside Bombs) as they are set up on the road and they are able to disarm and destroys these before they are used on convoys.
The Urban part of our mission is 'eerie', as my Platoon Sergeant called it. When we do foot patrols through the city, we do not have the advantage, and he said you can feel it. While he was there, he had to assist the soldiers that were there in clearing an abandoned multi-level, multi-room building where small arms fire (pistols, rifles, etc.) had been reported to be coming from. Having to clear a small, one story 3 room building is hard enough, but a multi level building? That takes a ton of coordination and troops. It is also not uncommon for our base to receive small arms fire on a fairly steady basis.
I say all this, not to scare people, but to show people that what our mission has changed to is not going to be easy. I say this because it gives people the opportunity to pray for more specific things, and to understand what will be going on while I am over there. I also ask that people pray for the mental health of all our soldiers, as there is now a high probability that soldiers will be injured while we are there, and that can take a huge psychological toll on a person. Not that there wasn't a risk of that before, but being on a base that receives small arms fire from buildings that we have to clear increases that risk.
I hope to send out an email updating things for everyone, but right now my personal computer is dead, and it contains all my contacts. Thanks everyone for your continuing prayers and support as Sarah and I go through this difficult step in life.
I'VE HAD TO TAKE OUT SOME INFORMATION, BUT THAT IS BECAUSE OF SOMETHING CALLED OPSEC - OPERATIONAL SECURITY. IT IS NOT A BIG PROBLEM. THEY DIDN'T TELL US WHAT WE COULD AND COULDN'T SAY UNTIL A FEW DAYS AFTER THEY TOLD US WHAT OUR NEW MISSION ENTITLED.
Staying sane...
Hey everyone, here's the latest on our hero, Bran. He found out earlier this week what his mission in Iraq will entail. I know you all are praying, this might just step it up. Brandon's platoon will be working alongside "high speed individuals". They will be conducting security operations in places known to be frequently under fire. They will also be running convoys in vehicles and on foot through towns; going through buildings and homes and the streets, stopping the insurgents they find and ensuring the safety of themselves, the Iraqi people and all of us. Its really serious stuff. I know Bran will want to share his thoughts once he's able to access the internet. He likes what he's doing and has done "urban warfare" training before. I'm confident he's making a great leader.
Please pray that the soldiers' instructors these next couple months will be able to equip them with the knowledge and training they will need to be prepared as much as possible for this mission.
Also, Brandon has bronchitis. He's got an extremely sore throat and is very tired. He got checked out this morning, and is on medication. He's on bedrest for two days and then restrictions for another couple days. Its been a rough few weeks for him, but he's still plugging away. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers!
Please pray that the soldiers' instructors these next couple months will be able to equip them with the knowledge and training they will need to be prepared as much as possible for this mission.
Also, Brandon has bronchitis. He's got an extremely sore throat and is very tired. He got checked out this morning, and is on medication. He's on bedrest for two days and then restrictions for another couple days. Its been a rough few weeks for him, but he's still plugging away. Thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers!
10 June 2007
Update
I heard from Brandon this evening. I asked him what he need and wanted right now and he couldn't really think of anything. He doesn't want a lot of sweets (he's trying to stay as healthy as possible, granted he eats army food). Snacky foods are ok, although he's got a stockpile of sunflower seeds. Pretty much, he's going to let me know once he thinks of stuff. He's well provided for right now and can't think of anything he wants. Perhaps once he's in Iraq, more will come to mind.
Other than that, he's doing well. He's out on the field until tomorrow. He says its like a little campground with all the tents up and stuff. However, they return to the buildings tomorrow, at which time the soldiers will be going through an SRP (Soldier Readiness P...something, I don't remember).
Please pray for Brandon as he will be receiving an Anthrax vaccination which is quite painful (he's had one before). It will be a series of shots, the first of which he'll get tomorrow, the next in two weeks, then a month after that and so on. He will also be getting a small pox shot soon, too. Not a fun time, but necessary precaution, nonetheless.
Ok, so Brandon's birthday was on the sixth, last Wednesday. I posted earlier about the effect of the heat, but didn't give full detail. So here it is: the soldiers in the WLC course went out to the field to do some final evaluations and training. It was about 98 degrees out there and stinkin' humid! After the first mission, just before heading out for the second one (said by one of the leaders to be much longer and hotter), Brandon started to not feel so good. Well, one thing lead to another, and he ended up getting hooked up to an IV. He wasn't the only one. They had an ambulence bring them off the base to a hospital just so they could get checked out and make sure everything was ok (as much as it could be). He said he drank two camelbacks full of water and a ton of Gatorade, but still, it got to him. So, this is how he spent his birthday.
BUT! While he was in the hospital, a nurse asked him his date of birth and so on, and he told her it was that day. Well, later she came in with chocolate cupcakes for him! This blessed me so much to know that he was being taken care of! Even when I couldn't be there to make him a cake and celebrate with him, God brought that nurse into his path. YAY!
Since then, he's been doing pretty good with the heat. They haven't felt the worst of it yet, but with our prayers and a whole lot of water, I know they'll get through.
Tonight, while sitting doing lovely paperwork, I got a phone call from Gina Harcey (Brandon's bud's wife), asking me if I wanted to go walk in the park with her and her sister-in-law. Well, of course I couldn't pass that up! We had a great time walking and talking. I'm so thankful to have someone who understands the feelings and trials that we're going through. God set it up, I have no doubt about that.
Well, beyond that, I'm not sure what else to say except that Brandon says hi to everyone!
Other than that, he's doing well. He's out on the field until tomorrow. He says its like a little campground with all the tents up and stuff. However, they return to the buildings tomorrow, at which time the soldiers will be going through an SRP (Soldier Readiness P...something, I don't remember).
Please pray for Brandon as he will be receiving an Anthrax vaccination which is quite painful (he's had one before). It will be a series of shots, the first of which he'll get tomorrow, the next in two weeks, then a month after that and so on. He will also be getting a small pox shot soon, too. Not a fun time, but necessary precaution, nonetheless.
Ok, so Brandon's birthday was on the sixth, last Wednesday. I posted earlier about the effect of the heat, but didn't give full detail. So here it is: the soldiers in the WLC course went out to the field to do some final evaluations and training. It was about 98 degrees out there and stinkin' humid! After the first mission, just before heading out for the second one (said by one of the leaders to be much longer and hotter), Brandon started to not feel so good. Well, one thing lead to another, and he ended up getting hooked up to an IV. He wasn't the only one. They had an ambulence bring them off the base to a hospital just so they could get checked out and make sure everything was ok (as much as it could be). He said he drank two camelbacks full of water and a ton of Gatorade, but still, it got to him. So, this is how he spent his birthday.
BUT! While he was in the hospital, a nurse asked him his date of birth and so on, and he told her it was that day. Well, later she came in with chocolate cupcakes for him! This blessed me so much to know that he was being taken care of! Even when I couldn't be there to make him a cake and celebrate with him, God brought that nurse into his path. YAY!
Since then, he's been doing pretty good with the heat. They haven't felt the worst of it yet, but with our prayers and a whole lot of water, I know they'll get through.
Tonight, while sitting doing lovely paperwork, I got a phone call from Gina Harcey (Brandon's bud's wife), asking me if I wanted to go walk in the park with her and her sister-in-law. Well, of course I couldn't pass that up! We had a great time walking and talking. I'm so thankful to have someone who understands the feelings and trials that we're going through. God set it up, I have no doubt about that.
Well, beyond that, I'm not sure what else to say except that Brandon says hi to everyone!
Brandon's Address!
SGT. Brandon James Anderson
849th MAC
2490 25th Street
Camp Shelby, MS 39407-5500
849th MAC
2490 25th Street
Camp Shelby, MS 39407-5500
For those of you wondering about sending Brandon stuff, I should be hearing from him this week and I can get an idea of what kinds of things he wants and needs.
09 June 2007
Graduated!
Well, today is June 9th, and this morning, Brandon graduated from WLC! The heat and humidity were tough this past week and really affected the soldiers. Your prayers for their health and safety during this training period are greatly appreciated as they still have another two months to endure of it. Most of the guys are just looking forward to Iraq where the heat is dry. Although the temperature is hot over there, the lack of humidity makes it bearable.
He is now supposed to be hooking up with the main body of his unit and heading out to the field to live in tents for the next few weeks for training, so you may not see any updates on him during that period, as I will likely not be hearing from him. He's been looking forward to seeing his buddy, Bryce Harcey, who was mobilized with the main body. The two of them motivate each other. We are SO thankful that they will be in the same platoon while in Iraq. Once again, thank you so much for your prayers and comments.
He is now supposed to be hooking up with the main body of his unit and heading out to the field to live in tents for the next few weeks for training, so you may not see any updates on him during that period, as I will likely not be hearing from him. He's been looking forward to seeing his buddy, Bryce Harcey, who was mobilized with the main body. The two of them motivate each other. We are SO thankful that they will be in the same platoon while in Iraq. Once again, thank you so much for your prayers and comments.
06 June 2007
Orders
Just a little update. Brandon finally received his long awaited mobilization orders.
Also, today is his 23rd birthday! Happy Birthday, Bran! FYI, I know some of you have been wondering about sending him cards. He does not currently have an address. If you are interested in sending him one though, I'm going to be packing up a box for him as soon as he gets an address, so if you want, you can send them to our home, and I will be more than happy to pack them in there. If you need our home address or if you have any other questions, email me at sarah@andersondd.com
I hope everyone is enjoying this lovely summer! I know I am. All the rain makes me happy. I love rain...helps me sleep. Brandon loves thunderstorms.
Also, today is his 23rd birthday! Happy Birthday, Bran! FYI, I know some of you have been wondering about sending him cards. He does not currently have an address. If you are interested in sending him one though, I'm going to be packing up a box for him as soon as he gets an address, so if you want, you can send them to our home, and I will be more than happy to pack them in there. If you need our home address or if you have any other questions, email me at sarah@andersondd.com
I hope everyone is enjoying this lovely summer! I know I am. All the rain makes me happy. I love rain...helps me sleep. Brandon loves thunderstorms.
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