*Mission Accomplished* there is one less soldier in Iraq today

[underpants]

My cousin flies out today. I was at his dad's house this weekend when the word came in.

*for the sake of their confidentiality I am going to be fairly vague*

He is active duty assigned to a National Guard unit. This is their second deployment- a full year in Afghanistan, some of the first ones in & in front of the front lines nasty nasty stuff- and NG units aren't SUPPOSED to be deployed more than twice. Hopefully that will hold true. They were in Iraq for 7 months or so.

He turned in his weapon on Saturday and told his brother on the phone that rockets were flying in as he spoke. This is in Baghdad (we were told) but not in the Green Zone. Apparently the road to the airport is still hairy but stepped up patrols have made it a little safer at least that was what his wife and everyone were telling themselves. She told me that this is the worst time the most to worry about- he is this close to leaving - lots of fingers crossed and hoping and praying and sort of holding our breath. We won't really know we his has cleared the airspace-he switches flights somewhere at some point. We know where his unit ends up but there is lots of gray area in between.

Since this is a NG unit they are going to cool out and get all they can out of being active duty over the next two months or so. Any medical treatment they might need (Iraq related or not) is available including Lasik for anyone who wants it. They are Guardsmen so it isn't like they are returning for stateside duty by Labor Day they will be back in civilian life and back at their jobs. Their commander is giving them a few months more pay and benefits and a chance to rea climate to normal life. I think their families can visit but at least they know they aren't there.

His wife and myself and my wife were talking about having more kids and she said that he told her "Look I have been in jail for the last year lets enjoy some freedom for a while first" they already have one little girl- this whole thing has been brutal on her and his wife and they have PLENTY of support around them.

So he should be out by now.
WHEeeeeeEW!!!!!!!!!!!

Now we have to worry about is someone in my stepfather's family. A third generation Marine who was one of the first into Fallujah and is on his second tour there.

[annabanana]

1. so are we still officially in the "fingers crossed" stage? or

do you have confirmation that he is out of country?

[underpants]

3. No confirmation as of yet

We really won't know for a week.

[evirus]

2. contrary to what republicans would have the general public beleave

if i where to see an iraq war veteran in a bar, i would give him a pat on the back and another round on me

[matcom]

4. WOOOOHOOOOOO!

:bounce:

EXCELLENT! glad he made it out safe! *fingers crossed*

let us know when you hear he is on the ground

:kick:

[underpants]

6. I will let you know

:bounce:

:patriot:

[matcom]

5. kick

:kick:

[uppityperson]

7. congratulations! I hesitated to click on this topic,glad to find GOOD news

Congratulations.

[underpants]

8. Good news indeed

we think. I am sure he is out of there by now.

[Phillycat]

9. Thank god.

Congratulations! :bounce: (((BIG HUG)))

[underpants]

10. Yes

Thanks for the excuse to kick this oh that and the thought O8)