This page www.a-1-8.org: /Docs/activeunit/03-15hearing.php last modified on April 12, 2005 10:42 AM
| A-1-8 Chapter of the 4th Infantry Division |
Active Unit News
Bob Babcock - "Deeds not Words"
President, Americans Remembered, Inc. - http://www.americansremembered.org
President, 22nd Inf Regt Society - http://www.22ndinfantry.org
Past President/Historian - Nat'l 4th Inf Div Assn - http://www.4thinfantry.org
babcock224@aol.com
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A Few Words from Bob:
1) From the 4ID PAO in Iraq: In your update tomorrow, tell people to watch ABC news on Monday and Tuesday. Peter Jennings will be interviewing LTC Steve Russell and MG Odierno on Monday and one of his crews will be staying for the TOA (Transfer of Authority) ceremony on Tuesday. I haven't heard back from FOX, but I think CNN will be here for the ceremony along with CBS, the major wire services, a London paper and a few others I can't think of off the top of my head....
2) If you want to stop receiving the updates, please send me the batch number that you are in (I sent that out to everyone back in January). If you don't have that, please just erase the updates if you don't want to read them any more. With well over 3,000 names in my file, it is like finding a needle in a haystack to start looking for individual names. We're within about six weeks of this service being discontinued and I'd really appreciate it if you'd bear with me and save me the lost time to look for that needle in a haystack...
3) For those in Fort Hood, don't forget the prayer breakfast at 0645 to 0730 on Wednesday morning, March 17 at Roosevelt Dining Facility. We have lots to be thankful for and lots of prayers that need to continue to be raised.
4) Keep sending your memories of a year ago to me, I'm getting some great stories. Although I am not using many yet, I will start using them as news slows down over the next days and weeks.
5) As your soldiers return, please don't forget that we have lots more of America's finest sons and daughters in harm's way around the world. Continue your prayers and other showing of support - it is all needed. As many of you say - "The war isn't over until ALL the soldiers are home".
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>From Stars & Stripes:
Iraqis bid a fond farewell to liberating Army infantry
By Steve Liewer, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Friday, March 12, 2004
BALAD, Iraq — As a crowd of Iraqis clapped and cheered, leaders of the 4th Infantry Division unit that brought calm to this city gave a gift meant to symbolize peace and friendship.
Lt. Col. Nate Sassaman and Capt. Matt Cunningham — battalion and company commanders from the 4th ID’s 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment — presented a statue of a dove flying above a map of Iraq. It stands atop a red-tile pedestal and fountain built by local artisans.
The officers dedicated the statue to 1,500 men, women and children from the Shiite city of 170,000 who were slaughtered by Saddam Hussein’s regime after an assassination attempt against the former Iraqi dictator in Balad in 1982.
They also dedicated it to widows and victims of Saddam’s torture campaign; an Iraqi police chief and six officers killed by a bomb in January; and two American soldiers — Capt. Eric Paliwoda and Staff Sgt. Dale Panchot — killed in the Balad area.
“This sculpture represents all the sacrifices this city has made since 1982, and their friendship during the past year,” Cunningham said.
The city was rife with violence when the 1-8 Infantry arrived last June to set up Forward Operating Base Eagle (later renamed Paliwoda in honor of the slain officer). With aggressive raids and patrols, and creation of a strong informants’ network, the unit was able to capture or kill most of the insurgents. By October, Balad was peaceful enough to hold the first free elections in Iraq.
Children waved at soldiers aboard 1-8 Infantry’s four Bradley fighting vehicles as they roared down the street to the ceremony, held at a crossroads in the city center decorated with flags of red, green and black.
Several Balad dignitaries spoke, presenting Sassaman and Cunningham with bronze clocks as gifts. They thanked the Iraqis and introduced Capt. Henry Delacruz, company commander from Task Force 1-77, the 1st Infantry Division unit taking over at Paliwoda this week.
“I want these children, and my daughter, to live in a world free of terror,” Cunningham said. “[Balad] is a model for the security of the whole country. I’m confident the new unit will build on our foundation.”
Cunningham’s father, Jim, a retired physiology professor from East Lansing, Mich., designed, built and donated the sculpture. He built it four years ago when his son was assigned to the Sinai to commemorate soldiers from the multinational peacekeeping force who had died there.
“To him, it was a way of contributing to my peacekeeping efforts,” Capt. Cunningham said later. “He’s really happy to participate in bridging the gap.”
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>From CentCom news release on 3-13-04:
4ID AND TF IRONHORSE CAPTURE SUSPECTS, WEAPONS
TIKRIT, Iraq - 4th Infantry Division and Task Force Ironhorse conducted 143 patrols and eight raids and captured 11 individuals Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Fifty-one of the patrols were joint operations conducted with the Iraqi police, Iraqi Civil Defense Corps and the Department of Border Enforcement.
Weapons and equipment confiscated in raids and patrols throughout the Task Force Ironhorse area of operations include 15 AK-47 rifles, four Frog B missiles, five rocket-propelled-grenade launchers, 50 mortar rounds, 19 122 mm rockets, one 40 mm heat round, one rifle, one pistol, 201 cans of 14.5 mm ammunition, 229 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition and seven grenades.
4th Infantry Division soldiers with 1st and 3rd Battalions, 67th Armor Regiment captured nine individuals, six of whom were targets, during an air-assault operation near Khan Bani Sad Thursday. The targeted individuals are suspected of being members of a local terrorist cell operating in the area.
Task Force Ironhorse soldiers with 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment discovered 19 122 mm rockets northwest of Krab Wednesday. The rockets were aimed at Forward Operating Base Warrior in Kirkuk. Explosive ordnance personnel destroyed the rounds Thursday.
Task Force Ironhorse soldiers from 310th Military Intelligence Battalion confiscated four Frog 7B missiles Thursday. The Iraqi Civil Defense Corps is securing the site southwest of Kirkuk until explosive ordnance personnel can assess the missiles.
Local children led a 1st Battalion, 25th Infantry Division patrol to a site where two rocket-propelled-grenade launchers were located east of Forward Operating Base Speicher. The patrol secured the site Thursday until explosive ordnance personnel transported the rounds to FOB Speicher for destruction.
Task Force Ironhorse soldiers from 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment apprehended two individuals and assorted weapons during a raid Thursday. The individuals and confiscated equipment were taken to Forward Operating Base Lancer.
4th Infantry Division soldiers from the 14th Engineer Battalion discovered and destroyed a cache near Al Ouja Thursday. The cache consisted of one 40 mm heat round, two hand grenades and one rocket-propelled-grenade launcher.
Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division secured a weapons cache near Abu Shakur Thursday based on information provided by an Iraqi civilian. 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment secured the cache until explosive ordnance personnel can destroy it. The cache consisted of 50-60 mortar rounds and one rocket-propelled-grenade launcher. The rounds appeared to be in the early stages of preparation to be used as IEDs.
A 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment patrol captured two individuals who were emplacing an improvised explosive device north of Ghalibiyah Thursday.
Three individuals attacked an Iraqi Civil Defense Corps patrol in Baqubah with what is suspected to be an improvised explosive device Thursday. Task Force Ironhorse soldiers with 588th Engineer Battalion heard the explosion and sent a patrol to the location. The patrol killed one and captured another individual while they were fleeing the site. The captured individual was taken to the Diyala Police.
4th Infantry Division soldiers with 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment captured four targeted individuals in a raid Friday in an area south of Kan'an. The targeted individuals were suspects in attacks against coalition forces in the area.
Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division's 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry regiment raided a house in Tikrit Friday. The raid resulted in the confiscation of 229 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition, 40 shotgun shells and one 30-round AK-47 magazine.
First Infantry Division soldiers from 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment discovered a cache consisting of 201 cans of 14.5 mm rounds south of Al Ouja Friday. The cache was taken to Forward Operating Base Packhorse for destruction.
(Editor's Note: You will notice there are new units included in this report, units from 25ID and 1ID. Until the Transfer of Authority is done next week, all these units fall under the command of TF Ironhorse. After the TOA, they will move under command of the 1st Infantry Division task force who is taking over responsibility from TF Ironhorse).
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Another Stars & Stripes article:
Despite hardships, U.S. troops make best of it in heart of Sunni Triangle
By Steve Liewer, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Friday, March 12, 2004
BALAD, Iraq — Hot chow comes only once a day on a truck. There’s no post exchange to sell cigarettes and soda pop.
The electricity is jury-rigged and spotty. Too often for comfort, mortars fall out of the sky.
Welcome to Forward Operating Base Paliwoda, an Army stronghold in the heart of Iraq’s volatile Sunni Triangle. Since arriving last June, the troops of the 4th Infantry Division’s 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment have used aggressive policing to keep a lid on the simmering conflict between the largely Shiite, pro-American city and its sullen Sunni suburbs.
Formerly known as FOB Eagle, the camp was renamed in memory of Capt. Eric Paliwoda, who died Jan. 2 when an enemy mortar round scored a direct hit on his room.
In their limited spare time, the soldiers have built the dusty infantry camp into something like home.
The Army has given them Internet service, telephones, air conditioners and toilets. They’ve rigged up their own power grid, fixed showers and built desks, tables and cabinets out of salvaged plywood.
Now the 1st Infantry Division’s Task Force 1-77 has arrived to take over the camp and the mission.
They admire what their predecessors did with the camp, but they want to make it better.
“They did all this under combat conditions,” said Capt. Erik Booker, 31, of San Antonio, Task Force 1-77’s intelligence officer. “We actually have the time now to put the finishing touches on it.”
Most of the task force’s soldiers assigned here arrived in convoys Saturday evening.
Their trucks and Humvees passed through the concertina-topped sand berm and a serpentine trail of dirt barricades, then were greeted by a rusty water tower bearing the camp’s name.
The base is shaped like a fat horseshoe; its perimeter is 1½ miles long.
On the north side is a road and the entrance. On the south there’s a canal, on the east a mosque, and on the west a school soccer field. In the middle, behind giant chain-link fences, is housing still occupied by the families of former Iraqi soldiers.
One side of the horseshoe used to be a school, but it is now the battalion headquarters. The other side used to be a training camp for Saddam Hussein’s guerrilla fighters. Its sturdy concrete barracks, shaded by palm trees, have become the home of the 1-8 Infantry’s Company A. Task Force 1-77’s Company B now has squeezed in there, too.
On the Company B side, the soldiers live in spare, windowless concrete rooms. The roofs are strong enough to withstand a mortar hit. A set of Army-provided portable barracks rooms, called Conexes, sits empty while the unit looks for a way to reinforce the ceilings.
“Our commander said until we get overhead protection, no one’s moving into the Conexes,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Flesher, 38, of Leesburg, Fla., the base “mayor” for the Company A, 1-8 Infantry side.
On the Company C, 1-26 Infantry side of the base, soldiers do live in the Conexes. Although their roofs remain exposed, tall concrete barricades have been built close around them. It would take a very lucky shot to cause damage.
Flesher said mortars have been fired at the base about 30 times since June, sometimes in bursts. Ten have landed in the perimeter, five of them in the Jan. 2 attack that killed Capt. Paliwoda.
Despite improvements, there’s still an enormous contrast between these forward operating bases and camps such as 1st ID’s new division headquarters at Tikrit, or LSA Anaconda, the sprawling air base 12 miles from Paliwoda.
In Tikrit, Maj. Gen. John Batiste’s staff pitches their cots in a complex of marble palaces built by Saddam for his family. Kellogg Brown & Root runs a large meal tent that serves a choice of menus as well as a selection of ice cream, cookies, pie and cakes — luxuries soldiers at Paliwoda almost never see. Once a day, though, a convoy delivers some lukewarm leftovers from the KBR chow hall at Anaconda.
The Tikrit headquarters features a single palace dedicated to Morale, Welfare and Recreation that 4th ID uses for rest and recuperation. It includes a marble-decked indoor swimming pool, a huge exercise room, a movie theater, a rug store and a fleet of bicycles. MWR at Paliwoda is a second-hand pingpong table, a big-screen TV and a few board games.
Still, the infantrymen take a perverse pleasure in their relative squalor. They scorn the rear-echelon soldiers who live comfortably at fancy places like the nearby air base.
“Anaconda is full of nongrunt people that get on our nerves,” said Spc. Efrain Munoz, 23, of Diamond Bar, Calif., a 1-8 Infantry soldier. “Now that there’s phones here and Internet, I like this place a lot better than Anaconda.”
The Task Force 1-77 newcomers are getting into the same spirit. “You can’t complain,” said Sgt. Michael Lopez, 25, of Dallas. “At least you’re not sleeping out in the middle of the desert.”
But the soldiers are looking for ways to spruce things up. Sgt. Nick Lewis, 25, of San Francisco, already has restored power to several rooms 4th ID soldiers said lost it weeks ago during a rainstorm. He’s still working on the electricity to the showers and latrines.
The Company B commander, Capt. Henry Delacruz, and the noncommissioned officer-in-charge, 1st Sgt. Mark Oldroyd, are working to get a second hot meal delivered daily to Paliwoda. Later, they’d like to get a field kitchen and two cooks so the unit could fix its own hot chow.
The soldiers also know their infantry brothers in other units have put up with much worse.
“It’s kind of what being a soldier is all about,” said Spc. Jess Escamillas, 24, of Tucson, Ariz. “We’re going to be here for a year. There’s no use bitching and complaining.”
— Steve Liewer is embedded with Task Force 1-77 at FOB Paliwoda, Iraq.
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>From a reader who has signed all her notes this year "From a Grumpy Mom":
Patience, Flexibility, Sense of Humor
It has taken all of that. We have come from California to greet our soldier. (B Company 1-22) His wife and babies stayed with family out there during the deployment. He thought he was leaving Iraq on the 5th, it didn't happen. We came early to start working on resurrecting their car which had been in storage for a year. That has been a costly process. The extra time allowed his wife to start working on housing. The Ft. Hood housing people have been very helpful and kind.
The rear detachment commander had more accurate dates for arrival, but even that required almost more patience than we had. We got a call from our delightful FRG leader, saying our soldier would be home the following night - the 10th. We were so excited and were ready the next day. She had to call us back that afternoon to say he was not on the expected flight, but he WAS on the manifest for a flight which had just left and he'd be home the next afternoon. That was the real deal, we got a short message from Germany saying he was on his way home. His wife got a wake up call from our son on the 11th saying he was in Maine, had been greeted by those generous folks in Bangor who passed around cell phones so the troops could make calls saying they were in the US. We were jubilant!
>From where we were staying, we could see where the troop bus drivers stay. We see them gather out front before they leave to deliver troops. Several buses will leave and we know soldiers are coming and going. The two year old hangs at the window watching them. He calls them "Daddy buses" because he knows one will bring his daddy home to him.
In the local restaurants, we've been watching 1st Cav families sadly saying goodbye to their soldiers as we await the arrival of our 4th ID folks - the ying and yang of military life.
We showed up at the gym as directed. The parking lot was filled with cars; many were decorated with paint and balloons. My favorite one said," Get out of my way, my husband's coming home today!"
The gym was full of deafening music and hollering, joyous families. Children were dancing out in the middle. We were notified when the plane landed - we cheered, when the buses left the airfield - group scream - when the buses arrived out front (even louder screaming). A Captain walked into the gym in his desert BDU's and the place erupted. They turned the smoke machine on (yes, a smoke machine) and the first line of soldiers strode into the gym. It was total pandemonium! I saw my son in the second row, then he was obscured by a few more rows of soldiers. We stopped hollering just long enough to sing the national anthem, a very few words were said, then we all got to holler, "DISMISSED!"
It took a few minutes, then our dream happened. Out of the crowd and smoke came our son, our soldier. He looked so tall and fit. When his wife rushed into his arms and they kissed, I thought our hearts would just explode. The toddler knew him instantly and our son looked with wonder into the face of the son born while he was in Bayji. It was one of those moments etched in my memory for the rest of my life.
In a couple of minutes we were were outside the gym in the warm, Texas sunshine heading away from combat and toward family. I was surprised to see the troops in good clothes. They are issued new BDU's in Iraq so they aren't coming back tattered. They look great!
I hear the "daddy buses" warming up this morning, so more troops will be moving in or out very soon. Our joy is tempered by the knowledge that others are saying goodbye.
We're just about to gather up our familiy and drive out in the country where "the best barbecue in Texas" is alleged to be found. Some assertions must be tested.
It is a very good day.
>From "No longer a Grumpy Mom."
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in France:
15 March 1945 - D+283
Lieutenant General A. M. Patch, Commanding General Seventh Army, visited the division command post.
A pass policy permitting members of this command to visit towns in the vicinity of their units during hours prior to curfew was approved by the Commanding General. The Division band was scheduled to tour the units to present concerts and to play at dances and presentation ceremonies.
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What Our Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
Editor's Note: As you read about soldiers from specific units returning home, don't panic that you have missed your soldier's return from that same unit. Units are not all returning on the same plane or at the same time. For the most part, the soldiers who have returned thus far are the advance party of each unit. Best source to find out about your specific soldier's return is by staying in touch with the Family Readiness Group (FRG) or rear detachment of your unit.
1) Just to let you know just how wonderful those folks in Maine are, let me tell you. The day we went to see if we may get a glimpse of our son (if he was even on the flight), there were folks there of all ages. The ones that amazed me though were the older folk. Most of them were in their 70s and some well into their 80s. There were many there that had been there since 0100. They didn't leave until 2315. This included some who had obvious physical disabilities. And to top it off, they would be back at 0500 the next day to welcome more planes loaded with troops. We don't get to that part of Maine often as it is a couple hours away, however, we know now that we will stop in anytime we are there to see if any flights are on their way in so we can join those wonderful devoted people that are there almost every day. They treated us like gold for the 5 hours we waited in hopes that our son would be on the next flight. The coffee shop and other stores were opened up when the flight came in. Generally these are closed early, as this is a very small airport. Yet when the flight came in at 2200 they opened for the troops to use. And yes, they have cell phones for them and a few treats as well. I asked while there if they were sponsored by any particular Veterans Group. I was curious because I am the Historian for our local American Legion and my husband is a member of the VFW. The reply was that they come from many organizations and some have no affiliation to any organization so they simply call themselves "Americans". Such a proud and fitting title. Just thought I'd let you know how dedicated these fine Mainers are.
2) I have been receiving your Updates through my husband's Rear Detachment Commander. My husband is in HHC, 64th CSG at Fort Hood, TX. I have to say the first one I received was memorable because it said "221 days and a wake up until April 1st". I remember sitting at my computer at work in shock, because it really put into perspective how long it would be until my husband returned. 221 days! I think I still harbored some hope that it would only be 6 months or even less! Now we are at 18 days and I have to say, I've enjoyed all the news that I have received in your Updates. I've cried with all those experiencing losses and wonderful reunions. I have produced more tears this year than I thought possible. My four children and I are getting excited about his final return in the next few weeks. My two youngest children have seen their father and I leave on business trips before, but they could never understand why Daddy didn't want us to pick him up at the airport last April. I believe they think that he didn't want to come home, or that he is waiting at the airport all this time for us to come and get him. I can not wait until we have our happy reunion in the gym!
3) About the article about the troops returning for another rotation - my husband (C Co 124th Signal BN) has been telling me for the last six months to expect him to go back to Iraq in 2005. So, mentally I have been preparing myself for this prospect. From experience I always hope for the best, but expect the worst with the military. If he does have to go back we will be prepared and even more so next time since we now have experience. I know that we would be able to make it through another deployment because if we made it through once we can do it again. With the support of family and friends and above all, the faithfulness of our Lord, I am confident that if he has to return then WE WILL MAKE IT THROUGH! However, for the time being I am going to focus on his return home and what a joyous time this is! He isn't home yet, but I know he will be very soon! (Editor's Note: This is just another example of why I admire our military families so much - you are truly great Americans!)
4) I just wanted to let you know that grandson of the 1-10 CAV, B Troop, finally returned to Ft. Hood late Monday night. I was so happy to hear his voice and I cried thru the whole conversation. Unfortunately, I couldn't be there, but I am enjoying all the stories I am reading in your column. I will make it there for the April 22 celebration. Nothing could hold me back for that. He is my pride and joy and we are so very proud of him. He has told a few stories but we mostly talked about our family updates. I am now so relieved that he is back in the U.S.A. and safe and sound. It will be so nice when all our troops are back. I pray for their safe return.
5) From a 1-44 ADA soldier: I have some good news. I am not quite out of Iraq yet, but I am in a very safe place, far from the dangerous area where I used to live. How safe you ask? Most of the soldiers here don't even carry weapons and they look at me funny for carying one! Honey, I will be in Kuwait tomorrow. From there I anticipate about a week of work before I come home. It's a rough estimate, but I think I will be home (soon). I am so ready to see you..... It's so good to wear a hat instead of a helmet.
6) I think the thing that I have realized more than ever before is how YOUNG these men really are. The same little boy that watched the first time we bombed Iraq on TV and thought it was so cool to watch the mightly firepower of the USA, would now go and be a part of it all. He arrived in Iraq on 4/7 and turned 20 years old on 5/8. My little boy is now a mightly Warrior! May God continue to bless the USA, 4th ID, the US Army, and all our soldiers and their families!
7) Just wanted you to know I just talked to my grandson, he just returned from Iraq, he was in Tikrit with the 4th ID, 1-22 IN Reg (part of advance party to arrive). He is in Ft. Hood, it was just wonderful to hear his voice and know he is on American soil. We are all so happy and so proud of him and all our heroes.
8) Every day reading this newsletter I have to admit I was a little envious every time I read another person had a loved one who had moved down to Kuwait and waiting for their flight, well now it's my turn!!!! I got the email last night saying he was on his way and then another one this morning telling me he made it safely. I could tell just by the way he wrote his words how excited he was to come home to me and our children and our dog and get back to being a family. Thank you God for his safe departure from Iraq. I will not feel right still until his boots hit the great Texas soil!!! God bless all our troops. I will never forget any of you.
9) Received the phone call we have been waiting for - our grandson (HHB 3-29 - 4ID Ft. Carson) arrived in Kuwait.Yeah!!! The sound of his voice was all I needed to hear and now to wait for the call on the date he and his gang will arrive in Ft.Carson so we can be there to meet him. Has been a long year with our soldiers in Iraq - Thanks for all the prayers and now we must keep those prayers going for the new troops arriving in Iraq.
10) My son arrived at Ft.Hood yesterday after a year in Tikrit. We are so elated at his arrival and are overwelmed with joy. We are blessed at having him back safe in the USA. We will never forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. As happy as we are for our son, we can't help but think of those who lost their loved ones. Steadfast & Loyal.
11) Just got the best news, my son's in Kuwait. I didn't know if he would or could call. But I knew if he passed a PC he would send a message. I left up my IM and my MS Outlook. He sent messages to IM (Instant Messenger) but I never heard the "beep". I looked at my screen and there was his messages to home. His last message said "oh well, bye for now". WIth no time listed I didnt know when it was. I sent off a quick message and then went to Outlook and fired a quick message. With that I got a "Hi pop" on the screen. I could just about read the messages through my tears. If you dont know if your soldier can call home, leave up your IM and your email and check it often.
12) My Husband an Apache Pilot with A Co 1-4 Avn, is in Kuwait!!! He called me this morning to let me know that the helicopters have arrived and the trip down was long, but uneventful (Thank GOD!!). He said that he had a Subway sandwich for dinner tonight! I told him not to worry, that I wasn't upset with him for putting his sandwich ahead of calling me. Hey, at least he thought to call me before he went back for seconds!! He said that they were given a big window for when he will be home, but I am so happy to hear that he is out of Iraq!! Even if it takes him 2 weeks to get here, what's that compared to the 354 days we have already done?? SEE YOU SOON VIPERS!!!!
13) Now that many others have posted that 3-66 AR is on the way back, I would like to share the welcome the advanced party had in Maine. My husband said that when they got off the plane, they were met by a group of veterans from the local veterans groups that were armed with donated cell phones they handed out so each soldier could place the long awaited 'I'M ON THE GROUND' phone call to a family member. They swapped war stories and generally felt like a million bucks for being met in an area that wasn't even their home port yet. My heartfelt thanks go out to those folks not only donating their precious phones, but their big hearts for even thinking about it, and taking the time to find out when those planes touched down! It never stops to amaze me to what length the general public goes to to welcome our heroes home. My hubby chose to call Mom, since I'm in Germany. It was so funny when he called me later that day to tell me. "Mom could only repeat: 'oh yey, oh YEY' , then quietly said here, talk to Dad. Dad just had time to say ' welcome home son, we love you, and I gotta go take care of mom now, she's hyperventilating'." We all had such a good laugh about it later :) Momma kept it together for an entire year, then fell to pieces when she heard her baby was safe..... thanks Mom, for being there for your new daughter and being my life line! We love you both, more then you'll ever know.
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