Pictures of Zac!!!!

I didnt realize that Zac had sent me so many pictures via cell phone.....so I thought I would post them. You can tell in a lot of them that he is so exhausted. It just breaks my heart.

This one, is one of my favorites. It was taken while he was learning Arabic. Yep, he had to learn Arabic. "Hi, my name is Zac" and "Do you have any weapons on you?" are a few of the things he had to learn.

Now, before you think that he is cuddling up with his baby blanket, shame on you! He is cuddling up with a matching baby blanket of Sery's. My sister Heather made one to bury her with and then made each of us a matching one. We both sleep with them every night. Its kind of a way to feel close to her, and close to each other.

I just want to climb in right next to him and fall asleep!

Another Update!!!!

YAY! We have an update! Its pretty sad that I have to wait for emails from LTC Hadley to find out what they have been up to! I miss hearing about it from Zac! =( I know they have been insanely busy, with only a few hours of sleep a night! A few times they have gone to bed at 2 am and had to be up at 3:30 am!!! I can only imagine how badly he wants a nap!!! ZZzzzzzz


Nightfighter Family,

Greetings once again from Fort Stewart, sorry for waiting so long to write, needless to say it has been a little busy here.­ During the past three weeks we have completed almost all of our collective training and are just 2 days away from starting our final training exercise.­ It is like our final exam and will run from Feb 21 through Feb 29.­ The battalion will be tested and evaluated on all the tasks we have been training on; this will be done by through a 24 hour a day Field Training Exercise (FTX).­ Each company will plan and execute 6 convoy logistic patrols a day and at battalion we will exercise our ability to track and resource those patrols.­ Every night there will be After Action Reviews conducted by our Observer Controllers from First Army.­ I am sure it will be extremely challenging but it should make the time go by very fast leading up to our pass.­

All of the companies did great on all of the training leading up to this final exercise.­ Our battalion led the way on gunnery tables, to give you an example of how much they excelled there were only 8 perfect scores on Gunnery Table VIII in the whole brigade and TF 293 had 6 of them.­ Three of those perfect scores came from one company.­.­.­Team Delta! It has been a pleasure travelling around to the training events, every where I go I am complimented on how well trained and disciplined our soldiers are.­ This of course is a direct reflection on the outstanding leadership of our company teams.­ The morale of the soldiers remains high, they enjoyed spending time on the gunnery ranges and I believe they are looking forward to completing our evaluation.

Follow Us,

LTC Jerry Hadley

Keep scrolling down!!!

Zac's new friend

A few days ago, Zac sent me this picture via his cell phone, and titled it, "Me and a new friend." I think it is hilarious! (if you dont get it, its a cardboard cut out!!) haha!! I am glad that they still are able to find humor in the day and things to laugh about =) LOVE HIM!!!

Keep scrolling down and see Zac at Basic Trainning!

1999.......

Look how young and sweet he is!!!
He looks the exact same, only a little boy. He was 17 years old when he enlisted, and 18 years old when he went to Fort Benning, GA for basic trainning.

He has started his 9th year ......crazy huh!?

Mention My Child

Remembering

Go ahead and mention my child,
The one that died, you know.
Dont worry about hurting me further.
The depth of my pain doesnt show.
I'm already crying inside.
Help me to heal, by releasing
The tears that I try to hide.
I'm hurt when you just keep silent,
Pretending she didnit exsist.
I'd rather you mention my child,
Knowing that she has been missed.
You ask me how I was doing.
I say "pretty good" or "fine."
But healing is something ongoing
I feel it will take a lifetime.

Michael Israel

I am going to see Michael Israel!!! Check him out, trust me, you will want to take the time to see these!!! I am so darn excited for Saturday, I cant even stand it. I havent even been able to tell Zac yet!!!! I am not sure what will be in the program, but I would LOVE to see one of these!!!! I am so incredibly vulnerable these days, I cant watch these without sobbing.