From Georgia

Here are some parts of a letter recived from ourfamily website. Since this blog isnt secure, and I am not sure what info is too risky to post, I deleted places, and names. Just incase. =)

Nightfighter Family,

It is Sunday morning January 6th and all seven companies arrived here safely on the morning of the 4th and we have been very busy since we got off the buses.­ Everyone has a bed, a place to store their equipment, hot showers and hot food (2 times a day).­.­.­ what more could you want.­ The soldiers are working very hard to draw all their necessary training equipment sets and preparing for the upcoming training that lies ahead.­ The past six months we have focused on individual level training for the soldier, we now begin our collective level training at squad/platoon and company level.­ This is where we will really build our team and focus on the mission set we have been tasked to execute in theater.­ The trainers from 1st Army have put together a very aggressive plan that will keep all of us busy, but busy is good, it makes time go faster for everyone here.­ We are still working through some computer connectivity issues at company level so there probably will not be much email traffic from anyone for quite some time.­­ Thanks for the wonderful support from all the families at the RCA Dome it meant alot to the soldiers.­ I also want to thank all the FRG Members that helped pack the over 1,000 "Goodie Bags" for all of us! Those bags were really appreciated by everyone in the unit and came in handy on the long bus trip down here.­
I hope your new year is going well, we will take good care of each down here.­ We are going to stay focused and positive, everyone is going to train hard and go to bed tired.­


Best Wishes

January 2, 2008- RCA Dome

Before jumping into the Farewell Ceremony,

There is so much I want to say, but I dont know how. But first, I want to thank everyone that sent Zac a letter! He loved them all! He received letters, typed and hand written, cards, songs of hope burned to a CD, courage tokens, pins, I could just go on and on. But one in particular that he loved the most, (and he couldnt help but show me!) was some art work done by our nephew, Andrew who is 6 years old. It is a picture of Zac in his uniform, hat and all, carrying his gun and an American flag. It has Zac's name on it, mine (aka LaLa) and Drew. And it says, "I will miss you." He ask his mom yesterday (my sister), when they would be able to go see Uncle Zac in Iraq......he doesnt have a clue. Its so sweet and innocent. I told him a while ago that Zac will come home next time Santa Clause comes. That is the only way I know how to describe it to him. He remembers when Zac was in Mississippi for the hurricane relief, and he still mentions it. So he knows to an extent that Zac is doing "Army stuff." Andrew's little brother Xavier who is 4, just doesnt have a clue at all. But, here is the precious art work......

.....And some pictures from the day. In attendance was, Zac's mom and dad, my parents, my two sisters, brother in law and 3 nephews. I am not really smiling in any of them......I didnt have anything to be happy about. It was one of the hardest things to do, to say good- bye to my husband. My eyes were red from crying and my face was splotchy =(

Zac and his parents

I dont think the program turned out very well when I scanned it, so it may not be legible. There were 12 guest speakers....which I thought was alot, but they did keep them short. Some that you would all recognize.......Congressman Mark Souder, Senator Richard Lugar, and Governor Mitch Daniels ...... there were speeches also from Colonel Courtney Carr, and Major General Umbarger......and the President of the Indianapolis Colts! (kind of sad that he got the biggest applause! haha)

The 76th Brigade Combat Team starts to file in. (can you see where approximately 3,400 soldiers were behind the blue curtain?)

Where is Zac???

Wait, I think I see him!!!!

There he is!!!!! SSG Zachery Hackett!!!! Do you think he saw me? =)

My dad, and both sisters also took some pictures, so I may have some more to post.

Please keep Zac in your prayers. He needs to come home and get me pregnant! =)

Speechless....

I will be posting pictures soon!!!! Maybe tonight, if I feel up to it.
God, please give me the strength to get through this year!!!!

Its time

The time has come. We are leaving this afternoon for Indy. Zac leaves tomorrow for Fort Stewart, GA until the end of February-beginning of March. From there, he will head to Iraq. Please keep him, and his fellow soldiers in your prayers.

One December Day.....

Today was our original due date.
We love you Sery Leila Hackett!

A New Tattoo....for Zac

I think this picture speaks for itself......



This tattoo is just about an exact replica of the prints we got from the hospital....smudges and all! Its perfect.

Not much time.......

There is not much new to report right now......The days are getting close for Zac to leave. He will be at Camp Atterbury December 12-22, and will be back for the holidays, and then leaves for Fort Stewart January 2nd. I think I will probably literally get sick that day. I am dreading it. We are just treasuring the days we have left together before he leaves.