A Veteran Returns

Daniel is stateside!
Yesterday morning there was a post-it from Connie on my computer screen that he had called from the Atlanta airport - I was a bit late in to work (misplaced the car keys - haven't done that in a while) and so missed his first call. I wasn't expecting him until the 17th or 18th, but then, the military has always adjusted any date they've provided for anything...his induction date...his BasicTraining start date...his deployment dates - and places, too. The only date that didn't change was the one scheduled for his Basic Training graduation. So I'm not particularly surprised now...I don't think it'll adversely affect his being able to be here for Thanksgiving, he plans to arrive in Houston on the 20th or 21st. HOOAH! The 14 days they get for R & R leave should be up that following Monday or Tuesday, just depends on what day the Army says it officially started.
Through the plane window, his first glimpse of land, of the United States, through otherwise dense clouds, was of Georgia. He said he immediately had goosebumps all over.... We can never take this great country for granted - obviously he does not.
They are all wearing their ACU's on the flight - it's a military chartered flight. Atlanta Customs had them all take off their boots (ugh, think of the laces) and "get about half-undressed". He wasn't terribly impressed with that particular exercise - they weren't in full battle-rattle, but what a pain in the butt to mess with all their gear. They then sent them to Gate (or Terminal?) 3 - instead of "30" . as he said, that's a lot of walking between 3 and 30, only to find out you have to go all the way back. Aggravating at the least - he'd already been up for over 42 hours and their flight was delayed due to the weather...
He was in Dallas by 14:00, but his next flight out wasn't until 5:30 - barring any more delays...he was going to find the USO or Admiral's club at the airport and get something to eat and put his feet up. I hope he was able to catch a few Z's.
I haven't heard how things went after that yet...but if I was him, once I got to the post and could get horizontal, I'd have slept all day...and that is what I hope he had the opportunity to do! God Bless Him for the job he does...a good long restful sleep on his first day back in the country he defends, doesn't seem like too much to wish for...I know he's earned it.

Step One

blogging....one of those "sounds like an interesting idea" phenomena. wonder how long my interest will last? guess I'll learn that ...in due time!