He sounded really upbeat despite the fact that he's living in a tent, it's 100 degrees (or feels like it or worse), and he's eating only MREs. I think he is starting to get info about coming home logistics -- which is awesome! Still a ways off -- later this summer -- but great for us all to think about!
Monday, June 10, 2013
Friday, May 31, 2013
Heard from Brad
He is well. He has moved. Nearest area on the map is Nangarhar. Tents are all set up. No Internet for the next 4-6 weeks at least, but he will hopefully be able to make a quick "I'm doing OK" phone call about once a week. It was a short call, but great to hear his voice.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Mother's Day Brad Update
The whole family had a chance for a video Skype with Brad on Mother's Day -- which made this mother very happy! The kids were excited too.
I found out a little more about where he will be starting soon (still don't know when "soon" is).
There will be about 24 guys. They will start out living in big tents that sleep 12+ -- 2 for them and 1 for "meetings". Other gear will be what I picture to be shipping crates that you would see on the back of a train or ship. They will have generators for power and they will have water -- but no internet, at least at first. They won't have a cook, but I didn't get a clear picture of whether they would have MREs or more...
I will share more details if I hear them.
Love,
Piper
I found out a little more about where he will be starting soon (still don't know when "soon" is).
There will be about 24 guys. They will start out living in big tents that sleep 12+ -- 2 for them and 1 for "meetings". Other gear will be what I picture to be shipping crates that you would see on the back of a train or ship. They will have generators for power and they will have water -- but no internet, at least at first. They won't have a cook, but I didn't get a clear picture of whether they would have MREs or more...
I will share more details if I hear them.
Love,
Piper
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Had a Skype with Brad -- see picture!
Had a real Skype talk with Brad -- with picture and voice and everything! He looks good -- and you can see his smile too!
He has left FOB Ripley and moved to an interim location before leaving for his new village soon. He is in the Nangarhar Province. Now he is near Jalalabad, and will be moving close to Chapahar soon. He is with a group of about 60 guys now. He has some internet and basic amenities now, but does not think he will have much of anything once he moves. Sadly, he doesn't think he will be able to get any mail for the foreseeable future.
Will forward any new updates I get.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Funny Story...
Brad has apparently had his driving privileges on base revoked....
It seems he ran an armored vehicle into a wall. Perhaps images seemed smaller than they appeared in his rear view mirror?? The vehicle was fine. The wall, not so much.
BUT, one of Brad's jobs when they go out on missions is to drive the armored vehicle. So what do they do? His buddy drives it to the gate, they switch drivers and go. Same thing on the return. I find this very funny!
It seems he ran an armored vehicle into a wall. Perhaps images seemed smaller than they appeared in his rear view mirror?? The vehicle was fine. The wall, not so much.
BUT, one of Brad's jobs when they go out on missions is to drive the armored vehicle. So what do they do? His buddy drives it to the gate, they switch drivers and go. Same thing on the return. I find this very funny!
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Brad's Bracket
Talked to Brad yesterday. Great to hear his voice, as always. No new news. Still at least a couple of weeks away until his move to the village. He was a little behind in his March madness updates, so filled him in on ACC news. He filled out his NCAA bracket which I have posted here... glad he can do some of the "normal" things like this from there.
Brad's NCAA Bracket
Brad's NCAA Bracket
Tuesday, March 12, 2013
March updates!
Happy to report that I have talked to Brad a couple of times!! Yes, talked! He actually got a phone.
He gave me some updates in an IM chat a few days ago, and then we have had 2 quick phone chats. The first abruptly ended when he lost signal (I found out later), and the 2nd when he ran out of minutes. I guess it's not shocking that cell phone coverage where he is is not optimal, and minutes not unlimited.
He said that even though there is a lot more comforts at the big base, he has missed certain aspects of his VSP stint. I guess ping pong and a PX don't fully make up for the required increase in saluting, shaving, and hair-cutting required when a bunch of colonels are walking around. Talking to him made me think a little bit about old episodes of MASH... He spends a lot of time on gate guard - long shifts watching the Afghani soldiers guard the gate it sounds like.
He told me tonight that within a few weeks he will leave TK and move to another VSP village for the rest of his deployment. He thinks it's safe to send a package for another week or so, but after that best to hold off until he has a new address. Of course, all of this could change...
It was great to hear his voice. He sounded pretty upbeat, and I am certainly more chipper after the recent uptick in communication.
More later!
He gave me some updates in an IM chat a few days ago, and then we have had 2 quick phone chats. The first abruptly ended when he lost signal (I found out later), and the 2nd when he ran out of minutes. I guess it's not shocking that cell phone coverage where he is is not optimal, and minutes not unlimited.
He said that even though there is a lot more comforts at the big base, he has missed certain aspects of his VSP stint. I guess ping pong and a PX don't fully make up for the required increase in saluting, shaving, and hair-cutting required when a bunch of colonels are walking around. Talking to him made me think a little bit about old episodes of MASH... He spends a lot of time on gate guard - long shifts watching the Afghani soldiers guard the gate it sounds like.
He told me tonight that within a few weeks he will leave TK and move to another VSP village for the rest of his deployment. He thinks it's safe to send a package for another week or so, but after that best to hold off until he has a new address. Of course, all of this could change...
It was great to hear his voice. He sounded pretty upbeat, and I am certainly more chipper after the recent uptick in communication.
More later!
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