Sadly Neglected

Poor, sadly neglected blog! I've let life get in the way and have just been too busy to post!
I'm still here, somewhere...

So much to say, so few words to describe everything.

I've got some great photos to post soon!

Taxed?!

From The Honolulu Advertiser bright and early this morning:

Hawaii soldiers taxed with repeat Iraq duty

By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer

At least 4,500 Schofield Barracks soldiers who returned from Iraq in October are scheduled to go back around November of this year, the commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division said.

The quick turnaround — 15 months in Iraq followed by just more than a year back home — is an indication of the demands the Army faces five years into the Iraq war and with more than six years of commitment in Afghanistan.

Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, who will gain a third star and take over U.S. Army Pacific at Fort Shafter on Friday, said frequent combat deployments are resulting in strains on soldiers and their families, increased suicides and lowered standards for new recruits.

Something's got to give.

Mixon, who led 23,000 U.S. troops in northern Iraq on the recent deployment, including 7,000 from Schofield, advocates a change in policy to one emphasizing training, special operations missions and air and logistics support.

About 3,500 of those Hawai'i soldiers with the 3rd Brigade, and 1,000 soldiers from the division headquarters, are expected to return to Iraq late this year.

"We are going to have to change our strategy in Iraq to reduce the numbers of troops, and thereby reduce the rotations and increase the dwell time that we get back here at home," Mixon said.

Defense officials are struggling with the question of how much to reduce the U.S. troop presence beyond the 30,000 from last year's "surge," which is expected to drop the total to 130,000 by July.

Mixon, 54, made the comments as he prepares to leave the Tropic Lightning division, which he has led for the past 2 1/2 years, to take command of a growing force at Fort Shafter.

A policy change needs to be made that will alter the U.S. strategy from "kinetic" day-to-day offensive operations to one primarily of training and oversight, Mixon said.

The turnover of responsibility to Iraqi security forces in the north needs to be accelerated, he said.

British troops were reduced in the south, and the number of U.S. Marines may be scaled back in the west.

There is a risk with such a policy in the north, Mixon said, and the violence will likely continue to occur with a reduction.

". . . political decisions have to be made," Mixon said. "What is realistic for us to be able to achieve in Iraq and Afghanistan, given the current size, capabilities and strain that's being placed on the Army?"

Mixon said in Mosul, a city of 1.5 million, the U.S. presence was reduced to one battalion, or about 600 soldiers, along with special operations forces.

At least 37 Iraqis were killed in two bombings in Mosul last week, and the government said it was dispatching several thousand Iraqi security forces to the city.

Mixon said it's necessary to weigh the risks of a mission change and significant drawdown of troops against the degradation of America's all-volunteer force, and possible need for those troops elsewhere.

Sgt. Junior Ioane, 24, from American Samoa, has been on the frontlines of the Iraq war and the strain that comes with it.

The Schofield soldier spent a year at Kirkuk Air Base in 2004, returned to Iraq in the summer of 2006 for 15 months and now is contemplating the likelihood he'll have to go back later this year.

"It's very hard," he said. "It's put a lot of strain (on my family), especially my wife. We haven't even been back six months yet and we hear rumors about us going back. There's always preparation and training before, so it's going to be more time taken away from us and our families."

The Stryker brigade of 4,000 soldiers recently arrived in the Taji area north of Baghdad. The same brigade deployed to Iraq in 2004 before it was converted to one of the fast-strike units.

Most U.S. soldiers are on a deployment rotation of 15 months in a combat zone and 12 months at home, although Army planners are trying to reduce deployment time to a year by summer.

Mixon, who in the past criticized the Iraqi central government as ineffective, advocates drawing down U.S. forces from about 23,000 in the north to about half that over the next year or so.

He foresees 50,000 to 60,000 U.S. troops total in Iraq "for a long period of time."

How quickly the U.S. gets to that point is something the planners need to figure out, he said. But there needs to be a timeline.

"I think this is something that you eyeball to eyeball tell the Iraqi government what you intend on doing," Mixon said.

Although U.S. troop deaths this year are at historic lows, Iraq remains a deadly place.

Spc. Jon "Mike" Schoolcraft, a Schofield soldier, was killed on Jan. 19 when his 20-ton Stryker armored vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb.

Several other soldiers were wounded, some seriously enough to be flown to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, officials said.

"It will be a pretty rough fight for (the Stryker brigade soldiers) over the next several months, I'm sure," Mixon said.

Soldiers like Ioane face tough decisions.

"The Army's been really good to my family. It pays the bills," Ioane said. "But if it keeps on going at this pace of deployment, I'm really not seeing myself in it."

I just wish they really understood what these rotations are doing to the families. I wish they could see it with their own eyes and really understand what is happening and what the cost is... and just who is paying that cost.

~cdw

I {heart} long weekends!

On an Army post, a Federal Holiday that falls on a Monday usually means we get to enjoy a 4-day weekend, the Friday being referred to as a "Training Holiday," or an "ADONSA." (A Day of No Scheduled Activities) (I swear if the Army could give me an acronym, they would.) Whatever. It's a day off. I am not going to argue it. If the holiday falls on a Tuesday, I guess it depends on the command as to whether they will schedule the Monday as the training holiday or not.

Anyhoo...

This past weekend was a long weekend. And I lurve long weekends. Don't you?

For us, it means sleeping late, and (this year) having hubby home. YAY!

3-D Puzzles are kewl. Thing 2 made this one. It's almost big enough to fit her inside of it. Almost, but not quite. (Not that I tried to fit her in it or anything...) [ahem!]

We also took a little time for this...
Because a long weekend wouldn't be complete otherwise.

How did you spend your long weekend?

~cdw

Stay Off the Sidewalks...

Camera Shy
But then, who wouldn't be...
After a 45-minute car ride with...

Thing 1 and her brand new driver's license?
{gack!}

Consider yourself warned! ;)

Baby's Got a Brand New Bag

Or a new look to her blog...
I decided I needed a makeover around here.
What do you think?
~cdw

Stop-Loss

The movie, Stop-Loss, from the director of Boys Don't Cry, will in theaters on March 28th, 2008.

It looks like a good one! Check out the preview.

2008 - A New Beginning

(a card I made for hubs - what do you think?)

Did you make any New Year's Resolutions for 2008?

I'm not much of a Resolution maker, but I did decide to come up with one word that would be an inspiration for me for the entire year.... One word that would help to motivate me, help me to grow, and help me to stay focused.

My word for 2008 is L O V E.



There are many different definitions of love, and I won't go into all of them. My focus this year will be on love of others and all things, as well as myself, just as we are or just as God had wanted us to be. It encompasses everyone and everything and includes understanding and patience, growth and encouragement, sacrifice and honesty. It is mental and it is physical. It is everywhere around us in everything we do.

So much of this world could be different if we all showed each other a little more understanding and love. It's just baffling to me.

Do YOU have a word for 2008?

I'd love to hear about it!

~cdw

2007

What a year its been, 2007!

Have a SAFE and happy New Year's Eve and I wish all the best to you in the coming New Year!

Hau'oli Makahiki Ho'u!

~cdw

State Champs!

Leilehua High School football team, The Mighty Mules, won the State Championship tonight, beating an undefeated St. Louis Crusaders in the final 36 seconds of the game... 20 - 16!

GO MULES!

Great game! Great season!

We're proud of you!

CDW

Home.

My hero is FINALLY home!

"Home"
Katharine McPhee

You are the world within the world that I exist
You are the touch that just won't fade
You are the end and beginning of each and every day
You are the reason I stay sane

It's hard to see beautiful
Oh, it's hard to see beautiful
In your own eyes
But you make me beautiful
For the very first time

Does anybody know what it's like
To feel larger than life
To look deep in your soul
And know you're not alone
Does anybody know how it feels
To find something that's real
And make it your own
That's when you know that you found home
Home
You found home
Home

And when the strings inside me
Unravel to the ground
You are the hand that gathers me up
And when I'm laughing so hard
That I can hardly breathe
How do you know just when enough's enough

Oh, it's hard to feel beautiful
Oh, it's hard to feel beautiful in your own skin
But you make me
You make me beautiful
Over and over again

Does anybody know what it's like
To feel larger than life
To look deep in your soul
And know you're not alone
Does anybody know how it feels
To find something that's real
And make it your own
That's when you know that you found home
Home
You found home
Home

Don't let me down
'Cause I've waited all my life
To find, yeah

Does anybody know what it's like
To feel larger than life
To look deep in your soul
And know you're not alone
Does anybody know how it feels
To find something that's real
And make it your own
That's when you know that you found home
Home
You found home
That's when you know that you found home
Home
You found home
Home

Honey, I have missed you so much and I am so glad you've found your way home.
I am so proud of all you have done, I just can't even begin to explain it to you. Let me just say this... You are my hero in so many ways! Thank you for everything you have sacrificed and accomplished for this country, for this community, and for our family. You are such a wonderful human being and I am so lucky to be your wife and your best friend. All of the hard work you've put in has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. We are so very blessed to have you.
Welcome Home.

Wake Me Up When September Ends

I Miss My Friend

"I Miss My Friend"
by Darryl Worley



I miss the look of surrender in your eyes
The way your soft brown hair would fall
I miss the power of your kiss when we made love
But baby most of all

Chorus:
I miss my friend
The one my heart and soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with
The one who knew just what to say to make me laugh again
And let the light back in
I miss my friend

I miss the colors that you brought into my life
Your golden smile, those blue-green eyes
I miss your gentle voice in lonely times like now
Saying it'll be alright

Chorus

I miss those times
I even miss the silly fights
The making up
The morning talks
And those late afternoon walks
I miss my friend
The one my heart and soul confided in
The one I felt the safest with.


I Miss My Friend

Here By Me...

"Here By Me"

I hope you’re doing fine out there without me
‘Cause I’m not doing so good without you
The things I thought you’d never know about me
Were the things I guess you always understood

So how could I have been so blind for all these years?
Guess I only see the truth through all this fear,
And living without you…

And everything I have in this world
And all that I’ll ever be
It could all fall down around me.
Just as long as I have you,
Right here by me.

I can’t take another day without you
‘Cause baby, I could never make it on my own
I’ve been waiting so long, just to hold you
And to be back in your arms where I belong

Sorry I can’t always find the words to say
But everything I’ve ever known gets swept away
Inside of your love…

And everything I have in this world
And all that I’ll ever be
It could all fall down around me.
Just as long as I have you,
Right here by me.

As the days grow long I see
That time is standing still for me
When you’re not here

Sorry I can’t always find the words to say
Everything I’ve ever known gets swept away
Inside of your love

And everything I have in this world
And all that I’ll ever be
It could all fall down around me.
Just as long as I have you,
Right here by me.

And everything I have in this world
And all that I’ll ever be
It could all fall down around me.
Just as long as I have you,
Right here by me.

August

August...
It really is August!
Before too long it will be September.
Shortly after that it will be October.
That's all I have to say about that! :)

Proud

"Do I Make You Proud"
Taylor Hicks

"Do I Make You Proud"

I've never been
The one to raise my hand
That was not me
And now that's who I am
Because of you
I am standing tall
My heart is full
Of endless gratitude
You were the one
The one to guide me through
Now I can see
And I believe
It's only just beginning

This is what we dream about
But the only question with me now
Is do I make you proud
Stronger than I've ever been now
Never been afraid of standing out
Do I make you proud

I guess I’ve learned
To question is to grow,
That you still have faith,
Is all I need to know,
I’ve learned to love,
Myself in spite of me,
And I’ve learned to
Walk on the road I believe.

Everybody needs to rise up
Everybody needs to be loved
To be loved
Everybody need to rise on
Everybody needs to be loved, to be loved

This is what we dream about
But the only question with me now
Is do I make you, do I make you proud
This is what we dream about
Never been afraid of standing out
Do I make you proud
Stronger than I've ever been
Never been afraid of standing out

Do I make you proud
Do I make you proud


**************************

YOU MAKE ME SO PROUD, HONEY! I LOVE YOU!

Home

Chris Daughtry Lyrics

"Home"
by Chris Daughtry

I'm staring out into the night,
Trying to hide the pain.
I'm going to the place where love
And feeling good don't ever cost a thing.
And the pain you feel's a different kind of pain.

I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old
So I'm going home.
Well I'm going home.

The miles are getting longer, it seems,
The closer I get to you.
I've not always been the best man or friend for you.
But your love, remains true.
And I don't know why.
You always seem to give me another try.

So I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
[ Lyrics found on http://www.metrolyrics.com ]

And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old.

Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all,
And then some you don't want.
Be careful what you wish for,
'Cause you just might get it all.
You just might get it all, yeah.

Oh, well I'm going home,
Back to the place where I belong,
And where your love has always been enough for me.
I'm not running from.
No, I think you got me all wrong.
I don't regret this life I chose for me.
But these places and these faces are getting old.
I said these places and these faces are getting old.
So I'm going home.
I'm going home.

Done! Weight Loss Goal Reached

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from our family to yours!

Easy as pie... NOT

Well Said...

Well said, Jack Army!...

You leave me speechless... and a more than a little teary-eyed.

Thank you for your service to our country!

If not for Soldiers such as yourself and my husband, where would the rest of us be? What would we have? We have so much because of your selflessness... because of your bravery... because of your willingness to go and stand up and fight for what is good and right...

Thank you.

How can we ever thank you enough?