We've all heard the saying, "You don't know what you've got until it's gone..."

I understood it, sure, but I had never really known what it meant until I deployed to Iraq. I'm home for R&R for a few more days, and I'm "loading up" on the little things in preparation for going back over there...

I missed driving my own car... Windows down, heavy metal music blasting from the speakers, and in the right lane of traffic... I don't have to worry about switching back and forth, into and out of oncoming traffic, to keep from setting a pattern that some insurgent can turn around and use to ambush me with... I missed getting annoyed at tailgaters following me at less than a 3-second gap... Granted, I almost wish I was back over in Iraq, at least there I can put a warning shot or burst across the front of your car if you get too close...

I missed being able to sleep in on weekends, and maybe have my wife/daugter come and wake me up with a kiss, a cup of coffee, and maybe even breakfast in bed... Real bacon and eggs and buttered (real butter, too!!!) toast, YUM!!!

I missed being able to go outside and feel the green grass under my bare feet... So much so that during the trip back, we stopped in Houston (DFW was under some sort of weather restriction), and I had the opportunity to get off the plane, take off my boots, and walk around barefoot in the grass for a while, and I took full advantage of it... No land mines to worry about...

I missed being able to run down to the corner store for a gallon of milk or whatever without having to put on my whole "battle-rattle"... 40+ pounds of body armor, ammunition, and combat gear in general kind of puts a damper on your mood...

Since I mentioned the store, I miss paying sales tax on whatever it is I buy, and getting COINS back as change... The PXs over there have these "legal tender" POGs that they use, so they don't ahev to deal with pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters... See the pic? WTF is that about???



I missed being able to head out to the gun range and shoot FOR FUN... That, and not worrying about the targets shooting back... I went yesterday for some "Daddy Alone" time, and had a blast once I got over the shock of realizing I was actually having FUN...

Most of all, I missed spending quality time with my wife and daughter...

I missed holding my wife, whether it was during our intimate moments , or just holding her hand as we walk through a store, etc. Talking on the phone or over the 'net is great, but nothing beats having her right there next to me...

I missed hugging/snuggling/holding my daughter... I missed hearing her tell me, "I love you, Daddy!" in that beautiful little voice of hers... Squeezing my neck, laughing and giggling when we play together, just being blissfully innocent...

I've been spending as much time with them as I can... I know I have to pack up and had back over there in a few days, and I'm not looking forward to it, but I know I have to do it... I am, however, taking full advantage of every minute of every hour of every day, taking absolutely nothing for granted... I know it will all be here for me when I come back, and I may end up taking those small things for granted all over again, but for now, I'm living every moment to the fullest...

I hope that everyone can take a step back, realize the wonderful things that you may be taking for granted, and re-discover the simple joys that they can bring...

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You, sir, are a hellova guy.

I'm proud to be even remotely associated with you and the rest of our members in the forces.

Now quit playing on the computer and spend more time with the wife and kid.

I think Gumby summed it all up there!!

Gpn, I've not known you that long but you have become a great friend and I am proud to call you one, and to work with you on this damn fine forum!!
Enjoy your time with loved ones bro and I hope it's not too long before you are home again
and that goes for the rest of our members in the armed forces!

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Your My Hero Grandpa. I Luv Ya.
It's you and your men that give us all the luxuries that we enjoy while
you all suffer in return. Your Spirit and Devotion is at a mark that few men
can achieve or even want to. If it was up to me you'd get twice the pay
and vacation time. Your dedication just can't ever be rewarded properly
though. There will always be someone complaining, sad but true. I however
will never complain. Your The Man :-)

I know exactly what you mean. I always looked forward to drinking a cold beer in a hot tub while the frau just talked away. It is too easy to take the little things for granted.

you are right, cant remember the last time i got choked up by reading a forum by you really hit a nerve on this on so on that note GOOD LUCK AND GODSPEED!

Be safe over there. Make it back whole. Do what you can to improve things over there.

I don't know you, but I wanted to tell you I appreciate your duty to our country. If not for the sacrifice of great men like yourself, we would be living a very different life. The restrictions placed on the people who call that area home are tremendous, maybe you can help change that some. Watch your back, and stay sharp. Hopefully this will be a short trip, and they'll call this all off/done/whatever so you can return safely.


[soapbox]It saddens me that you have to leave your family, to fight a war that is really getting us nowhere. Oil prices just keep rising & we all know that is the one true reason we're there. We all saw them hang the guy that used to run that show, so lets be done over there already.[/soapbox] Whether or not I agree with WHY you're there, I support you guys 110%. Utmost respect to you, you really are a great man.


To your wife: Please be strong, and confident knowing that your man is fighting for our country - a truly noble cause. While we might not all agree with the reasons for him being there, he is there nonetheless & his responsibility is very real. I know this probably offers you little comfort, but please understand that this is a great country, in large part due to men like your husband. I offer you our families' sincere friendship while he is away, and I hope that this somehow makes your burden easier to bear. Love him extra before he leaves, he'll miss your touch. His work is of the utmost importance.

To your daughter: Your Daddy loves you. He will miss you while he is away. What he is doing is very important. We adults don't all agree on why he's there, but his work is still very important. Your daddy is a great man. Please hug him extra before he goes. Draw him lots of pictures, and write him little notes, he LOVES those. Have mommy show you how to make him an email, so that you can talk with him while he's gone! You're a big girl now, try not to be too upset when he leaves. Even big strong guys have tears sometimes! So, if he gets upset when he's leaving, believe me: its ok. Mommy will need extra help from you, please try to do all you can to be a good girl.

Take care, all of ya & love one another as much as ya can before you're apart..

That made for inspiring reading bro, seriously stay safe out there See ya back soon.