11-11-11 - Thank You Soldier!

Just a quick shout out to all those soldiers out there who have served our country - THANK YOU!!!!  You have done and are doing what most of us will never do ourselves.  I have an increased and deeper appreciation for you and your families that sacrifice so much. 

To commemorate this day, here's a slideshow of Jed and his platoon's deployment pictures taken throughout this last year in Baghdad, Iraq:

116th B Troop - Iraq, 2010-2011 - slideshow dvd


“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States.”
Ronald Reagan

Welcome Home Soldier!

Jed is finally home for good!!!!  :) 

We tried to surprise Rigdon too, but.....

Never as a child did I think that in my adult life I would be so intimately and personally exposed and involved with some of our nation's freedom keepers.  But how grateful I am for the wisdom, awareness, and perspective it has given me as a soldier's wife.  As this group of soldiers walked off that plane and began walking toward us, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for every single man and woman who serves in our military.  My heart swells with pride to know my husband is a part of serving our great nation.  This deployment has given me a whole new appreciation for our country, our freedoms, my family, and most especially for Jed. 

Our family is whole again.  There is no better feeling than that.

First family dinner ALL together!!!!  :)  Yay!

Welcome home, Jed, welcome home!

Special thanks to my sis-in-law, Lisa, for taking photos of our special moment.  And thanks to Malin for stepping in so suddenly to do our videotaping!!!  You are both wonderful!!!!

Ready For the Upgrade

We are so ready to trade this thing in for the real deal.


...cuz the kissn' just aint cuttin' it!  :) 

We're looking forward to upgrading to the 3D version soon!  :)

News From Baghdad, Iraq

This last chapter in our lives will soon be turning its final pages.  Jed's Iraq deployment is finally coming to a close!!!  Yay!!!  It's been quite the experience for him and for his little family back home.  Quite honestly, it's weird to think he's really coming home because it's felt like it was never going to happen.

Jed and his night shift soldiers - the ones he spent the most time with.  Some have described these guys as a rough, stinky group, but Jed absolutely loved working with them.  They were a lot of fun.  (Jed's an old man compared to this group, lol.)


As Platoon Sergeant, Jed had to bounce back and forth between daytime responsibilities and yet also work shifts with his night crew at the same time.  This was quite exhausting and took it's toll on Jed.  Sometimes his work days would last between 16-20 hrs a day, and just when he could finally get a few hours of sleep, he would often be woken up by people knocking on his trailer door, needing something.  Or else he was being woken up from rocket attacks hitting the base.  Even on his rare days off were never really days off, he still had to go and get business taken care of.  He's ready for some serious R&R.

Meanwhile, over the last few months, different US bases in Iraq are slowly being turned over to the Iraqi leadership for the troop drawdown that Obama has ordered.  So lately there's been an constant flow of soldiers arriving at the main base, Camp Victory, where Jed has been stationed at.  Jed's brother Joe was one of those soldiers.

Up until now, these two haven't been able to see each other at all.  Even talking to each other has been extremely rare.  Jed's loved having his brother in the same location during the last few weeks.  It's been really nice for him to have a family member so close.

A few months back, the popular country singer, Toby Keith, came and performed for the troops at Camp Victory. 

Not surprisingly, just as Toby was beginning his concert, the base was attacked by mortar rockets.  So while there were explosions going on in the background, Toby was unfazed and just kept talking and singing for the soldiers.  What a stud!

This is Jed's most favorite picture that he took of that night:

This guy was a Marine who had his leg blown up from a prior deployment.  He was waving his prosthetic leg while leaning on his buddy next to him during a few of the songs.  Watching the two soldiers made Jed get a little choked up with emotion.  He said seeing this was even better than the concert itself.

Meanwhile, Jed has continued to go on patrols "outside the wire", aka: going outside the base.  No one is allowed to leave the base except for the Quick Response Units. 

Some of his patrol buddies.  This here is Smith.  He's awesome and only 18-19 years old.  Talk about some serious life experience at such a young age.

Martinez.

 

I love this picture because it's the only one I've seen where Jed is simply relaxing in the FOB (hang out area.)  It's nice to see this because I know how busy and stressed out it's been for him lately.

Jed has continued to serve as the LDS Group Leader for the LDS branch on Camp Victory Base.  This guy in the next picture is Jed's Assistant Group Leader, a civilian who is also working on the base.

Jed says it's nice to see him at the church meetings because he really stands out since he is the only one wearing a suit, lol.  The rest of the congregation consists of soldiers who are wearing their camo uniforms.

I wish I could remember names...this guy is the one who is over all the Group Leaders in Baghdad? and is the one who called Jed to his church calling.

There was a marathon several months back for the soldiers on Joe's previous base.  I noticed that Joe is in this picture (guy on the very right.)  This one's especially for you, Julie.

Sadly, the 116th Calvary lost two of its own recently:

The two soldiers were blown up by a roadside IED that is much more dangerous than previous types of IED's and is made by Iran (can't remember the name for it though).  What was especially scary for me is that Jed had patrolled the very same road and location sight the day before.   His platoon had also patrolled that exact road just a few hours prior to the explosion.  Sometimes I feel like their lives are like rolling dice, they take the chance that it could be any one of them on any particular day.


If you've never watched an IED explosion before, check out some of these videos (warning: there is a lot of cussing by the soldiers - this obviously isn't fun for them to go through.)
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/80607498/

http://www.break.com/index/stunning-500-lb-ied-explosion.html

http://www.break.com/usercontent/2007/12/IED-Explosions-Compilation-425168

I can't imagine what it must be like to lose a loved one in a way such as this.  One of the soldiers had only been in Iraq for about a week or so.  My heart goes out to the families.  :(


This week, Jed and his friend, Drollinger, were instructed to go have dinner with the Iraqi General, Fadil, at his house (it's located somewhere on the base.)  So they of course went and were told to wear their Calvary hats too.  (Drollinger doesn't have his yet.)

Jed and his Lieutenant with General Fadil:

General Fadil thanked them for serving in Iraq.  He was given a Calvary hat as well; looks like he's happy to be wearing it.  :)

This is Fadil's hawk that was just hanging out in the dining room area.

He also owns monkeys. 

One of those unique experiences for Jed and Drollinger.  :)

The summer months are brutal in Iraq, ranging from 120-135 degrees.  Now imagine packing 70 pounds of extra gear, equipment, and weapons in that kind of heat.  Not fun by any stretch of the imagination.

Huge dust storms also come along every now and then.

There is a serious rat problem over there.  These disease-ridden rats get into everything...food, buildings, vehicles, you name it they'll get in it.  Jed figured out a way to catch of few of them that kept getting into their building.  Concrete block traps, who knew?

"Figure-Four" Traps.

Wow, it really works!!!

SQUISH!!  Flat as a pancake!  Jed caught several rats this way.

Some of Jed's soldiers figured out another way to have some fun with these annoying rats.  They would tie a piece of food at the end of their tazer strings and then wait for a rat to come along.  Sure enough those rats would go for the bait and ZaP!  Tazered rats!  Obviously it didn't kill them and oddly enough, those stupid rats would still come back for more.  This became a great source of entertainment for some seriously bored soldiers.

Speaking of little critters, this is Jed's office companion.:

This little guy would often come hang out in Jed's office and just stare at him.  In this particular pic, he was chillin' on the bag right next to Jed's desk.  I think he's quite cute!

Preparing for another night patrol.

Jed and Tveidt.

One last thing - Camp Victory continues to be rocketed on a constant basis, although it has been quiet for the last few weeks.  But just to get an idea of what it's like, check out of few of these videos taken from other soldiers during their deployments, it's the same stuff.  *Note: again, there is usually alot of cussing in these videos so beware if there are tender ears nearby!

Rocketing courtesy of your local terrorists:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uQ8UjjLeZE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8F2ebn4nSc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKYi5cCA9i0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dXJmZnEWqg&feature=related

Now it's our turn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1iiigJHwZ0&feature=related

Can't wait to have this man home for good!!!!!

Bronze Star Award

This is the Bronze Star.  It is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces.

A few days ago, my husband was given this award.  This award is granted to those who demonstrate "heroic or meritorious achievement or service."

Jed and Lieutenant Roberts (who also received a Bronze Star) with some soldiers from his platoon.  They were all receiving their Combat Action Badges here:

I am super proud of him! He has worked hard for his soldiers this past year and has helped protect and lead them out of some sticky and dangerous situations, even if it meant occasionally getting himself into hot water from his superiors and having to unashamedly defend his decisions.   That takes strength of character in my opinion. Course, anyone who knows Jed well enough would not be surprised by this. :)

This is one award that Jed never thought he would be bringing home. 

Congratulations, Jed!!!!   Way to go!   :)

What's Been Going On In Baghdad, Iraq

Time has flown by in some ways over the past year.  Jed's deployment to Iraq is quickly coming to a close.  Can you believe it?   It's weird to think he'll actually be coming home soon, it feels like it hasn't completely registered with me yet.  This deployment seemed like it would never end. 

 A new group of troups have been shipped in over the last few weeks and will be the replacing Jed's troop.  So the last few weeks have been all about training the new soldiers in their new duties.

Jed's Night Shift Group:

 Jed is an old man in comparison to his soldiers, but he loved working with these guys.  A very good group of soldiers.

Jed would often get this same office visitor:

 This little lizard would stop by often to see Jed.  In this picture, he was chillin' on the bag right next to Jed's desk.  I think he's really quite cute!  :)

Because of the draw down in Iraq, many of the soldiers from other areas of Iraq are shutting down their bases and handing them over to the Iraqi officials.  Jed's brother, Joe, was in another area of Baghdad and was recently transferred to Jed's base. 

Up until recently, Jed was never able to see Joe because there was a "Red Zone" between the two bases, and only rarely could they talk to each other.  Jed has loved being able to see and talk to Joe.  It's been very stressful for Jed lately and it's been nice to have his brother around.

I just happened to find this on a military website and notice Joe in the picture.  Joe was running a marathon at his last base awhile back.



The summer months have been brutally hot, ranging between 120-130 degrees.  Don't forget to add on 70 pounds worth of weapons and safety equipment in a very hot and unforgiving vehicle.



Preparing for a night patrol mission, Jed with Montoya.

 Jed's vehicle companions: 

Smith looking very ninja-like.  :)  The dust storms over there can get pretty bad, and covering your mouth and nose helps breathe a little easier.

The driver.

This is the only picture I have of Jed where he is actually relaxing for a little bit with his soldiers.  It's nice to see because I know how busy and stressed out Jed has been for the last two months.

 A few months back, Jed and the rest of the soldiers got to listen to popular country singer, Toby Keith, play for the troops at Victory Base.  Although just as the concert was getting started, the base got rocketed.  Toby was awesome though and just kept talking and playing.  The troops cheered him on.

This is Jed's favorite picture tha the took of that night - a Marine who had his leg blown off in a prior deployment to Iraq.  That Marine was proudly waving his prosthetic leg during the concert.  It got Jed choked up a little bit.


Sadly, the 116th lost two of it's own last month.


One of these soldiers had only been in Iraq for about a week when their truck got blown up by an IED.  What is scary for me is that Jed had just been patroling that exact same road the day before.  His soldiers had also just been out on that road just a few hours before the explosion as well.  Sometimes it feels very much like each day you are rolling the dice and taking the chance that it might be you the next time around.  The danger is still very real out there.   

 A ceremony was held at the base to remember the fallen soldiers.  My heart breaks for the families.  I can't imagine what it must feel like to lose someone in a way such as this.

I might get in trouble for giving out too many details and Jed may actually tell me to remove this part once he sees it.  But Jed was one of the soldiers to go help pick up the bodies (er, I should say the few body parts that were actually reconizable and salvagable.)  He said the sight was the most gruesome thing he had ever seen in his life (now this is coming from a police officer who has seen the bloody after-effects of someone who's been hit by a train or someone who's shot himself in the head, so I knew it must have been an extremely bad sight.)  He said this was far worse.  There are more details I could write about but out of respect to the victim's families, it would be best for me to hold my tongue and stop right here.  Besides, I don't want to get Jed into any kind of trouble.

A dust storm rolling through at night:

|Jed is still serving as Group Leader for the the LDS branch in Baghdad.)   This is his new Assistant Group Leader (I can't remember his name but he is a civilian working on the base.)  He really stands out during church meetings because he is the only one in the whole group wearing a suit and not camo uniforms. 


Jed and a few others figured out a creatvie way to catch some of the numberous rats that infest the base - cynder block traps.

 The rats are constantly getting into the buildings and living quarters of the soldiers and eating their food. Not to mention these rats no doubt carry diseases...Iraq is not a sanitary place to live, there is garbage lying around everywhere you go.  It smells really bad there.

Jed has become a mighty hunter in the eyes of his soldiers by concocting his these traps:

Wow, it really works!

Squish!  Flat as a pancake.

The rats also provided a bit of entertainment too.  The soldiers often get bored on their down time and figured out a way to have some fun with all these rats.  They would attach a piece of food, such as jerky, to the end of a taser string and wait for the rats to come along.  Pretty soon those rats would discover the food and begin to nibble and then, ZAP!  Tazered rats!  This became a fun source of entertaiment for awhile because all those rats kept coming back.  LOL.


More night patrols "outside the wire", aka - going outside the base.  Only the Quick Response Units get to leave the base, everyone else is required to stay inside:

Another day in paradise:

This week, Jed was awarded the Bronze Star for "heroic or meritroious achievement or services."  This is one award that he never thought he would be bringing home.  I am super proud of him! :)

The Bronze Star is the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces.  Jed with the other Bronze Star recipients: