Vets Day

Last week I was just starting to take a nap when I got a text message from my auntie. She rarely texts me, so when she said to call, I was worried that something really bad had happened to a family member. When I called, she asked if I still had friends living on Fort Hood. I told her that I had one still there and that the rest have moved else where. She told me to turn it to CNN and check out the news.

My heart broke.

No, I don't know any of the shooting victims, but I know Fort Hood. I miss Fort Hood. Some of the happiest memories and probably one of the happiest times in my life was when we were stationed there.

Fort Hood is just the same as living in small town USA. No one locks there doors, well, at least they didn't. You came to know your neighbors upon arrival and you depended on each other to help you through the good and bad times. Everyone was in the same situation, no matter your rank or what your job was, we were all in it together. It was one big family.

When Aaron deployed to Iraq, several of my friends husbands deployed the same week. It was hard. We all cried. We all laughed. We became closer. After Aaron was gone a few months, I decided to move home to Arizona. I wish I could have stayed at Fort Hood. I felt so alone and out of place back home. No one understood my feelings. I had no one to talk to. I wanted my Army "family" so bad. It was a very difficult year for me.

Aaron was able to come home for 14 days just about half way during his tour. It was a welcomed visit, until he told me they had been attacked as they were leaving. I was scared. I hated it. The thought of sending him back to Iraq was hard. When it came time for him to leave, I wanted nothing more than to be back at Fort Hood with my neighbors, my "sisters", my friends so that I could cry and have them tell me it would be okay. It was hard.

Luckily, Aaron returned home with no other problems. I was glad to have him home. We had discussed him re-enlisting in the army. His answer was NO. Mine was YES. He won.

I miss the military.

I miss the tightness.

I miss the support.

I miss my friends.

I miss Fort Hood.

To those of our friends who are still serving. I miss you. I pray for you and your families, and I thank you for continuing to serve. For those of you who once served, I thank you, I am so proud of you, and I can't wait to see you again.

Happy Veterans Day.

Iraq

One of the vehicles that was in their convoy that was attacked.

Welcome Home!!