Some pictures from Rand

Rand with some Iraqi children



Rand at the market - look at how he has to go to market - carrying all his ammo and gun!



This must be Rand before the shower! He looks great!

December 15 2008

Life is good! Yesterday I spent a half hour TEXTING Rand and today I was able to do the same - yes, you read right, I was able to text Rand! Isn't technology wonderful? Rand said he felt like was back in the states for just a few minutes. For two days they are at a base for a well deserved break - getting real food and showers, plus being able to talk on the phone and the computer! He even sent some pictures that I will put the next blog.

Rand is doing great - he called last Saturday from the Satellite phone (another awesome technological wonder!) and each of us that had the privilege of talking to him couldn't get over how well he sounds! Its crazy that going to war has helped to find himself and come to "peace".

He says the area they are in looks just like the farm fields of Yuma, except there are mountains with snow on them. It is bitter cold - and these brave guys are sleeping in tents without heaters! They drive around looking for insurgents and then pitch their tents out in the fields. Lucky for the farmers its winter, so they don't have anything growing. Rand and his guys are able to buy a few items to supplement their MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) from the the farmers' markets. Rand says he is soo tired of eating MREs. Hopefully their packages will start catching up with them!

We also got a great treat on Thanksgiving Day - Rand was able to call! They were out in the field, carrying on as usual in the middle of nowhere. They didn't expect to have anything but MREs (again) for their Thanksgiving feast, when a helicopter circled around, landed near and brought them a full turkey dinner. Life is good!

December 9, 2008

It’s been awhile since I’ve updated Rand’s blog so I thought I better get to it! To catch up – Rand called on Halloween. They found insurgents in a building in the desert outside of a village. They were ordered to oust the insurgents and then Command ordered them to destroy the building. Command wanted to make sure the insurgents didn’t come back; when it was determined that an Abrams M1A2 (the main tank named after a famous general – see the picture) wasn’t available, they were ordered to use what they had at hand. Rand was able to us his M203 grenade launcher (see the other picture). Rand said it was much more fun to deploy it than doing it at School of Infantry. When the guys with Rand asked him why HE got to “pull the trigger”, he just pointed to the stripes on his sleeve. Of course all this was told to his dad because he "got" it.

Rand was also able to call us a couple of weeks later. We don't get to hear from him very often because he is "wandering" the desert north of Mosul (near the border of Turkey) searching for insurgents. He says it is freezing cold, but the country up north is much more beautiful than where they were before. We are always so grateful to hear from him to know he is safe!

October 27, 2008

Time just seems to fly by! But then at the same time seems to be suspended... Rand called a couple of days ago - three times in one day - what a treat! We have been taking pictures of his dog, Brody, the French Bulldog, because he misses him so much. He was upset that he didn't have any waiting for him in his email. We didn't realize he checked his email, so we sent them right off - this is one example of Brody, since Rand hasn't sent any pictures home to us yet....

Rand and his group were sent back "home" (to Camp KV) from the field because they will now be sent up north for an extended amount of time. Rand told me I can't say much but, he will probably be there for a few months and it will be pretty intense. sigh.....

Rand is in good spirits, he's still working out, and would love to hear from everyone - letters, packages, a quick email (he only has 30 minutes at a time on the web) are all things that keep him going.

Thanks for all your love and prayers and concern!

Deb

October 13, 2008

Rand called this afternoon - he sounded great. Everyone is getting ready for the big, long "trip" to the desert. I was excited (as usual) to hear from him because I didn't think I would until after they were gone. He said he hopes some packages will be coming (they'll get them even when they are in the desert) because other wise all he'll be eating are MREs. He will be able to call from the satellite phone, he said, about once a week. Thank goodness for technology or it would be a long, anxious month for me!

Rand told me he did something he said he would never do after he left boot camp - he got the Marine Flat top! He said with his full mustache and the hair cut, all the guys say he looks like a Gunnery Sergeant- I told him to tell them to treat him like he was! He just laughed (what a great sound - to hear Rand laugh). He has pictures, so I can't wait to share them with you!

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers,
Deb

The Eagle, Globe and Anchor

The Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem has been part of the uniform since 1868 and became the official emblem of the Marine Corps in 1955. The eagle with spread wings represents our proud nation. The globe points to worldwide presence. The anchor stands for naval tradition. Together, they represent a dedication to service in the air, on land and at sea. The Eagle, Globe and Anchor emblem is presented to recruits at the end of Recruit Training, symbolizing that they have earned the title "United States Marine."

See learn more details go to:
http://www.uspharmd.com/usmc/mcega.htm

Oct 7, 2009

Hurray! Rand called today! If you read the article from the last blog, you can understand why Rand has been a bit busy, but it was so good to be able to do more than just hear that he was safe like his last call. I was able to visit for almost 15 minutes! We talked about his French Bull dog, Brody, how to pay his bills, what his dad and I have been doing, what he's been doing, in other words a "real" conversation! Rand said he's tried to call so he's not waking us up in the middle of the night and with a 10 hour time difference, that's a tough thing to do. I told him not to worry about it - we'd much rather hear from him than get some sleep!

Rand is settled into Camp KV; he's enjoying weight lifting to let off steam and to be ready to "wow" the ladies when he gets home (his words not mine :)) There is another reason for the lifting - to be prepared for Recruiting School, too....

He said they are getting ready to leave on a mission that will last about a month. They'll be driving in the desert looking for insurgents holed up any where they can find them. He'll try to call on the satellite phone, but the connection is always "iffy" with it. (better than nothing, though!)

Until next time - thanks for your prayers and thoughts - they are so appreciated!

An article about 1st LAR

Unfortunately, I haven't heard anything recently from Rand, but one of the Marine wives found this link to an article about 1st LAR (Light Armored Reconnaissance) you might be interested in reading:

http://www.mnfwest.usmc.mil/MNF/mnfw_public.nsf/unitSites/RCT5

It gives a pretty good explanation of what Rand is going to be doing while he is over there.

Rand made it to Camp KV

Rand made is safe and sound to Camp KV yesterday. I was only able to talk to him for a few minutes because his calling card went dead and when he called back on the satellite phone, we had a poor connection. He said the Camp is like a luxury hotel compared to the last time was here. It has a full chow hall and gym, so life will be good. They are getting ready to leave on a two-week mission very soon. I'm grateful LAVs have satellite phones! Rand said he would try to call to keep me updated. I think of the mothers in previous wars that had to wait so long to hear from their sons and it makes me even more grateful for the technology that we have now. It has given me a new appreciation for these wonderful women!

Rand called Monday - once at 2 in the morning and then again about 10 pm! He reached Al Assad Air Force Base in Iraq. Everyone is safe and sound - it was so good to hear his voice! It's going to be hard to get used to going back to sleep after the middle of the night phone calls! The 10:00 phone call was much nicer - we had a good visit. Rand is in very good spirits - Al Assad is an AIR FORCE base: meaning there is good food (ribs!) and a full gym and even shops. With this brief respite, the men are spending their time working out, eating, getting to know each other better, and preparing for the missions ahead. Rand says they will spend 3 or 4 days at Al Assad.

Rand says when they reach Camp KV, they will be at sent out on missions for about 10 days and spend about 3 days in Camp. He's ready to get started so time will go by faster.

Rand and his buddy "Hawaii"

Rand's Deployment to Iraq

Rand left for Iraq on Thursday, the 18th - WOW! We didn't think we would have to deal with this for three years, but due to personal reasons, Rand chose to go now.

Randy, Clark (Rand's best friend from birth) and I were all able to be there to see him off. It was, as always, bittersweet.

Rand will be stationed at Camp KV (Korean Village) and then sent out on "hunting expeditions" (this according to his commanding officer) in getting rid of the remaining insurgents because the Marines have done such a good job. He will spend a few days at the Camp KV and then 10 days or so on the hunting trips.

According to Rand, the Army took over Camp KV, so its actually a nice place, instead of the dirt pile with a fence around that the Marines maintained. Rand says it has a full Chow Hall (very important!) and a gym. I'm sure he'll let us know more when he gets there.

The picture of me holding Rand's M-4; it gives you a feeling of power, but I was glad to give it back to him!

Rand is in charge of four men and will be leading scouting expeditions. The LAVs (Light Armoured Vehicles) will drive to a specific location and Rand and his men will jump out the back to look for insurgents and anything/else they are told to do. None of the men under him have been to Iraq before.

Here is Rand leaving for the bus - he is last guy because he couldn't stand to go (and being the third highest non-commissioned officer going, he could get away with it.) We've said our good-byes, shed tears, said "I love you!" and given many hugs, but you can never give enough.