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Deployment Ceremony at Ft. Stewart GA for the 76th Brigadefrom Indiana's National Guard
Our son Derek (22) is part of the Indiana National Guard. He left Indiana with his unit Jan 2, 2008 for Ft. Stewart GA., where they have been training for deployment to Iraq.
We planned to fly, which we have never done as a family, to Atlanta GA and then on to Savannah GA, which is where Ft. Stewart is located. Then spend the week with all the kids on Hilton Head Island at a resort. (this is a very big trip for us) We left Kansas City Mo., Feb. 29, and arrived in Atlanta by 10 am. Don and I with two of the kids, Brian, 13 and Ann 11, organized into the proper luggage considering weight and what we can bring and can't bring, with the right amount of carry-on bags, remembering homework and things for the other boys.
Brian and Andrea on their first plane ride. Atlanta airport was fun, we had plenty of time to catch the flight and so we rode the moving-sidewalk and the Tram from one terminal to the other. We even thought of taking the Delta miles and being bumped to the later flight since we had time. But, it wasn't to be done. Off to Savannah, where we rented a car and traveled around for the rest of the day on Friday. We visited Tybee Island (loved the sand/sun/ocean) and checked out the downtown area of Savannah, along the water front where many big ships come in to load and unload their wares. We spent the night in a small hotel where Casey joined up from Ft. Bragg. He's been working/training there since Nov of 2007, his unit just returned in Jan from Iraq and he's excited to finally be patroling there starting in one week, (which happens to be the Sat. we had planned to spend with him). He spent the weekend with us and then drove back to Ft. Bragg to finish his class on Monday and back again for more family time the rest of the week at Hilton Head Island where we are staying. (got a great deal on a condo there for the week, just 2 blocks from the ocean)
We planned to fly, which we have never done as a family, to Atlanta GA and then on to Savannah GA, which is where Ft. Stewart is located. Then spend the week with all the kids on Hilton Head Island at a resort. (this is a very big trip for us) We left Kansas City Mo., Feb. 29, and arrived in Atlanta by 10 am. Don and I with two of the kids, Brian, 13 and Ann 11, organized into the proper luggage considering weight and what we can bring and can't bring, with the right amount of carry-on bags, remembering homework and things for the other boys.
Brian and Andrea on their first plane ride. Atlanta airport was fun, we had plenty of time to catch the flight and so we rode the moving-sidewalk and the Tram from one terminal to the other. We even thought of taking the Delta miles and being bumped to the later flight since we had time. But, it wasn't to be done. Off to Savannah, where we rented a car and traveled around for the rest of the day on Friday. We visited Tybee Island (loved the sand/sun/ocean) and checked out the downtown area of Savannah, along the water front where many big ships come in to load and unload their wares. We spent the night in a small hotel where Casey joined up from Ft. Bragg. He's been working/training there since Nov of 2007, his unit just returned in Jan from Iraq and he's excited to finally be patroling there starting in one week, (which happens to be the Sat. we had planned to spend with him). He spent the weekend with us and then drove back to Ft. Bragg to finish his class on Monday and back again for more family time the rest of the week at Hilton Head Island where we are staying. (got a great deal on a condo there for the week, just 2 blocks from the ocean) 
The banner hanging at the entrance of Ft. Stewart! 
The first time we got to see Derek on Sat. March 1, 2008
Derek all suited up for the ceremony.Saturday we were able to go on base and attend the Farewell Ceremony for Derek and his Brigade from Indiana. It's a big base and there are 3400 soldiers that are leaving in the next few days to a week for Germany/Kuwait/Camp Anaconda, for their work there. We have called him but not seen him at this point. The military does have some things figured out. They can organize a LARGE mass of people, parking in a remote field, direct us to the white buses and get us across the base to the other large field for the ceremony with reasonable speed. We just follow along. The field is packed the bleachers full to over flowing and the roped area around the field is standing room only. Lining the field decked in full uniform and carrying weapons are the soldiers. It's an "awe" kid of moment to see this assembly of bravery, strength and to feel the love surrending them. We got a cell phone call from Derek and discovered that we was very close to us. We got to see him for a few moments. I ran to him, hugged and loved on him, not wanting to let go. It's the time in a parent's mind that should stop the world, it's like all others don't exist and I can only imagine how it will be to see him again when he returns.Don, Brian and Ann on a pier at Tybee Island. Friday Feb 29th, 2008
We were all fed by the Army, trailers with kitchens set up to feed 5,000 folks is quite a deal to take on. It seems they are able to do it quite well. We didn't get a chair or table, but the ground was dry and welcoming after standing for 2 hours at the ceremony. We checked out the games they had set up for young children and walked around listening to the live band. Picked up some "family deployment" info that was being handed out, finally deciding to call Derek and see where he was. He was still turning in equipement and so we drove to the PX (post exchange, small mall) to shop and wait for him. Finally we have Derek with us and we are ready to get off base and head to the condo that we have on Hilton Head Island.
Lovely trees!
We were all fed by the Army, trailers with kitchens set up to feed 5,000 folks is quite a deal to take on. It seems they are able to do it quite well. We didn't get a chair or table, but the ground was dry and welcoming after standing for 2 hours at the ceremony. We checked out the games they had set up for young children and walked around listening to the live band. Picked up some "family deployment" info that was being handed out, finally deciding to call Derek and see where he was. He was still turning in equipement and so we drove to the PX (post exchange, small mall) to shop and wait for him. Finally we have Derek with us and we are ready to get off base and head to the condo that we have on Hilton Head Island.
Finally we are there! I found this deal on Ebay, 7 nights and days in this second floor condo on the Island of Hilton Head for $300.00, we can cook, we have cable, alligators in the back yard, heated swimming pool out the front door, grill to use, golf all around and 2 block walk to the beach. Sounds like HEAVEN to me... We figure it sure beats the heck out of 7 nights and days in a motel with 4 kids. Two grown ones that would want something to do and two that need a place to roam... This ended up being the perfect answer. The better part of the week we spent relazing, walking around the area, checking out the beach each day and we drove from one end to the other of the island. We collected shells, sand, and memories. All too soon it was time for Derek to report back to Ft. Stewart on Wed. We took a final tour of Savannah and the water front area, hoping to see more big ships. Casey is the appointed driver this week and he was so great to take us from place to place with little complaining. (it's very humbling to ride around in the back of your son's truck and give suggetions as to where to go) Luckily we only had one close call when Casey decided to back out of a left turn lane and go right, but didn't see there was a couple in a white SUV behind us. Derek, Brian and I screamed, (we turned around to see the couple in the white SUV holding their breath and making scared faces as we stopped close to their front bumper) From then on we tried to tame down the screaming "turn right," "no go left," "take the next run"... Casey just followed the GPS and we got where we needed to be.. LOL
Lovely trees! 
Kids walking on the beach
Ship that we saw out off Tybee Island.
jelly fish on the beach, as big as Andrea's foot!
What does a Kansas boy wear on the beach? Well it was cool out so he didn't want to put on shorts..JPG)
Brian 13, Casey 19, Derek 22, Andrea 11 Savannah Ga waterfront area. Wed. March 5, 2008, we stopped here to look around before we went back to Ft. Stewart to take Derek back.
Casey and Derek will be seeing each other again in Baghdad this year.
We had a wonderful time on our trip with our 4 kids. Most of all we enjoyed spending time with Derek and Casey. Derek will be home hopefully before Christmas this year, and if not right around that time. We also learned that Casey will be shipping out to do patrols in Baghdad sometime before Nov. of this year. We sure did love the Hilton Head Island and it's nature, alligators, birds, snakes, the trees so tall and full of moss hanging down, the sand so smooth and soft, finding sharks teeth and the many shells we found. We meet many lovely people from all areas, who were visiting there also. We consider ourselves so blessed to have had this time with our family. We are already planning another trip for when the two boys are both in the states again. Maybe California next time.
We had a wonderful time on our trip with our 4 kids. Most of all we enjoyed spending time with Derek and Casey. Derek will be home hopefully before Christmas this year, and if not right around that time. We also learned that Casey will be shipping out to do patrols in Baghdad sometime before Nov. of this year. We sure did love the Hilton Head Island and it's nature, alligators, birds, snakes, the trees so tall and full of moss hanging down, the sand so smooth and soft, finding sharks teeth and the many shells we found. We meet many lovely people from all areas, who were visiting there also. We consider ourselves so blessed to have had this time with our family. We are already planning another trip for when the two boys are both in the states again. Maybe California next time.
Derek checking out the alligator that was out behind the condo where we stayed.
Alligator up close.. So glad for nice digital camera... 
Sat. March 8th, 2008 was Casey's first day of Patrol at Ft. Bragg. We were so lucky to be there to see him all suited up and patroling with "Joe" his first partner. We spent the day checking out Ft. Bragg, touring the two museums and catching a bit of lunch with Casey and "Joe", (before they had to rush out to a call. 
We got to see where Casey lives on base, 3rd floor end of the hall, no elevator. We saw where they shake the shoots and fold them, even the place that repairs the shoots. Casey is a member of Airborne and he's also an MP. We are very proud of his trainings and work so far. His news that he would also be deployed this year isn't my favorite news.. I told him that only one child is allowed in Baghdad at a time. But he says he has no control.. I know that, but as a MOM I don't want to hear it. I also know that there is an Indiana mom with 3 sons deployed with Derek's unit and that does make me feel a bit better. I'm not sure how SHE is surviving. But I pray each day that all her boys come home all that mine will too. It's a bad place that we are in. I sure don't see much other choice.It's Monday 2:49 pm.. I just got off the phone with Derek. He's still in Kuwait and they have been out on a 3 day training for more convey work. He was sick and other were also, with colds are something. THe sand is bad, wind is strong and they are adjusting to all that. He was tired and ready to head off to bed. He was just finished eating Subway.. They are to be there another 7 days or so. He's calling me again tomorrow with an update of their address that they will have in Camp Anaconda, I tried to send a box and the po said the zip code was wrong.
more when I hear.. Pamela
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