Well, to start I thought I had the picture thing figured out...evidently not, since there is nothing in the place where it should be.  So for awhile I'll just post them to my photo album.

Things have finally settled down in WV, electricity back on, drive way fixed (thanks to a wonderful neighbor and his tractor), and we made the trip to Fort Knox to pic up National Guard son...it's so good to have him home..well, he's out running around, but you all know what I mean.

The graduation ceremony at Fort Knox was wonderful, the army does such a good job making this special for the troops. One thing that was special was the way the audience reacted to the film that was shown of our soldiers training, and fighting for our country.  We definitely were not Politically Correct, but the patriotism was inspiring.  What a difference from what we hear on the news.  And you have to remember these are the people who are really sacrificing for our couintry...sacrificing sons, daughters, husbands, wives.  These were not the news people  or people in the limelight enjoying the freedoms that our country  has but never appreciating what it really costs, just judging the ones who are trying to keep this country free...free to worship God in our own way, free to be Christian without fear of jail, free to work for food, clothing and shelter..ok that's enough preaching for today...lol

We went down Wed night, but couldn't get on base for his 3 hour pass because ds #1 forgot his insurance card and we had to have it faxed to the hotel. So grandkids had a chance to play in the pool.  If any of you are ever in the Elizabethtown, Ky area please make a note to stay at the Best Western Atrium Gardens Motel, the motel is nice and clean and the indoor pool area is wonderful.  After the ceremony we went to the PX and had lunch, then headed to the Cavalry store to pick up souviniers (sp?). 

It took us almost 8 hours to make a 6 hour trip because of road construction.  But, finally made it home about 10:30 last night.  On the way down we sort of didn't follow the directions...yes, a man was driving and navigating, but we went through Bardstown, KY and it was absolutely wonderful.  Full of historical buildings, beautiful farm land, gorgeous houses.  We also saw a Dinner Train sitting at a depot and that really peaked my interest.  I would love to be able to go back to Bardstown for a few days and just enjoy the sights.

I'll try to get some pics posted later...have a wonderful day.

Barb

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Posted by stitchesbyteresa

It sounds like you had a great time! Thank you for your comment on my blog and for your prayers. I will pray for you, too.

I don't remember if I told you, but I posted a tutorial on my blog how to post pics on here after putting the pics on www.photobucket.com. If you go to my blog, then click "tutotials", you should find it...might be easier to print it out and follow step by step.

If you have questions about posting pics, feel free to ask me...I may not know the answer, but can certainly try to find it for you!!!

Your Sister in Christ,
Teresa

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Posted by mequit73

We live just outside Ft. Hood (apparently from what I've read, the largest army base in the world) in Texas in a town where the familes are military, were military or know of someone in the military. Everyone is personally experiencing or knows of someone who is deployed right now. In fact, people often ask me (because we are recently transplanted here in the last few years), "what's your husband's rank?" They just assume he's enlisted. While he was in the navy in his younger days, he isn't now. I know of four personally who are deployed right now, three nephews and my neighbor's husband (my neighbor, mother of five, by the way is a saint!). There are many others I know who were just returned or about to be deployed.

My point to tell you all this is regardless of what is reported "on the news" the people here are doing the work and making the sacrafices, and they chose to do that. It's not always an easy life and one of those most challenging aspects for a lot of families isn't even having their loved one deployed, it's the fact that they have to move from state to state and constantly readjust the children. You do not find nearly the negative coverage of the war or military in general in local news and then the national news follows it and you wonder, what are you talking about? Especially, when everyone in the service now (it's been 7 years) decided to stay after 9/11 or joined after 9/11.

My background isn't such that I am all pro military. My dad was in the Navy during Vietnam, and that was about the extent of feelings I had one way or another when I moved here. I've seen it in action and talked to so many people. Not ONE, not even one of them, has anything negative to say about it. The military, despite what is tauted, does take care of its own. It's not an easy life. But, they understand that and they do everything they can to make sure the soliders and their families are well tended to. They are very active in our community and sponsor all sorts of activities and rec areas, they've even adopted our schools. They have the greatest Fourth of July celebration on base I've ever seen in my life. It makes you know why this country is great---even if the media wants you to believe otherwise.

I'm not making commentary one way or another about the war. I'm just saying that the military in this situation is getting a bum rap. And, I hope everyone will know that I "live in the trenches," so to speak, and it is definitely NOT what is described to you day in and day out.

I used to be a little scared that any of my children would choose to serve just because I'd always heard how "dumb" and "ruthless and uncaring" the military is. After living here and seeing what it is really like, I would be absolutely honored.

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