Guess who I had breakfast with Saturday and lunch with today??

16 years ago

Justin!!

Woo flippin' hoo! Justin is home for a very short 20 day leave after doing his first tour in Afghanistan. He was sent back a couple of weeks before the rest of his unit to take some special training classes. That cut his leave time by ten days so we only have him for 20 day rather than the normal 30. He will still have credit for the 10 days and we/he hopes he will be back here for the holidays and his Birthday. He missed all of that due to his deployment last fall.

There are no words to describe seeing him coming through the securtiy gates at the airport. We were a group of around 40 waiting for our son/nephew/friend. The cheers and applause for him and a couple of other guys in the military was something else.

We all heading to a favorite breakfast place as he wanted some REAL biscuits and gravy along with eggs and chicken fried steak. Busy weekend for sure. I'm happy to report he seems to be okay and cool. I was more than concerned how he might be dealing with all that he has been through and experienced the last several months. They lost 5 from thier unit. My sister took the day off from work on Monday to spend some one on one time with him. She said he seems to be okay/cool and his normal self. We have a afternoon of fishing planned so we can hang out and talk.

His food request are a turkey dinner, prime rib, lobster, and crab legs....yes I/we will be taking care of that over the next several weeks. We grilled burgers and steaks over the weekend. He looks slim to me, lost 13lbs. pounds, but has to keep his weight in check for whatever reason.

Y'all helped and joined in on his send off party last fall so I'd thought I'd let ya know what's up and going on.

It's so cool to have him home...even thought the time is short.

David

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Comments (29)

centralcacyclist
16 years ago
Woo flippin' hoo! Indeed! He looks great but I agree, quite slim. Enjoy your time together.
lsr2002
16 years ago
My smile is bigger than Justin's, seeing that picture of him home on leave. I know he will have a wonderful time with all of you and we will keep him in our hearts and in our prayers when he returns to duty.

Lee
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Well, here I am! Late to this party, as I got home last night. First things being first, we cleared out the dog crate, food and treats by packing them up and walking them over to different neighbors who knew Luna. (She had a lot of friends in the neighborhood.) Delivering news like this is hard, but right this minute I think the hardest is having such a quiet house. Packing up her favorite toys choked me up, but it's done. Working my way backwards and starting with OKC, I regret we didn't get to meet David or Sally, but I'm anticipating there will be another opportunity. Having the extra time allowed us to blow on so I could visit my mother. We drove 4,603 miles in three weeks, so you might say it was a whirlwind (tornadic in places), and we were ready to get home. Meeting Donna and her friend Debbie was fun. We met for breakfast in Albuquerque and I really enjoyed it. It's so nice to have the CF in common, and there were no awkward moments in the conversation. In fact, I'm finding it's so easy to talk to the CF in person, it's kind of hard to leave! I enjoyed every moment, and hope that with Donna, David and Sally, we have an opportunity to meet again. I feel pretty certain we'll see Karen (and Tom) somewhere at some point! (I think it must be easy to form a certain bond with the first people you meet.) I've tried for five GT's, and have managed two so far...The best thing is my New Year's resolution of meeting some of you is up and running! I'm loving it and at this point have TWO GT's under my belt and COUNTING. Thank you for your generosity in wanting to meet; it's so nice to feel a part of the CF in real life. I'll upload a few pictures when I can...
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Annie, I am fairly familiar with the case. British law on such things is different than American law, and I won't enter into all that except to say that under the British system, the burden of truth regarding public accusations against another is on the accuser. Like it or not, that is their law. I also am not even going to try and defend the actions of a howmanybillion dollar company, or pretend to know the truth behind the allegations of both sides. However, it was enlightening to me to know that the defendants were members of a fringe environmentalist organization that didn't want to affiliate itself with Greenpeace because it was "too mainstream" (Jeepers!) Also, that the fliers they were distributing made the claims that: McDonald's: * is complicit in Third World starvation; * buys from greedy rulers and elites and practices economic imperialism; * wastes vast quantities of grain and water; * destroys rainforests with poisons and colonial invasions; * sells unhealthy, addictive junk food; * alters its food with artificial chemistry; * exploits children with its advertising; * is responsible for torture and murder of animals; * poisons customers with contaminated meat; * exploits its workers and bans unions; * destroys rainforests; * hides its malfeasance.* Now. Did McDonalds overreact? React too harshly? Was McDonalds mean? I don't know. But here we are, 20 years after the fact, hearing from people who were influenced against the company by the case to the point of boycotting their products. I've never owned or had any significant financial interest in a company as big as McDonalds. But if I found out that someone here in town was distributing fliers that accused me of committing horrendous and possibly criminal practices in the course of my daily business, I would fight it. That someone not particularly educated in either law or experienced in any field related to the case made a film, apparently portraying the defendants as puny, helpless victims bullied by an Evil Mega Corp does not impress me. Biased, slanted "documentaries" are produced every day. As for being partially correct in the allegations, I suppose I could be accused of some of those things with equal accuracy. I could well be accused of being, "complicit in Third World starvation" because I eat beef on a regular basis...if I ate lentils instead, I could feed any number of starving people by sending them the money I would save. I expect that I buy from what some would consider "greedy rulers and elites" as well. I would have no defense to the charge that I waste grain and water, depending on the accuser's perspective. I water my roses...frivolous things, and shower far more often than absolutely needed. I don't know how poisons, "colonial invasions" and rainforests could be attributed to me, but then, I don't know how they could be attributed to McDonald's either. Are my contributions to church bake sales selling "unhealthy, addictive junk food?" Okay, okay, I'll quit...but you get my point, right? Likely, I'm far too sensitive on these subjects. I get itchy over attacks on "Big Evil Corporate America" because so often, we jump on the band wagon before we look into it, and so very often, the attacks have less to do with actual facts and more to do with the agendas of the attackers. This is funny, really. Here I am, speaking up for a restaurant I don't even frequent! Once every couple of years or so I drive through to grab something because I'm in a huge rush, on a road trip, whatever...and I ALWAYS regret it! The first two bites taste good because I'm hungry and after that I'm increasingly grossed out. Inevitably, I end up throwing out half my food and wonder what the heck I was thinking!
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Thanks again, everyone! My gram doesn't like to have her picture taken but I might take pictures of the food that we make. She never really cooks big meals anymore but she does make things like the salads (potato, macaroni, etc.) and I do make a mean fried steak (not to brag). I like the idea of calling the salad "Gram's Salad". Thanks for offering on how to post pictures but I already have! I post on the garden forums and I did take a picture of the fried green tomatoes and mom's new cookware she got. I don't have the best camera but I do get some nice pictures. Usually if I want something to eat when I'm there, she gets me to cook it or dad if he's there (when we visit). Annie, I'll be sure to say thanks for all of you and of course I always get a hug from her :). Brad AKA Moonwolf
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jessyf
16 years ago
Thank him for me for his service.
wizardnm
16 years ago
David, that brought up a lot of emotion in me. I know sappy! He looks good and I'm excited for you and for him that he is able to have some time at home.

Thank you, and my heartfelt thanks to Justin and all the Justin's who are supporting our country. Please give him a hug from me.

Nancy
mustangs81
16 years ago
WOW he looks great! Obviously takes after Uncle David.

Take him out for a steak dinner on me, I'll pay you back, seriously!

From an admirer of our troops.
annie1992
16 years ago
Woo flippin' hoo is right, all the way from Michigan too.

As for the thanks, give him a great big ole' hug from me, or tell him it's from Ashley if he'd prefer that, LOL, but make sure he knows how much we appreciate him and all that he's doing.

Feed him well, David, and enjoy every minute. He's in my prayers every minute until he's home for good, safe and sound.

Annie
User
16 years ago
Welcome back Justin.

David, Justin looks great. Enjoy your time together.

Ann
lindac
16 years ago
What a cutie! And how lucky you are to have him....home for a while and being "cool" with it all...
As others have said....tell him thank you...feed him anything he wants....and enjoy every moment!
Linda c
compumom
16 years ago
Sniff, it's wonderful to see him again! Please give him a big hug and thanks from us too!
magothyrivergirl
16 years ago
First of all~Thank him for his sacrifices and his service to our great country!
He looks so handsome and fit ~ and happy to be home! You should be proud.
Enjoy your short time together.
Rusty
16 years ago
Add my 'thanks' to everyone else's.

And God bless him and all of our military.

Rusty
lowspark
16 years ago
Another big thank you for his service. I hope he has a wonderful leave, it sounds like that's guaranteed! I'm glad to hear he is home safe and look forward to hearing that again!!
pkramer60
16 years ago
Give him a hug of thanks from me too, and let him know if he needs a bunk or a meal in Chicago, he has one anytime!
dedtired
16 years ago
Wow, he's a hottie! Something about a man in uniform. Wow.

Add my heartfelt thanks to the list of his admirers. Stay safe, Justin.
rob333 (zone 7b)
16 years ago
"There are no words to describe seeing him coming through the securtiy gates at the airport"

You don't need words for me. The first time I ever spontaneously cried tears of joy was seeing daddy come walking off the ramp. I bet it's similar to you seeing Justin. Only amplified for you. For some reason, the relatonship from child to adult isn't the same ratio as it is from adult to child; children give exponentially more happiness to adults. Kids (even if it's your sibs'!) are magical. They conjure up the most amazing images when they step off of planes, svelte, smart, and grown... especially after having seen them run around barefooted and covered in mud, popsicle drool, and bellies protruding over their shorts. Sorry for waxing rhapsodic, but military personnel and family do that to me. Not to mention, you hit both nerves at once :)

Enjoy the time! It goes too fast.

-Robin
dixiedog_2007
16 years ago
I read this earlier and am just getting the time to respond now.

Some tears really came to my eyes reading about how excited you and your family/friends were to see him and the other guys come through the terminal. How wonderful for your family.

Enjoy your time with him for the next 20 days.

Thank God for our troops. They have done a wonderful job!
Gina_W
16 years ago
Justin looks just right to me. I love men in uniform, being an Army brat.

I only wish all servicemen and women got such great welcomes as you gave your nephew. Give him another big smooch for me - he'll be covered in kisses!
caliloo
16 years ago
Oh wow - somehow I missed this thread!

Wooooo Hoooo is right! Glad to see him back,even if it is jsut for a short time. He looks amazing and please thank him for me too.

Alexa
obxgina
16 years ago
Awesome news indeed David! THank you for sharing such aa happy occassion! Enjoy your time and thank him from me for his service!
Gina
BeverlyAL
16 years ago
Ohhh how I would love to give him a big hug and my heartfelt thanks for his service. He's a teriffic looking young man and he looks perfect to me. Oh what a sacrifice they all make for us. I know you are going to enjoy the time he has home.

Beverly
User
16 years ago
OMG I could jump right through he screen and hug him until he cried for mercy!

David , he has grown so much I hardly recognize him. Slim and trim and way sexxy!

Tell him that the Pickle Lady from Canada is so proud of him and tell him to take care of each other over there and take care of our valiant Canadian troups who stand beside him.
foodonastump
16 years ago
Thanks, Justin. Enjoy your time home. Looking forward to hearing about your next leave. Be strong, be safe.
jude31
16 years ago
What a handsome young man! Add my thanks to Justin, and all the other military, for their service.

Thanks David, for sharing.

jude
lakeguy35
Original Author
16 years ago
Crazy, busy weekend here again due to many things. Thanks for all the cool and supportive responses. All of the troops need those no matter the country.

Justin knows about all y'all and as always asked what's up with your foodie/cooking friends....way before his military thing. We were talking today at the lake and he thinks he was...yikes.. 13 or 14 when he first tried Sharon's pickles from a swap years ago. Man time flies!

Thanks again everyone but this guy has to get to hit the hay so to speak. Justin and his group got the best of me at the lake today. OY! I'm starting to feel my age.....LOL!

David
Tracey_OH
16 years ago
Yay! I'm so glad he's home and safe. Hope you guys have a WONDERFUL time together and you get to spoil Justin rotten. He deserves it! And add my thanks to everyone else's for his service.

Tracey
User
16 years ago
13 or 14! I need a drink!
riverrat1
16 years ago
He looks so good! Tears of joy are streaming down my face. I really really feel what you talked about when you said "There are no words to describe seeing him coming through the securtiy gates at the airport."

My soldier came home three weeks ago and will be back home in two week for another two week visit. It goes by so fast!
annie1992
16 years ago
RR, your guy is home too! What a wonderful Independence Day this is indeed.

Hugs to him from me.

Annie
lakeguy35
Original Author
16 years ago
LOL Sharon!!

Karen, so glad to hear your son his home too! It's so cool to have them back even though the time is short.

Thanks again everyone. Justin headed back to base on Monday. It's Hawaii, not such a bad place to have weekends off for fun.

David

Guess who I had breakfast with Saturday and lunch with today??

Comments (29)

centralcacyclist

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