afghanistan

On this day two years ago, I welcomed Chuck home from his first #deployment to #Afghanistan. Today, it’s extra special to so recently have him back from his second 😊#tbt #throwbackthursday #usmc #milso #military #freedomisntfree #homecoming

HE’S HOME!! Sadly, these were the only 2 shots I got (I insisted on one without sunglasses), so you’ll just have to take my word for it that homecoming was as happy and romantic as you’d imagine!

2 deployments and 2 work-ups in less than 3 years… I am so ready for our break 🙂

2 children beheaded by militants, Afghan authorities say

Taliban militants beheaded two children in southern Afghanistan, a provincial governor’s office said.

Sometimes this war gets so politicized that even I forget why our men and women put themselves in harm’s way: to stop tyrannical entities like the Taliban, which has no respect for the most innocent forms of life, from preying on the innocent and manipulating a culture.

“How does this affect us?” one might ask. When you start manipulating cultures, extremism becomes rampant – and that puts us all at risk.

2 children beheaded by militants, Afghan authorities say

Chuck sent me pictures of kittens in Afghanistan the other day! So cute 🙂 I love seeing soldiers with kittens. And what’s up with the Afghan doing the supermodel pose in the Louis Vuitton tee shirt? Too funny! Even I don’t own LV.

My Chuckles was promoted to Captain in Afghanistan this week. It’s a bummer he’s always getting promoted in-country when I can’t be there!! But I am so happy and very proud of him… and making fun use of that bump in pay (see extravagant Coach purchase below, lol.)

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Freedom Isn’t Free…

A while back, I noted the strength and solidarity of the community here when even mass retailers will demonstrate personal support for our troops, who – in a town this small – are also truly their neighbors, customers, and friends.

This past week, I snapped this shot at the same CVS – equally supportive in nature, but a lot more foreboding in the sense that things may not have worked out well for Lt. J. Moore.

There are more signs of loss around here in Holly Ridge. I noticed the flags at half-mast first. Businesses, fire stations, and churches have replaced their advertising with notes of remembrance and prayer for another young service member, Sgt T.J. Butler.

It’s an important reminder – even to myself – that freedom isn’t free. A reminder that I live in an area where someone has to give a family bad news on a regular basis. I take it for granted and live in this bubble, but it’s happening all around us.

They won’t even get a shout out on the national news, but it’s beautiful to see how a community will honor its fallen, and support those they left behind.

Sorry for the downer – but Lt. Moore and Sgt Butler have been on my mind quite a bit lately!