Home on R&R

Since this blog was intended to be about my son I suppose I could update on him. He's HOME. Not for very long, just 18 days, but he is here and its been good having him home.
I picked him up at the airport in Albuquerque on Monday and, had he been on the earlier flight as scheduled he would have been welcomed in high style by the Albuquerque Rio Grand Valley moms.
If he had been on his earlier flight as scheduled we would have made it back to Farmington earlier and been welcomed in a big way by the Farmington, Four Corners Blue Star Moms. We made it back at Midnight and were surprised at the wonderful decorations on our deck.
The following evening the crowd all came back and we had a proper welcome home ceremony and a huge cake with the Blue Star Mothers and several other friends.

Online today

Peace River Born Soldier

"Serving in Iraq a lifelong mission for Peace River born soldier

By Kristy Lesh
R-G Editor
Tuesday June 12, 2007

View PDF version of complete article

Dallas Hanson in his yearbook photo.

More photos in PDF

For a Peace River-born man, getting deployed to a war-torn county is a realization of a lifelong dream.
Dallas Hanson, a Private First Class in the United States Army, has been deployed in Iraq since December 2006."

More... Peace River Record Gazette, Peace River, AB:

War is Hell

Well I'm officially on day three of the worst week of my life. Although I'm not alone, 2/3rds of my platoon is suffering with me, including our medic, life is misery for everyone right now.
We don't know exactly what it is, other then it really messes your stomach up, making it almost impossible to eat without wanting to vomit.
Aside from that, it's impossible to go longer than an hour without having to run to the latrine.
But yea, thats my update for now.

Update from mom

Most of what has been posted here recently is from DOD Press releases or other online sources.


Here are a few notes of PFC Wuff's activities.

• Top of the list, take note it is now PFC



• Spent 3 nights and 2 days in the green zone on a pass where he enjoyed "a large theatre, an xbox room, 3 pool tables, 4 large screen tvs to watch movies on, a pool with a 10 meter diving board.....plus other kick ass things to enjoy. ...and civilian clothing"


• "It's an FOB but it really is a club med"



• Managed to shoot a few videos and we are waiting on an upload of those.



• Comrade and buddy Rob Dembowski was killed on patrol while Wuffy was on leave.



• The boys had a memorial for him today -- fitting, on Memorial Day



• not much else to report on other than the boredom

Tribute to Pfc. Robert H. Dembowski, 20

Members of the Airborne Division carry the flag draped casket of Pfc. Robert H. Dembowski, Jr., out of the funeral service. Funeral for Pfc. Robert H. Dembowski, Jr., at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Richboro. Dembowski, a 20-year-old soldier, died in Baghdad, Iraq on May 24, 2007 when his unit came under small arms fire. Video news report

A crisply folded flag stands for Valor and for Honor.Its stripes are not decorations, they represent courage under fire. Its stripes mark the passing of a son, of a daughter.

Pfc. Robert H. Dembowski, 20, of Ivyland, Pa., died May 24 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

The Associated Press

FORT BRAGG - An 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper died of injuries sustained
from enemy small-arms fire during combat operations in Baghdad, Iraq, earlier
this week, the Defense Department said Friday.
Spc. Robert Dembowski Jr., 20, of Ivyland, Pa., was a company radio transmitter with 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
"Spc. Dembowski was a highly dedicated paratrooper," said Capt. Aaron King, the rear detachment commander for Dembowski's battalion. "He was dedicated not only to his profession but also in serving this great nation."
Dembowski, who was killed Thursday, joined the Army in January 2006. He completed infantry one station unit training and the basic airborne course at Fort Benning, Ga., in April 2006. He was assigned to his current unit when he arrived at the 82nd Airborne in May 2006.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart.
Dembowski is survived by his parents, Robert Sr. and Frances Dembowski, and his sister, Janice Dembowski, all of Ivyland, Pa.

I went to see the soldiers, row on row on row,

And wondered about each so still, their badges all on show.

What brought them here, what life before Was like for each of them?

What made them angry, laugh, or cry,

These soldiers, boys and men.

Some so young, some older still, a bond more close than brothers

These men have earned and shared a love, that's not like any others

They trained as one, they fought as one

They shared their last together

That bond endures, that love is true

And will be, now and ever.

I could not know, how could I guess, what choices each had made,

Of how they came to soldiering, what part each one had played?

But here they are and here they'll stay,

Each one silent and in place,

Their headstones line up row on row

They guard this hallowed place.

Mother's Day

I spent mother's day in Florida at my mom's and was surprised -- extremely surprised -- to find this waiting for me when I got home. Thank you PVT Wuffy! I'm betting it didn't come from Baghdad though ;)

Waiting for Wuffy

Charlie is patient and loyal and even quite willing to display his support.

We made the News

At the End of the Desert...: Yellow Ribbons, Tied with Love

'Til the troops come home

Today the 4 corners Blue Star Mothers were hanging ribbons for our troops.
I was talking to Dallas just before I headed out and he mentioned he was letting the other guys know. So for him and all the troops -- here's some photos of us -- for you -- and we'll keep it up 'til the troops come home.

Canuck Warrior in the 82nd Airborne

Celestial Junk: Canuck Warrior in the 82nd Airborne: "I just discovered a blog that is hosted by Wendy Hoffman, mother to a Canadian lad who is serving with the 82nd Airborne in Iraq. The blog is a great place to get the gossip and goods on the 82nd Airborne from the view point of a Canuck. Keep in mind that the 82nd is serving both in Iraq and Afghanistan, and that it usually plays a very dangerous roll in its deployments. Stop by and check it out."

Thanks for the mention.

1-504 PIR on patrol

"'Coalition forces will continue deliberate and methodical operations in order to pursue, capture or kill terrorists trying to prevent a peaceful and stable Iraq,' said Army Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman.

Elsewhere, at least 20 people were killed and 11 others were wounded when insurgents launched several attacks in the Rusafa security district of the Iraqi capital yesterday.

At about 11 a.m., Iraqi police officers reported that a car bomb detonated, wounding one Iraqi officer. Iraqi police quickly cordoned, secured and cleared the attack area.

In a separate incident, the 9th Iraqi Army Division reported a suicide bomber attack on a bus several blocks from the Mustansiriyah University at 12:20 a.m. Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, responded and secured the scene, reporting seven Iraqi civilians killed and five wounded.

About two hours after the initial attack, a second car bomb detonated near a checkpoint in the Karradah peninsula area in eastern Baghdad. A separate unit from 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, responded and reported 13 Iraqi civilians killed and six wounded.

In all three incidents, Iraqi emergency services responded and aided in transporting the wounded to a nearby hospital. "

read the whole story:

The Canadian-American

From a fellow patriot and blogger:

"Mutual-Link Blogroll Additon: From a Canadian Cadet to an American Soldier
This morning I am proud to introduce an addition to my Mutual-Link Blogroll,
From a Canadian Cadet to an American Soldier. Here you'll find 'stories by and
about a multinational patriot -- an American Soldier -- and a military mom.'
With all of the broad strategic pronouncements we make on our blogs daily, this
wonderful resource shows us very clearly that the War on Terror is being fought
by people with families who love them very much.

God bless North
America, its fine service-people and those they are working to protect."

In Our Store

Support our Troops


Keepsake collectors photo plaque honoring your military hero! Show them you care. A portion of sale goes to military charity.

Holds any 4 x 6 vertical photo. Mounting instructions supplied as well as 2 sided adhesive for challenge coins/ medalions, the acrylic photo cover plate and the 4 brass tacks. If you would prefer to email your photo we will print it out on good quality photo paper and mount it before shipping.

The poem or inscription can be any that you desire. The Soldiers Creed is shown. This can be personalized for any branch of the military with any text you choose.

For every plaque we sell we will send $10 to Blue Star Mothers
or other organization registered with America Supports You*

*Canadian orders may specify a Canadian military organization to receive donations on approval.
*10% currently earmarked for Fisher House -- remainder to your choice of above.

Checking in

An update from Company B

Dear Friends and Family of Bravo Company,

Greetings from FOB Loyalty,
Iraq. We hope that this letter finds all of you doing well and in good health. The last three weeks have been incredibly busy, but you would be proud of the great work that your loved ones in the Bravo Company have accomplished. We were happy to get out of Kuwait and begin the journey north to our final destination. Since our arrival, the men have been busy at work in preparation to begin our mission. All Platoons have been training hard, preparing their equipment, and getting ready mentally for the upcoming operations. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Platoons have focused hard on their individual skills as well as getting used to operating out of and with vehicles.
HQ platoon meanwhile has continued to do an outstanding job supporting the company in all aspects. Finally, SSG Jensen needs to be congratulated for reenlisting here at FOB Loyalty. In addition to the platoons mentioned above, we have had the good fortune to have Delta Company’s 3rd AT Platoon, as well as a Reconnaissance Squad from the Battalion Scouts added to our ranks. These are great Paratroopers and are being incorporated in all aspects of Bravo Company. The living conditions at FOB Loyalty are steadily improving as your loved ones are starting to move into converted
apartment buildings. In addition, FOB Loyalty is equipped with an outstanding Mess Hall, Internet Services, and Phone Center. The men are in good spirits and ready to do the job so that we can get home to our loved ones.
You can be sure that you are on our minds and in our prayers constantly.
Please continue to send packages and mail as they are a huge boost to morale and greatly appreciated. We miss you all very much

- CPT DAVID PRESTON and 1SG JORGE ORTIZ

Keeping in Touch

Dallas tries to show me a picture on a very blurry video chat session.

It is great to be able to see him during his short visits to the internet cafe at FOB Loyalty.

This was a screenshot from Wednesday morning (my time).

82nd to begin Baghdad ops by February

Army News, Special Reports, Frontline Photos, This Week's Army Times - Army Times: "82nd to begin Baghdad ops by February

By Steven R. Hurst - The Associated Press
Posted : Sunday Jan 21, 2007 11:11:12 EST

BAGHDAD — A newly arrived brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division, the first of the 21,500-troop buildup ordered by President Bush, will be ready to join the fresh drive to quell sectarian violence in the capital by the start of next month, the American military said Sunday.
The 2nd Brigade of the 82nd Airborne has 3,200 soldiers who will “assist Iraqi Security Forces to clear, control and retain key areas of the capital city in order to reduce violence and to set the conditions for a transition to full Iraqi control of security in the city,” the military said in a statement.82nd to begin Baghdad ops by February

1-504 PIR Settling in

Stars & Stripes: "82nd Airborne battalion arrives, doubles FOB Loyalty’s population
Base finally has enough troops to qualify for AAFES store, officer reports

By Lisa Burgess, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Monday, January 22, 2007

Lisa Burgess / S&S
Pvt. Jonathan Duque, 20, of Houston, a member of Company D of the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, sweeps the Kuwait dust out the inside of his Humvee at Forward Operating Base Loyalty in Baghdad, Iraq. Duque and the rest of the 82nd Airborne battalion, have arrived in Iraq this week as part of the increase of 21,000 troops ordered earlier this month.


Lisa Burgess / S&S
Sgt. Johnathan Hamilton, 22, a forward observer for Company B, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, takes some time Saturday to play the video game 'Far Cry' at Forward Operating Base Loyalty in Baghdad, Iraq.


Lisa Burgess / S&S
Spc. Eric Rose, 21, of Tracy, Calif., a member of Company D of the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, sweeps off the bed of his Humvee at Forward Operating Base Loyalty in Baghdad, Iraq.

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — A battalion-sized element of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division arrived here by helicopter over the past week, nearly doubling the base population.
The soldiers — from the 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment out of Fort Bragg, N.C. — are part of the increase of 21,500 U.S. troops ordered by President Bush in early January. The extra troops, whose tour is open-ended, are to help Iraqi forces quell violence in their country, particularly in Baghdad."

82nd Airborne news

U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne quick-reaction force faces possible problem: Full deployment - International Herald Tribune: "U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne quick-reaction force faces possible problem: Full deployment"

RALEIGH, North Carolina: The four brigades in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division usually rotate the role of the United States' "ready" brigade, prepared to leave for anywhere in the world within 18 hours.
But in the latest example of how the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are pushing the Army to its limits, the brigade may have to briefly give up its role this summer.
It is possible all four of the 3,500-soldier brigades would be overseas for the first time since Operation Desert Storm in 1990, when they deployed together as a full division.