Update...

This is just a brief update for anyone who checks this blog regularly. Usually, as Steven's ghost writer, I post the letters he writes. However, since he is not writing letters at this time, I will just try to go in and try to recall the info I get from his phone calls.



Let me sort of start where we left off. Steven finished his basic training and AIT at the end of April, and immediately went it to 2 weeks of additional Stryker training. A Stryker is a large 8-wheeled combat vehicle. Once his training was finished, he was able to come home for a little over 2 weeks, before reporting to Ft Wainwright, Alaska.



He was only in Alaska for 1 month before he had to go to California for 1 month of desert training. He was able to come home again in August, for a predeployment leave. He was home for about 10 days. AFter he returned to Alaska he had a lot of work to do before deployment day (D-day). They had a deployment ceremony on Sept 11th. Unfortunately, we were unable to attend. Alaska is just a little too far away.



They officially left for Kuwait in Sept 20th. Just 2 weeks after Steven's 20th birthday. They spent about 2-3 weeks, I think, in Kuwait before going to their FOB in Iraq.



I think they have been there about a week or 2, so he is geting settled in and doing the things he is supposed to be doing. He calls pretty frequently, he isn't able to give too many details about what he is doing, but he sounds good and seems to be doing OK. I have to take his word for things, I am not sure he is always being honest, but I can't blame him.



I have sent his first care package, but he has yet to receive it. I hope he gets it next week. St this point he is not sure when he will get his mid-tour leave, but hopefully sometime in the Spring. Oh how I look forward to that.



My other goal is to have enough money to be able to fly up to Alaska for his return home. Not sure if that will happen, but I sure am going to try.



I am not sure how often I will be posting on his blog, but I will try to give updates every couple of weeks. So check back every so often.