Nov. 24, 2006 Arriving at CRC

Leaving was the hardest thing to do. Though I didn’t show it, my heart was breaking. I’m traveling away from the one person in my life that has shown me what true Love is.

See a few Pix at the end.

Arrival at the airport in Atlanta GA was uneventful. Cool trains take you to the other wings for departing flights. How fast can you get up to 50 mph and then stop? We’ll I can tell you it’s about 7 sec to reach top speed. And something like 3 sec. to stop. When the announcement to “hold on, train is stopping” heed their warning as soon as the announcement starts, not after it’s finished. You get the picture? Only a small bump, Thanks for asking. By the way, when I was in Korea, I really wonder what Duty “FREE” means. It was by far anything but FREE. $4.50 for a cup of NON-refillable coffee. Or so they said, I got refills. But I was good, no purchases were made. Ok back to Atlanta…I was in Atlanta for a couple of hours. I was wondering just where exactly I was headed. I was supposed to go to Ft. Bliss in Texas. It was obvious from my itinerary that is not where I was headed. Well anyway, they lead me out to the gate, there standing in front of me was an island hopper on steroids! A twin engine that would hold about 36 people. Being that it was actually Thanksgiving day, there were a total of 6 people onboard. The pilot, co-pilot, 2 stewardesses, a mechanic (what are you going to do? Fix the plane in flight?), oh yes and the sixth person was me. It was really funny and they were laughing the whole time giving the pre flight lecture prior to take off. In Flight service at it’s best. Two flight attendants, (I was not politically correct earlier) to service my every whim….of which there was non, as there is no in flight service for this 27 min flight. To where am I going? I asked. Columbus…Ohio?, No silly, Georgia, your in Georgia. Ah that would account for why everyone’s name is Darlin. So there is a Columbus GA. To quote my favorite talk show host, Johnny Carson, “I didn’t know that”. Turns out, Ft. Benning is a 200,000 acre (2nd largest) Army Training base in the world. Ok, now I’m in Columbus GA. Where is my rep? I stood in the middle of the airport, looked left, looked right. No rep (it’s not very big). There were a few Army personnel running around, so I hitched a ride with them. They took me to the CRC (CONUS Replacement Center). Wandered around for a bit, found an open door, and walla. I’m in Bravo Company known as BCO. HooAh. Here’s an interesting thing. I was able to get on base, get a room (by myself), get blankets and sheets, a meal card, and PX privlages without showing any orders or ID that I was supposed to be there. Pretty good Social Engineering don’t ya think. Turns out that my rep thought I was coming in the next day. He read I was leaving on the 23rd (Kwajanites know this is the 22nd). So I arrived on the 23rd not the 24th. It’s Ok, I get 8 hours for travel time and 10 hours pay for sleeping.
In the Classroom for more training

First Aid Training
To keep from using the First Aid Training

The Chaplin provides comfort in these times. What we do as a team, to protect the Freedom that we all enjoy. Let us not forget those that have paid the ultimate sacrafice. God be with us all and watch over each and every one of us and every one of you and your families and Loved ones. We are all supporting our Freedom in our own ways. No one is out of dangers way. Where ever we may be, someone will always have your back....God Speed.