Thanks

As September closes in, and while we gear-up for the move back to Riley, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all the FRG and family members for their support. When the country called, and when your spouse needed you most, you were there. Whether you filled the shoes of both Mom & Dad, single-handedly ran a household, volunteered to support others less fortunate in your company or a combination of all three, the soldiers here appreciated your sacrifice, your supportive efforts and every one of those hopes and prayers you sent directly from your heart. Though separated for a year you were never left behind; always in their hearts and minds and the reason they had to fight. Your support lightened the awesome burden for these young men and women in harms way and was truly appreciated. Make no mistake; it was with your support that we freed a nation.

Most Americans see celebrity military heroes in the movies and tend to equate them to their family member deployed. But I will tell you that when the real bombs fell, when real bullets were fired, when real ambushes occurred, Mel Gibson was not here. He faced no real danger. Braveheart exists only in the movies; here we needed your soldier to truly perform that role. Julia Roberts isn't here or Meg Ryan flying a helicopter. Your spouse is carrying the honor and dignity of true men and women of honor. They didn't "act" the role of a warrior; they lived it. Your loved ones took the 125 degree weather, the mortars, the sand, the wind, the no showers and the exploding devises placed in their way. They did that to honor you and to honor America. They are the real knights, not the made up movie version. They are not paid to act or for their diplomacy, but rather their ferocity as warfighters. And they are as proud of you, and your support, as they are of themselves and what they have accomplished. Although often displayed through the humble silence of a true warrior. Anyone can act on TV. Even the Marines that arrived after we had been here for six months found out that winning battles against computer-generated monsters on their commercials is nothing like the real discipline needed to maintain focus on a battlefield. Here the monster is real, and it cuts heads off.

Through it all, your loved ones here have performed remarkably. They lived under the strict standards of uniform and conduct while in a combat zone for an entire year and did it well. For a year their eyes and ears were filled with the sufferings of war. They were attacked by mortars and rockets. They were shot at with rifles and RPGs. They looked upon bloodied soldiers and civilians, lost limbs, bodies burned before their very eyes and children crying for food, water, and the right to simply exist. They know the sounds of an IED, of a mortar and rocket attack, and the sound of their own heartbeat as those things aimed at them missed their mark. Some have also heard the sound of taps so many times that it is now a permanent echo in their mind.

I wish I could say it ends when we arrive back home, but it doesn't. It will take the support of "family" to ease back into "family life" and a normal routine. The warfighter you kissed goodbye and shared with the world over a year ago will be a little different coming back. You cannot live through what they have and remain unchanged. They have lessened the burden of the Iraqi people but have increased their own. When they arrive, they will be bringing home more than just their equipment. They will be carrying back to America the burden of military service, and the