Date: Apr 4, 2009
Through the looking glass
Current mood: quixotic
Wow! It's been quite awhile since I posted here and subsequently at my public blog,( http://charlesking.blogspot.com/ called "A Pax Americana and other fun stuff") There have just been SOOOO many things going on, I really didn't know where to start.... the rise of Facism in America? Socialism takes hold? Assigned to Afghanistan? The passing of my dear friend (and mom)?... where to start, where to start?
February 13th, 2009
Mom passed away of an overwhelming systemic failure following years of declining health. I thank God I was there for all but the last 2 hours of her last day. By the time I left, she was unresponsive and she was for the most part already gone. But the morning hours and night before she died were incredible in so many ways. It was an experience that ratified every belief I have in the hereafter. She was obviously standing with one foot in this world and one in the next.
The conversations we had in those final hours were surreal but so meaningful. She knew it was her time and was in a hurry to get where she needed to go. She would stand up next to her bed and demand "I need to go...NOW!" The first time she did this, I guided her to the restroom. Ooops! We got there and she said - rather impatiently- "I don't need to use the restroom!"
"But mom, you said..."
"No I said I need to go!"
"Go where, Mom?"
"Heaven! [of course!]"
She then had conversations with Dad, Uncle Harry, Nannie, Her dad... passing on messages and all the things they were telling her... It was truly amazing! About half way through, I realized that I was witnessing this all by myself, and I asked the nurse to get Cath (who was in the lobby) so she could share in the magical conversations taking place.
About 4 in the morning, Mom sat on the edge of her bed for the last time. After that, she laid down, and to my knowledge never got up again. I held her hand as we said a rosary at 7AM before I left. Although her eyes never opened and she never spoke, from the time I began the Apostles' Creed to the final "Hail Holy Queen" her grip on my hand was noticably tighter.
By the time I got home, she had passed. Not only do I miss my mom, but a dear friend and fellow conversationalist. One of her final statements to me will remain in my heart and mind forever. "Do you know what happy is? It's love. That's it. Happiness is love...PERIOD!"
Amen!
___________________________
THE GUARD
Things are as unpredictable as ever, although I LOVE the group I'm with ("The Rear Guard"). We number about 30 soldiers who didn't go over with the other 70 to Baghdad. They (the forward guard) are assisting the 30th in Iraq while the rest of us will be sent over to Bagram with our parent Batallion (the 86th) for a COIN mission tentatively leaving for Pre-Mobilization on October 10th.
I've been talking to guys who just got back with the 220th, and I'm definately happier to be heading to Afghanistan where I can do some seriously meaningful COunterINsurgency service. Iraq is completely winding down, with most of the heavy lifting being done by the Iraqis.
Overall, this is GREAT! Every individual who said it would never work, or that peace and liberty couldn't be brought at the end of an M16, or (like Harry Reid) said the war was lost - must now eat their own words! IT WORKED! IRAQ is free! They have a democracy. Granted it's not a Jeffersonian democracy in the image of the US - but if it WAS then we would be guilty of "imposing our culture" on the Iraqis. It is a democracy formed in the image of the Iraqis. So much for that "imperical America" accusation. Anyway, I drift.... in Afghanistan, there is still a war to be fought and won, and I can be a part of that, which is why I rejoined in the first place. In Iraq, the interrogators will be interviewing the same scores of individuals who have been interviewed a dozen times before... the missions in Afghan will be unique sources and gather truly important intel... I'm looking forward to that!!!
_______________________
Tess' and My Wedding
We just started the classes for being married in the Catholic Church... it's really happening!! lol! That's kinda' the way we felt during our first class... "Oh Boy! This is really going to happen!!" Scary, exciting, exhilerating and breathtaking. August 8th is coming up REALLY quick!
________________________
America Bashing
I hafta' be careful here... can't speak badly of my Commander and Chief, ya' know... Let me just say this. If America is "arrogant" it is because we have done more to help others than any other country in the history of the world. If there is an earthquake or a tsunami, Americans are the first there and spend more than most other countries combined. America has given more to the victims of AIDS in Africa and elsewhere than all other contributors combined... when "The UN" flies in to "rescue" some oppressed people, it's actually Americans carrying the weapons, spilling their blood, and nutralizing the perps. In Vietnam, Somalia, Iraq, Kosovo, and most other UN "rescues" when the UN turned tail and ran, it was the American who had to stay behind and pick up the pieces. -ADHD moment - When are those American troops coming home from Kosovo that Clinton promised would be back by Christmas in the '90's??---
Most countries :::::::coughcanadacough::::::::: don't even NEED a military because they know "Those horrible yanks" will defend them. I don't apologize for being an American! I don't apologize for being part of the country that brought freedom to Europe not once, but twice... to the South Pacific, Indionesia, North Africa, Iraq and 'coming soon' Afghanistan. I don't apologize for being part of the culture that has advanced medicine and technology far more than any other civilization in history. I'm not the first to say this, read what a Canadian had to say about America - Gordon Sinclair circa 1972 -http://www.snopes.com/politics/quotes/sinclair.asp
And what is Washington DC (particularly the Congress) doing to preserve the most productive, most successful, most advanced, most free civilization ever created on the planet? The country that has lead the rest of the world for the majority of it's 200 year history? They are trying to turn it into France... into the EU... into the same failed system that created the Soviet Union, Cuba, North Korea, China... such wonderful role models. How stupid do you have to be to realize you can't spend your way out of debt?!?!?!?!?!?! "Duh! My credit cards are maxed out... so let me get another credit card and transfer the ballances and put intrest onto intrest .." Yeah! There's a winner of an idea!
Well, they wanted change and they got it in spades! Let's see how they like them apples in 2, 4, or 10 years when intrest skyrockets, when the massive printing of paper money has devalued the dollar, and inflation comes back in double digits! We didn't get Bush's 3rd term, we got Carter's 2nd term... God help us!
Currently watching:
The Dark Knight (Two-Disc Special Edition + Digital Copy)
Release date: 2008-12-09
Saturday, April 04, 2009
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Uggggh! The Guard is driving me insane!
December 4, 2008 - Thursday
Things are crazy
Current mood: crazy
Okay for most of you this is going to be utterly boring, but give me a second to vent, would ya'?
Here's a chronology of some of 2008's significant events for me:
February – April 2008 Pvt. Charles K. Byrne deploys to Warrior Transition Training at Ft. Sill Oklahoma, Santa Fe New Mexico, and White Sands Missile Range New Mexico. His unit, B Company, 86th BDE, IBCT (Mountain) is scheduled to deploy to Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) around February of 2010.
March 22nd, 2008 Realizing he hasn't been paid for training to date, Pvt. Byrne files form 2142 "Pay Inquiry" at White Sands Missile Range. Through investigation, it is found that although Charles updated his pay information at the National Guard level, the Regular Army had directly deposited paychecks dated March 17th '08, April 1st, '08, and April 9th '08 to a pre-paid credit card Charles no longer possessed.
April 4th, 2008 Pvt. Byrne graduates from Warrior Transition Training and returns to Denver. Moves into his mother's new apartment while arranging a new place to live for himself.
May 19th, 2008 After weeks of trying to resolve the pay issue, Pvt. Byrne enlists the help of Sergeant Patton of the 86th MI Company.
June 2008 Pvt. Byrne is selected to be a member of the Joint Task Force for the 2008 Democratic National Convention and begins training for crowd/riot control and chem/bio attack response.
July 11th 2008 Pvt. Byrne and the rest of the 86th MI unit are informed that due to their exceptional readiness and training levels, their deployment date is being "bumped up" from February 2010 to February 2009 – 8 months away, it will also change from Afghanistan to Iraq. Upon receiving this information Pvt. Byrne reassesses getting an apartment of his own. Of the eight upcoming months, no less than four will be required for his MOS training as an interrogator. Another month will be spent as part of the DNC detail, leaving three months "at home" before a 1-year deployment to Baghdad. Charles and his mother agree that it would be easier all around if Charles were to stay at the apartment and find a new place after returning from Baghdad in 2010.
This announcement also completely blows apart the plans Tess and I are making for a 2009 wedding.
August 22nd – August 30th, 2008
Pvt. Byrne and the rest of the DNC detail are placed on "lockdown" before and during the Democrat National Convention. While training for the Democratic National Convention, Pvt.Byrne is assisted by SFC Tyler in tracing down the $960.00 + in lost WTC checks. Also during this time, the health of Pvt. Byrne's 79-year-old mother deteriorates.
August 31st – September 2nd, 2008
Pvt. Byrne is in Kiowa, Colorado performing for the FCRV Statewide Convention. Charles returns to Denver to find his mother (Dorothy) has been taken to St. Joseph's Hospital with multiple system failures.
September 9th, 2008 Dorothy Byrne is taken to The Hospice of St. John's and given a prognosis of "weeks not months."
September 5th, 2008 Pvt. Byrne receives confirmation from ATRRS (The Army Training Requirements and Reservations System) that he will be attending Interrogator School at Camp Williams, UT from October 3rd – December 17th, 2008.
September 10th, 2008 Pvt. Byrne receives confirmation on travel to and from Camp Williams. At this time, he cancels a number of shows and instructs his agent (Terri Fisher of 5-Star Talent and Events) not to schedule any workdays during his training period.
September 10th, 2008 Pvt. Byrne completes his "E QIP" application for security clearance (An interim 'Secret' clearance is required for Interrogator school). Charles is also informed that "the unit" will be going "on orders" on November 1st. "Going on orders" means those involved will be transferred from "one weekend a month" to fulltime Army and will be paid the full monthly allowance their rank earns. Also, when one "goes on orders" they are given a reimbursement for rent/mortgage.
October 2nd, 2008 On the day before he is to leave for Camp Williams, Pvt. Byrne is informed he will not be going to school as planned. This decision was based upon a faulty understanding of the requirements for Interrogator school. It was assumed that a "Secret" clearance and "interim Top Secret" clearance was required to attend. However, those restrictions do not go into effect until October of next year. Currently, only an "interim Secret" clearance is required. He is assured at this time, however, that he will still be going "on orders" November 1st.
October 12th, 2008 Charles requests information and an application from the Colorado National Guard Foundation – an organization designed to help Guard Soldiers in temporary financial straits.
October 15th, 2008 Pvt. Byrne faxes his request application to the CNGF.
October 16th, 2008 Pvt. Byrne learns from his squad leader (Sgt Tracy) that he will in fact NOT be included in the group that is to "Go on orders" November 1st. Pvt. Byrne also receives an email from the CNGF stating that they are unable to release funds at the time due to an end-of-the-year audit. He is referred to EANGUS "We Care for America" Foundation.
During the following weeks, Pvt. Byrne applies to Target, ACE Hardware, Starbucks, Home Depot, Blockbuster Video, Hollywood Video, Rent-A-Center, as well as several convenience stores and a number of bars. Many (such as The Cheesecake Factory and Hard Rock Café have current hiring freezes until January) On October 21st, 2008 he applies to Able Body Labor attempting to gain temporary labor employment.
November 14th, 2008 During drill weekend, Pvt. Byrne learns from SFC Tyler that the paperwork of August 22nd was returned to her due to an error in the paperwork. She further stated she corrected the error and resent the paperwork the last week in October and Pvt. Byrne should be receiving a check within three weeks.
Situation as it currently stands:
When contacted, SFC Tyler said I should be receiving the WTC checks "any day now". Furthermore, $300.00 bonus money for each drill in October and November is also outstanding. This is not a problem unique to me, but unit-wide and is being pursued by the unit command. So this adds a further $600.00 I should be getting "anytime now." As I am working on resolutions to these challenges, I am also working to resolve my security clearance issues. Once my "interim Secret" clearance is resolved, I will be attending Interrogator School. Upon graduation of Interrogator School, I will receive my $20,000.00 enlistment bonus. Searching for employment in the civilian sector is also ongoing. On December 2nd, Lisa Cooley of Family Readiness Support provided me with more contacts to help in the job search.
So excuse me for a moment.......
UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
Okay I feel much better now!
Currently watching :
The Usual Suspects (Special Editon)
Release date: 2002-04-02
Things are crazy
Current mood: crazy
Okay for most of you this is going to be utterly boring, but give me a second to vent, would ya'?
Here's a chronology of some of 2008's significant events for me:
February – April 2008 Pvt. Charles K. Byrne deploys to Warrior Transition Training at Ft. Sill Oklahoma, Santa Fe New Mexico, and White Sands Missile Range New Mexico. His unit, B Company, 86th BDE, IBCT (Mountain) is scheduled to deploy to Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) around February of 2010.
March 22nd, 2008 Realizing he hasn't been paid for training to date, Pvt. Byrne files form 2142 "Pay Inquiry" at White Sands Missile Range. Through investigation, it is found that although Charles updated his pay information at the National Guard level, the Regular Army had directly deposited paychecks dated March 17th '08, April 1st, '08, and April 9th '08 to a pre-paid credit card Charles no longer possessed.
April 4th, 2008 Pvt. Byrne graduates from Warrior Transition Training and returns to Denver. Moves into his mother's new apartment while arranging a new place to live for himself.
May 19th, 2008 After weeks of trying to resolve the pay issue, Pvt. Byrne enlists the help of Sergeant Patton of the 86th MI Company.
June 2008 Pvt. Byrne is selected to be a member of the Joint Task Force for the 2008 Democratic National Convention and begins training for crowd/riot control and chem/bio attack response.
July 11th 2008 Pvt. Byrne and the rest of the 86th MI unit are informed that due to their exceptional readiness and training levels, their deployment date is being "bumped up" from February 2010 to February 2009 – 8 months away, it will also change from Afghanistan to Iraq. Upon receiving this information Pvt. Byrne reassesses getting an apartment of his own. Of the eight upcoming months, no less than four will be required for his MOS training as an interrogator. Another month will be spent as part of the DNC detail, leaving three months "at home" before a 1-year deployment to Baghdad. Charles and his mother agree that it would be easier all around if Charles were to stay at the apartment and find a new place after returning from Baghdad in 2010.
This announcement also completely blows apart the plans Tess and I are making for a 2009 wedding.
August 22nd – August 30th, 2008
Pvt. Byrne and the rest of the DNC detail are placed on "lockdown" before and during the Democrat National Convention. While training for the Democratic National Convention, Pvt.Byrne is assisted by SFC Tyler in tracing down the $960.00 + in lost WTC checks. Also during this time, the health of Pvt. Byrne's 79-year-old mother deteriorates.
August 31st – September 2nd, 2008
Pvt. Byrne is in Kiowa, Colorado performing for the FCRV Statewide Convention. Charles returns to Denver to find his mother (Dorothy) has been taken to St. Joseph's Hospital with multiple system failures.
September 9th, 2008 Dorothy Byrne is taken to The Hospice of St. John's and given a prognosis of "weeks not months."
September 5th, 2008 Pvt. Byrne receives confirmation from ATRRS (The Army Training Requirements and Reservations System) that he will be attending Interrogator School at Camp Williams, UT from October 3rd – December 17th, 2008.
September 10th, 2008 Pvt. Byrne receives confirmation on travel to and from Camp Williams. At this time, he cancels a number of shows and instructs his agent (Terri Fisher of 5-Star Talent and Events) not to schedule any workdays during his training period.
September 10th, 2008 Pvt. Byrne completes his "E QIP" application for security clearance (An interim 'Secret' clearance is required for Interrogator school). Charles is also informed that "the unit" will be going "on orders" on November 1st. "Going on orders" means those involved will be transferred from "one weekend a month" to fulltime Army and will be paid the full monthly allowance their rank earns. Also, when one "goes on orders" they are given a reimbursement for rent/mortgage.
October 2nd, 2008 On the day before he is to leave for Camp Williams, Pvt. Byrne is informed he will not be going to school as planned. This decision was based upon a faulty understanding of the requirements for Interrogator school. It was assumed that a "Secret" clearance and "interim Top Secret" clearance was required to attend. However, those restrictions do not go into effect until October of next year. Currently, only an "interim Secret" clearance is required. He is assured at this time, however, that he will still be going "on orders" November 1st.
October 12th, 2008 Charles requests information and an application from the Colorado National Guard Foundation – an organization designed to help Guard Soldiers in temporary financial straits.
October 15th, 2008 Pvt. Byrne faxes his request application to the CNGF.
October 16th, 2008 Pvt. Byrne learns from his squad leader (Sgt Tracy) that he will in fact NOT be included in the group that is to "Go on orders" November 1st. Pvt. Byrne also receives an email from the CNGF stating that they are unable to release funds at the time due to an end-of-the-year audit. He is referred to EANGUS "We Care for America" Foundation.
During the following weeks, Pvt. Byrne applies to Target, ACE Hardware, Starbucks, Home Depot, Blockbuster Video, Hollywood Video, Rent-A-Center, as well as several convenience stores and a number of bars. Many (such as The Cheesecake Factory and Hard Rock Café have current hiring freezes until January) On October 21st, 2008 he applies to Able Body Labor attempting to gain temporary labor employment.
November 14th, 2008 During drill weekend, Pvt. Byrne learns from SFC Tyler that the paperwork of August 22nd was returned to her due to an error in the paperwork. She further stated she corrected the error and resent the paperwork the last week in October and Pvt. Byrne should be receiving a check within three weeks.
Situation as it currently stands:
When contacted, SFC Tyler said I should be receiving the WTC checks "any day now". Furthermore, $300.00 bonus money for each drill in October and November is also outstanding. This is not a problem unique to me, but unit-wide and is being pursued by the unit command. So this adds a further $600.00 I should be getting "anytime now." As I am working on resolutions to these challenges, I am also working to resolve my security clearance issues. Once my "interim Secret" clearance is resolved, I will be attending Interrogator School. Upon graduation of Interrogator School, I will receive my $20,000.00 enlistment bonus. Searching for employment in the civilian sector is also ongoing. On December 2nd, Lisa Cooley of Family Readiness Support provided me with more contacts to help in the job search.
So excuse me for a moment.......
UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!
Okay I feel much better now!
Currently watching :
The Usual Suspects (Special Editon)
Release date: 2002-04-02
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