Planes, buses, and automobiles

And not necessarily in that order. A month has passed since the last update, and the unit has been busy busy busy. This blog was started to follow our progress towards deployment, and as we enter the last phase the anxiety and excitement is palpable.

The unit had it's official deployment ceremony just a few short days ago, and already the memories of that day are well worn. It was, as is so often the case, a very early day for many of us, followed by a period of time best described as 'attempting to stay awake.' Family members began arriving at 1000 hours and soon after the first members of the Patriot Guard Riders also arrived to help send us on our way in style. Our unit FRG (Family Readiness Group) prepared snacks, cakes, coffee, drinks, and a raffle to help raise money for the FRG (many thanks to Mrs. Macaluso!), and the USO was also in attendance.

As the tables were wrapped in red, white, and blue table cloths the majority of us troops were upstairs, eating a remarkably silent lunch, each of us alone with our own thoughts, eager to see our families and loved ones, but anxious about the finality of the upcoming ceremony. For so very many of us, this day would mark the moment of actualization of the tasks that we had not only trained for beginning with day one of our IET (Initial Entry Training, boot camp) but had volunteered for in spite of, or perhaps because of, the war-time status of the nation. Sobering thoughts for a wintry day.

I was very happy to meet with the members of the Patriot Guard who had arrived, and I was thrilled to find that the Patriot Guard Riders had been notified of our upcoming mission. I had first heard of the PGR a couple of years back, and as a biker had decided to assist in their efforts to give dignified send-offs and homecomings to the Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Sailors of our country back in March. Meeting with Mark and all of the others was truly wonderful, and the challenge coins that I was given are beside me now - I am eagerly looking forward to the day that we all return, and I can ride with them all welcoming home and sending off other units and individuals serving in the armed forces.

The ceremony went off without a hitch, though I am sure that our friends in attendance have a new appreciation for the phrase, "hurry up and wait" which I am certain they had heard many times before, but perhaps had not fully understood.

After being released we all hurried home to spend time with our families, take care of last minute packing, and try to relax a bit before the following morning's formation. My father and mother, never altogether comfortable, I think, with my enthusiasm for motorcycles got to spend far more time with my bike than I think they ever expected to as we loaded it on to the back of my truck. After a few more minutes ensuring that I had everything I will need (or at the least, everything that I could think of) for the upcoming mission, I made my farewells and was able to enjoy a couple of beers, some great conversation, and a delicious dinner with my old lady. Before I knew it, it was time to drive on, pick up another soldier, and report in.

Time moves so slowly during the actual experiencing of events, but now it feels the last 24 hours have flown by. We arrived in a flurry of activity at our home away from home to a welcome brief and a quick check for symptoms of ill health. Chow was simple fare, but good, and I actually think that if I'd wanted to, I could have had seconds. My stomach is growling, so I rather think that would have been a good idea.

Our barracks are adequate, each soldier has a wall locker and a bunk, and the training schedule before us will be fast - very fast. Imagine an artist quickly spreading paint on a canvas, moving so quickly that the colors blur into an almost hypnotic palette...only when his brush stops moving will the ingenuity and full scope, depth, and vibrancy of the piece be comprehended.

The thoughts that thrum through me most frequently are already thoughts of home. The crisp air in Chicago, which in only a few short months will have the earthy smells of spring. Little Italy, where some of my happiest and most treasured memories were created. My family, no doubt even now turning what were my living quarters into computer rooms and guest bedrooms. My girlfriend, who I'm already trying to schedule time to write to, and draw my silly impressions of army life in the margins of the letters, and who has been so strong, and so consistently supportive of me through all of the stress, anxiety, and fears of the what the mission may entail.

It's long past lights out, and I'm going to try to catch a few hours of sleep as my brothers around me are already (LOUDLY) doing. There must be something about being in the Army that makes a soldier snore at night...perhaps it's a subconscious rebellion against the forced silence that accompanies standing at attention and endless classes.

From the first step I knew
this path was set for me;
Shoulder to shoulder
each step brings increasing clarity.