Posted: 5/15/2011 7:53:35 AM EDT
|
After 5 years on active duty, 4 tours of Irag and 3 in the Afganistan. My neighbors son, who served as a Sgt and as a Ranger/Sniper is home safe and sound. We threw a surprise ETS party for him last night, invited all his friends, there were neighbors and relatives and basically a mess of people who knew him and supported him. Although it was cold and wet, the party went on anyway. Set up a canopy, fire pit, keg, brisket, meatballs, and two smoked/roasted front quarters of a pig and lots of other stuff to eat. There was plenty of booze and no one was shy in the partaking of food and drink. Lot's of stories, handshakes and hugs and a grand merry time. He showed us the engraved knife the guys from his unit gave him (Don't ask me what it was, but it was awesome looking) The wife and I presented him with a Auto Ordnance copy of the M1911A1. I got lucky when I found this pistol, 2006 serial number, unfired and everything real tight with original box and all the papers.
To my surprise, he gave me a US Flag that he carried with him on his last tour, a insurgent chest rig with AK mags that he took from one of his kills and a Ranger Challenge Coin. I plan to fly the flag on Armed Forces Day and every Memorial Day from now on. His fiance is a beautiful young lady that balances him out perfectly, they will be moving to Florida while he goes to college and than they will be married afterwards and after that, who knows what he'll accomplish. If you are ever at Hooters in West Des Moines, look for the Hooters Flag that has all the signatures. The flag was signed and carried in Irag by this young mans platoon. Hopefully I can find some suitable pictures to post. |