Those who know me, please read!!!

[ender098]

"Careful what you ask for...you just might get it!"

Sound familiar? I've been hoping to get deployed to Iraq. I'm not Crazy nor do I have a death wish, I just wanna go see the part of the world that has dominated the news for the last 3+ years.

I wasn't scheduled to go on the February deployment. I was told I might be able to go on the next rotation next August. But Today, our Group Comm Cheif came up to me and asked how bad I wanted to go...I said "I'd go tomorrow if you'll send me"

Well, maybe not Tomorrow, but Monday I fly out to Florida for a month of training and then two months around the middle east. That's right! I'm shipping out with a little over one day notice!

To Tunnelrat, ToneGuns and jjsvipers...My wife will ship your stuff out on the 1st. Some of you were inquiring about the large items I was planning on getting rid of. It's kinda a moot point right now, I don't have time to pack and ship them, sorry! When I get back in November, I'll IM you all and let you know what the deal with that stuff is.

Hopefully, I can log in a few times from Tampa and a few times while overseas. I had intended to get my Garage set up and continue with my "Enemy of my Enemy" dio in the next few weeks, and that's why I haven't been contributing much! I love what a lot of you have been doing with your pics and stories...keep it coming in my absence. I'll catch what I can when I can, and catch up when I get back! (I may take Snake eyes with me and do some Pics from Iraq!!)

Frank

[lehsreh]

[COLOR=Red]wow, i guess congrats are in order because you get what you want. hope everything goes well while your over there and you come back safe. i for one cannot even begin to say what courage it takes to go into a war torn country, only thing i ever do if mma fights, not even close to what your going into. even if you dont see combat, it takes guts plain and simple and thats what our country needs. wish you could be around more, but im sure we all understand. go and do our country and GI Joe proud. [/COLOR]

[General Scarlett]

Congrats Frank, truly.... :cool:

Since we met I've known how important this is to you, and I'm happy for you that this is finally coming full circle. I'm also worried for you, and that's not going to change. I know that you will be vigilant and steadfast in this deployment, but never forget that crazy doesn't follow any rules.

You join a long line of friends in my life who have been deployed and seen combat in this area........and like all of them, I expect you to return safe and sound. So go and serve and continue to do what you have done since you made the free will choice to 'answer the call to serve'..........and don't get dead!!! ;)


Know that I'll leave a light on for you, warm thoughts in my heart and prayers to God on my lips each and every minute of every day......... :)

Semper Fi Marine!!!!! HOO-AH!!!!!

[Self-Modifier]

Ender, I don't know you all that well, but for what you're about to do, you have my utmost respect and gratitude-- Moreso than I could ever find the words to describe.

Good luck, and please come home safe.

[Captain Max]

Good Hunting,Gunny! And stay safe,too.I'll be praying for you as well,Frank. :)

God Bless,Jarhead.

[Outrider]

Momentous news Frank. I'll remember you in my prayers, even though I know it would take more than some chickensh*t terrorist to bring down the Ender. I truly hope everything goes well for you Frank...stay safe, buddy! :)

[tunnelrat88]

Best of luck out over there Frank. Keep safe and I just want to thank you for serving our country. As for the items, I'll send a money order as soon as I can, but what do you want to do about the shipping costs?

[Fisher]

As others have said, Frank, come back safe.

[Stormer]

As the others have said; congrats on getting the assignment you've been after; you certainly have my utmost respect for wanting to get out there and do your bit to make the world a better place. I hope it all goes as well for you as possible and will look forward to your safe return!

[Ion]

Well, well - congratulations then on your assignment :) As others said before - don't get yourself killed :)
And besides - great that your dream came true - even if I don't actually support all Iraqi case

Be back in one piece :)

[C-GDSM 2487]

Have a good tour of duty
and stay safe :)

[LordRaven]

Holy crap dude. Happy Hunting when you get there, I'm sure we'll be in touch. Keep safe.

[General Jones]

Good Luck Frank.

[gung ho]

i wouldn't want to go to iraq but if you do thats your choice.........hope you have a safe trip man make it back in one peice :D

[gogorobo]

God speed sir and may you return safely

[ToneGunsRevisited]

Frank,

I can't be happy about this kind of news at all. However, I'm sure you'll come back safe for us. Go and do what you need to do and God Bless you my friend.

"The war is only delightful to those who have not experienced it."
Erasmus

[bravo]

frank,
while your there take some pics, i would love to see the other side of iraq, thay say its like a nother new york city. well frank stay safe, and dont forget about us,your a big part of this family just as the rest of us are, much love,,,

[Flatline]

You Have Alot Of Honor And I Wish You And Your Famaliy The Best ..... come Home! Thats An Order......

[ender098]

[SIZE=4]UPDATE!!![/SIZE]

Damn the Gods that be! I worked my @$$ off all day swimming upstream through the beauracracy that is the MArine Corps. At 1430 hrs (2:30pm) I had the orders on the Colonels Desk to get approval when someone raised the questions if I had taken the Block I and II training needed to go to Iraq. After a Lengthy Debate (it was still going on when I left to go home at 3:30 pm) I got my orders pulled and I'm staying put...for now.....

Oh well.....I WILL GET THERE....

At least I made friends in the upper eschelon for WANTING to go at the last minute and TRY to pull their bacon out of the fire!

Well, looking on the bright side..a few more weeks and I should resume working on my dios. Thanks for all your encouraging words...(and just think, when I finally do go, you won't have to write them all over again.....just say "See Last Iraq Post!!" LOL)

:(
Frank

[General Scarlett]

I can't say that I'm disappointed......but I do know how the 'red tape' of the military works, and it does sux!!

I am a firm believer in 'all things happen for a reason', and while none of us may know the reason here and now........in time it will be revealed.


Spend this extra time with your wife and kids, remind them that you love them and enjoy every second you are given.........


And I'll still write a new post, just for you!!! ;) :cool:

[lehsreh]

[COLOR=Red]sorry, bad thing for you i know. but im sure all of us feel its not so bad.[/COLOR]

[MEXJOE]

Let Everything In Hands Of Your Superior Power, Things Happen In Due Time And "semper Fidelis" To Your Family, To Your Ideals, To Your Beliefs. It's Good To Have You A Little More Time For Here.

[gung ho]

well i'm sorta glad you not going cuz iraqs a messed up place to be and you might get killed soo yeah glad your not going

[Bayer]

Ender098,
Semper Fi!
From a Soldier to a Soldier, the time will come marine, just wait for it!
I found this and think it sums up my feelings about serving;

"I was that, which others cared not to be.
"I went where others feared to go and did what others failed to do.
"I asked nothing from those that gave nothing. and, reluctantly, accepted the thought of eternal loneliness...should I fail.
"I have seen the face of terror, felt the chill of fear, warmed to the touch of love.
"I have hoped, pained, cried. But, foremost, lived in times others would say, best forgotten.
"At the very least, in later days, I will be able to say with greatest pride, that I was indeed a SOLDIER".

Author Unknown

Bayer

[Invasor]

:cool: Well I don´t know you, but good luck anyway. SEMPER FI !!!

[nando]

Frank im happy for u man just take care an watch your six ok SEMPER FI , THE BEST wishes from Peru , good luck

[G.I.*Jock]

Frank, you are without doubt a very brave man for wanting to go anywhere near that region of the world... Never mind Iraq!

You will do us all proud...

When you get there! ;)

Dave :D

[jjsvipers]

take care frank! and thanks for all of your help look foward to more deals with you when you return.

[Mobius_1]

Aaaawww...... i wanted to hear stories of you kicking @ss..... ;)

Take some photos of the good Iraqis for me!!! (I've got alot of people to convince :rolleyes: )