Falachaidh And Family, drumroll please....

[Aon_Daonna]

Ouch... I'm really glad he is coming home tho.. the way isn't exactly after my taste but it is great to know that he's save now.

I lost my best friend 3 years ago and it left a big hole in my heart... He was run over by a lorry

Craig thought about re-joining the army but I'm strictly against that.. it's his decision fair enough but I think I couldn't bear to know he's somewhere where anything could happen...

Well tell your TJ to enjoy Germany I guess he's going to that military hospital (forgot its name) and they have a nice landscape there.. I guess he won't meet too many germans

All the best to you and yer wee family.

[Herrerano]

Sorry to hear TJ was wounded but glad to hear he is on his way out and his spirits are good.

God-speed his full recovery and return to home and family.

Leo

[barddas]

I'm glad to hear that TJ will be home soon. Sorry about the way it happend....
Brettzky sorry to hear that.... I hope your doin' ok...

[free2Bme]

So sorry to hear Travis was injured! I will keep praying for you and yours!

Wishing him a speedy recovery - I am sure he will be up and back into armour in no time at all!

(For those who do not know Travis is a very accomplished swordsman/light weapons fighter in the SCA - a medieval reenactment group - hence one of those guys who dons armour on the weekends for a day rescuing "damsels in distress," etc.)

[RavenWing]

I hope he has a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with you all.

Maybe this is a blessing in disguise?

[Falachaidh]

I got all misty eyed when I read that Daddy Travis is in Iraq.
Keep your chin up and he'll be home soon! I know my family is proud of our boys over there! (Our girls too) We're proud of the families back home too!

A HOMECOMING STORY

Well.. can't remember last time I updated everyone on our condition. Almost exactly to 1 month after Alexa was born, daddy got hit by 2 mortar rounds in Balad, Iraq. His injuries were very severe and he had a choice to live or to die. He chose to live because of me and because of his daughter he had yet to see. He spent about half a day in Balad, Iraq where his life was saved by enlisted surgeons and some Iraqi doctors. He will have permanent scarring all up and down his legs because they don't have the technology over there that we have here. He was stabilized and med-evac'd out of Iraq and into Kuwait where he transferred planes and was on his way to Germany in under 24 hours from sustaining injuries.
He spent about a week in Landstuhl, Germany where he was stabilized even further for the long transport back to the US. He arrived in the US by way of a very bumpy and crappy medical plane. Everyone on the plane had received their purple hearts, but he hadn't. He spent a day at Andrews AFB near Washington DC where he stayed in a large gymnasium full of cots. Then he hopped a plane to Ft. Gordon, near Augusta, GA where is the best treatment for his injuries this country has to offer.
My father, me and Alexa (2 months old) drove the 7 hours to meet daddy Travis for the first time in what seemed forever. (He had did his tour of duty for 6 months at that point) We arrived on base about 7 PM. The hospital brought him out to a main area that was cleared on a gurney with his back to the door. When I saw him, my heart sank and rose and all I could say was 'Oh my god.' I couldn't believe he was still alive and he came home to us because he loves us.
I walked around the other side and handed him his sleeping daughter. He raised both arms up and pulled us down to him and we cried and hugged and exchanged I love you?s until the doctor came out. My dad walked over and Travis grabbed his hand and shook it real hard and thanked him for everything he has helped me and Alexa with during his duty. My dad hugged him. (That's a big one for these two)
I had my hair done, wore a nice outfit, put make-up on and dressed Alexa in a beautiful gold dress... And after we were done hugging, it was all messed up!
My heart was broken still though because he was physically broke. Being such an active and outgoing man, we wondered if he'd be able to even walk normal again.

That Sunday, we went to a service provided by a non-denominational pastor. He read 1 paragraph from the Bible which happened to be the same one priests read at funerals as they are lowering the casket. (Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear?) Our mortality, his mortality swooned over us like the holy spirit did in that movie the Ten Commandments. Tears streamed down our faces. We held each others hand, white knuckled. Alexa slept peacefully through it all.

Well, 5 weeks in the hospital and 4 surgeries later, he came home. We had our fights, arguments, and love. We sought counseling, went out just the two of us, newspapers called us at every moment. We did 4 articles making the front page every time. TJ spent time with Alexa. She got to know her daddy. I enrolled in school working towards a bachelor degree. Then we got that fated call, again.

Travis was to report back to Ft. Gordon to fulfill his active-duty status. (Brief history: FL National Guard will not take any injured soldiers back until they are 100%. Since, he could not go back to Iraq or any major duty, the US Army is ?stuck? with him until he is 100%. He will never reach that point. He will be honorably and medically discharged from the US Army after he has his rehab completed. Until then, he is to remain on active-duty status.) We had 3 days to prepare. While Travis took care of his stuff. I was going to school at night and working full time in the day. This was almost my week of final exams. I had to put Alexa in the care of others for 17 hours each day for a week and a half. Thank god for friends and family! I will never do that again. She lost recognition of me at 4 months old. After the quarter ended, I switched to daytime schooling, and dropped to part time work. Money is tight, but we?re making it.

Now, he has one more surgery to go and then it?s a waiting game for us. He will be home for the whole month of February and we will pull Alexa out of her day time sitters to stay home with daddy. Alexa is 7 ½ months old now and is saying da-da-da-da mmmmm buh bah. She crawls and gets into everything. Pulls herself to a standing position, tries to walk. Sits real good and sturdy. Knows when we play hide and seek, I don?t really disappear, nor does her toys when she drops them behind her back.

Now, after 1 full year, TJ?s unit is coming home for good! They have only had 1 injury to be sent home (which was TJ), and some minor ones that were treated with band aids. Their unit is coming home with honors. He can partake of the ceremonies if he wants. I think we will wait when they come back to the armory.

Our ordeal is over.

[Aon_Daonna]

Falachaid, I'm so glad for you that you are fine now.. I can imagine how hard a time you had in a certain way, but actually I probably can't. It's good to hear from you again and I wish you, TJ and your daughter all the best this earth has to offer. You deserve it!

I hope you'll be here more often now! *sends a big hug over to the states*

[valpal59]

Congratulations and our best wishes to you and yours.

[scottish2]

Not sure how I missed this but better late then never.

Congradulations and best wishes with your growing family!!!

[scottish2]

Was scanning down the thread. Am sorry to hear that Daddy was injured but glad to hear he is doing well

[MacErca]

Congrats and best wishes to you and yours.