My brother is headed to Iraq

[wolfie]

My thoughts and prayers are with your brother and his unit as well as you and your family. Please be sure to send a message to your brother and his unit telling them how grateful myself and my family are for their brave and selfless service. Please keep us updated!

[pamziaw]

Hey hun, came back on for a look on the forums for the first time in a long time this morning to see this. Firstly, recieve a hug *HUG*. I can't imagine what you're going through however know that everyone is here to help and support you through it. We'll all be praying for your brothers safety while he is away. Some of my family have been sent away, one of my friends fought in afghanistan during the war on terror. While it's hard, hold onto the fact that while he is in danger he won't be there forever and he is being looked after by his platoon so he isn't alone nad niether are you, you can still contact and talk to him. I don't feel theres anything more i can say hun.

[Percy's Mom]

Once again, thank all of you so much for your kind words and thoughts. I have "spoken" to Matt via IMs a few times, and it seems that they will have constant internet access when they have down time. That will indeed make things SO much better for all of us. I'm going to set up a new AIM screen name for Mom, so she can chat with him as well and give her a quick REtutorial on how to do so. We've also received a couple of phone calls and emails.

He finally arrived at his assigned base today. They are starting "battle sight zero" testing tomorrow. Basically, they have to make sure they can use their rifles properly and accurately with live rounds in the dessert. As they are a rescue unit, they won't have as much need as the infantry guys, but you never know what will happen out there, and it's so much safer if they are prepared for all situations.

[JarBax]

Thinking of you, and your family.

[Percy's Mom]

Well, it's been almost 2 months now, and so far, Matt's unit hasn't seen any action. They've done a few inspections on nearby bases, a lot of training, and have a lot of downtime. I can truly say that I'm very thankful for the internet and email. Because of the technology, we're hearing from Matt daily either through emails, IMs, and even phone calls. He has a camera with him at all times, as do I, so lots of pictures are being sent back and forth.

This morning, Matt was sworn in again, so we get to have more USMC fun until at least 2012. Since y'all have been so great and supportive, I thought I would post a few pictures for your viewing pleasure.

This morning while being sworn in.


After the swearing in with the lieutenant who swore him in. I think his last name is Nordman, which is kind of funny since ours is Nordin.

[Percy's Mom]

And a couple just for fun.

Matt, his M16, and a very large helicopter.


The Grillmaster

[Raisintosser]

I know what you are going through and I wish your brother, you and your family all the best. My younger brother is supposed to be leaving for Afghanistan in Aug/Sept 2008. He's been in the army for almost 2 years now and has to sign on for another 3 years if he wants to go over next year (his 3 years will end while he is over seas). 23 years old, with a pregnant girlfriend and going into a war torn country... He is training to be a gunner on a LAV right now. One of the more dangerous jobs.

All the best to you and yours,

Roisin

[Chaos&Order]

Any updates, PM? It must be getting lonely for the guys out there while we are approaching the holidays.

[Percy's Mom]

They are all doing really well actually. I guess when things are going especially well, it's easy to forget about updates. One of the guys' mothers sent him a 3' Christmas tree, so those that celebrate Christmas will have a bit of home and something to decorate. Matt made himself a menorah in the wood shop there, painted it USMC red and yellow and lit Chanukah candles over the past week, sending us pictures each night. We sent him pictures of our candle lighting each night as well, so in a way, it was like celebrating together.

[Chaos&Order]

That's a nice way to celebrate Hanukkah with family that is away. Glad to hear they are all doing well.

[Percy's Mom]

Just a quick update. Matt gave us a date that he should be coming home, April 17, 2007. If that stays, he will be home a week before his 22nd birthday and a month and 10 days before his first wedding anniversary. Just last week he found out that on January 1, 2007, he will be promoted from Lance Corporal to Corporal. YEAH!

[Jenni_Feathers]

Thats awesome!

[suzilovespiggie]

That is good good news. Hurry up April!

[Percy's Mom]

Well, the time has come. It's 1:30am in Richmond, and 0830 in Camp Korean Village in Iraq. Matt and the rest of the guys are flying from there at 1100. They go to another base in Iraq for a few days, then to Kuwait, then on the way back to the states, they have a fuel stop in Germany or Ireland. Fueling the planes definitely, but I'm pretty sure they will be refueling the Marines as well.

Mom and I are leaving Richmond on April 15 to pick up Grandpa in Raleigh, then headed for Jacksonville. Matt's wife, Anna, is meeting us in J'ville. Dad and our grandmother are meeting us there on April 16, and the guys are scheduled to be back that afternoon.

To further update, Matt did get that promotion, so he has been officially Cpl Matthew Nordin for about 3.5 months now. He will be in North Carolina until August and then he is transferring to Quantico in Northern Virginia for at least the next 3 years, so he will be MUCH closer and easier to visit.

[VoodooJoint]

Safe trip home and into the waiting arms of your family Matt! The Maistros family sends you lots of hugs (and I send kisses too 'cause your cute).

[Percy's Mom]

He is cute! I know all of us would agree with you, especially Anna. I think she's had the roughest time of all of this. They were married in late May before he was shipped off in September. I think she's working on a trip for the two of them to FINALLY have their honeymoon in mid-late May.

We're going to Las Vegas for our uncle's wedding the first weekend in May. Cary (our uncle) won't admit it, but I'm convinced that they rescheduled from April 13 to May 4 so Matt would be back in this country.

[PiggieMamaKelly]

Originally Posted by Percy's Mom

Fueling the planes definitely, but I'm pretty sure they will be refueling the Marines as well.

Well with what they are re-fueling is the interesting question. On my husband's plane back from Iraq they all got free and unlimited beer (after having none for months). The civilized