Pictures of Thanksgiving!

So I opened up my inbox this afternoon, and was about to delete an email with a sender's name I did not recognize. It was not until I read the Subject Line that I realized that it was not in fact Spam mail, but it was a slideshow of pictures from Dusten's Thanksgiving Feast. The owner of the Sunset Beach Sportsman’s Club was kind enough to capture the recruit's holiday, and share it with their families. Hope you enjoy the pics as much as I did!!! :]

http://www.photoshow.com/watch/kK4eS5Cn

Almost Forgot!!!

This was the BEST news that we received about his personal achievements over there... Out of the approximately 100 recruits in his company, Dusten was one of eight to qualify as a "Sharp Shooter" for a pistol. He was recognized for his accomplishment, and it will maintain on Dusty's personal resume for the rest of his military career. It is even more beneficial for himself because of his desire to be apart of the MSST squad! :]

Thanks Terry and Uncle Kenny for all of those "gun genes!" :]

Thanksgiving Day Calls

Yep! We finally got to hear from our boy!!!

Today's Thanksgiving is always going to be one remembered. Although it was filled with MANY tears, we were able to speak with Dusten - a privilege that cannot be described. I'm sure that Terry and Brenda will post their stories as well, but mine starts off early in the morning...

An early 9:30 [It was my day to sleep in], and my phone is screeching to be answered. Without having to glance at the foreign 609 number on my caller ID, I immediately knew who it was on the other end. That was the first call of the day, one filled with many "I miss you's," and "I want to be home's." There were a few key pieces of information though that was shared about Dusten himself, and his Tango 180 company.

We'll start with the company... As a whole they are doing well. There were a few unfortunate losses - four recruits were taken away in ambulances, one was caught trying to hang himself with a noose he configured in knot tying class, and the other... Well, I forgot what happened to him. That brings the total of their group to roughly 93. They stand watch every other night, and each recruit must serve a two hour duty, cutting their regular six hours of sleep to an unbearable four. To us it sounds like more of a punishment, but on the contrary, it is a deep honor for the recruits to stand watch of their station - keeping their home and fellow Coasties safe through the night.

Dusten himself! I've never been prouder!!! :] He has aced all of his written tests so far [where was this genius in High School? -kidding], and has passed majority of the physical requirements. He said that with all of the training that they've been doing - the mile and a half run in twelve minutes was a breeze, as well as the sit ups, and sit-and-reach. One slip up though was the push-up test. The recruits are required to perform 29 consecutive push-ups within one minute, without touching the ground, or breaking form. Our boy was on push-up 27 when his shoulder dislocated from it's socket, breaking his form, and causing him to fall. He was so disappointed. He said that it could have happened at any other time, but it just HAD to be when he was taking his physical exam. All is okay though, he will have the opportunity to make up the push-up portion of the exam tomorrow [November 28th], so keep him in your prayers!!! Also tomorrow, he is going to be taking his mid-term final. He says that he is very confident, and is going to do well! Whoo-hoo!!! Oh, other great news about him... He did complete his "wish-list" last week, and will be finding this coming up week where his first station will be!!! I'll keep you all updated on that subject... :]

I was able to talk to Dusten two more times today, once for thirty minutes and the other for a full hour and a half! This was all thanks to the Operation Fireside program, and the local bar/grill that housed Dusten and nine of his fellow recruits. Dusty said that the customers of the restaurant were all really friendly, and would just offer their cell phones out to anyone who wanted to use them. It's great how military personnel bring a community together. :]

That's about it on my side of the Thanksgiving calls, I'm sure that Terry and Brenda are going to have much more to add. Keep up the comments, letters, prayers, and support everyone! Our boy is really woring hard over there, and I know that it is the people here that keep his fire burning.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday... Goodnight.

Dusten's Second Letter[s]!

Okay, first off... Sorry that I'm a huge slacker and it's taken me three days to post this.

Overall, Tango 180 is doing extremely well as a company. They have lost a couple people, two due to injury, and another because of some dismissal... That leaves them with a grand total of 93 seaman! They started night watch during week two, which is awesome! Usually that doesn't start until week three, so it's a huge honor to be granted duty so early. Of course, being the military - there's always a catch. Yes, it's a great honor to be granted duty early, but that limits the recruits to an average of two to four hours of sleep at night. Keep it up boys!!! We know that you can do it!!!

Dusten as an individual seems to be having some problems. :[ He's really homesick, and unfortunately hasn't been receiving any of our letters. They have mail call twice a week -they've had it three times totay], and each time they have four minutes to read their mail. He said that he is the only one out of his company of 93 that had not received any mail, and that it is so hard to sit there for the full four minutes and watch everyone enjoy letters from home, while he has to stand with nothing. [Totally breaks my heart]. I'm not sure what the problem is exactly; I've double checked the address with the Cape May Post Office, talked with the Red Cross, and even called upon the help from an aquaintence who is currently an Army recruiter. No luck... Brenda spoke with Grandpa Russ, so I'll update you all when I find out more about that [Or maybe Grandma Barb or Grandpa Russ could just post a quick update on here?]. Aside from the letter news... He claims that he is getting used to the IT drills [Intensive Training], and that he's really excited for Thanksgiving/ Operation Fireside because he gets to CALL home!!!

Sorry that it's not the best news from our boy, but know that a) His letter was dated the 16th, so a lot may have happened in eight days, and b) Only 29 more daysss!!! WHOOO TANGO 180!!!

Enjoy the Warm Weather

I just checked the forecast for Cape May...

Today the high is 37 degrees! It's going to be warming up over the next week, and may even reach a high of 47 degrees! Unfortunately, with that high of 47, you're going to be battling the icy rain and chilling wind.

And we're wearing sweaters in Arizona? I just thought I'd point it out... So that we all remember to appreciate his dedication and service... We sure do love our boy! [Ooo... Man now, right?]

Photos!

Week One Photos

Week Two Photos

New USCGBC Journal Post!

Yep, it's true! The second post for Tango 180 was posted this afternoon.

Backtrack... So I just got home from work, and whenever I get mail it's always waiting for me on my dresser. I walked in, and found an envelope with Dusten's handwriting addressed from Cape May! I was SO excited to open it, I dropped my bag and ran to grab it. I was SO DISAPPOINTED. I realized that it was not a new letter, but in fact the letter from last week... I was looking at it before I left for work, and had forgotten it on my dresser. Totally faked myself out. Ugh... What a terrible feeling. :[

On the brighter side, the new journal entry was much better than last weeks. It did speak of some of their accomplishments, and also let us know that they are in fact receiving our letters! :] They received their "pieces" this week... Twentieth century rifles that are used for drills in formation and training.

Oh man... I am so proud of him! :] Check out the new link. There are a couple pictures of the company in class. There's one person that I believe may be Dusten, but it's a bit grainy and hard to tell - with their shaved heads they all look alike! [We all know Dusten's is a big on the large side though. :] - and that's said only with love.]

http://www.uscgbootcamp.com/go/doc/763/241597/

Keep up the posts and letters everyone! I know he's going to LOVE them when he returns home. :]

Thanksgiving/ Operation Fireside

To add onto my previous post, I started a thread on the uscg.org forum to see if Dusten would qualify for the Operation Fireside program. Once again for those who aren't familiar with the program... It's an opportunity for the recruits to enjoy the holidays by being shuttled off base, and 'adopted' by a surrounding civilian family for the day. The family invites then to share in the food, festivities, and comforts of home... Usually allowing them to nap on couches and beds, use the telephone, and even do some web-surfing. According to a couple of people on the forums, Dusten should be entitled to this program; assuming that his company performs well throughout the week. Who knows... Maybe we'll all be hearing from Dusten before his scheduled week five phone call!!! :]

For more information about Operation Fireside, use the link below:
http://www.capemaycountyherald.com/article/18165-operation-fireside-food-mind-body-and-soul

He's in Week Three

So out of curiosity I decided to look into his schedule, and figure out how many days he had left, how many he's been there already, what week he is currently in, etc. I was so suprised when I found that he is already in week three [He's receiving letters now!!] and that he only has thirty-five more days to go!! :] Although the time seems to drag on, looking back I am shocked that we [he] have already endured fifteen days!! Where is this time going?

I posted a new thread on the uscg.org site wondering if Dusten will be granted time for Operation Fireside. [For any of you that don't know what that is; the recruits are split up, and the local families in the area take them in for the Holiday. They provide them with a homecooked meal, warm beds to nap on, use of the telephones, and possibly even internet.] Dusten will be in his fourth week by then, so we'll see what the forum says about attending... I'll keep you all updated. Hopefully we get an early call home!! :]

Tango 180 has gone FACEBOOK

Yep, it's true. Some of the girls from the uscg.org forum had the brilliant idea of creating a Tango 180 group on Facebook. It's so much easier for us all to stay in touch, share photos of our Coasties, and keep up on their work in BC. We've recruited a few people from the USCGBC Journal site... Hopefully it jus continues to grow! :]

We're all super excited for our Coasties and our company... Only thirty six more days!!!

Link to USCGBC Journal

Here is the link to the USCGBC Journal. I believe they are currently being updated on Saturdays, but I'll post whenever I find something new. :]

http://www.uscgbootcamp.com

Remember... He's Tango 180, so just click the link on the right side!

First Post

I'm new to the whole blogging business, so it may take some time to get into the swing of things... Hopefully it will all work out though! I want this to be something that Dusten can come home to, and see that everyone really was thinking of him [Regardless of what he believes]. :]