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.
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.
posted by dk0706 at
10:20 PM
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2 Comments:
With the anticipation of Dusten's call on Thanksgiving Day, the only way I agreed spend Thanksgiving weekend in the frozen mountains of Flagstaff (also elk hunting season) was if we would get a cell phone signal. Once we got there, of course, everyone’s phone got at signal, but mine. Determined to get Dusten’s call, I headed down the road in search of a signal. Not even sure that I would get a call and if so, would it be morning, noon, afternoon….it didn’t matter, I would spend Thanksgiving Day on the side of the road where I could get my call if that’s what it took. Luckily, it didn’t take too long before I saw that 609 number appear on my phone. My heart sank, I knew it would be him.
He and 9 other recruits were at a seaside sportsman’s bar for the day, and the few people there just offered their phones. They must have been ex-military and knew how important a call home was for everyone.
Although I could hear in his voice that he was missing home, us, Kirsty and all of the comforts that he left behind, he sounded pretty good He said he was learning a lot and getting in good shape. He had been sick for 2 weeks so it was especially hard getting up before the crack of dawn and pushing himself beyond his physical limits, and then some. He was to take his mid term book test on Friday and thought he would ace it.
On a very good note, Dusten has made a very good friend in BC. Don’t remember his name, but Dusten said he was “the coolest guy in BC.” He had someone going through this with him. They had a system down. With very strict time limits in the morning, his buddy would iron his and Dusten’s things, while Dusten would fold both their clothes perfectly. His buddy would make their racks (beds) while Dusten would clean their lockers. It was nice to hear he had someone close to get through this together.
It was so good to hear his voice and to finally hear how he was doing.
28 days down, 23 to go!
DOUG!!! They literally share EVERYTHING at camp... Including underwear [I'm actually being serious!]. He's really awesome, and so is his girlfriend Mandy. We're all supposed to be meeting up with her and Doug's family at the graduation.
Agh, I can't believe it's so CLOSE!
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