This will be the last post. 

Thanks to everyone who has been along for the ride.  The boy is home, getting back into the routine of civilian life, getting his house back in order and loving his sweet Natty.

Life is good.   

Two more days and he'll be home for good.  (Well, for at least a year).  They will be bussed from Camp Shelby MS on Thursday morning, to Demopolis AL.  There will be a welcome home ceremony at 11am and then a reception afterward, and they they will be coming home with their families.  

Details of the time and location are in this article from the Demopolis Times.  The event is open to the public; any one who wants to is encouraged to attend and show your support of these young men and women. 

http://www.demopolistimes.com/2010/12/30/guard-unit-coming-home/

 Once they get home and settled, I'll be closing this blog.  I want to take this time to thank everyone who has read, whether you have commented or not.  Your support and prayers been invaluable.  Thank you!

(Sorry, I cant seem to make the link clickable.  Please just copy and paste into your browser.) 

After almost a year in Iraq, The 2101st Transportation Company has arrived in the great state of Mississippi!  They will be there until Thursday morning when they will be bussed to Demopolis, AL for their homecoming ceremonies. 

An article in The Demopolis Times, give some details. 

http://www.demopolistimes.com/2010/12/30/guard-unit-coming-home/

They will do some processing tonight and tomorrow morning, then will have a pass off-post for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings.  I am leaving tomorrow morning headed to Hattiesburg MS to, as Justin says, "chauffeur" him and his buddy around and keep them out of trouble.  I figure going now and keeping them out of trouble is a much better idea than having to go later and get them out of trouble.  I'm pretty sure they'd be in more trouble than a mom could get them out of.  ;-)

I'm not sure if they will be allowed to stay off-post for the weekend, or will have to report back each evening.  

I think more than anything, they are looking forward to some 'real' American food.  (And maybe a beer or two).

The BoyChild emailed me from Ireland earlier today.  This is his third time in Ireland, and still he has seen nothing but the inside of the airport.  He was hoping to see at least a little bit of scenery out a window this time since this is the first time he has been there during the daylight hours. 

They should be in the great state of MS tonight; and will be celebrating New Year's in the good old US of A!  I'll be on the road to MS tomorrow to (in his words) "chauffeur" him and his buddy around Hattiesburg.  I figure it's better to go early and keep them out of trouble rather than going later to get them out of trouble. 

Hopefully by the end of next week he will be home and life will start getting back to normal.  Whatever normal is. ;-) 

Justin posted on facebook:

The 'Combat Volleyball" injury for tonight...... 

And I asked: Ok. I wanna know how u injured ur TOE playing volleyball!

He replied:  If I knew, I'd tell ya.... Guess it was just the boots, and my mad ball skills, I didn't know till after we was done LOL

Another friend commented: Always putting your best foot foward...will get it stepped on.

Justin said they "grilled out" last week.  I was afraid to ask what they grilled lest it be camel or something.  He said somebody went to the PX at the next base over and got ribs, but he never said ribs of what! LOL.  

When he sent this pic one of my coworkers asked "and why is he standing in the fire?" ..... I relayed the question to Justin and he replied: "um, usually it gets pretty boring in the desert, and it just seemed like the thing to do at the time. "Here! Take my picture!""

He also sent pictures of the coin he received today. Who knows, he might have a pocket full of 'change' when he gets home.  This is the second one (would've been the third if he hadnt played hide and seek last time!) LOL. 

And to give you an idea of how big it is (because I had no idea) he sent this one with it in his hand.

Justin said he about froze to death when he went outside at 4am.  It was 55 degrees! 

Justin may get mad at me for telling this.  He hasnt posted it on his facebook, so I chose here to post it instead of there .... for now. 

He got a "coin" today.   Here are pics of the front and back.  I dont know exactly what this means (I do know it doesnt mean more money or higher rank, LOL) but it is an honor to be chosen I think.  They dont give them to everyone.  In fact, to very few.

 Getting info from Justin is like getting blood from a turnip sometimes. The first email he sent me said simply: “The Alabama National Guard CSM came and talked with us for a few minutes today. He gave me this coin.” And the following pics were in the email.

I sent back an email with questions, and finally got a little more information (very little). I asked what is CSM and did everyone get one or just Justin. He said: “Command Sergeant Major. He just came to country for 3 days with 10 coins.” So even if all ten went to Justin’s company (which I don’t think they did) that’s 180 people for only 10 coins.  

It could have been even better, but Justin likes to "lay low" when authority figures are around.  Here is an excerpt from the email this morning:

Another funny story..  the BN commander, a LT colonel,  came to 'visit' the other day...  I heard (Cause I hear pretty much everything) so I was outta sight for that time...   later that day my commander stopped me as I was passing through HQ and said "Wheeler where were you about an hour ago?"  I told him I was hiding cause I knew BN cmd was coming  LOL  he said "well, I WAS gonna get him to present you with a BN coin."  hahahaha  Guess it dont pay to stay outta sight outta mind all the time.... 

Justin's facebook status today:

Keep cool, but do not freeze.... (Motivation is everywhere, even on the mayonnaise jar)