The Journal of a Sailor...

Hey there everyone, this will be my second year in this journal. So far a recap, I've been stationed here onboard NTTC Corry Station since June 2000. I'm going to school here to become an EW-AEF or Electronic Warfare Technician. I will be here until this July when I will ship off to my next duty station, along with my new wife, Susan. So, enjoy this year as I am!

To view entries from 2000, click here

January 1, 2001 - Happy New Year to all and hopefully your festivities were enjoyable last night. That's right, here we are another year in the new millenium (or the first year if you're one of those damn freaks about the whole thing). So far, mine has been just perfect. First of all, after spending a week and a half back home in Oregon, I came back refreshed and ready to start school again. I really needede to get back home and see everyone again. Although my new home is here in Pensacola, I will always call Hillsboro my "true home". So last night was perfect. Susan and I picked up her sister and cousin and went to the Groove (a night club here). I was pissed since it cost $20 to get in and we ended up only staying an hour. But I had better plans for Susan and I. We left around 1130 and drove to a fishing pier outlooking the bay, and watching the New Year's fireworks. But I think the best fireworks were going on with Susan and I (I know what you;'re thinking, and no, I didnt do waht you think I did ;) I told her that after all this time we've been together, I had fallen in love with her. What made it perfect was that she said it back to me. It was kind of hard to say those words again after so long, but once I had said them to Susan, it didnt seem so hard. I do love her and if we continue to grow, I could pop her a question soon because I know down in my heart that she is the one. But thats enough talk about that ;) Hope you all had a great New Years and thanks to all that made me feel back home when I was back. See you next entry!

January 20,2001 - A couple weeks ago I did what every man dreams of doing one day....no Im not talking about losing my virginity, but something a lot more. I decided to propose to Susan the other week and, as sure as I htought I was, she said yes. O h I was so releived to hear her say that. Since then, plans have flying all about the place. We got the rings so far, got a church (maybe), my parents and bros are flying down, so are Jasmine and Mike, and her parents love the idea. All I know is with thanks to the Lord above, I want to spend the rest of my life with Susan. I never really thought that my trip down here to Pensacola would lead me to my wife-to-be. Just goes to show that this new life I've started has become everything I've hoped for. Now, Im sure some of you are wondering "Well, will you be stationed together?" AS far as I see it....of course. See, there's a form called a 1306 or "Spousal Re-Location Form" that we fill out once we're married. After that's in, our detailers (the people who tell us where we're stationed next) work together to find us the same duty station to go to. So far her and I have picked San Diego, CA, since it's close to Mom and Dad. But we may end up here on the East Coast, possibly Norfolk, VA. Which isn't really that bad, I mean Barb and Todd live about 3 hours away from there, and we can always drive down to her parents house as well. Actually today, a chief pulled me aside and asked me if her and I were having any problems getting co-located. When I told him we haven't realyl started anything yet since we cant until we get married, he asked me when she graduates and what her name was. So, if I'm what I get from that is right, he may be helping us out early. I told Susan that and just just flipped. Like I said before, ever since I asked her, things have just gone so well for us. Im not gonna jinx it by saying "What could wrong?" but it's just so great to see things turn out so good. I reserved a hotel on the beach for us for our honeymoon. Im going to try to make it as special as possible. I told Susan that later on, when her and I get some leave together, we can take a MAC flight (a free flight through the military) to Italy or France or something for an "actual" honeymoon. Her and I both know that next couple years or so are going to be the hardest sonce of our both being on ships, but I told her if her and I make it through this, nothing could stand in our way. I love her enough to be seperated from her for a year at a time because I know she'll be waiting for me when I get home. Well, gotta run, will be making a lot more entries than normal as things get started. Until then....

February 7, 2001 - WEll, just about three weeks before the big day and I'm getting more and more excited as it gets close. Susan's parents came down last weekend to look at the church and they seemed to love it. As far as things we have to worry about, we have none. Anything else that is left is being taken care of by the parents. This entry is going to be a short one since theres not much new so far, other than tax time and I should graduating "C" school sometime in April. Well, should be a couple more updates before the wedding....until next time.

November 9, 2001 - Looks like its been a while since I updated this but I've been extremely busy since the last entry. Where to begin....well how about that cliffhanger about the wedding..March 2,2001 - The wedding went without a hitch (well almost, the cake almost didn't make it) and man was it beautful, but not as much as Susan though. Oh Lord was she perfect! After a great ceremony, we retired to our honeymoon (hehe) and made it a perfect evening. We spent that whole weekend in the hotel and saw my parents off and Mike and Jasmine off at the airport the next couple days. June 14,2001 - Susan left today for Norfolk, she got orders on the USS Donald Cook. I should have the pictures up in the gallery as soon as possible. Never been away from Susan this long so I dont know how it's going to be. I only have a month left in "A" school so the sooner I get out, the sooner I can get home. Orders should be here very soon and hoping I get a good ship. July 20,2001 - Well, I graduated "A" school today as class honor graduate and am on my to see Susan in a couple days. I recieved my orders a couple weeks ago for the USS Stout DDG-55. I hope its a great ship and that Ihave good time. I've been in contact with EW1 Hatmaker on board and he sounds cool. August 2, 2001 - After a great week bakc with Susan and a great birthday, we're moving into our new apartment a couple miles away from Norfolk Naval Base. I have to leave maybe as soon as I get checked into TPU on base. I hope its as late as possible since my ship is coming back from its deployment and should be back on Oct 25. August 19, 2001 - Had to leave today for the ship and have to meet it out in Limassol, Cyprus. I have to fly from Norfolk to Rome and then to CAtania, Sicily then to Limassol. Not sure what day I'll get to my ship, but I hope its soon! August 24, 2001 - Checked aboard my ship today and wish we were staying longer since everyone said this was an awesome port. Oh well, we have some great ports like France and Rome to stop in so Im not worried. Sept 11, 2001 The unthinkable happened today as we got word that The World TRade CEnter and the Pentagon were attacked today. Apparantly, some hijackers on four planes crashed two into the towers, one in the Pentagon and one somewhere in Pennsylvania. Lots of people are dead and we immediatly went out to sea to protect some of the ships out here. Not sure when we'll get back into port or if we'll get extended.
March 29, 2003 WEll, as you can see it's been a while since I updated this thing, so I'll go into a brief synapsis. We all know about Operation Enduring Freedom and Noble Eagle, so I won't go into that, but I came back hom on time and have been home since Oct 25, 2001. Right now Im scheduled to depart sometime later this year because of what is now Operation Iraqi Freedom, our assault on the Saddam Hussien regime in order to establish a well balanced and free government. Also, as of March 13, 2003. my new baby boy was born. Connor William Thompson! Hes a cutie!

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