The above canvus, "2/278th ACR FRG - Troop G Family Tree", was created at our last meal together as the 2/278th ACR G Troop FRG for soldiers and families on Sunday May 2004. Lots of fun and good food was shared that night. The paint didn't prove to be as much of a mess as I had expected and everyone was wonderful about sticking their hands into the paint. We have babies as young as a few weeks old, as well as several grandparents represented on our family tree. Families are grouped together, the children often overlapping or on top of dad's hand prints. The symbolism of this has touched my heart each time I have looked at it.

Our family tree now hangs in its place of honor in the drill hall in the spot where Captain Hammer designated "so it won't be damaged."

As of today, July 11, 2004, not all of our families have returned to the armory, but of course, we have only had one meeting since the deployment. I am hoping it is not because they dread being in the place where so many "good byes" were said. I feel like if we are a "family", then the armory is our "home". We need to keep it alive with the chatter of adults, the antics of the children and the laughter of both children and adults. The tears we shed are a catalyst to ensuring that the home we share there will remain healthy and anticipating the return of our soldiers.

I sat quietly in the drill hall for a few minutes today, thinking about that last meal together and I could hear within my very soul the sounds of that night - the drill hall was full of our soldiers and families, the laughter and sharing, a few of our soldiers quietly whispering as they drew closer to each other and to the change they knew was coming soon.

As of now, although very hot and humid temps greeted them, they are safe at Camp Shelby Mississippi. God Bless and keep them all.