I'm BACK!!!

I know I know, I can hear it now...why have you taken so long to update the blog? The answer, no excuse. Things have been really crazy here, mission tempo has picked up A LOT which is good as it's made time fly by. Here it is middle of June and i'm around 98 days out from leaving this place to come home on leave, double digits FINALLY!!!

We just got back from a 10 day mission to the Nawur and Jagori districts of our Ghazni Province here in Afghanistan. Let me tell you, the time away from our little FOB here was very much needed. Gave us a chance to relax and interact with the locals without having to worry about someone taking a shot at us or trying to blow us up. Nawur and Jagori are areas in our province that are pretty much "Taliban Free" areas. These are areas that the residents actually kicked out the Taliban and are open to help from the U.S. We were actually able to shed our body armor and helmets and being away from the "Flag Pole" <---- our HQ element, we were able to go to with relaxed grooming standards. I had a full grown beard by day 10, it was too awesome, not having to shave and even had the joy of getting food stuck in my beard..HA!

I did have a somewhat scary experience happen on day 6 of our trip. Around 10pm, I crawled into my sleep sack and quickly fell asleep. I'm not sure how the heck I did this but around 2:30am, I felt something pretty much run UP my face and stop around my right eye, natural instinct I threw my hand up to flick whatever it was off my face, when I made contact to sweep whatever it was off, I felt the weight of the thing. I got it off my face, jumped up out of my sack, grabbed my light and flicked it on to see what the heck I hit was. To my amazement it turned out to be a camel spider about as big as my palm and it was still alive. Now, I consider myself a man and not easily scared when it comes to spiders and other bugs...that is UNLESS it crawls across my face. Well I totally tripped out and went from hard core combat soldier to a 10 year old girl scout in about 2 seconds. I jumped up, grabbed my otterbox case and started smacking this thing for all it was worth to make sure it was dead. Once I made sure it was dead, I pushed it off to the side and went back to sleep. I had to save it to show off the next day to my buddies. Well, wouldn't you know...when I woke up, the only thing left of the spider was one of it's huge legs which told me that something bigger, grabbed the thing while I was sleeping to drag off to it's nest.

Other than that, the trip was good. Spent alot of time with the locals, climbed some of the mountains in those districts, swam in some of the rivers and also drank out one of the springs flowing out of one of the mountains in Nawur. You know, in my 37 years on this earth, I have been the world traveler. I've been to pretty much every corner of this globe and I can honestly say that Afghanistan is one of the most beautiful countries I have ever been to. So many times I have wished with all my heart that Jill and my boys were with me to experience the beauty of this place. I really do hope that one day Afghanistan can find it's peace and stability because 10 - 15 years from now, I would love to be able to bring them here on vacation so that they can see Afghanistan's beauty. Iraq, HA, no doubt that place sucked but Afghanistan? not so bad if you can get past people shooting at you. :-)

On another note, I checked my email when I got back yesterday and was surprised to see that I got picked up for E-7 / Sergeant First Class. Sooo, that being said, hopefully I will get that second rocker on my chest soon. The slot i'm being put in is with Charlie Company 2 - 142nd Inf as a platoon sgt for a rifle platoon of 30 - 35 guys. I'm sad that i'm going to have to leave 143rd Inf when I get back but i'm thankful that I have guys in my corner that will keep that door open should I want to come back. Thank God for good friends right? I no doubt consider myself a lucky man even though i'm here on the other side of the world, away from everything I hold dear in life. How much more luck can one person want in life? I'm married to my best friend, I have two beautiful boys, a loving family, a fantastic mother-in-law who i can sit down and watch a football or baseball game with....and I have great friends. Life is great.

Well friends, I need to get going. I hope all is well with you and know that as always, each of you are in my thoughts.

-Jimmy

Happy 1st Birthday Brady!!!

Greetings friends and family!!

This is coming to you from another FOB (Forward Operating Base). I'm actually at FOB Sharana. We are here getting necessary repairs done on equipment....radios, crew served weapons, vehicles...etc. Hoping to be back at my base...Ghazni within the next few weeks.
All is well and spirits are high...April is just around the corner and that in itself makes us happy because we are one month closer to the end of this deployment. To think that we have been in country for almost a month now. Time really has flown by and I'm sure it will REALLY fly by this summer.
Well, today I am extremely happy because today is Brady's 1st Birthday!!!! It was one year ago today at 9:57pm that Brady was born. Jill and I along with big brother Darian were so happy when he entered our lives. He has been such a blessing to our family and his laughter and love has melted my heart many times over. To Brady, Happy Birthday Son, Daddy loves you soooo very much!! Even though I'm not there with you on your birthday, know that you are in my heart and that I'm thinking of you often, everyday....I love you Son....Daddy loves you so very much.

To everyone else...PEACE!!

-Jimmy

The LRS together AGAIN!!

So, we got together yesterday early evening and took this picture. In this picture is the LRS together as a whole. Last spring our unit was split in two...the first half went to Afghanistan as TX ADT 1, the second half....us, became TX ADT 2. It's nice because we are relieving our own guys in place, that being said, this is our unit back together again. Soon, very very soon, they will be leaving and we will take full control of the mission here in Afghanistan. We will no doubt miss our fellow Airborne Brothers. God's speed ADT 1, enjoy your families back home..i'm sure they are anxious to see you again. We look forward to our next jump together.

Airborne!
-Jimmy

Happy Anniversary!!!

Good evening or morning..the 9 1/2 hour difference is REALLY jacking Jill and I up. It's 7pm here and 9:30am in Texas. Anyways, i'm all smiles today, why you ask? no...not because it's St. Patrick's Day (missing the beer pretty badly right now) but because it's my wedding anniversary! Yep, Jill and I just hit our 2nd year today. I have to tell you, the last 2 years has been a pretty bumpy road, we got married <------ easy easy...that was NOT the bumpy part...HA! had TWO floods in the house and this blasted deployment to Afghanistan. The good things that have happened though have FAR out weighed the bad. I not only married my best friend but I was blessed with an EXTREMELY talented, smart, loving, sometimes hard headed teenager as a son..hehe, and I was also blessed with my baby boy Brady Patrick who by chance turns 1 year old in less than two weeks and has more energy in his little body than the whole city of Houston!!! :-)
They say that the first 5 years is the toughest part of marriage and that if you can get through those 5 years, that your love and marriage will last a lifetime. Well, I hate to break it but I think God took those 5 years and crammed them all into 3 years...the past 2 years and the third year being this deployment. I'm looking so forward to getting through this deployment and having a nice, easy rest of my life. Am I ready to give up the military? uhhh...hmmm....not sure. Any decisions I make will of course be discussed with my Jill. Even if I stay in, I think i'm pretty much done with the combat zone thing. I've had my fill of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Not alot went on today, woke up, went on a mission, had some kids throw rocks at our vehicles as we passed through town...think they were mad because we were not throwing them candy or pencils and played some backgammon on my ipod touch.
Chow was good today, had Sheppard pie for lunch and Irish Pot roast with green bread for din din. YUM!
Anyways, to all of my friends and family, Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! Each of you are in my thoughts. No worries about me, my guys here are watching my six.

To my Jilly Bean....Happy Anniversary Honey, I LOVE YOU!!!!

PEACE OUT!!!

-Jimmy Flanigan

Already tired of eating dust in Afghanistan

Ahhh, greetings my friends and family!!!

All is well here in Afghanistan. Went on my first mission today, went pretty good, had a tense moment but because of operational security, I can't say. This sucks, so much to say but the stories will have to wait until my return. I have to tell you though, this place is no doubt third world. Afghanistan by far has some of the most breath taking scenery with the mountains and just the history that this place holds. To think that Alexander the Great used to walk in these mountains is awe inspiring. The people are very friendly, on the mission today, we had several kids coming up to us and waving, giving us a thumbs us (which in this country CAN be perceived as an insult..to them, it's like flipping them off), we've somewhat "Americanized" the kids in our 8 years of war in Afghanistan. Makes me laugh because I do not know if these kids are giving me a thumbs up as in "Good Job" or just flipping me off. I just wave, smile and think of home, of my wife and two boys and what they are doing at that exact moment.
The only thing that I to date dislike about Afghanistan is that I am already tired of eating dust, you try to run on this FOB or driving behind another vehicle in your convoy and your eating their dirt..only thing you can do is take a swig of water and rinse. Doesn't bother me that much I guess as I think about it...I look at this as an experience and look forward to the day when I can sit my grand kids on my lap and tell them stories about Grandpa Flanigan's time during the war. You know, some people say that you have to live each day as though it were your last, I totally agree BUT, you have to look towards the future as motivation to get you through the tough and difficult times. That's why over the next year, you will hear me talking about what I plan on doing when I get home, the trips I plan on taking my family on, and the goals I plan on accomplishing both long term and short.
Well, I hate to cut it so short but I need to get going. I am in desperate need of a shower and some sleep.

As always, I hope all is well, my thoughts are with each of you.

-Jimmy

Here FINALLY!!!

Well, hello hello. I hope this finds everyone doing well and in good spirits. It's been a long road for us but we finally arrived here at our little FOB (Forward Operating Base) early early this morning, around 1 a.m. Have been here in Afghanistan since the 6th but it just took time getting to our final destination.
Today was spent with our counterparts who are EXTREMELY excited about getting out of here and heading back home to Texas. Have to tell you, i don't blame them. By years end, i'll be in there shoes training our replacements.
Alittle sad today though, it's my mother's birthday (Happy Birthday Mom), my 2 year anniversary is on the 17th and Brady's 1st year birthday is on the 29th....and here I am...stuck here. I'll be alright though...the thoughts of coming home at the end of the year warm my heart and keep me going.
Well, I have to get going, it's almost 9pm here and I need to get a much needed shower and some sleep.

Talk to y'all soon
-Jimmy

Almost there!!

Greetings family and friends!!

Well, we are almost there, I am writing this to you from the country of Kyrgyzstan...think i'm spelling that right. We got here about midnight last night and are here on a TINY U.S. Airbase waiting on the C-17 that will take us into BAF (Bagram Air Field) which is outside of Kabul, Afghanistan. Not alot going on here, just waiting on transport and happy as heck to NOT be in Indiana. Temp here in kyrgyzstan is a balmy 7o degrees...not bad. The time here is 12 hours ahead of Texas time...so it's 2pm here and 2am back home. When we fly into Afghanistan, we'll drop an hour and a half.

Got a nice email from my Jill so that no doubt is the highlight of my day. The coolest thing ever was when we stopped in Iceland...we had a 2 hour stop there as we waited for them to fuel our bird. My good buddy Dave paid the airtime and the both of us where able to webcam back to the states to talk to our wives and kids. Jill was feeding Brady and was online, she turned the camera just right and when Brady caught site of me, he just started talking (babbling)...he was so happy to see me, as excited to see me as I was to see him. Sooo, in a Jimmy manner, I proceeded to make funny faces at him...well, well, that started him into hystarics...he would laugh and laugh. It was nice that even though I was thousands of miles away, that I was able to see him, hear him and to make him laugh, real time. It helped me alot, warmed my heart.

Well, I have to get going...more to follow.

-Jimmy

Short and Quick Post

Greetings -

I hope everyone is doing well. Happy days here in Indiana. Our unit has decided to give us one LAST 3 day pass to blow off some steam and enjoy the last bit of freedom that we will see for a long long time. We start our pass tomorrow and have to report back to base on Saturday night. Bad thing is that we are limited to a 50 mile radius, good thing is that my Jilly Bean is flying up here to spend time with me. I am so excited to see her again, it'll be nice to spend some alone time with her and to spend an early 2nd year anniversary with her. Our actual anniv is the 17th of March...yep...St. Patrick's Day but we'll celebrate early this year while we are together. I report back on Sat night and we leave EARLY next week for Afghanistan...by this time next week, i'll be there.

Jill's flight get's in around 7pm Eastern and I check into the hotel tomorrow at 12 noon. It'll suck having to wait on her but believe me...i'll take advantage of my time. First thing I'm going to do is to take a HOT bath and a 3 hour nap...HA! I'm so looking forward to some quiet time alone and also with Jill. I tell you, sleeping in open bays with 50 guys pretty much sucks. No privacy and the constant noise level is enough to drive anyone crazy.

Well, not sure if you saw or not but on the right side of this page is our mailing address for Afghanistan. There is really NO need to send anything but if you just want to send something. Anything and everything would be appreciated...just so long as I does not melt or explode. As much as i'm going to miss Dr Peppers....I don't think they would make the trip..hehe.

Well, I need to get going. I hope all is well and know that each of you are in my thoughts.

-Jimmy

Good Day Good Day!!

Hola que paso amigos!!

        I hope this finds you well and happy....as well and happy as I am.  No, not happy that i'm here and that i'm away from my family BUT, happy to be married to the love of my life...my best friend, the mother of my two boys and ALSO to be surrounded by good friends here.  Not only that....we have our ship date to Afghanistan!!!  You may be asking WHY we are happy to have our ship date??? well, it's because now there is a light at the end of the tunnel to end our misery here at Camp Atterbury, Indiana.  For those that have not ever had the pleasure to visit Indiana...it sucks.  It's truly the freakin arm pit of the U.S.  This place has left such a bad taste in all of our mouths that we are just ready to get out of here.  Not only that, it'll be nice to finally get our feet into the sand box and start some combat missions.  The sooner we get over there...the sooner we get back.  

     Not alot going on here today.  Had a day off, AGAIN and went to the mall with some of the guys.  Spent some time at Barnes and Nobles and did one of my favorite things....sat in a QUITE place with a venti cafe mocha and read a book and looked through some snow skiing magazines.  Looking forward to taking a ski trip with Jill, Darian and Brady.  Anxious to get Brady's little piggy's in the snow.  I've already missed a ton of Brady's "Firsts" and will miss more over the next year but I REALLY want to be there when he experiences snow for the first time.

    It's a quiet week here, Thursday and Friday are going to be spent at the rifle and pistol range and tomorrow's temp is supposed to drop into the low 20's with a chance of snow.  Yeah for me!!! :-(.

    Anyways, I have to run.  Be safe, chin up my friends and I will talk to you soon.

Peace Out!!

-Jimmy

Bored to Tears

   So, here it is, another day here and gone.  Not much went on today, woke up...went to breakfast with some of the guys, took care of some admin things and then went into town for din din and a Wally World (Wal-Mart) run.  

   

     There's a bunch of us here that are alittle peeved for the fact that since getting back from our 4 day pass back home, we haven't really done very much.  Actually we haven't really done anything at all.  This time wasted could have been better spent at HOME were we could have actually spent some more time with our families.   Ugh, i'm not much of a complainer so i'll drop it there.  For those that do not know me, i'm pretty much "That Guy" that will just suck it up and move on without a second thought.  This is just the way the Army runs, you can bitch and moan all you want but you know...in the end, your still going to have to suck it up and do it anyways so why waste the energy in complaining about it.  Don't get me wrong friend, I have NO problem grabbing Dave or Q and chewing on their ear telling them how stupid something is but that is just me venting before I run off to accomplish the task.  

    Which brings me to yet another topic...that being, how AWESOME it is to have good friends to vent on.  You know...I was lucky when I went to Iraq because I had awesome friends like Steve, Donnie, Kennis and Flo.  The luck continues on with this deployment with 2 of my best friends in the world, Dave and Q.  Dave i've known for close to 12 years, Q, i've known that goober for damn near 16 years.  Both I love as much as I do my own brother and it truly warms my heart knowing that they are on this deployment with me.  It's kinda like having family there with me.  

    Well, I started out this blog with not alot to say.....I apologize for rambling on.  This truly is a cool thing.  It helps to just get some things off my chest.  I appreciate you stopping in, i'll try not to bore you throughout this next year.  I hope all is well in each of your lives.  To my family and friends back home....i miss you all.

Jumpmasters Show You to the Door

-Jimmy

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My very first post

   Listen Up!!  Here we go Here we GO!!  I've gotten the nod from the Loadie, I've stood up, hooked up, looked the Safety in the eye and told him to control my static line.  Here I go, turning towards the jumpers as they look at me with anticipation, Looking them in the eyes, clapping my hands and thrusting them forward with a LOUD and thunderous, "10 MINUTES!!!!"'  "GET READY!!!"

  

   Here it is, Feb 14th, 2009.  Valentine's Day.  THIS, a day that I will never forget.  It's funny, I've had a good life thus far and it seems that I tend to remember dates, good and bad.  I'm the WORST at remembering names and faces...two of my closest friends in the world, Jumpmaster Dave and Jumpmaster Q can attest to that....but dates? i'm on it.  I remember the 10th of Dec 2005 as the date I got back into country from Iraq.  15 Dec 2005 as my first date with my Jilly Bean, 14 Feb 2006 as the date I professed my love for Jill, 3 July 2006 as the date I dropped on one knee in Chicago, IL to ask Jill to marry me, 17 March 2007 as the date that I married the love of my life, 29 March 2008 as the day God smiled on me and placed my newborn son Brady in my arms.  Those are the good dates, the bad dates? January 4th 2009, the date that I said goodbye to my wife and two boys.  

    You know, I'm not in the least bit, bitter.  I'm extremely proud to serve my country, to answer that call yet again.  I find myself at times jealous, jealous of people out there, those that have a life, living carefree, knowing that they will be sleeping at home next to significant other, kissing their kids goodnight, planning the next upcoming weekend.  I'd be jealous for all of about 30 seconds before I remind myself that I chose this life.  I chose to be in this uniform as hard as it seems at times.  I miss my family, I miss holding my wife close, the softness of her skin, the words of love and encouragement that she is always showing me.  I miss my kids, I miss helping guide Darian through all the turmoils of being a teenager, I miss being outside with him on a sunny Saturday afternoon doing yard work.  I miss my baby boy Brady, I miss seeing all of his "Firsts", I miss his little giggle, I miss hearing him say Da Da.  I miss him so very much.  

     So back to the original topic, Feb 14th 2009.  This is the first Valentine's Day that I will be away from my Jill and God willing, hopefully my last one away from her.  At least for another 60 years.  The day was good in the least.  My Valentine's dinner was with my Alpha Team Leader, Marceau, Q, David, Kinra and our sniper section.  I'm here at Camp Atterbury Indiana, all training complete.  Only thing left to do now? wait for the flight that will carry us to Afghanistan where we will spend the rest of 2009.  Lucky us right??

     Anyways, i'm not bitter, i'm just ready to get this deployment over with so that I can enjoy all of those precious things in life such as my family.  It's funny, it's times like these that make me realize just how precious family and life really are.

I hope this finds you well.

More to follow,

GREEN LIGHT!!! GO!!!!!