In speaking with my soldier over the last few day's while he has been at his F.O.B. refitting and training up a couple of replacements . Anyway I had asked him if he is staying warm enough and he laughed at me at which point he told me that it is hot over there now. I had been hoping for a long winter thinking that it would keep the insurgents hunkered down. He mentioned that the attacks have increased and that he has fired his mortar over 150 times some days. Now I realize his remaining time over there will be one long fight and the thought of that just makes me cringe. I know he has a good head on his shoulders as his leaders so I know they will fight smart and be effective. Just so you all know, he operates between two areas of the Chowkay Valley of Kunar Province in Afghanistan. He spends most of his time at a remote Vehicle Patrol Base. Most days he responds to requests for fire missions in support of the men and women of 2nd-503rd PIR of the 173rd ABCT and also fighting to keep their VPB from being over run. In all he feels that what he does is good as it allows others from the reconstruction teams and other units helping the general population of the Valley.
The picture I have posted here is of the men my son has been attached too. He is not in the picture but I felt I should post it because it is these men that return fire and keep the enemies heads down so my son can lay effective mortar fire down range. The photo was supplied by one of the soldiers (SPC David Poole) Grandfather Ronnie. They are truly "Embracing The Suck" I will let your imagination take control when it comes to that term..lol I hope everyone enjoys and most of all, I thank you all for supporting all our soldiers, it means a lot to us parents, grandparents, family and friends of The Rock.
A Fathers Love,
Larry Arnone
San Francisco
AKA Bluestardad (and I want to keep it that way)
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