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SHORN

By Lt Col P

Shorn am I of two constant companions since mid-August of last year-- my 9mm and my M4. I turned both in today, duly cleaned (and with a small net gain of ammo, to boot). I feel oddly under-dressed without them.

I also removed the tourniquet and IBD that had been in my sleeve pockets for six months. Again, it doesn't feel quite right not to have them on board.

In about 24 hours or so I'll be airborne (!) back to the States, and this whole thing will be nearly done. That is the strangest feeling of them all.

February 1, 2010 08:37 AM    Afghanistan

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Comments

And we happily welcome you back! Safe travels.

Can you hang on to your thigh holster? My husband turned his in, much to my chagrin. I would prefer he wear it even while mowing the lawn, but that's just me. Maybe.

Mrs. USMC   ·  February 1, 2010 09:18 AM

I can imagine how all that must feel. Thanks for serving and I hope that your transition is smooth.

Mike P   ·  February 1, 2010 10:00 AM

That's great! Hope you have a good flight home, and don't have to wait too long for it.

JohnW   ·  February 1, 2010 10:46 AM

I remember staying at my parents' home when I cam back from RVN. It took a while to get over the nagging sense of discomfort at the fact that when I was in bed I couldn't reach out and touch my M16, and that there was no perimeter wire, claymores, guards, etc. around their house in a well-to-do suburb of Los Angeles.


May you have a safe trip home.

Acad Ronin   ·  February 1, 2010 02:39 PM

Welcome home, Bro!

Thank you for your service to our Corps and Country.

BTW, when you hear a boom, it's just a car backfiring, not incoming.

Semper Fi

Vance Hall   ·  February 2, 2010 04:40 AM

Godspeed

KC   ·  February 2, 2010 07:09 AM

Welcome home

mindy1   ·  February 2, 2010 07:13 AM

It's strange coming home after being there. Nothing feels right for a while. My wife got on me for driving in the left hand lane on the Interstate all the time, and shifting lanes while going under the overpass.
I'd been home a year when I swirved almost off the road- I had seen at the last second a stack of rocks piled by the side.
I still watch the voerpasses for slow moving vehicles- even after being home for over 2 years.
My scars still itch...
God watch over your flight home, sir.

dutch508   ·  February 2, 2010 07:50 AM

The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 02/02/2010 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.

David M   ·  February 2, 2010 10:46 AM

Hey BR,

It is good to be home, I am sure you will enjoy the difference. Amazingly there is very little dust in this country we call home.
I just finally put up my holster and the first aid stuff I had squirreled away in my pockets as well.

Welcome back home, BR

Doc H   ·  February 2, 2010 01:35 PM

That's great! Hope you have a good flight home.

Tek Düzen Muhasebe   ·  February 2, 2010 03:19 PM

Save travels and many thanks for your service.

zombyboy   ·  February 2, 2010 05:42 PM

have a good flight home! you are coming into another snow storm :o)

olga   ·  February 2, 2010 06:05 PM

Safe travels,and thank-you as well,for
serving.

I hoped you bumped into Hawkdriver in
Afghanistan,he posts on Hot Air:)

canopfor   ·  February 2, 2010 06:41 PM

Well and good. Thank you for your service.

May you have blue skies and soft landings on your way home!

West   ·  February 3, 2010 03:20 AM

And this is one of the few times when disarming someone actually puts a smile on my face. Have an uneventful flight and an emotion filled reunion with your loved ones.

Bill R.   ·  February 4, 2010 12:10 PM

yeah, sir, but at least you're back with your .45...

Sgt B   ·  February 4, 2010 04:55 PM

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