Memorial Day Gift

[9.3X62AL]

Just a short time ago--we received word that our nephew Benjamin Paine (USA) departed from Baghdad enroute home from his tour of duty in Ramadi, Iraq. To have him safe and well--and homeward bound--is the best news we've received in a long time.

[MGySgt]

Congratulations!

[StarMetal]

Allen,

That's great news for sure and I'm happy for all of you. Hey my memorial day gift was my wife cleaned my casting area out on the patio!!!! :Fire:[smilie=1::roll:[smilie=w:

Joe

[waksupi]

Great thing for Memorial Day, AL! I sense a BBQ in the offing!

[sundog]

Hooah, Al. Hooah! sundog

[NVcurmudgeon]

Thanks for the good news about Ben. He's been on our prayer list since he went, has it been a year already?

[9.3X62AL]

Pretty close to a year--he shipped out on 6-12-05. MANY THANKS for all the prayers and good wishes from everyone. YOU BET there's going to be a barbecue!! Can you say CARNE ASADA? There's some elk steaks courtesy of EricB and whitetail filets via BruceB set aside, too.

He is likely to resume studies at University of La Verne, with 3 years of volleyball and 3 years of football eligibility left too. Volleyball is a lock--that is his primary sport, and I think most college football teams have room for a guy who can long snap 45+ yards accurately.

All those men and women in harm's way are my heroes, and this one I helped raise. I am so immensely proud of all that he--his brother--my niece--and our daughters have done in their lives so far. They have all packed a whole lot of hard work, dedication, and accomplishment into a pretty short timespan.

[Dale53]

Deputy Al;
Give Ben a hug from all of us. We DO appreciate his sacrifices for the rest of us.

Dale53