The following report is from a local news station. This is Jason's battalion. This is what happened: The guy was on trash detail and he picked up a bomb from the '90's and it exploded. According to Jason- it blew his face off. :(

How freaking horrible!!!!!!!! That's why it says in a non-combat related injury. :(

I still feel for the guy - we're still friends... but I just feel so badly for him right now. This is his 3rd friend he's lost. :(

I hope that he makes it home okay. They've pushed back the home time from April to June again. *sigh* Poor guy. I don't know how I'd be able to handle something like that.



 **************************************************************************************

The Department of Defense has announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

Pfc. Dwane A. Covert Jr., 20, of Tonawanda, N.Y., died Nov 3, in Al-Sahra, Iraq, from injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 104th Transportation Company, 13th Corps Support Sustainment Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Ga. 

The incident is under investigation.

Courtesy: Department of Defense

Hmm... so.. I broke up w/ Jason on Thursday 10/11/07. I'm over it already. I thought about him some while out w/ some friends on Saturday- but that was just because it was the first time I'd been to a bar in months as a single girl.

Over it! Cool! I've developed a little crush on one of my best friends new friends. He's really cool, cute, relaxed, did I mention that he FIXED my car? Yeah- remember how everyone said "Transmission is going out.... you need to give up on this car... transmission is done for... too many miles... it's dead... transmission is going out...".... none of those people were even remotely close to the problem. This is what we refer to as "Titanic/9-11 syndrome" because its a case of an "unsinkable ship sinking" or an "unbendable steel crumbling". The "unfixable car" has been fixed.

Did I mention also that whilst fixing my car he called me "babe"? hmmm... sweet... he never used that terminology before... ;)

*points for me* :)

Well here's a little conversation. My other friends were inside the house at the time this occured.

*me*: *cleans out car... approached hot friend of my best friend.* "Hey, you're a diesel mechanic- can you please check my oil levels? I think I may be low?"
HF*Hot Friend*: "Sure. Levels are fine. What's wrong with the car?"
Me: *Explains*
HF* I know exactly whats wrong with it. Do you know if they have anything that I can lay on? I need to get underneath your car."
Me: *looks around**nothing*: Hmm... no.. they don't have anything, but wait- I have an <b>ex-boyfriend's clothes in the back- you can lay on those. *winks*
HF*:So you have a boyfriend in the service? *grabs duffel bag to lay on*
Me: had a boyfriend in the service. Not anymore.
HF* Why not?
Me: He went crazy. I had to leave. He told everyone that we were getting married after I'd only known him like 3 months...and he didn't even ask me to marry him. Then he told me that God came to him and told him we would be "together forever.".
HF*Psycho! ..Hey babe, can you hop in and turn the car on?

... heh heh heh.. sure can! ;)
 

Anywho... there may be something there. I think he's been a little flirtatious. I know I have been.
 
We went to a club and my Old Friend I've known since 4th grade had this conversation w/ him.
OF* Hey- you smell good. What cologne are you wearing?
HF* This is not cologne. This is my natural smell. It's called sexy!
OFand ME: LOL!!!!!!!!!!

You can say that again! hahahaha.

We'll see what happens. 

Oh- and the car- someone had fu*ked w/ it. He said someone had to have gotten underneath my car and moved a part to the computer that registers what gear I'm in. He moved it back and rebolted it down safely. He also said there was a leak, but it was small and could be fixed whenever. He told me I can buy the part and he will install it for free. :)

Heck yes...

*score*

Did I mention I've moved on? I'm proud of me. *Internal High Five!*

So... I broke up w/ the boyfriend last night. 

He told his entire family and all of his friends that we were getting married immediately upon his arrival back from war. (He is on R&R in Texas right now)... 

He didn't ask me to marry him. You can't make an executive decision on someone else's life for them. 

He kept pushing the issue. He told EVERYONE in Texas that we were getting married. I've only known you for five months, I'm only 22,- don't rush me! He wouldn't back down.

 Don't get me wrong, he is the sweetest, nicest, most caring person I've ever known... but he backed me into a corner to the point where I just wanted out.

My friend Ray and I discussed the situation and he told me to think about it like a band-aid. If you pull it off slowly it hurts, if you pull it off quickly- it's painful, but not as much.

It was the right thing to do. I cried over it because I didn't want to hurt him, but sometimes you have to be the bad guy.

He sent me a text this morning saying "I'm not mad, just disappointed." So I thought maybe we could be friends and responded with "I'm sorry if I hurt you. Don't be a stranger." To which he said, "Oh, I will." 

I guess I cut him deeply. He'll get over it. 

I don't know whether or not I will regret this in the future- because he did really love me and he did really care... but you CAN love someone too much... and that's what he did.

Too much, too soon.

I wish him well in all future endeavors.




 

So... Jason's mommy called and said, "I got a letter from Jason! He'll be here on the 6th! (It was the 3rd - and may still be- he was going to surprise his mom!), and the letter said at the bottom: Mom, Please give (my name) my new address- exclamation point!" lol.

She said "exclamation point!" - Do it now- woman! J/k.

Ha ha. He's sweet. I'm psyched. He'll be home soon for R&R!
His mommy is decorating their house like it's Christmas so Jase can be :"home for Christmas". awwww ... sweet idea. love. <3.

Good News: According to Jason's mom- they'll be coming home SOONER than April now!!!

Did I mention that General Petraeus is teh awesome? He is. :)

 I am soooo stressed out!!

I'm so excited!!

General Petraeus' assistant just called about an hour ago!!! :)

I feel honored that the general read my e-mail! Though I promised for security purposes not to release some information, I was told that "the general thought your e-mail was thoughtful and considerate! " :)

Though the desired outcome was not achieved, maybe this can help someone else who really deserves it. I really wish I could elaborate more, but I will not betray my country or my 4-star General's trust!

I let the General's assistant know some of my friends, my family and my boyfriend were over there and I appreciate them.
"What does he do?"
"He's an 88 Mike."
"Do you know what unit?"
"No, sir... it's always 3 am when he calls and I always miss it!"

We both LOL'd. He said, "I hope your husband makes it home safely."
"Thank you."

Now the General's upgraded our status to husband and wife! lololol!!!!


I'm so happy!

Eeep. I haven't been very good at updating as of late. 

Here's what's going on: I purchased and recieved a steel bracelet for Jason engraved with "US Army Pvt Jason (middle initial) (last name) TX. Operation Iraqi Freedom 2007". I hope he likes it! I'm wearing it now until he gets home. (*Which isn't too far away!!!*) He called again while I was sleeping! I got another message "home in October! Love yah!"  Even though he'll be in Texas, I hope he makes the trip here! 

Oh- the story behind the bracelet: In Vietnam, the people who fought beside the Americans were referred to as the "mountain men." They so loved our troops that they held special ceremonies in which they wrapped brass engraved wire around the servicemans arm. Most servicemen once arriving home in the states never took these off as rememberances of their long lost friends and allies. (Sometimes referred to as a John Wayne Bracelet because John Wayne recieved one and never took it off.).

Also- in regards to an article by Michael J. Totten about an Iraqi interpreter- I have contacted General Petraeus by e-mail. His assistant Major Everett Spain wrote back requesting my telephone number. I'm eager to hear a response! I wrote about granting citizenship to an Iraqi Interpreter who loves our country and wishes for a better life. (*He just needs a senators or general's recommendation*). I'm hoping Petraeus will give it to him based off of his service record! He's now embed with the 82nd airborne! I'll hear something on that soon!

Now for a non-army related note: Went to the 10:00 movie last night with Veronica and Cory. We saw Hairspray! Loved it!! I'm going to have to buy that movie. John Travolta and Christopher Walken are HILARIOUS.

Anywho, I must return to the throes of work! :)
  

 Whatever you do, don't vote for Obama Bin Laden!
 

I missed a call from Jason that came through at 5AM yesterday. I could kick myself for sleeping so soundly!

Anyway... I hope he doesn't think I'm mad at him or avoiding him. The previous two times he's called I've been at work and couldn't answer.

October 3rd- you are too far away still!

 

  I just got a voicemail from Jason- in which he stated he would be home in a few days!!! I'm excited!! I don't know whether he's referring to being here on October 3rd like originally planned, or sooner, but I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!! :)

  I've been really busy lately and haven't been able to write in a couple of days. 

 I've officially been accepted by Jason's family! YAY. lol. I talked to his mommy the other day and told her that it's late when I get through working and she said, "You can call me anytime!" =o) Anytime it is! 

 I have only heard from him once after the initial call. He called while I was working, but due to work volume I couldn't answer. :( He left me another nice message though. Maybe he'll write? ...

 We'll see. I'm supposed to be seeing the Symphony play this weekend as well as going to the circus with one of my friends. (I know we're too old for the circus, but she is deathly afraid of clowns and has finally decided to go to her first circus! I'm the moral support! lol.)

 That's all I have to offer for now. Work's calling!


  

"We could be home before April!"

*happy cries!*  =o)

"Love, from the hot, hot desert!" LOL!! :)

<3

*sigh*

My life is complete.

I am sooo happy right now! :) I got a call from Jason!!!!!!!!! :)

I almost didn't take it because I didn't know the number! It was a 1-999#. lol. He left me a really sweet voicemail too. aww. I love him! The only thing that sucked was the phone was slow. (You know how you have a live news reporter in Baghdad and there's a delay? It's like that on the phone!)

He said the deployment has shifted from 15 months to 12, and they could be home by April per General Petraeus! I hope so! He said he's in a base near Iraq right now, but it's not his home base because he's been running convoys.

He said, "They've tried to shoot at us a couple of times, but these people can't shoot for shit, baby!"

Ahahahaha...

That makes me feel better! He hasn't received any of my letters yet- he said that the mail carrying planes have problems with the sand storms, so that's why they're probably delayed.

Just to hear his voice- I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. He called his mom and sister and me today before heading out on his convoy mission again. *sigh* I love him. No doubt.

He'll be in Texas in October for his 18 day leave. (For his son's birthday, but it's supposed to be a surprise- so I'm not supposed to tell his mom about it! lol.)... I'm in Georgia, so he's supposed to come this way as well, but his son is first and I respect that completely! :)

I'm just elated. Thank you God for small miracles!

Maybe I'm just a little bit too country here, but if my dog doesn't like you- you're not coming into my house!

If my 150lb Labrador Retriever, that wouldn't hurt a fly, stands between you and me and stares you down while growling- you need to get the fuck out and never think about returning.

It's true: Dogs and babies know about people! I wish more people understood that simple philosophy!

I 'm really depressed tonight. I usually am not this upset at all. I miss Jason so much. He's been gone since July 7th. It's been 2 months and he's in Iraq and I haven't heard a peep from him. Not one thing. I've sent nine letters, none of which have been returned. I just want to hear one thing from him. I want to get one letter. I would be so happy to get one line from him. Just one line. If I got a letter in the mail that simply said, "I'm okay", I could be happy with that response for sooo long.

I don't like this. His mom is upset. She's used to hearing from him every week. His dad I haven't spoken to, but he has recieved a letter in the beginning of Jason's deployment- and so has his mom. No one's heard anything at all in a month and a half.

God keep him safe, please, please.  :(

Not that being in the Army's not dangerous or anything, but he's got the most dangerous job. (HETT driver).

This is horrible. The worst part is not knowing. If I knew that he was okay- I wouldn't be such a basketcase!

It's hard to make the transition from seeing someone every single day to not seeing them at all for 15 months. It's only been 2 and I'm not holding up well at all!! :(

I miss my boyfriend God, and I'm afraid to ask You to send him  back to me because I know you work in mysterious ways - and I don't want him to come back in a flag-draped casket!

i just want him back in one piece, mentally there, physically there,  all fingers, all toes, both eyes, both ears... ALIVE most importantly.

 I am so happy today is Friday!

I still haven't heard from  Jase yet- but he's probably moved from Kuwait to Iraq at this moment in time. I'm still holding out that I'll hear from him soon. =-/

His mom called crying and told me that one of her letters was returned as "cannot locate". None of mine have been returned. *Thank God!* He probably just has a new APO address.

I watched the first Republican Debate from NH. None of the candidates impressed me much. Especially Rudy G.- he really does come across as a gangster thug. Ron Paul- what a joke! I really like Huckabee but he honestly doesn't stand a chance against the big 4 : Rudy, Romney, McCain, and Thompson. (You can't deny Thompson even though he wasn't at the debate- he's already 2nd in the polls). McCain is self-serving and would be a poor choice, in my honest opinion. Romney was actually at the top for me- until I heard him speak in debate. He made me literally sick to my stomach. Is this the best we can do, Conservatives? Seriously?! Is this all we've got? Thompson I really like. I like where his values are and I like the fact that he is tough on illegal immigration.

Anywho... we'll see how he stacks up at the October debate. 

....

I miss Jason. :(

Back to work I suppose.

I'm typing this from work.

I just got asked out on a date by one of my best-co-worker's friends. I'm probably going to go- but only because I need to get out more. I have a boyfriend but he's fighting in Iraq now... so... I haven't heard anything in 2 months and if I don't hear from him by the end of this month then I'm over it. He's had 3 months to write me- his mom has recieved letters- so has his dad-- just not me. I keep trying to make excuses for him. ("He's busy" or "He hasn't had time".) But apparently he's had time to write his mom and dad. I just don't know what to do. It hurts... but life goes on, yah know? I haven't discounted him yet. I know I need to make it perfectly clear on this date that I am already involved.

... and my involvement is sticky enough as it is! Especially when I'm being hit on my one of my old classmates from high school - who is looking pretty good as well. I've never been hit on so much in my whole life. I've never had the opportunity to experience the severe suckiness that is choosing a person to be with. I want to be w/ my Army guy, but I just haven't heard anything. (And I've written 7 letters)...

... my head... is spinning...

 

This is my first entry in a new journal- and it feels refreshing! A new start is always exciting!
I'm going to work more on tweaking this and then will begin to pick up speed with more entries later on!
I'm way excited!