I was totally expecting Matt's first phone call home to come tomorrow because thats what everything I read said- Sunday. But lo and behold, my phone rang this morning and I got to hear Matt's voice on the other end!
I had been forewarned that they might sound scared and not okay. I had been forewarned that the call would consist of an 'I'm fine' and the address. But it didn't stop me from bawling my eyes out when the call was done. It was so good to hear from him.
He was able to tell me to not send anything other than pictures and letters- which I pretty much knew. I asked if he was going to write home soon and he told me that they had their letter-writing privilages revoked because some guys tried to write home too early. Darn them! He didn't say for how long but I have a suspecion that it'll be at least another week before Matt can send anything home- and by then so much will have happened that he may not have time to write it all.
Anyway, here is his address for those of you who wish to send him well-wishes.
AB Beach Matthew A
324 TRS/FLT 692
Dorm B 8
TSC 3
1320 Truemper St Unit 362917
Lackland AFB, TX 78236-5570
Remember, if you do write, don't say anything stupid or embarassing because there is always the chance that his comanders will read the letters. And don't send any inappropriate pictures (I don't figure anyone actually would) and I wouldn't expect a direct response back, at least, not right away.
Thank you all for being supportive!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Send Off
Matt has finally left for Basic Training. At this moment I highly suspect he is on the airplane but he could just be waiting at the airport still...gee...I really hope not!
Last night we went into St. Louis to hang out and spend a few last hours together. We really enjoyed the hotel- it used to be a manufacturing company (so says their website) and is really old. I have no idea how much of the architecture is old or was just made to look old but it was definately a beautiful building. We tried to go visit the Arch but all the parking lots required cash for parking and we didn't have cash, being the modern, American, non downtown-city dwellers that we are. Trying to get there gave us several headaches because all the streets are narrow and several are one-way. The whole time I kept wishing we lived in Salt Lake City!
We went to the Spaghetti Factory for dinner- again, housed in an incredibly old building. The first building on that location was built in 1819, the second was built in 1887. I'm not sure if the current building is that one refurbished or what, but it too was gorgeous.
We spent the evening talking and watching TV. Matt was assigned a room with a roommate but he didn't ever even go into that room. He stayed with me- which was very welcome.
After going to bed around 930 Matt and I both woke up several times during the night and by 330 Matt couldn't stand it any more and got up for good. He ate breakfast and tried his best not to go crazy until 5 when he was required to meet for transport to MEPS.
As he left I had to choke back a sob or two. I even promised myself that I wouldn't cry until the way home but I couldn't manage to. I'm not sure what all Matt did in the intervening hours but I puttered away the time in the gym, taking a shower, cat napping, and watching cartoons. I drove over to MEPS around 9am for the supposed briefing at 930.
Again, I don't have cash for parking so as I pulled into the first lot and started asking for directions I was told of a few lots that may be able to help- one was a block away and I was sure I'd get lost if I ventured that far! I was trying to keep myself from crying as I said thank you for the drections but by the second lot I was hardly able to get my question out. The third lot thankfully accepted debit cards, had no teller that I had to bawl to and was only a short ways away from MEPS. I collected myself in the car but by the time I asked for directions once in MEPS I was bawling again. I couldn't stop! All I could think was that it was darn good I had bought waterproof mascara!
Some old lady came over and hugged me and helped me find the area I was supposed to go then I waited. A lot. Everyone was nice. After all this horror of thinking about what Matt would go through at basic I totally forgot that people in the military actually are nice...just not the ones in basic!
The supposed 930 briefing turned into 1100. Did you know that the news gets really boring and repetative after an hour and a half? Ugh. I finally saw Matt, cried a tad on his shoulder and then watched him swear in. He is now part of the Active Military and serving his country.
There was such a big group processing today (something like 25 for all of the branches) that all the paperwork was bogged down and there was very little room in the swearing in room for family members but I got a video. The woman swearing them in advised all the (? I'm trying to figure out what to call them? Men? Trainees? New Members?) to take advantage of the free education as soon and as much as possible. I highly agree. Then she had them swear in. (My camera fell asleep waiting for the swear-in part and by the time I woke it up I missed the first line but you can imagine it was something like "I (jumble of everyone saying their names at the first time) swear to..."
Last night we went into St. Louis to hang out and spend a few last hours together. We really enjoyed the hotel- it used to be a manufacturing company (so says their website) and is really old. I have no idea how much of the architecture is old or was just made to look old but it was definately a beautiful building. We tried to go visit the Arch but all the parking lots required cash for parking and we didn't have cash, being the modern, American, non downtown-city dwellers that we are. Trying to get there gave us several headaches because all the streets are narrow and several are one-way. The whole time I kept wishing we lived in Salt Lake City!
We went to the Spaghetti Factory for dinner- again, housed in an incredibly old building. The first building on that location was built in 1819, the second was built in 1887. I'm not sure if the current building is that one refurbished or what, but it too was gorgeous.
We spent the evening talking and watching TV. Matt was assigned a room with a roommate but he didn't ever even go into that room. He stayed with me- which was very welcome.
After going to bed around 930 Matt and I both woke up several times during the night and by 330 Matt couldn't stand it any more and got up for good. He ate breakfast and tried his best not to go crazy until 5 when he was required to meet for transport to MEPS.
As he left I had to choke back a sob or two. I even promised myself that I wouldn't cry until the way home but I couldn't manage to. I'm not sure what all Matt did in the intervening hours but I puttered away the time in the gym, taking a shower, cat napping, and watching cartoons. I drove over to MEPS around 9am for the supposed briefing at 930.
Again, I don't have cash for parking so as I pulled into the first lot and started asking for directions I was told of a few lots that may be able to help- one was a block away and I was sure I'd get lost if I ventured that far! I was trying to keep myself from crying as I said thank you for the drections but by the second lot I was hardly able to get my question out. The third lot thankfully accepted debit cards, had no teller that I had to bawl to and was only a short ways away from MEPS. I collected myself in the car but by the time I asked for directions once in MEPS I was bawling again. I couldn't stop! All I could think was that it was darn good I had bought waterproof mascara!
Some old lady came over and hugged me and helped me find the area I was supposed to go then I waited. A lot. Everyone was nice. After all this horror of thinking about what Matt would go through at basic I totally forgot that people in the military actually are nice...just not the ones in basic!
The supposed 930 briefing turned into 1100. Did you know that the news gets really boring and repetative after an hour and a half? Ugh. I finally saw Matt, cried a tad on his shoulder and then watched him swear in. He is now part of the Active Military and serving his country.
There was such a big group processing today (something like 25 for all of the branches) that all the paperwork was bogged down and there was very little room in the swearing in room for family members but I got a video. The woman swearing them in advised all the (? I'm trying to figure out what to call them? Men? Trainees? New Members?) to take advantage of the free education as soon and as much as possible. I highly agree. Then she had them swear in. (My camera fell asleep waiting for the swear-in part and by the time I woke it up I missed the first line but you can imagine it was something like "I (jumble of everyone saying their names at the first time) swear to..."
Matt then signed his name on the dotted line and rushed off for lunch. Thats where we parted ways. I watched him walk into the cafeteria. At first he kept turning around to wave over and over again but then he stopped and as he disappeared around the corner I wished I could have had one more smile. But I guess I'll make due with how much I got.
And the journey begins.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Basic Training
Matthew will be leaving for Basic Training in only a few more days. He will be going to San Antonio Texas for the first 8 1/2 weeks until he leaves for his job training. As of now we do not know what job he'll be doing or where his training is going to occur but most likely the training will be in several different locations across the country. We expect that his training will take anywhere from 4-6 months on top of the 2 months he is in basic- so a total of 6-8 months away from home.
When Matt graduates from Basic Training at the end of October, Emmaline and I will have the opportunity to visit him for a few days. Then he'll come home for a few days around Christmas and if we are lucky we can schedule for me to visit him some time in Feburary. That'll all depend on his training I guess.
Around week 8 Matt will find out what his job will be and a few weeks into that training he'll find out his permanent station. We are hoping for something overseas as we would love the adventure but we are great with the idea of living around Utah as its closer to a lot of family.
This blog's purpose is to post any and all information regarding Matt's military experience so that friends and family can know what is going on. I will post letters and phone call synopsis when it is appropriate and keep you all in the loop the best I can. You are more than welcome to send Matt letters or well-wishes at any point in this journey, I believe he'll really need them at some points.
If you have any questions, feel free to comment!
When Matt graduates from Basic Training at the end of October, Emmaline and I will have the opportunity to visit him for a few days. Then he'll come home for a few days around Christmas and if we are lucky we can schedule for me to visit him some time in Feburary. That'll all depend on his training I guess.
Around week 8 Matt will find out what his job will be and a few weeks into that training he'll find out his permanent station. We are hoping for something overseas as we would love the adventure but we are great with the idea of living around Utah as its closer to a lot of family.
This blog's purpose is to post any and all information regarding Matt's military experience so that friends and family can know what is going on. I will post letters and phone call synopsis when it is appropriate and keep you all in the loop the best I can. You are more than welcome to send Matt letters or well-wishes at any point in this journey, I believe he'll really need them at some points.
If you have any questions, feel free to comment!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
