Joe's Christmas

We were blessed to Skype with Joe on Christmas eve along with his Grandmother Vasiliou, Aunt Mary, Uncle Kevin and Cousin Zach. Seeing and speaking with Joe made the holiday a little less sad for us. We do have official good news that it looks like the Army is planning to shorten the deployment by 2 months. The current date of return of Joe’s unit is the last two weeks in June 2010 (instead of August) although the dates are subject to change. That was the best Christmas present we received this year. Joe had to work about 1/2 day on Christmas, had a special lunch meal and got to take a nap on his rare afternoon off duty. He says the weather has been rainy which turns the desert to mud, but the temps are not real cold. He appreciates your letters, packages and prayers.

Army Navy football

The annual Army-Navy football game was yesterday and unfortunately despite a valiant effort the cadets couldn’t hold off the midshipmen going down in defeat 17-3. It was fun to watch the game and made us proud to now be a part of the traditions of the armed forces. Joe emailed us another link which leads to an article about their sector of the border. It is interesting reading and gives us more info on the mission of his unit and those in that area. the link is: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/12/ap_iraq_syria_border_121009/ Thanks for you prayers and thoughts during this holiday season.

Joe is Promoted

Joe shared that today he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant. He and several others were promoted together in a brief ceremony there at the FOB. We, of course, asked what brave deed or heroic act prompted the promotion, but alas it is apparently a routine advancement after one year for just about all Second Lieutenants. However, he is happy not to be the lowest officer rank any longer. Otherwise, he continues to do well and his health is good. He received four packages this week and really is enjoying them. He celebrated thanksgiving with a turkey dinner that was “not bad” but of course wished he could be home with everyone. We will continue to keep you posted on your favorite First Lieutenant.

Pictures from the "sandbox"

Joe sent us some pictures today and we have posted them on the blog. You can get a little more of a feel for what it is like for him there. There is also a report by the BBC on their sector of Iraq which mentions his unit. This link to that report includes an article and a video clip: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8363899.stm

Thanks to everyone for remembering Joe during the holidays

SKYPing with Joe

We have been able to “SKYPE” with Joe twice now, most recently today. For those that are unaware of SKYPE, it is a free computer to computer video and audio internet link in real time available to anyone with the program downloaded on their computer (the program is also free). Joe looks and sounds healthy and well. He has been out twice on missions in the surrounding area. The missions last 3 days and they travel and sleep in truck like vehicles (MRAP) that are resistant to IEDs. He has seen herds of camels, ancient Roman ruins and visited a number of Iraqi villages. The unit that shares their FOB is from Ft Hood and preparing to return. One of their members had returned early and was apparently wounded in the shootings there this week. Joe has enjoyed the letters and packages he has been receiving and says to keep them coming! Thanks again for your prayers and caring for Joe

A Phone Call from Joe

We spoke with Joe today for the first time in almost 2 months. Needless to say it was great to hear his voice. He is in good spirits and doing well. They are performing missions and he is busy managing his medics.

We have been getting regular inquiries about what to send him so we asked him that question. He tells us that he has access to most of the “creature comforts” he needs with a PX on the FOB. For packages, individually wrapped non-chocolate candy is good and Q-tips come in handy for lots of reasons. Most of all he loves to get cards and letters from you all. They are a reminder of home for him and he likes that. If you are want to send him a package please email us and let us know. We may have you wait a week if there is already a package going out to him that week. Feel free to send cards and letters as often as you like because he seems to especially appreciate them. The army tells us that mail takes 1-2 weeks to reach Joe. They also stated that any package sent parcel post on or before Nov 13 will reach him by Christmas. Cards and letters sent 1st class should be sent by December 11 to arrive by Christmas. See the previous posts for his current address and where to get free postal service mailing kits for packages.

Another new address

We're settling in here at FOB Sykes, and I have the address for where we are:

2LT Joe C Thompson

HHT 1-4 CAV (Medics)

FOB Sykes, Iraq

APO, AE 09351

We'll be here at least 30 days, but I'll keep you updated though as we

probably will move somewhere else after that time.

Another update,
We're going to be staying here at FOB Speicher for a while longer. Sorry to jump the gun on us actually moving, but nothing is certain in the Army until it happens, and then you can expect that to change as well.

Go ahead and send stuff to the Speicher address listed a couple of posts below. Care packages are fine, but please don't send bulk stuff, as I'm still in temporary living conditions and have to be able to carry everything with me should we leave.

Things are well here. The weather is starting to cool off, which is a nice break.

Joe

Quick Update

I've got a quick update. We've finally got word that we will be moving to our actual area of operations within the next week or so. This is good news, as we're all kind of itching to get where we will be and get settled in.

I'll be sure to post the address as soon as I get it.

Love and miss you all

Joe

Here in Iraq

Hello all,
I just wanted to post an update on how things are over here. We're currently at COB Speicher, in Tikrit, Iraq. We're not sure how long we'll be in this specific location, but we may be moving to a different area within the next couple of weeks.

We're currently getting our vehicles set up and squared away, as well as planning for possible missions we may be given. We've been given a lot of the new MRAPs, which are huge armored trucks especially designed to resist IED blasts.

The weather over here has begun cooling off. In the mornings and evenings it actually feels pleasant and similar to what fall feels like back in the States.

The conditions here aren't that bad. We have good dining facilities and a decent gym.

The address on the post below is accurate, so feel free to send letters, but since we may move soon, hold off on care packages.

I love and miss you all,

Joe

New temporary address

We just got news about Joe's new temporary mailing address in Iraq. This address is accurate for right now but we don't know for how long. It would be best to continue to just send letters until we have a more permanent address. We will continue to keep everyone updated

LT JOE THOMPSON

FOB SPIECHER

HHC 4IBCT

C/O HHT, 1-4 CAVALRY (MEDICS)

APO AE 09393

update on address from Joe

Hey Guys,

Quick update...We are going to be moving north sooner than we

anticipated, most likely in the next week. If people have already sent

mail to the Kuwait address, thats fine, but please hold the mail until

I can get an address for where we will be temporarily in Iraq. We are

still waiting on a decision as far as our mission, but higher ups have

decided that we will wait at a camp in Iraq rather than down

here in Kuwait.

Joe

Temporary Address

We now have a temporary address for Joe in Kuwait. Joe says letters take about a week to reach him. He has requested you send letters only for the time being since he has limited storage space right now. Joe will be at this address until about mid October. Otherwise it sounds like he is doing well and appreciates everyone's prayers.

Address:

BSB-North

1st SQDN, 4th CAV

C/O: 2LT Joe Thompson, HHT

APO, AE 09330

Holding pattern

In his email this week Joe tells us the unit is in a "holding pattern" waiting for the higher ups to finalize the plan for their exact location and mission. His platoon has completed all their training for this stage so he describes things as relaxed for him right now. We will keep you updated as we receive more info.

Joe's 1st email

We received Joe's first email today, he says that internet service is "spotty" so he asked us to relay the info on to the blog. He is in Kuwait and is busy with more training and waiting for the rest of the unit to arrive. It is very hot 120-130 but a dry heat. Joe describes the terrain as "endless expanses of dry dusty desert". But the base has good food and the gym is open 24/7. He says he is doing well but misses home already. He will not have a mailing address for at least 2 weeks and probably longer than that but email obviously still works. Thanks for your prayers and support.

Joe has arrived

Just got word from Joe that he has arrived safely in Kuwait. He says all is well but the weather is HOT.

Here is some helpful info from the US postal service on how to receive FREE boxes and labels when preparing to send a package to Joe. More info on sending packages can be found on the USPS site: www.usps.com/supportingourtroops/welcome.htm

thanks for your support of Joe

Military Care Package Mailing Kit

Since Priority Mail service supplies are the packaging of choice for families preparing care packages for service members overseas, the USPS has created a "Mili-kit" based on the items most frequently requested by the military.

The kit contains:

• Three (3) each of flat rate boxes O-FRB1 and O-FRB2
• Two (2) each of Cube boxes OBOX7
• Address labels - Label # 228: 8 each
• Address labels - Label # 106-A: 1 each
• Customs FORM 2976-A: 8 EA.
• Customs FORM Envelope 2976-E: 8 EA.

The kit may be requested by calling 1-800-610-8734 (Packing Supply) and:

1. Choose your language (“1” is English, “2” is Spanish).
2. Choose option 1 (it states it is for Express Mail service, Priority Mail or Global Express Guaranteed).
3. When you reach a live agent, request “CAREKIT04.”
4. Please allow 7-10 days for delivery.

Note: These are free supplies, postage must be affixed.

Joe will not have a mailing address in Iraq until about the middle of September. Once we have the address we will post it and let interested friends know so they can sign up to send Joe letters and care packages. You will "sign up" to send him a package by letting us know by email and we will post the date you want to send the package on the blog calendar. By keeping track of the mail sent to Joe on the calendar we can avoid too many mailings or too few mailings in a particular time period. Ultimately it will be everyone's job to spread out the mailings and keep them coming to Joe while he is deployed. Thank you for your interest and care for Joe

Sam and Frances Thompson email: stthomp627@aol.com