I haven’t abandoned you guys

[MSG Hall]

I have been really busy and I have had some bad news that always seems to come at once.

But first, the bike has arrived, I got it today. I will take some pictures and get them posted real soon… thank you again Lester.

The bad… first my daughter had an… attack I suppose it is. I have, and my father has and now my daughter has a neurological disorder that the name of escapes me, and even if I could remember, I wouldn’t be able to spell it. Anyway what it is our brains don’t perceive the impute from our senses like your. For instance, I can’t touch some materials, I often have a very heightened sense of smell, I am VERY light sensitive, to the point that I nearly always have to wear sun glasses. And I don’t feel pain quite the same, I will hurt myself and not know it until much later, I have broken over 20 bones in my life because my brain doesn’t process the pain correctly. Anyway, it seems my oldest has it too. We are going to have her evaluated to see it there is a treatment that will help her. The incident was that every sound hurt her and her cloths felt like sandpaper. She didn’t understand what was happening and broke down. I have been living with it a lot longer than her and she knew I had it, but this was the first time it showed up in her and she is 20. it showed up in me in second grade when I couldn’t touch the pants of my school uniform. My mother held me down and put them on me and I went into convolutions because of it. This isn’t physiological, and we have no control over it… the best I can compare I guess is your gag reflex, you can’t control it. Wow did I type more than I intended…

The next bad news… I am getting promoted; I know sounds good don’t it? But I wanted to retire, very badly and now I won’t be able for at least two more years. The regulations are too much to explain, but it suffices to say that retirement is a request, and the Army can and does turn them down. I really have no choice.

The next, next bad news… I have been told what my next assignment will be. I will be the Senior Counselor for the 2nd BCT, 10th Mountain… I know that won’t mean anything to you guys, but what it dose mean is that I will be locked in to this unit for at least 3 years and will have to come back here to Iraq on their next rotation for another 15 month in February 09… then maybe around spring 2010 they will let me retire.

All I wanted to do was go home. 22 years now, and it isn’t enough, I just tired.

Oh ya, and my log-on name will be wrong now… it’ll be MSG Hall (Master Sergeant)

[toypusher]

Hey man, can't you turn down the promotion and retire? I know that it was possible about 12 years ago when I retired from the Air Force. Guess with all the deployments these days that things have changed a bit.

Well, congrats on the promotion and just make the best of it that you can!!

[Ivar the Red]

Dude, i wish you all could retire and come home. We're all very proud of you guys and what you do. I'd be there with you, but the last time i checked, i am too old and too fat to re-enlist. Think of it this way, you're retirement checks just went up, more money to build tears with. Anyway, my hopes and prayers are with you, you're daughter, and all you guys over there.

P.S. i don't guess i'd be "with you" my mos was field electronics repair, i think we would be "in the rear with the gear" but i still feel you dawg.

[elmo]

PM'd ya!

[Miriam C.]

Sorry about your daughter. We will certainly pray for her. I can't imagine putting up with something everyday for years.

Sorry about the promotion too. Look at it this way---you won't have to look for a job when you get out and the next rotation might be the CA boarder. Sun and sand............Right---not so good huh! I will think on it.

[swissarmygirl]

Hang in there. I believe everything happens for a reason.
Just try to make the best of it.

[Tcurr]

You and your daughter will be in our prayers. Be safe over there and Thanks for what youo do and who you are.

[Eunice]

I am so sorry for your daughter but it will help that she has you to talk to. You will understand what she is going through.
Sorry you cant retire but as it as been said that will just be more money when you do get to.
I agree with swissarmygirl. Everything does happen for a reason. Look for the good and make the best of the bad.
You, your family and all the military are in my prayers

[mandy]

SFC Hall,

I'm glad your back, I was wondering where ya been.

Sorry to hear about the bad news, it always come in droves.

My yonger sister has something called sensory intergration, its like a milder version of the neurological thing that you were taking about.
Since she was very little she couldn't handle bright lights, and certin textures. She couldn't handle anything on her hands, like syrup or sand, mudd, anything like that. She wouldn't eat certin things because of their textures.

Now she does fine because she had early intervention, although there are still a few small things that she deals with.

Mandy

[Jiminsav]

Well Msgt, all you have to do is fail one PT test and poof...out you go..

[SharonB]

Dear SFC soon to be MSG Hall - I've been reading your posts and enjoying your sense of humor for a couple of months since I joined the forum. You and your men have been in my prayers and now your daughter will be, too. Will you still get to see her at Christmas? I'm sure that would be of comfort to you both. Thanks for your service - if there are "little" things we can send you or do for you to bring you encouragement and cheer, I hope you'll let us know!

[CASHCOW]

so sorry to hear about your daughter. I have a student in my class that is very much like you described. I would certainly be interested in anything you might know or find out on the subject......

As for your job......well I wish all of you could come home too. I cant even imagine what you and your family must go through. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers daily....... hang tough.......

[SouthernGirl]

Sorry for the bad news. Glad you have at least gotten the bike. You should be getting another package soon.

I was a bit late mailing it.

[Ivar the Red]

Sorry for the long post, but i got this chain e-mail the other day, and this seemed like a good place to share. Let's all get together and show support for MSG Hall and all his brothers in arms. It's Friday, and i have my red shirt on. If the Red shirt thing is new to you, read below...

Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two
together.

After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

No, he responded.



Heading out I asked?

No. I'm escorting a soldier home.

Going to pick him up?

No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq, I'm taking him home to his family.

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.

I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me
realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.

Red Fridays.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the
"silent majority." We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized,
boisterous or overbearing.

Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea
of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops
all come home, sending a deafening message that .. every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers.
If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is. "We need your support and your prayers." Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.

[Bill Fernandez]

Hall hey man sorry ablut your dauther we will keep her inour prays and for you I dont know what to say I know what you mean about tired Im in the same bolt have a bussiness but not enough to retire on and I'm a70 years old I tired.