Thanks to all.....looking forward to returning home

[lostsailor101]

Ahoy there ,

I am not a new member but I have been sort of a quite member.  Thought I would speak up to say thank you.  You see I have been on deployment 3 out of the last 4 years and to escape from the day to day stress of life here in South west Asia, I find refuge in the Com-Pac website. I have both soaked in the stories, pictures and information on this site, over and over again, it's has provided me with many hours of enjoyable reading.  Even if all I can do right now is day dream of peaceful days to come, sailing towards that horizon.

Fair winds, safe harbors and good whishes to all.

[rwdsr]

Let me be the first to thank you for your service and your sacrifice.  I'm retired from the Army with 23 years service, and although I consider myself fortunate that I didn't see combat, I was gone on deployments a lot.  I know what the pain of separation  is and how it feels to be a long way from home.  For all of that sir, I salute you.

BobD

[Greene]

You certainly have our well wishes, gratitude and thanks for your service.  We all get to enjoy our wonderful freedom due to servicemen like you.



We hope you are back on the water soon with smooth water and gentle breezes.

Mike and Brenda

[lostsailor101]

Thank you all for the kind words. I do not want mislead anyone but I am not in the military, at least not any more. I hung up my uniform several years ago (US Army). I now work Dyn Corp International, the work I do is aviation maintenance for the Marine Corps. We deploy ,eat, sleep and travel wherever the Marines go. I spent 3 years in Al Asad, Iraq supporting the CH 53 squadrons in OIF from 2005 through 2009.  I am now completing the last 90 days of my current deployment in Qatar working on Marine Corps UC35 D's which provides air  transportation for US military leaders in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Again It is not my attempt to mislead anyone, but I am sending out a heart felt thanks for the kind words and your support.

I have wittnessed the sacrifices our young war fighters make on a daily basis. Please keep in mind that they are someone's father, mother, sister, brother, sons and daughters. Answering our nations call to duty. They deserve all the support we can give them.

"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave."

[rwdsr]

Ever run into a guy by the name of Mike Arthurs?  He either worked on CH 47s or C 130's used to be my neighbor here at Ft. Campbell, I lost track of him.

[lostsailor101]

BobD

No the name doesn't sound familiar, but I took the liberty of running a quick search on facebook for you...there are 66 folks listed as Mike Arthurs.
When I was in Al Asad, there were only two Air Force CH47's, the C130's were Air Force as well but we never really interacted with those fellows.
Here in Qatar I haven't seen any CH47's, we have a couple of British C130's and I believe several Air Force as well, but again we don't deal with those guys either.
What did you do in the Army? I was a 36 k (Signal Corps, Communications) spent most of my time working in the Com Sec vault. 

Good luck tracking down your friend.

[rwdsr]

The better question would be, I suppose, what didn't I do - but the answer is that I was an Artillery cannoneer, a 72E, at the Pentagon for several years, an Army Recruiter, and then for the last 14 years, I was an 11B.  Doing all manner of things.  I worked in the G3 shops for 3 different divisions as an Ops SGT, and the 25th as the Force Integration/Force Modernization NCO.  Looking to maybe get back into thaqt line of work.

[lostsailor101]

Mike and Brenda thank you for the kind words, and the picture you sent. I always feel a sense of pride whenever I see our flag flying. Even with all of our troubles, we still live in a great nation, but in my opinion the people who live here are the ones that make this nation great. Thanks again.


BobD. I salute you sir. You have had an impressive a range of jobs throughout your military career. I am sure the Army could use your expertise, there is no substitute for real world experience. Good luck to you if you decide to get back into that line of work. I hear Afghanistan is nice this time of year, but it really puts a damper into your sailing time. Just kidding about the sailing of course. Take it from me just because you hung up your uniform does not mean you can no longer serve your country. I've heard it said that "Once a Marine, always a Marine" the same rings true for all us old soldiers too.

[ka8uet]

I recall a song from my youth about "old soldiers never die, they just fade away."  I think it was a quote from a speech Douglas McArthur gave to the Senate after President Truman fired him for insubordination.  He was very sure that he would be elected president to replace Truman.  So far as I know, he was convinced for the rest of his life that the nation should have elected him.  However, despite his very human flaws, he was right about old soldiers. 

[HideAway]

It s really good to hear from people who get it.  Nobody seems to understand why I think it s important to fly the biggest flag I have and why it is especially important to do so on holidays.

Lostsailor, it s people like you - military or not, that are serving our country far away from home. (my son has been to Qatar several times over the years)

I made my last video with those thoughts in mind -- Its called the HideAways Sail the Third of the Fourth - I think you may enjoy it -- just go to my blog or the HideAway utube site below.    If we can manage to get my outboard back together by Labor Day -- We'll be the boat with the big flag sailing just off the Gulfport Fl pier

Thank you for your service  Matt

[lostsailor101]

Thanks Matt,  (aka Hideaway)

I just wanted to say your words of support and encouragement are appreciated. I read somewhere that Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority." It is folks like you who are no longer silent, and are voicing your love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. I cannot explain how much it means to receive that type of support for us out here
.
I certainly will check out your video, I have all ready viewed one or two on You Tube in the continuing adventures of Hideaway... Your loose footed main clip was helpful in such that it pushed me over the edge and I have made a decision to purchase new sails,  I just emailed Dirk at National Sail to start the process of ordering new sails which will consist of :  a Full Batten, loose footed  main, 110% jib, and a cruising spinnaker and furling gear CDI FF1.

Good luck with your motor, I hope you get the opportunity to fly your flag proudly. Tell your son to stay safe and as we say out here.............. "Keep Living the Dream"...

Best regards,

Michael