Not a whole lot going on in Kate's world lately.

We did get some sad news last night.  Some of 3rd Brigade was scheduled to arrive home throughout this weekend and into next month.  Well, we found out that some of the Ft. Drum soldiers who are/were in Afghanistan are being extended another four to six months over there.  Thing is, the order wasn't passed down until some of them were here, at the Ft. Drum airfield getting off the plane.  I mean boots on the ground, and they're told their going back, like now.  Some of them were in flight and the planes were turned around.  Oh yes, there are a lot of broken hearts in Watertown today; not only because they can't see their loved ones for another six months, but also because that's six more months' exposure to the enemy, and they know that the chances just increased that he won't be coming home. 

Heather's husband was one of the ones to get sent back.  It's not just a straight flight from Afghanistan to home.  They hop around the middle east, and I believe most of the flights that actually bring them to American soil are from Germany.  So anyway, he was hopping around the middle east when the order came down.  She's a trooper, though, and understands that this is Army life, and she leans on God for her strength.  I really admire her.  She's the one with three kids.

I have mixed feelings about the whole thing.  I really feel for the families.  Some of them, I'm sure, had made travel plans to visit family, perhaps had the tickets already bought, etc.  Plus just the sheer heartbreak of being so close and then being torn apart again.  The anticipation and excitement must have been killing them, and then the crash after the blow had to be devastating.  Both the soldiers and their families practically live for the day they come home; it's the focal point of their lives.  I think if they'd have known a month ago or so, it would have been easier to handle because they would be able to just go back into the groove of "He's not here, but I'm chugging on."

On the other hand (like Travis says), "You knew the job was dangerous when you took it."  When you join the military, you are a soldier.  If you drag a family into it, that's your choice and you and they have to deal with the consequences.  But to be under an illusion that, as a soldier, you're not going to be deployed--especially in this time--you're nuts.  What did they sign the dotted line for?

If you have a spouse who can snuggle into bed with you at night, be thankful, and snuggle as much as you can, because you never know when you won't be able to.