Happy Birthday America!

Today is more than a day of Independence for our family. Today is the day 2 years ago that Zachary reported for his official oath and assignment to B.C.T. for the United States Army. I am proud that Zachary serves our great Nation! I am also proud that he joins an elite group of Americans such as his Great-Grandfather, Grandfather, and many Uncles, Cousins, and fellow Battle Buddies that fight to help keep the rights and freedoms that all Americans have today because of those that fought before them and fight beside them today for the Glory of Freedom.

Happy Birthday America
Happy Anniversary Zachary

I will always remember...

Memorial Day is a special day in our family. I am reminded too, that there are those that gave the ultimate in sacrifice that never made it home and are buried all over the world.

This is timely for Memorial day and to refute President Obama's thoughtless statement to the French apologizing for American "arrogance". The tremendous American sacrifice was not out of arrogance, but out of a belief in freedom from tyranny.

Apologize to no one.

Remind those of our sacrifice and don't confuse arrogance with leadership.

In alphabetical order. Just Europe.

1. The American Cemetery at Aisne-Marne, France. A total of 2289 of our military dead We Apologize.

2. The American Cemetery at Ardennes, Belgium. A total of 5329 of our dead.
We are arrogant.

3. The American Cemetery at Brittany, France. A total of 4410 of our military dead.
Excuse us.

4. Brookwood, England American Cemetery. A total of 468 of our dead.

5. Cambridge, England . 3812 of our military dead.

6. Epinal, France American Cemetery. A total of 5525 of our Military dead.

7. Flanders Field, Belgium . A total of 368 of our military.

8. Florence, Italy. A total of 4402 of our military dead.

9. Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. A total of 7992 of our military dead.

10. Lorraine, France. A total of 10,489 of our military dead.

11. Luxembourg, Luxembourg. A total of 5076 of our military dead.

12. Meuse-Argonne. A total of 14246 of our military dead.

13. Netherlands, Netherlands. A total of 8301 of our military dead.

14. Normandy, France. A total of 9387 of our military dead.

15. Oise-Aisne, France. A total of 6012 of our military dead.

16. Rhone, France. A total of 861 of our military dead.

17. Sicily, Italy. A total of 7861 of our military dead.

18. Somme, France. A total of 1844 of our military dead.

19. St. Mihiel, France. A total of 4153 of our military dead.

20. Uresnes, France. a total of 1541 of our military dead.

The Order is Handed Down...

Zachary called us from Fort Hood this weekend and he will be leaving Fort Hood, TX on July 26th and headed to Fort Carson. There he will begin mountain training as his unit is slated to go to Afghanistan in 2010. For me, it is just hard to swallow that there are two wars going on and that my son (when it is said and done) will have served in both of them. While I am extremely proud and my heart tightens thinking about it, it really is scary when you look at the whole picture and consider his age. Of course, I keep in the back of my mind statistics that seem to run rampant every once in awhile as well that are negative. I try to not listen to the world news much as I want to know as little about Afghanistan for now, as I will know far too much I am sure in the near future.

My mind is still trying to get a hold that he is grown and this is his job. It does not help that we are moving out of state and Zachary is very attached to Georgia and the people he loves dearly here. But we will adapt and adjust I am sure. We are excited about our impending move and we await new memories to make.

I will keep everyone updated about Zachary as I know things. I am anxious to see pictures he sends from Colorado.

Just some photos...

Zachary brought a battle buddy home with him to stay with us for a few days

before he headed home to North Carolina.

We have enjoyed having, "Potts" hang out with us and attend Easter Sunday services with our family.

Zachary has been busy with servicing his truck, visiting with friends, and of course...family time.

The SHOCK factor. Yes, my son always surprises me with a new tattoo. Those do not surprise me anymore. But he is young and he loved the NEW SHOCK of showing me his "new" nose ring. He flips it up in his nose when he is around me or takes it out. But when he arrived...it was all out for me to see. What the heck is with that?! lol

His new motorcycle to ride around base and save on fuel costs. Zachary is ecclectic in style and this bike fits him perfectly. He has all kinds of plans to do things to it to make it "more cool."

His battle buddy, "POTTS" also brought his bike as well. Those two together are "something" I tell ya. Potts is wonderful with Brianna and they enjoyed playing with her baby guinea pig, "ELLA."

Not much to really say today other than we are enjoying having Zachary home with us. He will be here for about another week and then he is heading back to Texas in a caravan with Potts. I believe their detour will be through Pensacola to soak in some "rays" before working hard to prepare for the unit move to Fort Carson, Colorado.

The boys are enjoying one another. Amazing how well they get along now that they are young men.

Zachary is enjoying not to shave and keep a regulation haircut on his leave. He has since cut his hair now and has a "Mohawk." Just another SHOCK factor for the MOM.

Home is Georgia!

Zachary is safely in his bed here at home. He and his fellow battle mate made it in safely from Fort Hood this morning at 6AM. They are fast asleep because they drove straight through. Potts will stay with us for a few days and head to North Carolina to see his family. I can honestly say that my heart is overjoyed and I feel at rest. I cannot wait to catch up with Zachary when he wakes up and just soak in the fact he is home if only for a little while.

He will be with us until April 23rd.

Then he and Potts will caravan together back to Texas. Hard to believe...HE IS HOME!

Boots are on the GROUND!

Zachary arrived back in Fort Hood, TX on Friday March 13, 2009. We were gone for the weekend to Bowling Green, KY and finally spoke with him on Sunday. He had 4 days of leave and now is back working and getting ready to take his long leave in April. He will be working with his unit to move to Fort Carson, CO this summer for mountain training. He sounds great and I must say it is really wonderful to pick up the phone and call him anytime I feel like I need to hear his voice. This is a far cry from waiting for emails and yahoo messenger just to catch up with him.

I will be updating here and there as his Tour of Duty is officially over. Now, I cannot wait to see him when he comes home for a bit!

Again, thank you everyone for keeping Zachary and his battle buddies in your prayers.

EXCITEMENT!

Zachary will be arriving at Camden Field at Fort Hood, Texas for his homecoming celebration at 1700 hrs, CT. That is 5:00 PM for all you that do not know what that means. I just received the call 3 minutes ago from the DOIM!

YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE, we will be in Kentucky....but I am on cloud nine!

Is it possible? Could it be?...YES!

My son is STUCK in Kuwait! Good thing I did not invest in plane tickets, however, there are many families that took the hit financially to welcome their loved one home as scheduled on Wednesday. It is hard to purchase tickets far in advance when the notice of return is tight and then..................NO SHOW!

I have an "insider" friend at Fort Hood and he has assured me that Zachary will be in the USA tomorrow...FRIDAY the 13th. We will be traveling to Kentucky and he has our cell phone number and surely he will find time to buzz us. I will keep everyone updated as I know things. Until then.................keep our soldiers in your prayers!

Tears of Great Joy!

I heard from the Department of Army today and was notified via telephone that Zachary will be in Fort Hood, Tx. on Wednesday at 0500hrs! I am mixed with emotion as we cannot be there to greet him...so, I will let you read the email that I sent out to our family and friends that have been great prayer warriors for Zachary and his Battle Buddies.

Hello Family and Friends,

Wow, what a long hard year for Zachary! His Tour of Duty is finally coming to an end for him and he is scheduled to arrive via airplane to Fort Hood, Texas at 5:00 AM on Wednesday the 11th. His "Welcome Home" Celebration on the base will be at 6:30 AM. Unfortunately, due to the late notice of his arrival and not being able to prepare for his arrival ahead of time, we will not be able to be there to greet him with open arms and welcome him home.

This is a wonderful time of jubilation for our family and we are so thankful that Zachary is coming home safely. He and his battle buddies have COMPLETED their MISSION and we are all grateful.

So, please say a prayer for his returning flights to be safe and as well for his fellow soldiers. I am sure there will be great tears of joy and hugs for everyone at the celebration.

Although we will not be there on Wednesday morning, I can assure my heart and soul will be in Killeen, Texas bright and early.

I will update everyone as soon as I hear from Zachary when his BOOTS hit the GROUND!

Thank you all for your prayers and support for Zachary and all of his Division. You are greatly appreciated.

(Zachary's PROUD ARMY MOM!)
Kimberly Archer

Thank you so much to all of my blog readers for your kind words and prayers for my son over the past 12 months. You, too are appreciated and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Out of the Sandbox!

It's official. Zachary will be out of Iraq on March 7th. Wow, that is the end of this week. I am so darned excited that my heart flutters just thinking about it. My mind still goes back to, "how much of Zachary will be left behind?" I know he will have memories that will always follow him. Relationships, brotherhood, sights, and the memory of the daily happenings that will roll into one experience as time goes by. I hope he shares what he can and realize that he contributed to a much "bigger picture" than any one person and/or will understand.
I am proud of my son. Now, we wait for his BOOTS ON THE GROUND!