Thursday, March 12, 2009
I'm Home!
I have been reassigned to California, to do another exciting and technologically advanced mission in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
I was so honored to serve in Iraq during such an exciting time. The meaning and purpose of our military efforts became clear. I was afforded the privilege of observing free and successful provincial elections. As the transition continues, stronger Iraqi security forces are making it safer for internally displaced Iraqis to return to their native home. It will not be easy, but I did see progress. For that, I am thankful.
I have been reassigned to support the California Air National Guard as an integral part of unmanned aircraft flying combat missions in Iraq. I look forward to continuing to dynamically support ground forces in Iraq with the persistent stare and protection that unmanned aircraft provide our soldiers.
Although my daily tasks will be focused intensely on actively supporting this mission, some of my free time will be spent acclimating in the states and leading a more normalized life. I am thankful to be physically safe, and I look forward to a good transition to the Johnson School.
My Ithaca homecoming validated that I had chosen the right business school. I felt like I was reunited with a branch of my family. I visited with as many friends as possible before I road-tripped across the country to California. I took five days to drive from Ithaca to California. I stopped to see family and friends in Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. My girlfriends from the Johnson School sent me a stuffed animal to Iraq. It hails a red t-shirt, "Somebody at Cornell Loves Me." CB (Cornell Bear) became my Wilson volleyball, and kept me company for 2,700 miles.
The last stop in California was particularly special; I was reunited with two of my closest girlfriends from the Air Force. My former college roommate, now an Air Force pilot, was leaving for Iraq that week. I just made it to her family's home in time to send her off. My other girlfriend, whom I met in 1997 during basic training, was visiting her family in California. She and I were stationed in Germany at the same time, and I had the chance to meet her new baby son and reminisce some of our basic training and European adventures.
I am happy to be home!
I was so honored to serve in Iraq during such an exciting time. The meaning and purpose of our military efforts became clear. I was afforded the privilege of observing free and successful provincial elections. As the transition continues, stronger Iraqi security forces are making it safer for internally displaced Iraqis to return to their native home. It will not be easy, but I did see progress. For that, I am thankful.
I have been reassigned to support the California Air National Guard as an integral part of unmanned aircraft flying combat missions in Iraq. I look forward to continuing to dynamically support ground forces in Iraq with the persistent stare and protection that unmanned aircraft provide our soldiers.
Although my daily tasks will be focused intensely on actively supporting this mission, some of my free time will be spent acclimating in the states and leading a more normalized life. I am thankful to be physically safe, and I look forward to a good transition to the Johnson School.
My Ithaca homecoming validated that I had chosen the right business school. I felt like I was reunited with a branch of my family. I visited with as many friends as possible before I road-tripped across the country to California. I took five days to drive from Ithaca to California. I stopped to see family and friends in Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. My girlfriends from the Johnson School sent me a stuffed animal to Iraq. It hails a red t-shirt, "Somebody at Cornell Loves Me." CB (Cornell Bear) became my Wilson volleyball, and kept me company for 2,700 miles.
The last stop in California was particularly special; I was reunited with two of my closest girlfriends from the Air Force. My former college roommate, now an Air Force pilot, was leaving for Iraq that week. I just made it to her family's home in time to send her off. My other girlfriend, whom I met in 1997 during basic training, was visiting her family in California. She and I were stationed in Germany at the same time, and I had the chance to meet her new baby son and reminisce some of our basic training and European adventures.
I am happy to be home!
# posted by Kima McCoy @ 12:34 AM 