2009.03.10
Returned to Duty -- Baghdad
Stepping off the plane in Atlanta to start leave was like stepping a time machine set for the year 2-0-0-9! Oddly, through the ATL and Richmond airports I had this overwhelming feeling that everyone was staring at me. I was in uniform, but mostly I just think that this was paranoia.
Time spent with my family in Charlottesville was fabulous, including 10 inches of snowfall on March 2nd and my son's first haircut. Though my children did not remember me, we reconnected quickly.
My departure was as sad as you might expect. The scene played out quite similarly to when I first deployed in August with my children equally oblivious to my departure. I will admit, though, it was somewhat easier with the light at the end of the tunnel and not staring down a year apart. Funny, it took me awhile to realize why people took notice of me at the airports: the uniform. I can hardly wait to rejoin the family in July.
Today, I arrived back with my team in Baghdad. Returning feels a lot like going back to school after winter furlough. I will post an update of things here shortly.
From my front lawn in Charlottesville. 10 inches of snow! I am so glad to have been able to been there for this unusual and beautiful weather.
Hello, Richard! Glad to hear that your return trip was uneventful, but I have no doubt that it was quite difficult for you to separate yourself from your beautiful family once more. I predict that it will take your children very little time to remember you when you return this summer.
We all enjoyed seeing you a few weeks ago and had a great time speaking with so many of your family members and friends. It was particularly good to see you having so much fun talking with everyone - what a wonderful group of people!
That's a perfect photograph of the four of you and it was one very large snowfall, especiallly for your part of Virginia; we only got about 4 inches here in the immediate Roanoke area, but there were much larger accumulations in the surrounding communities.
Thanks for the telephone call last Saturday from the airport - sorry I missed you - I was out of town on a motorcycle trip to Florida and didn't get back until Sunday afternoon. As you can imagine, our trip was delayed by about a day and a half by the snowfall.
Please stay in touch, best of luck, health and safety, and thanks again for continuing to communicate with us here.
Steve McGraw
Comment by Steve McGraw — March 10, 2009 @ 6:43 pm
You have a great looking family! I know July can't come soon enough, but I hope your military brothers keep you entertained until then.
Glad you got to see a little snow while you were home. I was thinking we weren't going to get a good snowfall this year...then 70-degrees the following weekend. Go figure.
Comment by Ed S. — March 10, 2009 @ 7:14 pm