41 DAYS!!!

For you that didn't know I have been on a Deployment with the US Army since Mid July 2007. We started the deployment by going to Camp Atterburry Indiana from July until September of 2007 for all kinds of training, everything from the basics of throwing a grenade all the way to having to get sprayed with O.C. spray(Oleoresin Capsicum), which is a very very stong pepper spray, and then having to go through a course that involved hand to hand combat and using a baton.

Next we went to Germany from September to October. There we did more training on riot control and other scenarios that was to simulate the worst day ever imaginable. There were people being killed in combat (not for real), helicopters crashing, houses starting on fire, riots...etc. You name it and it probably happened! This place was rough on allot of people and called for long days, most being at least 12 hour days. At the end of it though we did get to go out for 2 days on pass and it couldn't have been better timing. Me, my Dad, and 2 other guys rented a car and went to Munich for Oktoberfest. If you ever get the chance to go, do it!

From Germany we came to Kosovo in early October. If you dont know where it is its located in Eastern Europe. Our mission is a peace keeping mission which is called KFOR (Kosovo Force). We are the 9th year that the US has been over here. Our time here has had its good time and had its bad times but all in all we have had a successful deployment thus far. We just had our replacements get here a couple of weeks ago (KFOR10) and have officially taken over. During out time spent here in Kosovo we have done allot with the people of our AO (area of operation) such as partake in sporting events, meeting with the War Veterans, hand out clothes to families in need, help with english class for the 7th and 8th graders, and just about anything we could do for people. We were also here when Kosovo declared Independence on February 17 2008. Everywhere you went there was sings saying Thank You USA, people want to take pictures of you and their kids, and just wanting to walk around with the soldiers. I am now down to less then 2 weeks until I get back home after the year long deployment. Everybody here has developed friendships with the public and soldier to soldier relationships have grown strong. I think most people are a little sad to leave Kosovo but excited at the same time to get back home to family and friends again.

I guess this is kind of my way of saying thank you to everybody who supported me and my guys throughout the last year. There was times that the support really helped. Thanks and good luck in the rest of your season!!

Michael Stuckey #027

 

I have never done this before but i thought i would give it a shot!  I have had to take a break from riding! My last race was at the end of July 07' due to my other obligations to our wonderful country that we call America. While you are all at home having fun with your friends and familys and getting together for the holiday some of us are of in other countrys with the military. I highly doubt that alot of you thought about the men and women who couldnt be with their familys this past weekend for thanksgiving and wont be able to be with them for christmas either. Some of you might be the type that say we shouldnt be in Iraq. To the people that do think that im sorry but you have no soul or heart. There are men and women putting their own lives on the line so that people can have "normal" lives and say what they want! People say that we have lost to many soldier in iraq and that we just need to get out now. Stop and think about some of the numbers that are coming out of there;   

There were 39 combat related killings in Iraq in January. In the fair city of Detroit there were 35 murders in the month of January. That's just one American city,

about as deadly as the entire war-torn country of Iraq .

some claim that President Bush shouldn't

have started this war.  FDR led us into World War II. Germany never attacked us ; Japan did.  From 1941-1945, 450,000 lives were lost ...  an average of 112,500 per year. In the years since terrorists attacked us , President Bush has liberated two countries, crushed the Taliban, crippled al-Qaida, put nuclear inspectors in Libya , Iran , and, North Korea without firing a shot, and captured a terrorist who slaughtered 300,000 of his own people.

Now step back say that we have lost to many people and we have done nothing but harm. To me 1 solider is to many. Its war people are going to die its reality face it.

So when christmas comes around or whatever holiday it is that you celebrate think of the troops who are not able to be with their familys and do what they please when they want.. If you know a solider who is gone fighting for our country tell them thanks and that you are thinking of them. It will be the best gift they will ever get.  Everything helps belive me i know im in the position now and the myspace, facebook, or just emails I get help alot because then i know there is someone thinking about me still.. those of you have sent me thing like that thank you. I will be back home for the the season of 08' so ya all better be ready!