Schmitty.... Are you looking for Eugene?? don't know if you will read this. He is at Ft. Drum NY Debby

said DebbyAntropov 1 months 6 days ago

I was with the D co 125 graduated Aug 2007. I have lost contact with one of my buddies. If anyone can tell me where to find Evguin(?), aka, Eugene Antropov? I noticed there is a Debbie Antropov on here. Please let me know.

said schmitty86 5 months 25 days ago

Hello everyone...I'm going on vacation starting the end of July and first part of August. I can't wait, we get to finally see my son Brandon...we're flying him from Fort Hood, TX to where we're vacationing in Arizona for the weekend. So after looking at my calendar I realized I should start my little tid bits of advice for your journey ahead...to Fort Benning and graduation. Here's my advice for today (with many to follow): When going to Turning Blue and Graduation make sure to leave EARLY so you get good parking, good seating and don't get caught in a traffic jam at the CheckPoint leading to Sand Hill...You'll need to make sure you have your driver's license ready at the checkpoints. I would recommend getting there early both days...ARRIVING a minimum of 1 hour early...not LEAVING your location with only 1 hour to go...Getting a good seat will get you great pictures! KEEP IN MIND, if you are coming from a different time zone MAKE SURE you set you clock/watches to reflect Eastern Time Zone, and if you're staying at Uchee Creek Campground, you are straddling two different time zones, so be aware! Tomorrow and the next I am captaining a relay race that stretches 130 miles, so I won't be able to check in. So be looking for more info starting on Monday and each day that follows (STAY TUNED....lol). Have a great day and even better weekend! Lisa

said proudmom32 2007.07.19 at 08:29:00 PDT

DO YOU WEAR RED ON FRIDAYS? If so...THANK YOU! If not, and don't know why...by wearing red you are showing your support for our brave military men and women. Since the day my son left my door step and got into the car with his recruiter I've worn my ARMY bracelet EVERYDAY and wear red on Fridays...and will continue to. This may sound weird, but it gives me a feeling of closeness. For more information about wearing red on Fridays please check out: http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/redfriday.asp

said proudmom32 2007.07.12 at 08:13:14 PDT

Debbie, the story on the pictures goes like this: Chaplain Rusack was the Chaplain for the 2/58th. This is his site that he pays for out of his pocket. Whatever, or whoever, gave him the idea to create this great gift I don't know, but I am grateful to him. He also took all the pictures. Now he is at Ft. Campbell to get ready to go to Iraq. We have tried to let the CDR know how important this site is to us so that pictures can continue to be posted, but that is up to the powers that be. There is another site www.soldierschapel.info that gets a few pictures and they recently added a forum area. Email me at acomputerwiz_nerd@yahoo.c om and I will give you the long version of the story. Rhonda Proud Mom of PFC Matthew Parga-Manasse in holding for RIP

said rrhwilson 2007.06.13 at 16:17:47 PDT

Hi Rhonda, Hopefully the Hotel will be ok, we will only be there from Thurs.-Sun. As for my flight in We take a private charter from Baghdad to Dubai..then catch commercial airlines from there on in. our company pays for us to go on R&R every 4 months, They pay for a percentage of the ticket. I flew in a C130 one time from Kuwait to Iraq, they do tactical dives coming into Iraq so they do not get hit with bombs...I PREFER COMMERCIAL!! Glad to know the dress is whatever. Are there no pictures yet?? just videos??? I'm so excited about the Graduation.

said antropov 2007.06.09 at 07:15:53 PDT

Debbie, hello fellow Texan! Victory Drive is closest to Benning, but the area is a bit run down. Don't know anything about HJ in particular. Exit 10 (Veterans Pkwy) seems to be the more up-to-date area with a new mall, movie theater, etc. Columbus seems a bit under developed so we ended up waiting in line at the more popular restaurants. Exit 7 & 6 seemed OK. We stayed at Uchee Creek Campground on base. Dress was everything. Some wore dresses others wore shorts and tee-shirts. Do you have to pay for your flight over here for grad? If that is too personal don't answer, but I was curious if y'all could fly military instead of commercial, or does that even exist? Rhonda

said rrhwilson 2007.06.09 at 04:27:18 PDT

I forgot...I have never been to a graduation, is it a dress affair or casual, can anyone offer suggestions on that??

said antropov 2007.06.07 at 03:20:12 PDT

A Multi National Base is a Base where other countries protect that area, One base I was on was Ukraine, Polish, Kaz, Romainin and a handful of American troops, this first base is where i met my husband. I got the job here from a friend of a friend. I'm also from Texas(San Antonio)so the heat here does not bother me TOO MUCH!! I booked into the How. Johnson on Victory St. does anyone know, is it a ok hotel?????

said antropov 2007.06.06 at 19:39:24 PDT

Thanks Rhonda...I'm on the same page as you about the multi national base...great questions...inquiring minds like to know... THANKS Debbie! Lisa

said proudmom32 2007.06.06 at 13:12:02 PDT

Debbie, that is wild to think about! How did you find a job like that? Sorry if that is a stupid question. 157 degrees and I thought Texas was hot. Several months ago I got to meet a man (former Marine) that was there in the red zone for 8 months teaching the Iraqi's how to form political parties. He said they have around 300 different ones. What is a multi national base? Rhonda

said rrhwilson 2007.06.06 at 07:11:24 PDT

Hi Rhonda, I live on a base near the Baghdad airport. Here it is a difrent world. I have got to meet so many people from many nationalities. I have worked on Multi National bases my fisrt 2 years now i'm at an American Base.It is very hot here in the summer..so far the hottest was 157, that was last summer. I work keeping track of all our sub contracts on base...I have seen a lot since i have been here the first year we had to Convoy(Military escort)everywhere. Now we fly by Chopper to outer sites. The hardest thing for me is losing friends (Military and Civilians)and attending thier memorial service here. As for the news stories ...I tell my Mom do not watch the news..it scares her when she knows how close I'am..But I'm surrounded by Military...and this makes me feel better. My husband has told me he is the oldest in his group..I look forward to meeting everyone in Aug.

said antropov 2007.06.04 at 21:31:51 PDT

WELCOME, Debbie, PROUD AND BRAVE wife of PVT Antropov! What is it like living in Iraq. What kind of work do you do there? That is fascinating that you live there! What is it like? Are the news stories accurate? Sorry for all the questions, but the fact that you are so close to where many of our men will go helps. Rhonda

said rrhwilson 2007.06.04 at 18:05:31 PDT

Momof2RN410's. GOD BLESS YOU! What a ride you have in store for the next few months! Several months ago on the B Co site I posted something similar about not wanting to end up like Cindy Sheehan. The emotional stress was affecting my daily life. Like you, I was empty nesting it since my youngest son left for college (I could not image if he were inlisted, too) and it was just me and the dog. God helped to see me through. Matt was never mine to begin with. He is God's. So I told God whatever he chose for his son, Matt, I would accept. God can take better care of the men right now than we can. Rhonda - Proud Mom of PFC Matthew Parga-Manasse (in holding for RIP)

said rrhwilson 2007.06.04 at 18:03:38 PDT

Hi my name is Debbie, my husband is Pvt. Antropov with D Co. I would love to see some Pic's of D Co. I'm very proud of my husband for wanting to join the Military. I work in Iraq. and have been working along side the Military for 3 years. I have a lot of respect for our Soldiers.

said antropov 2007.05.31 at 06:32:24 PDT

hi Rhonda, yes it's true i have two son's at fort benning. my boys are 11 months apart in age so they tend to put me through quite a bit at the same time:) My oldest son jacob(19)is just about to graduate in june and my middle son aaron(18)is in his first couple weeks here in dco 258. this has always been a dream for aaron but jake thought he needed to better his life and jumped in before aaron could get out of school. also thanks to aaron's recruiter for helping jake make up his mind and stay out of the marines. so if this makes any sense to you lil' brother brought big brother on board. now big bro. will finish first and lil'bro.will get there shortly:) i will share that this has been one of the hardest times as a mom having 2 of my 3 boys gone(empty nest syndrome)plus always worring about the war situation. i don't want to be another "saving private ryan" mom. so prayers are much appreciated and glady returned! i love these guys and all who serve with them!!!! many blessings

said MOMof2RN410s 2007.05.30 at 19:27:06 PDT

Momof2RN410s, you have two son's at Benning? Tell us about that... Rhonda

said rrhwilson 2007.05.30 at 05:50:21 PDT

WELCOME Val, PROUD Mom of PVT Brown # 404! Thank you and your son! The log cabins at Uchee Campground book up fairly fast so if you go ahead and reserve now you will be OK. Matt's Dad waited until this week to get a hotel room or cabin and he can't find anything for the Airborne graduation this week. So he is bringing a tent to pitch. haha The mail depends on the DS (Drill Sargents) they can give it to the immediately or hold it as they see fit. Rhonda Proud Mom of PFC Matthew Parga-Manasse # 171 B Co, 1st BN, 507th REG (Airborne School)

said rrhwilson 2007.05.30 at 05:49:22 PDT

HI! to all. thank you for the warm reception. i was currently proud mom of pfc.aaron dickinson{honestly husband did that to me.}now i did this for the real me.:)) i do have two there a fort benning and it has been very interesting. thanks for all the great support. if i can be any help to any of you please let me know. we are a family of one now:) God BLESS!!!

said MOMof2RN410s 2007.05.29 at 17:55:40 PDT

Hello, this is Val again.I forgot to ask another question. How long does it take for mail to be recv'd for Dco men?

said Dcomom 2007.05.29 at 17:37:08 PDT

Hello,my name is Valerie.My son is PVT Brown RN404 Dco. can anyone tell me how long we need to book in advance for the Grad in Aug? I've been reading and it appears advance booking is evident. Have any ideas? How will it be before I see pics of Dco aug 07 grad? Chaplain, thanks for your kind work.

said Dcomom 2007.05.29 at 17:15:14 PDT

ANOTHER DICKINSON! HOOAH! My brother just graduated and his name is Pvt. Shawn Dickinson. This Dickinson name has some great history at Ft. Benning, I'd be happy to share is you are intersted. I am also here to support you and you are welcome to email me anytime. I can help with places to stay, flying out there and all kinds of fun information. Rhonda is also a huge support person. Call upon us and we are here for you. Kimberly1270@comcast.net and proud sister of Pvt. Shawn Dickinson.

said BigSisterKimmy 2007.05.29 at 10:48:50 PDT

WELCOME proud Mom of PFC Aaron Dickinson! Thank you and your son for his service! My name is Rhonda and my son, Matt, graduated May 11th in B Co. Chaplain Rusack is indeed a God send. I think he is a Saint. Where are you from? We families in B Co found this site to be a place we could come to talk to each other finding comfort, support and a lot of humor. If you have any questions ask and someone from the other companies will answer. If you are coming to GA for the graduation start making your reservations now. We stayed at Uchee Campground on the base in the log cabins and loved it. Their website is http://www.benningmwr.com/lodging31905.htm. God bless your and Aaron! Rhonda Proud Mom of PFC Matthew Parga-Manasse #171 1st BN, 507th IN REG (Airborne School)

said rrhwilson 2007.05.29 at 06:13:12 PDT

I've been looking every day for info on D Company. My son, PFC Aaron Dickinson (RN # 410) is here and I would love to see more pictures and video. Thanks Chaplain for video! You are a God send!

said chrisgoudreau 2007.05.28 at 19:16:42 PDT