Ordered: STOP Blogging

There have been apparent abuses and misuses of blogs by deployed personnel, and as a result, Jon’s command has forbidden all blogging activity on the part of deployed Marines, effective immediately. Jon has not been implicated in any of the abuses or misuses, but is never the less compelled by his command’s policy to discontinue this blog (or suffer the consequences of violating a direct order).

For news from Jon while he is deployed, please go to 2006marinewife.blogspot.com, where I will keep you updated as much as possible based on phone conversations and other communications. Thanks for your continuing support for Jon and for all our Service personnel serving in deployed locations.

On behalf of JarHedJon,

Sheryl

Please Pray

Folks, basically there is an issue here on base that has the potential to be damaging to the Coalition Forces’ mission here in this country. Of course, there are issues like this that come and go every day here, but this is the first one of which I have knowledge and involvement. Please pray that God would intervene in this specific situation to thwart those who would seek to undermine justice, silence those who would discredit others who are working to bring freedom from tyranny and fear, or twist the intent, sacrifice and service of dedicated personnel to be less than it is or something else entirely. Additionally, pray for those in positions of authority as it relates to this situation, that they would act decisively—but with fairness and discernment, eschew politics and favoritism and consider the long term implications and repercussions of their decisions. And of course, please pray for peace and stability for this country and its people.

I understand that decisiveness becomes less possible as the number of variables involved in the risk assessment increase, but the earlier this situation is dealt with, the better. Thanks for your prayers.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Geese, Package, Plans...

It’s been a while (about six months, I guess) since I featured the goslings on my blog. Well, those same goslings are all grown up (the 11 that made it out of ‘infancy’) and are living in one big happy gaggle in the same pond. I don’t know when geese parents become empty nesters, but apparently that time has not yet arrived.

I’d like to thank Rani, Kristin & Emma for the awesome package. The pre-unwrapped peanut butter cups made it just fine in liquid form, and are now in the fridge awaiting consumption. The sunflower seeds are already being put to good use, trail mix, candied cashews and peanuts, and a couple of boxes of my favorite toothpaste (Arm & Hammer baking soda with peroxide). I am so excited, really, to get the toothpaste—I’ve been using some other name brand readily available here that just doesn’t taste right. I’m really hooked on the Arm & Hammer stuff. I also received a snail mail postcard from Judy, and moto mails from John F. and my Dad. Thanks for taking time to write!

A question John F. asked in his moto mail might also be on some of your minds: “What are my plans after July, 2007?” I’ll list my options, as I see them, in order of preference (most preferred to least preferred): I am able to find a three year NON-DEPLOYABLE billet in the Active Corps at Camp Pendleton, and I am able to convince the command that ‘owns’ that billet that I am the man for the job; Sheryl is able to pursue her full time job aspirations, I stay in the Active Reserve (with the first right of refusal to any orders that come my way due to the more than 5 years I will have just completed on Involuntary Mobilization Orders) and become a stay-at-home Dad; there is some DoD contractor or company that manages DoD contracts in the Southern California area that needs my particular skill set, qualifications or credentials, and they hire me; I make a clean break with my recent past and pursue an opportunity in a totally different realm utilizing my English degree (writing, journalism, teaching). As you can see, my intent is to remain (with a minimum of travel) in the Southern California area for the foreseeable future, and stay engaged with the communities to which we are already committed.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Package Recieved!!

Thank you so much to Matt, Brenda, Nicole and Meghan for the fun, practical and sustaining package I recieved today. From the coffee to the candy to the brass-colored metal kazoo, it was a blast to open. Brenda, I can only mourn with you that you had the misfortune to marry a natural Iron Butt, and having spent many hours screaming into my helmet in pain on a vibrating motorcycle seat, I can empathize with how 830 miles in one day must have felt like. That is 180 miles more than our longest day on the trip, which Greg and I only survived by downing copious amounts of Red Bull and sitting on an air cushion and a gel pad (respectively). Matt, in the meantime, neither imbibed stimulants nor superficially padded his derrier. However, I believe I could trash your record, I'll wait until winter time and take a run into the desert and back (specifically at a time when y'all in the Midwest can't ride, and will be drooling with envy that I'm on the bike at all).
Well, today is another day, and the work is stacking up faster than I can deal with it... Be that as it may, thank you all for your prayers, as I feel I am able to contribute meaningfully to some very important projects here.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Pinning Ceremony

Here is a picture of Col. Devlin pinning on my new CWO5 rank. A great moment.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Getting Older...

I went running again today, the normal three miles. I did not exercise (physically train, or PT) at all during the R&R evolution, so I’ve only been back at it for about a week or so. That three miles seemed to last forever today, hopefully the distance will become more manageable as time goes by. Getting old is, in most respects, no fun.
I’d like to thank Lauri “Lor” B. for the gift of a portable CD/DVD player, I’ve been able to use it several times already, and it has been a great addition to my ‘ways to unwind and banish thoughts of work’ tool kit.

Semper Fi, Jon G.

Mail's Coming In

Here I am, settling in for another six months in country, and I’m encouraged (before I can become discouraged) by a slew of letters (some snail mail, some moto mail). My brother Greg, cousin James, Ruth (from Rift), Judy L., Grandpa Baker, and Sheryl. I also discovered a couple moto mails, one from Sheryl and one from Sonny and Sandy, that had been delivered to my desk while I was on R&R, but were “hidden” in my vertical file. Thank you all so much for taking the time to write me.

We’re only three days into the month over here, but I’m already two days behind. Please pray for me, that I can work smart, work hard, and without a lot of interruption. To celebrate my promotion, I had a double scoop of butter pecan Baskin Robbins ice cream, with caramel sauce all over it. This also doubled as a Labor Day celebration. Now back to a more austere diet, and a regular exercise schedule—I gained 15 pounds in the first 6 months over here.

Semper Fi, Jon G.