The "Civillian" Life

Well, Charlie made it back.....Jackson would not (and has not) let go of him since he came through the gate at the airport.

I didn't think I would be quite as emotional as I was, and granted, if anyone could have seen jackson standing in anticipation...watching as each group pf people unloaded the tram, hoping the next person was daddy, you would have all been crying like babies too!! He made Charlie a sign...too cute. The two of them have this "thing" they do together and Charlie always asks Jackson, "Who's the man?" To which, of course, Jackson's response is "you and me dad." So that was included in the script....

We will be headed to ole' Pensacola on Dec. 26th and not sure yet when we will return to Tampa. Charlie has to be here to catch his flight on the 2nd, but we may come backdown the 30th. Yet to be determined.
This will most likely be the last post until after the holiday, so again, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I will have more pictures by then!

OH YEAH....GO GATORS!!!! =)

Charlie survived the gas chamber....

...thank the Lord! The last letter I recv'd from him he was to be sent there the following day. I did not hear anything from him until Sunday a.m. and only had 3 minutes to chat. Needless to say, my nerves are shot! Although, logically I know if anything "bad" were to happen I would be contacted...it makes for long, sleepless nights of worry anyway! I can't EVEN imagine what hell it is when family/friends are deployed!

His letters are wonderful to recieve and I just hang on to every word. It has been a really neat experience to actually have to communicate this way....now I know what it was really like in the "Stone Age" (well, at least prior to email and texting)! But it really is the simple things in life that amount to priceless memories! Charlie's mom and I have talked quite often (which I LOVE) since his departure, and shared his letters with each other....they make for wonderful conversation!


I cannot stress how much he loves to hear from family and friends, so if you have a spare minute (yeah right) right him a quick note. (His address is posted below) All the encouragement these guys can get, the better they feel!

He will be home in about 2.5 days! I know the two weeks are going to fly by, but at least he will get that time with jackson and his family! Thanks to all for your love and support, and for following the blog. He has asked me in his letters if I really made one, so I am sure he will want to log on and see what I've done....

Hope this finds you all happy and well. I will try to squeeze in at least one more post before Christams, but just in case....Merry Christmas to everyone and best wishes for a safe and happy new year! God Bless!


CC&J

Bravo Company Pugal Stick Champion!!!

Is Spc. Charles W. Jones. HORAY! His unit (I don't know if this is the proper terminology, but I am trying) is called "Hellhounds" and Charlie is their Champion of Pugal Stick Competition. He made deadly contact with the other three Platoon Champs to win it all. You will have to ask him for more details...all I know is I am proud and he seems proud of this too!

I got a (very long) letter from him last night and he seems to be enjoying BCT. That sounds funny to say, and of course there are parts that aren't fun (at all) but all in all he is learning a lot and enjoying the training. He has an advantage in that he has always taken care of himself physically and came in more fit than most people there. He does have to hike with 50lbs of "battle rattle" strapped to his back (and carry his weapon; an M-16) so I am sure he will be lean and mean by the time he has completed.

As usual, I hope this finds everyone well! Take care and hopefully we will see some familiar faces before the New Year while we are home in Pcola!!

CC&J

"Christmas is a-coming..."

and Charlie gets a break from basic!! hooray! He will be flying into Tampa Dec. 18th (late evening) and does not have to report back until Jan 2nd. Jackson CAN NOT wait! He asks me everyday how much longer until he sees his daddy...to the point where I had to finally get him a calendar to mark off the days. He is too much!! I have only talked to Charlie a couple times, but I did get to talk for about 20 minutes on Thanksgiving which was a blessing. His spirits seem to be good but he cannot wait to see everyone. He has been a little homesick, I think, although he may not admit that!

We are planning a trip home to Pensacola at some point during his break, but we are not sure yet of the dates. I will keep everyone posted and do better about updating everyone on the blog. As you all know the holidays are very busy!!

Hoipe this finds you all well. His address is listed below if anyone wants to write him a letter. Mail is exciting to him now!! Put a giant number 4 on the back of your letter and envelope. It will help to speed up the processing and he might get it quicker that way.

Spc. Charles Jones
B Company 3-34 IN
4 Platoon
Fort Jackson, S.C. 29207

-CC&J