Summer Leadership School, aka SLS

Last week Daniel attended Summer Leadership School @ Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. Daniel along with 3 other students from Central High School attended. It was a long way from home but Major Bledsoe, their instructor has allot of contacts in that area and he was offered 4 slots. Major taught in one of the high schools in New Orleans before Katrina.

I drove down last Thursday for the graduation on Friday. There was a parade review then the ceremony was held in a theater nearby. The flight Daniel was in won Honor Flight, though they didn't say why and all the kids in his flight seemed confused as to why they won! LOL Go figure!



Daniel said he learned allot and had a really good time. I hope that he is able to take what he learned at SLS and apply it as Group Command at Central High School. He is still wanting to join the Navy, even though the Air Force food is "really good". (that is sooo Daniel! LOL)

Deployed

On the 26th of June our son Nicholas deployed to the middle east. My parents and I drove to Ft. Bragg to see him off and bring his wife back with us. She is going to be living here, she has an apartment and hopefully will have a job soon. Sadly Nick's deployment date moved several days and Mom & Dad had to come home so were unable to see him off. I stayed and rode back to Arkansas with Melissa. The above picture is of Nick and Melissa the evening he left. It was so hard to say good bye but we know that he will be home soon.





The two above pictures are of Nick and his buddy Barr. They've been stationed together since basic training. They went through basic, AIT and Airborne school together. I know that they have each other's back and that is comforting. Barr is a good a really good guy.

We hear from Nick fairly regularly, for now...not sure how long it will last but we are enjoying hearing from him. He's very upbeat and in good spirits, in spite of the mortar attacks they've been under. He said that the first one he experienced really put life in perspective, that I have no doubt! I worry about him as he's said he's lost 15 lbs....he didn't have any extra to spare! Wonder if I could send him some of my extra? Guess that wouldn't work, too bad!

I'll keep everyone posted on how he's doing.