Wednesday, July 29, 2009

New Pics from Jeff...

Since it takes so long to upload the pics for Jeff, I decided to post them with captions. I talked to Jeff today and he is doing well...he is getting mail and boxes now, so he is happy about that! Here are some of his new pics...

Sunset over Lagman

This is Jeff's buddy Wood out on patrol...the kids come up and ask the soldiers for chocolate and pens. The kids like to call the soldiers "Mister"

Here is Jeff participating in the local culture...don't worry moms and dads, that is a hookah pipe for smoking tobacco...usually it's flavored. Don't you just love Jeff and his "head" light!


Some of Jeff's buddies with the hookah

FOB Smart...this is where Jeff is living right now!
I am sure that Jeff can give better captions for these, but you guys will just have to deal with me for now! Jeff is taking more pics while he is out and about...he will have one awesome scrapbook when he comes back!

Sunday, July 26, 2009

List Up date again....

Hey everyone just wanted to update a few things on the "list" As of right now I dont need any more bug spray. My wonderful wife sent me two more bottles, so now I have three. And the bugs are not as bad here as I thought they were gonna be, I honestly havent used any bug spray at all. But its better to have it and not need it then to need it and not have it. And the little drink packets that you can add to a bottle of water does not have to be limited to kool aid. Send what ever you can find, if I dont like it I have 80 other people here I can share stuff with. I Know gatorade makes them and so does tang. Even walmart has their own. Still working on getting up some pictures, I should have some time to do it tomorrow. Thanks again, Jeff

Saturday, July 25, 2009

New Zip code

Just a quick up date. As of today I have a new zip code. Every thing else is still the same instead of using 09355 the new one is 09383. That is the only change. And dont worry if you have already sent something I will still get it. Thats all for now..still working on getting some more pics up. Jeff

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Updated list of goodies for Jeff

Hello all...I see that Jeff beat me to it today and made a post. I was able to talk to him yesterday and he asked me to update his list of items for you. So instead of just making another list, I have added the new items onto the original and will repost it all, along with his address. Here we go...

Jeff's List
Copenhagen Straight Long Cut dip
Baby Wipes (small packages are fine)
Powder Laundry detergent (preferably Tide)
Snuggle Dryer Sheets
Toothbrushes (soft, please)
Toothpaste (mint, not cinnamon)
Q-Tips
AA and AAA batteries
99% Deet Bug Spray (have found small bottles of this made by Cutter at Walgreens and CVS)
Cherry Chapstick
Sensor Excell Razor Cartridges (we usually buy them at Sam's Club)
Gillette Shower Gel/Shampoo body wash
Kool Aid Cherry single powder drink mixes (for water bottles)
Hot Chocolate or Hot Cider mix
Nature Valley Granola Bars (peanut butter or plain)
Lance Sandwich Crackers-Peanut butter and Honey
Pop Tarts
Pringles or other snacks that may ship well
Hard Candy (Dum Dum suckers, Jolly Ranchers, Worthers)
Licorice (no black please)
Spray Duster for computers (the guys use this to clean their weapons as well)
I Tunes Gift Cards so Jeff can download new music for his Ipod

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. The large Flat Rate boxes at the post office are specifically for APO address and only cost $11.95 to ship. You will also need to fill out a 4 copy carbon Customs Forms...the people at the post office should be able to help you with this. Here is Jeff's address again in case you need it...

Jeffrey Porcaro
PRT Zabul, FOB Lagman
APO AE 09355

Jeff just got a card on Tuesday that I mailed on the 30th...so it took about 2 1/2 weeks to get there...hopefully mail will start getting picked up at Lagman and delivered to the guys more regularly. I know that Jeff will appreciate any mail, boxes or letters that you guys send. We sure appreciate all the love and support that you have all shown thus far. Love you guys!

Update from Afghanistan...

Hey everyone sorry I havent been on here in a while. Just wanted to post an update. I am here at my FOB, finally settled in and getting into a routine doing different missions, just taking it one day at a time. We do patrols through the city on a pretty regular basis, so the people can see us and know we are around doing what we can to help them. The adults for the most part dont really pay us any attention, but the kids are a different story. They follow us around when we are on patrol asking for pens and candy. "Mister....pen?" "Mister...chocolate?" We are allowed to give them candy if we have it, but they discourage us from giving them pens. Because the government is supposed to provide them with that stuff at school and if we are giving them pens and stuff like that it takes that responsibility away from the government. And part of out job is to establish a link between the national and local government and the people. So every thing we do here...the credit goes the the government in order to give the people faith in their government. Eventually we will be traveling around out province to villages to see what we can do to improve their lives, weather its building well or school, stuff like that. And again all the credit will go the the Afghan govt. Thats about all for now...I will update as often as I can. Thanks for everyones support.
Jeff

Tried to upload some pics but the internet is a little slow in my room for that...will try it again later on one of the MWR computers. And the mountain pic without the sunrise in the last post from shelly was the Himalayas from when we were at Manas Airbase in Krygastan...dont remember how to spell it.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

It's been awhile...sorry guys!

Sorry that it's been a couple weeks since I've posted on here. Not much has been going on with Jeff lately. He has had a lot of time on his hands, which neither of us are complaining about! Last week he went out on patrol into the province...I will let him tell you guys all about that. But he did say that the kids really like the American Soldiers and come up to talk to them. Right now, Jeff is in Kandahar...he wrote me an email early Thursday morning (our time) that he would be there for a few days, didn't know exactly how long or when he would have a chance to call. He just didn't want me to worry about him! Such a thoughtful husband, even from a "zillion miles away" as he says! I did get a chance to talk to him on Wednesday and we also got to see each other on Web Cam...the contractors finally came and got the Internet set up in the rooms. The only downfall is that it's $100 a month per line. But as Jeff and I said, it's a small price to pay for some form of technology and chance to stay in touch with people. I thought I would post some pics that Jeff shared with me...if you are on Facebook, then you have already seen them. If not, here is a little slice of Afghanistan for you!


This is Jeff's room...he has two other roommates and as you can see, there is a loft already built in there from previous soldiers. They are able to store their gear up there so it helps with keeping the room in order. Jeff's bed is the one under the loft...with the Hooters calender hanging next to it!

This was one of the flights over to Afghanistan...looks like it was not that comfortable and probably was stinky!


This is the sunrise in Afghanistan...pretty beautiful if you ask me.


These are the mountains from where Jeff is...not sure which ones they are


This is Jeff and Suitt before they left...Jeff looks a little happy but I think it's because he is holding his gun!!!
Just wanted to share these with you guys. I know that Jeff would appreciate comments and messages from you guys on here. Now that he has better access to the internet, he will be able to post more often on here. I don't know when I will make another post. I am going to Michigan July 23rd to 26th, so maybe I will post some pics from my visit when I get back. So I will see some of you later this week...to those I won't, love you and miss you guys! Thanks for thinking of us and please SEND JEFF SOME MESSAGES!!!! It will help keep his spirits up!





Saturday, July 4, 2009

How could I have forgotten???

For some reason I did not mention that I talked to Jeff yesterday! He is at his FOB in Afghanistan and is trying to get settled in. Not all of his PRT is there yet, but Jeff was glad that he was one of the first few to get there. He and his roommate now have a coffee pot and fridge for $30! Jeff was really surprised that it only took about a week for him to get there. He said that we can send boxes now...they aren't sure how the mail is doing there...Jeff said about 10-12 days. He hasn't really done anything yet, but will fill me in on stuff the next time that we talk. He did get to enjoy some Tim Hortons coffee, maple and boston cream donuts at Kandahar...there are a lot of Canadians there and they have a Tim Hortons trailer. So he got to have a little bit of something from his hometown!

Happpy Birthday America!

I wanted to share something that was given to me yesterday at work. I always wear three pins along with my name tag...a yellow ribbon, my service star, and my sparkly ARMY pin. Many customers ask about them and if I have a loved one serving, etc. It's amazing how many people ask how Jeff is doing on a daily basis...it really makes me feel good knowing that other people think of him and offer to say a few prayers as well. There was one woman that came in about a month ago that made me cry. It was a difficult day for me for one reason or another and after looking at my pins, asked about them. I told her about Jeff and how he was preparing to deploy. She then said, "thank you for your sacrifices and for your service. Many times people forget about the families, but you are serving too. Your husband may be going to war, but you are left home to worry and miss him. Thank you to you and your family." She was so genuine and asks about him every time she comes in. Yesterday I got back from lunch and had a note card on my computer. When I opened it, it read
"On this 4th of July Rick and I would like to say THANK YOU to your husband, you and your family for your service, dedication and sacrifice to our country. Even though we don't know your names or your family we truly recognize and appreciate what you are doing for us.
With Thanks,
Rick & Suzanne Fadely"

It honestly blew my mind that Suzanne had not only thought about us, but took the time to write a note and deliver it to me. After crying for a minute, I wished that there were more people like the Fadely's out there. Today as I was checking my email and everything, I signed onto MySpace and saw Danny's post for the day...it said something along the lines of Happy Birthday America. Take a minute to thank Jeff and all those serving for your freedoms. Again, another person really thinking of Jeff and those serving, while many other people go along with their holiday weekend. I know that all of you reading have either already thought about those serving, those who have served, and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for us. So today, I say an extra THANK YOU to some special servicemen in my life...Jeff, Grandpa Hoerle, Grandpa Bardeleben, Papa (Albert Porcaro), Grandpa Ouellette, Uncle RJ, Uncle Gino, Murphy, Tom Appledorn, Barb's two grandsons, Top and so many others. You are all true Patriots and I am thankful for all of you. I hope that everyone has a safe and Happy 4th of July. While at your get togethers or BBQs, have a burger (with cheese and ketchup) & a beer for Jeff since he can't! Wear your bracelets and tags proudly, fly your flags and service stars, and tie your yellow ribbons til they ALL come home. Love you all!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Happy 5th Anniversary Jeff!!!!

I cannot believe that Friday is our 5th anniversary...it honestly seems like just yesterday that I met Jeff at Melissa Vann's (now Jackson's) house and didn't even give a second thought about what that night would hold. It was June 13th, and it was a party to celebrate us finally being Seniors in high school. Jeff came with Jessica Adams, so I guess I have both of those ladies to thank! After Jeff called Melissa for my phone number, the rest is history! As a tribute to our love for each other, I have decided to post some of our history in pictures...some are from our wedding and our reception on our 1st anniversary. All of them show Jeff and I as we always are...together, loving each other. Although we won't be physically together this year, I know that we will both be thinking of each other on the day that we said our vows in front of family and friends. I love Jeff more and more each year...as the Brad Paisley song "Then" goes, "We'll look back someday on this moment that we're in and I'll look at you and say, I thought I loved you then..." Jeff, I love you with all that I am, all that you have made me, and all that we will be together....SHMILY.

Young love...Mid Cycle Pass from Basic Training, November 2003

HECK YES I WILL MARRY YOU!!!!

Prom Pic, 2000


Jeff's Graduation from Basic Training...how young we both were (thanks Michelle for the pic)

Will you marry me????

Finally, husband and wife!!!!

Cake time at reception...Jeff looks like he is having a little too much fun!

True love!!!

July 2, 2004...Our last day as single folks!

Mr & Mrs Porcaro (my favorite pic of us of all time)

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Request from Jeff...

Hello to all...heard from Jeff again today. He is in Afghanistan getting ready to go to another base before heading to his FOB. It was 12:30am there and he was trying to get some things in order for some of the guys to get on a flight at 4:30am...he wasn't sounding too happy. But as he was saying, it could take 2 days to get to Kandalhar (spelling???), which is a base that is used quite often. They could be there for a few more days before taking the guys by helicopter to FOB Smart (Jeff's FOB) so he is requesting that no one send any packages til he lets me know that they are getting closer to arriving at his FOB. If you have done so already, it will be ok, but Jeff would rather not have packages waiting for him. Mail will wait, so feel free to send that. I will be sure to post and let everyone know when Jeff gives us the "go ahead" for packages. Love to all!