December 25th, 206
I never expected to spend this Christmas in a hotel but we are making due and I am just glad that Bryan is here with me this year. We went down to the restaurant at the Mologne house to enjoy breakfast that the Rolling Thunder was serving us. I was choking back tears that this group was volunteering their time on Christmas morning to serve us. We sat down and a friend that we met on the train ride joined us with his father. It was hard to see everyone sitting around in wheelchairs but it was also a good experience..they weren’t spending Christmas in Iraq. It amazes me every time I see this many wounded soldiers in one room of how young they are. Most are between the ages of 18-23. They are so young and have so much life ahead of them. They are going through the worst thing they will probably ever endure. The majority of them are missing a limb or two. Some have severe burns. I rarely see a completely rehabilitated soldier and when I do I wonder if Bryan will ever get to that point. I hope he does.
There were gifts everywhere and there were people all around that were volunteering to hand them out. A little blond haired girl of about eight came up to Bryan and said hi would you like a board game? Bryan said sure. She said here ya go and she said I want to thank you for your service and sacrifice. Merry Christmas. I got huge tears in my eyes what a touching moment. We then headed to a friend of Bryan’s families house for Christmas dinner. We had a great meal and had a great time playing poker after dinner. We had a great Christmas after all.
Monday, December 25, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Christmas Eve
December 24th, 2006
My mom, sister, and her boyfriend are here to spend Christmas with us. Unfortunately we are still at the Mologne house so Beth and her boyfriend are staying in a nearby hotel. A man that we met on the train going to the Army Navy game offered us to spend Christmas Eve with them at their house. We enjoyed a lovely meal and went to church afterwards. Bryan enjoyed going to their church because it reminded him of his church back in Missouri.
My mom, sister, and her boyfriend are here to spend Christmas with us. Unfortunately we are still at the Mologne house so Beth and her boyfriend are staying in a nearby hotel. A man that we met on the train going to the Army Navy game offered us to spend Christmas Eve with them at their house. We enjoyed a lovely meal and went to church afterwards. Bryan enjoyed going to their church because it reminded him of his church back in Missouri.
Saturday, December 9, 2006
St. Barbara's Ball
Today was the day that Bryan was getting his St. Barbara's Award. I bought a brand new dress, new shoes, and got my hair done. I was so proud of him getting this award. We got ready and took pictures in front of the Mologne house Christmas Tree. Our friends were getting awards too. Bryan had also purchased his Dress Blues with all the medals for this event. They were so expensive but worth it because we will go to many events while we are here and we will put his medals in a box in an office one day. He looked so handsome in his uniform.
We arrive and get greeted by one of Bryan's old unit commanders. They were excited to catch up and talk. We sat down at our table and the presenters came by the table and discussed what would happen and who is getting the awards. Then they said who is getting the Molly Pitcher Award? Bryan pointed to me. I was like what I am not getting an award. Sure enough he knew I was but decided to surprise me. I didn't know what to think and I hate getting up in front of people so I was nervous. They helped Bryan walk to the front and they presented his award and we were to come and stand beside them. I was nervous with everyone looking and a bit emotional. They gave me my award and I was trying to smile without looking nervous. Lots of pictures were taken but I have not gotten them. Bryan started shaking towards the end his legs were giving out.
We had a nice evening and I was excited that I got an award for my service to the artillery. Here is some background on Molly Pitcher
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
Treated like Royalty
December 6, 2006
Today Bryan gets a call from the 1SGT first thing in the morning while we were visiting with his parents before they had to leave. He requested that he come into his office right now. Of course he chewed Bryan out for not addressing it with him but Bryan already had and this guy never did anything about it. I hope this gets resolved because I would really like the money since I had to quit my job to take care of him.
Tonight we got invited to the Corcoran Art Galley in D.C. I was told to wear a cocktail dress so I had my mom send me one from home. We got picked up in a limo at the Mologne house and there was champagne waiting inside. The Vocational Rehabilitation lady told us about this event. She is so nice to invite us.
We had a great time on the way there. We arrived at the Gallery and it was beautiful on the outside. Bryan decided that he wanted to jump the curb in his wheelchair (as always) and there was people standing around gawking at what he was trying to do. One man came behind him and tired to help. Of course Bryan said he didn’t need help and finally made it over the curb. He never lets things get in the way for him.
When we got in the décor was fantastic. They had this huge red rice paper balls hanging from the ceiling. The food itself was like a work of art. They took our coats and gave me a corsage. There were people lined up to talk to us and other wounded soldiers. They waited on us hand and foot and offered way too much champagne. I ate the finest caviar and sushi I believe I ever had. Bryan hardly got the chance to eat because of all the people who were talking to us. We toured the Joan of Arc exhibit and it was wonderful. We had an enjoyable evening meeting all the people with Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association (AFCEA). They sent us home with wonderful truffles to enjoy before bed. They also gave us a gold plated challenge coin that we will display in Bryan’s coin shadow box. We came home and couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful the event was. I got on the internet and tracked down their company and wrote them a thank you note. They wrote me back and said they have been taking soldiers from Walter Reed for five years and I was the first person who ever sent a thank you note. It made me feel good that they knew they were appreciated. I hope they do it for many years to come.
Today Bryan gets a call from the 1SGT first thing in the morning while we were visiting with his parents before they had to leave. He requested that he come into his office right now. Of course he chewed Bryan out for not addressing it with him but Bryan already had and this guy never did anything about it. I hope this gets resolved because I would really like the money since I had to quit my job to take care of him.
Tonight we got invited to the Corcoran Art Galley in D.C. I was told to wear a cocktail dress so I had my mom send me one from home. We got picked up in a limo at the Mologne house and there was champagne waiting inside. The Vocational Rehabilitation lady told us about this event. She is so nice to invite us.
We had a great time on the way there. We arrived at the Gallery and it was beautiful on the outside. Bryan decided that he wanted to jump the curb in his wheelchair (as always) and there was people standing around gawking at what he was trying to do. One man came behind him and tired to help. Of course Bryan said he didn’t need help and finally made it over the curb. He never lets things get in the way for him.
When we got in the décor was fantastic. They had this huge red rice paper balls hanging from the ceiling. The food itself was like a work of art. They took our coats and gave me a corsage. There were people lined up to talk to us and other wounded soldiers. They waited on us hand and foot and offered way too much champagne. I ate the finest caviar and sushi I believe I ever had. Bryan hardly got the chance to eat because of all the people who were talking to us. We toured the Joan of Arc exhibit and it was wonderful. We had an enjoyable evening meeting all the people with Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association (AFCEA). They sent us home with wonderful truffles to enjoy before bed. They also gave us a gold plated challenge coin that we will display in Bryan’s coin shadow box. We came home and couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful the event was. I got on the internet and tracked down their company and wrote them a thank you note. They wrote me back and said they have been taking soldiers from Walter Reed for five years and I was the first person who ever sent a thank you note. It made me feel good that they knew they were appreciated. I hope they do it for many years to come.
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
Second Purple Heart Ceremony
December 5, 2006
Today Bryan and N were to receive their purple heart by General C. Bryan’s parents were glad to be there since they didn’t get to see the original ceremony with Bryan’s soldiers. We got there and I was taking pictures of the guys. I got to stand by Bryan in the line up in the beginning and they said a few words about us wives. It was nice since we are very rarely recognized for the work we have put in to get our soldiers well.
General C's wife asked if any of us were having any issues or pay issues since we have been here. I gave a look like yeah we are and she asked me what our issue was. I was not planning on her seeing my disgust with this system but decided to share with them that I am not on non-medical attendant orders or receiving the pay that they promised me because we are assigned. I also mentioned that the Mologne house is trying to kick me out because I am not on orders. Then our friend who was also at the ceremony said they too were having the same issues. They told us to talk with them about this when we are done.
Bryan wanted to walk up to receive his purple heart and I am so proud of him for bearing the pain to stand up there. He did very well and it was an honor to see General C present him his award. Of course Bryan’s mom was boo hooing through his part of the ceremony.
After the ceremony was completed we discussed with General C our issues and we were told that he would make a phone call about it to the commander tomorrow. We did not want to jump up the highest level about this but when an opportunity arises we jump on it.
Today Bryan and N were to receive their purple heart by General C. Bryan’s parents were glad to be there since they didn’t get to see the original ceremony with Bryan’s soldiers. We got there and I was taking pictures of the guys. I got to stand by Bryan in the line up in the beginning and they said a few words about us wives. It was nice since we are very rarely recognized for the work we have put in to get our soldiers well.
General C's wife asked if any of us were having any issues or pay issues since we have been here. I gave a look like yeah we are and she asked me what our issue was. I was not planning on her seeing my disgust with this system but decided to share with them that I am not on non-medical attendant orders or receiving the pay that they promised me because we are assigned. I also mentioned that the Mologne house is trying to kick me out because I am not on orders. Then our friend who was also at the ceremony said they too were having the same issues. They told us to talk with them about this when we are done.
Bryan wanted to walk up to receive his purple heart and I am so proud of him for bearing the pain to stand up there. He did very well and it was an honor to see General C present him his award. Of course Bryan’s mom was boo hooing through his part of the ceremony.
After the ceremony was completed we discussed with General C our issues and we were told that he would make a phone call about it to the commander tomorrow. We did not want to jump up the highest level about this but when an opportunity arises we jump on it.
Sunday, December 3, 2006
In Laws in Town
December 3, 2006
Bryan’s parents arrived in D.C. last night while we were at the game. Today we had a private trip planned to the Capitol and then to see a Christmas Carol at the famous Ford’s Theatre. I have seen then historic theatre when I was visiting D.C. as a child but have never seen a play here so we were very excited to go. The tour of the Capitol was nice and Bryan’s parents had never been so it was nice to expose them to something new. The play was wonderful and we all enjoyed it.
Bryan’s parents arrived in D.C. last night while we were at the game. Today we had a private trip planned to the Capitol and then to see a Christmas Carol at the famous Ford’s Theatre. I have seen then historic theatre when I was visiting D.C. as a child but have never seen a play here so we were very excited to go. The tour of the Capitol was nice and Bryan’s parents had never been so it was nice to expose them to something new. The play was wonderful and we all enjoyed it.
Saturday, December 2, 2006
Vintage Train Ride
December 2, 2006
Today we got the opportunity to ride on Vintage trains to the Army Navy game in Philadelphia. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity because never has this many vintage trains been linked together. We had to get up at 4:30 in the morning and be downstairs in the lobby of the Mologne House. We got goody bags with our badges and Bryan got a jacket and I got a shirt. We ate some breakfast and then loaded on the buses. We arrived at Union Station at the break of dawn where the huge wreaths were lit for Christmas. It was a beautiful sight. I had never been to Union Station in D.C. and the Christmas trees inside were amazing. We loaded on our trains and ours was called “Dover Harbor”. It was beautiful inside. We rode through the country side to the game. There were goody bags on the train for the soldiers. They gave us nice wool blankets and Nikon binoculars. It was such a nice gift.
On the train we socialized and we made friends with a soldier named Dennet. He had just amputated both of his legs back in October and only had one prosthetic on that day. We were told that this train would be handicap accessible but it was not. Luckily his cousin was with him and carried him onto the train. We arrived at the game and the train pulled up extremely close to the stadium it was such a sight to see with all those trains lined up. We headed into the VIP room where we were greeted by Generals and other military people and they were clapping and crying seeing all of us. It was like being swamped by the paparazzi because the cameras were in our faces. After we settled in Donald Rumsfeld made a speech. We met many Generals and Bryan got several coins. We met Donald Rumsfeld and got pictures with him. He seemed very nice.
We watched most of the game and headed back to the train, unfortunately Army lost. The ride back we ate dinner and met one of the volunteer waiters Dean Edmonds. He invited us to spend Christmas with his family. It was a long but wonderful day. By the time we got home Bryan’s feet were more swollen than I have ever seen them. The vibrations of the train on his track really made his feet swell. He took some medication and felt better by the morning.
Today we got the opportunity to ride on Vintage trains to the Army Navy game in Philadelphia. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity because never has this many vintage trains been linked together. We had to get up at 4:30 in the morning and be downstairs in the lobby of the Mologne House. We got goody bags with our badges and Bryan got a jacket and I got a shirt. We ate some breakfast and then loaded on the buses. We arrived at Union Station at the break of dawn where the huge wreaths were lit for Christmas. It was a beautiful sight. I had never been to Union Station in D.C. and the Christmas trees inside were amazing. We loaded on our trains and ours was called “Dover Harbor”. It was beautiful inside. We rode through the country side to the game. There were goody bags on the train for the soldiers. They gave us nice wool blankets and Nikon binoculars. It was such a nice gift.
On the train we socialized and we made friends with a soldier named Dennet. He had just amputated both of his legs back in October and only had one prosthetic on that day. We were told that this train would be handicap accessible but it was not. Luckily his cousin was with him and carried him onto the train. We arrived at the game and the train pulled up extremely close to the stadium it was such a sight to see with all those trains lined up. We headed into the VIP room where we were greeted by Generals and other military people and they were clapping and crying seeing all of us. It was like being swamped by the paparazzi because the cameras were in our faces. After we settled in Donald Rumsfeld made a speech. We met many Generals and Bryan got several coins. We met Donald Rumsfeld and got pictures with him. He seemed very nice.
We watched most of the game and headed back to the train, unfortunately Army lost. The ride back we ate dinner and met one of the volunteer waiters Dean Edmonds. He invited us to spend Christmas with his family. It was a long but wonderful day. By the time we got home Bryan’s feet were more swollen than I have ever seen them. The vibrations of the train on his track really made his feet swell. He took some medication and felt better by the morning.
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