Happy Thanksgiving!  Of course, we all wish we could be home with you.

Still, we are very excited because tomorrow not only marks Thanksgiving
but also our last full day in our forward operating base.  We will be

leaving Iraq this weekend and will be flying back to the United States
some time early next week.  It is an amazing feeling to be so close to
returning home.

We still do not know the exact day we will be arriving in Minnesota.
Based on our projected arrival at Fort Dix, we expect complete our
requirements there and return to Minnesota sometime on Sunday or Monday,
the 4th or 5th of December.  Again, we will notify everyone as soon as we
know the flight day and time.

Many people back home are working very hard getting ready for our return.
Preparations for the initial community welcome home ceremonies are almost

complete.  We have arranged for one representative from each community, or
family readiness group, to meet the plane in Minneapolis.  They will ride
the buses back to the communities and call ahead to notify everybody of
the progress and expected arrival time.

Our goal is to make our return home a memorable event for the Soldiers,
families, and communities.  We have decided to make our initial return to
our communities, instead of just returning to the airport, because we feel
it is important for everyone to be able to share in the joy of our return.
We are so very grateful for the support of our great communities.  We want
to encourage everyone to attend the community welcome home ceremonies to
show their support for the Soldiers.  Bring your flags and welcome home
signs.  It will be one of the greatest days in our lives.

Planning for the two-day reintegration training is also coming along.
Training is geared toward the Soldiers and families.  We highly encourage
family and friends to attend.

Each of the days will begin around 9 am.  Training will primarily be
conducted at the Camp Ripley Recreation Center.  The first day will focus
on different sessions for married and single Soldiers and their families.
We expect training to end around 3 pm on the first day.

The second day will start with a church service, for those who choose to
attend, at the Camp Ripley Chapel.  Training on the second day will
consist of sessions on medical, financial, and employment benefits.  The
second day will end with the Official State Welcome Home Ceremony.  We
expect events to end between 5 and 6 pm.  All Soldiers will be released
following the ceremony.

Hotel rooms will be provided for Soldiers and their immediate family
members for the two nights surrounding the reintegration training.  We are
working on finalizing the contracts with the local hotels and will notify
the Soldiers of which hotel they will be staying at when we get to Fort
Dix.

Daycare will be provided during the reintegration training.

We all have much to be grateful for this year.  We will be home soon!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

God Bless,

Paz


Mike Pazdernik
CPT, AR
Commander, A CO, 1-194 AR