Operation Love

Some of you may have already seen via Facebook- but Mark and I got a wonderful opportunity to take part in a program called Operation Love Reunited (www.oplove.org) over his R&R. The program is made up of photographers all around the country who volunteer their time and donate a photo album from your photo session that they send downrange to the deployed soldier. Typically the album consists of twenty five 4x6 photos. The program is open to any military soldier who is deployed. Photos are typically taken either at departure, R&R, or homecoming. Here is how the website describes their program.

If you have ever been through a military deployment, there are no words to explain how hard it is to send the father or mother of your children off to some foreign, dangerous land, leaving you all behind…. Alone. It’s indescribable to watch their faces light up as their mother or father comes up the stairs of the airport after months, possibly a year or more, of not hugging each other. Emotions fly through the main lobby, it’s so very good to have them home. Your base’s Family Support Squadron will help you with your deployment. But the last thing on your mind when your wife or husband arrives home after a 4 to 18 month tour, is capturing all this love– on film. Most people are so overwhelmed with emotions they forget to simply point and shoot the camera they are grasping of their child’s first hug, or that single tear of relief from a mother being able to hold her twenty year old son again. With the help of Operation: Love ReUnited and local photographers near your base, you can.

The Operation helps those long months go by a little faster. It’s designed to capture moments that you will never remember. It’s art. It’s love. And it’s all made possible by artists wanting to give something back to those who make the United States what it is, and ask for nothing in return- but to come home.

Please if you know of any other deployed families forward them the program website. It was a wonderful and truly touching experience for both Mark and I. Below you can see some of the photos that were taken through this wonderful program by Jeffrey Ott (who was awesome!).

Enjoy- Love,

Angie

February Rolls on By

Hello All,

Well it has been a rather quiet February, which with a deployment on hand, is not a bad thing! Mark has been settling into his job and as of today has 2 and a half weeks under his belt as a platoon leader. He is absolutely loving his job. I can't even explain how the tone of his e-mails has changed. I can tell he is loving his job even if it means less sleep, less family talk time, and all the other sacrifices that this job brought. I think for him- the opportunities it has brought has been what has made the big difference- with the main opportunity to lead soldiers. He is absolutely loving that responsibility.

We have found out that mail is considerably slower at the new location. Mail gets delivered only once a week. So if you plan on sending any packages with perishable food items- Mark has informed me to try sending items on Fridays. Sending packages on Fridays will help to minimize the chance of your preishables getting some extra bake time sitting on a truck bed in the sun. My package that I sent on the 5th (a Saturday) still has yet to arrive- though I know that Maryellen's (Mark's Mom) package that she sent on the 4th (a Friday) has arrived.

Communication overall has exceeded my initial thoughts and concerns. Always a bit of relief! We do talk much less than before- but knowing that he is loving what he is doing makes it worth it. However with that being said, satellite phones have little to be desired- but they do get the job done. Before the phone cuts out after 2 minutes or less- I at least know he is okay and usually happy!

Though I would never wish a deployment upon anyone- this journey has helped me to realize many things about myself, Mark, and our relationship. For me- it has helped me realize just what a strong and independent woman that I have become. Mark continues to amaze me in his ability to make me feel so loved and taken care of from so far away. I have never felt so connected to him and amazingly with so little contact. Whoever thought that was possible!?

Love

Angie

An Army write up about the 504th

Troops see progress in training Afghan police - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Enjoy the read. It makes me nervous to know that summer is around the corner. When the temperature warms- historically Taliban activity also increases. Keep Mark and his men in your prayers.

Love

Angie

Address change & an e-mail from Mark!

Hello all,
Since Marks' job has changed he also has a change in is address. In case you would like to send any mail or packages please use the following address.

1LT Kloiber, Mark

KAF

1st Platoon, 170 MP Co

504 BN

APO AE 09355

 Please help me spread the word so that others (who may not check the blog regularly) know that his address has changed. I also got an e-mail from Mark telling me a bit about his new location! The e-mail is a bit of a sigh of relief knowing that his living conditions are good and that he sounds to be very happy  with the unit he will be working with. Enjoy the e-mail below!

Things are going well but I am super busy- all the time! It's really crazy, but I love it. It is so great to be working with Soldiers and not other officers. I am loving the new job- just really tired. I am going about six hours a night. I think I will get a bit more once I get my routine down and learn the job. Right now a lot of my time is spent learning things that won't be so bad once I know the job. I'm not even in charge yet and I already love the platoon and look forward to working with them. I can't wait to be their leader. Tomorrow the old PL and I will be doing an inventory and property book signing (over to me). I will be signing for about $22 million dollars worth of equipment. I find that pretty crazy and it makes me grin just thinking about it.

Other than that, the ANP at my station need some work. They have a lot of new ANP who still need to go to basic training. It's fun working with them though and I look forward to making them better and the communities that we are responsible for safer. The guy I'm replacing and I drank tea (chi, always chi), with the ANP commander at the Provincial Reserve (again, which is where I live). We were in his office/room for just over an hour. It was a long time, but we shared some good laughs and it was a good bonding opportunity for me and him so that is good. Those two have a good relationship and I hope that we can continue to build on that.

That's about it. My room is awesome- more space than at PHQ and more than I had at CNS. We have showers and hot chow for breakfast and dinner which is also better than the 3 hot dinners we got at PHQ. I am happy here. It is much better living conditions than I expected.

 Love Mark

Hope all is well with everyone! Love Angie