Friday Flashback Photo: Remembering our Military this Memorial Day Weekend

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Alicia from More Than Words says she started Friday Photo Flashback because "I have so many pictures from my PRE-digital camera days. I thought it would be fun to scan them and share them here with you.. I'm having so much fun doing this, that I would love for you to join me, too! So dig out the photo albums and put your scanner to good use! Don't forget to link up so we can all visit and comment on each others blogs!"

I have been so busy lately, that I haven't done one of these posts in several months, but I wanted to take this opportunity to showcase my Uncle Raymond (my dad's brother) in Korea when he was in the Air Force.

I also want to share a photo of my son when he was in Afghanistan serving in the Army. Today is the 2nd anniversary of the death of one of his brothers-in-arms.

As you celebrate your holiday weekend, please remember those who have served to protect our country and their families. Pray for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice:










Share your flashback photo on your blog and link up with Alicia on her blog.

Wishing you all a fabulous holiday weekend with those you love. Be safe!






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So Proud of my Son, Nikolaus, Promoted to Sargent

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I just got a message from my son, Nikolaus that during his Army Reserve weekend drill service that he has been promoted to Sargent!!  WooHoo...

Nik in uniform with new Sargent stripes!

He is SUCH a good soldier and has been since his first days at basic training, where he graduated as soldier of the cycle (which is top of his class).

I am so proud of the man he has become and how hard he works at becoming a strong soldier to protect our country. Every day he does something that makes my heart swell with love and pride. Including his choice of companion, who has stood by him during his deployment in Afghanistan. I truly adore his girlfriend, Michelle, and hope she becomes part of our family some day soon.

Michell & Nik after his promotion.

Congratulations to my dear little boy... you make me so proud and I love you with all my heart!

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My Little Boy is Back on American Soil

Just wanted you all to know that my little boy Nikolaus arrived back in the U.S.A. on Wednesday morning around 10:30am - talk about a totally relieved mom!!

He still has some things to do at his post in Connecticut, where he lives with his girlfriend, Michelle, and where he is based out of, but as soon as everything gets settled, he and Michelle are going to come down here to visit us... You KNOW there will be tons of photos of that visit.  As soon as I have more information, you will all be the first to know. HaHa

I received this video from a friend of mine, a retired Army General, that was just so fitting and I wanted to share it with y'all.  I want to thank you all for being so wonderful and supportive while Nikolaus was deployed - I truly could not have made it through this long year without all of you.  However, please remember that there are still lots of other young men and women stationed overseas continuing to fight for our freedoms and they are someone's sons and daughters, husbands and wives.  Let us not forget to continue to pray for them and support those they have left behind.

“Lucky Me” - A Music Video For The Troops By Helene Cronin - watch more funny videos

Nikolaus on R & R in Connecticut

My son Nikolaus was able to go home from Afghanistan for two weeks on R & R a couple of weeks ago.  Because his unit is based out of Connecticut, that is where they flew him back to and he didn't have enough time or money to come down here to Florida to see us, but that was OK, I was able to talk to him and text back & forth a lot.  There was also a going away party for my niece who is moving to California with her husband and daughter while he was home, so the whole family got together.  Nikolaus sent a photo to me of himself and my other son Alexander from the party, they both look so grown up.

I miss them so much, but am really glad that they are both coming to visit this fall when Nikolaus gets home from his deployment for good.  They are going to try and make it at the same time because it has been 3 years since we have all been together.  Keep your fingers crossed for me.....

An Update from Afghanistan with Photos

I got a message from Nikolaus on Facebook the other day thanking me for some care packages I sent him along with some photos of him and his buddies in Afghanistan, so I wanted to share them with you all.

This first one is of him and his unit, they are doing pretty well after losing one of their guys, but all the support they receive from home - along with all of you - has kept them strong.  So from them and from me, thank you so much for all your prayers and words of encouragement.

These next two photos I am SO proud of... Nikolaus has been promoted from PFC (Private First Class) to SPC (Specialist) while he has been over there.  WooHoo!!  He is really a great soldier and Bill and I couldn't be more proud of him!  Here he is receiving his promotion from his superior officer.

These next few are of him doing what he is specializing in... mortar combat - in other words, blowing things up, yeah, that's my boy!!  Look at those muscles, when did my little baby become a man?  The first thing I asked him was why he wasn't wearing a helmet doing such a dangerous job - always a mommy, huh?

It is a really LOUD explosion...

...and, it makes a really bright flash.

Here he is on patrol in full gear - good boy, wearing his helmet.

Afghanistan looks like such a sad, dry country to me. He said the dust gets everywhere!!

Thank you again for all your support of me, him and all of the troops stationed in Afghanistan and all over the world protecting our freedoms.  God bless America.

Until next time..... Lorie

Blue Monday, Mellow Yellow Monday and Ruby Tuesday All Rolled into One

I have this flag hanging in my front window (sorry for the glare, we actually had sunshine today), it is a symbol showing I am a Blue Star Mother. The Service flag is an official banner authorized by the Department of Defense for display by families who have members serving in the Armed Forces during any period of war or hostilities the United States may be engaged in for the duration of such hostilities.

I am so proud of my son Nikolaus and think of him daily. I pray that he returns home safely, as well as all the deployed men and women of all the armed forces. God bless them all and God bless America!!

Don't forget to link your post up to Smiling Sally's for Blue Monday; Drowsey Monkey's for Mellow Yellow Monday; and Work of the Poet for Ruby Tuesday. While you're on each of those sites, visit the other participants to see their wonderful photos. Have a great week.

Until next time..... Lorie

Photos of Specialist Nikolaus Murowsky, US Army

Here are some photos of my son, Nikolaus, from Indiana where he is finishing up his training before heading over to Afghanistan. Right now he is in Louisiana for some more specialized training, and got the official date for when he will be shipped out: February 7, 2010 - just two days before his 22nd birthday. By the way, he has also received two promotions since he has joined, he has gone from Private to Private First Class to what he is now a Specialist... Thank you very much! I have a very smart young man, if I do say so myself.... Proud mama here!!

Here is Nikolaus with his unit, he is the one with the black hat over his face - he doesn't like the cold either, just like his mommy! Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers. Please keep all the troops in your hearts and minds until this war is over - no matter your politics - these young men and women need our support.

Until next time..... Lorie

Good Will in a Box - at Crazy Adventures in Parenting

A wonderful blogger friend and awesome mother, Lisa, over at Crazy Adventures in Parenting has come up with a new idea to try and help those in the blogging community who are struggling financially. Lisa is a mother of six and an Army wife, so in my opinion, she is already doing an incredible amount, for her family and for our country. But, as she was preparing for Christmas, she realized that there were so many people that were struggling to pay their bills and the basics, and to even put food on their tables, so she wanted to do more. Please head on over to her site to read her words and find out exactly what she wants to do with a program entitled "Good Will in a Box" .

She is not asking for us to give tons, just a little. I think it is an amazing thing she is trying to accomplish, and I ask that if there is anything you can do to help her, please do so. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your time, friendship, and love on behalf of all the blogging community. We all may not "know" each other in the "dictionary" sense of the word, but I feel we know each other in the "true" sense of the word, and when we need to, we can come together as a community and accomplish wondrous things.

Until next time..... Lorie

Help for Deployed Troops

This came from my son, Nikolaus... His unit is going to Afghanistan the beginning of January:


"Governor Rell Announces Annual Operation ELF Kickoff - With 'Home for the
Holidays' Twist

Effort to Bring Troops Back to Connecticut for Holiday Break Will Replace
Annual Toy Drive as Private Organization Provides Toys


Governor M. Jodi Rell today marked the start of the state's
annual holiday drive to help support the families of Connecticut National
Guard troops already deployed or preparing to deploy overseas. Governor Rell
announced that this year the program known as "Operation ELF" - an acronym
for Embracing Lonely Families - will include a special fund-raising effort to
bring about 700 troops preparing for deployment at out-of-state bases home to
Connecticut for the Christmas and New Year's holidays.

The special fund-raising effort, called "Operation Home for the
Holidays," is intended to raise $200,000 to hire a fleet of buses to bring
Connecticut Army National Guard troops back to the state during a break in
their training. The fledgling United Football League (UFL) - which is
partnering with Northland AEG to hold an exhibition game at Rentschler Field
in East Hartford this fall - has offered to "kick off" the fund drive with a
donation of $25,000.

The fund-raising effort will replace the annual toy drive that is
usually a part of Operation ELF. A private organization, called Operation
Tribute, will partner with Operation ELF to ensure that children in military
families get toys this holiday season.

"For most of us, the coming holidays are joyous opportunities to
gather with family and friends, strengthening or rekindling old ties and
making wonderful new memories," Governor Rell said. "But this can also be a
time of intense loneliness and longing when family members are missing - and
that is especially true for the families of Connecticut's citizen-soldiers.

"For the families of troops who are deployed or about to be
deployed, the pain of a missing loved one is amplified by understandable
anxiety," the Governor said. "And sadly, this holiday season we will be
seeing more of that loneliness and anxiety than ever, because by the time of
the holidays this year we will have about 1,200 troops from Connecticut
deployed or preparing to deploy - a record number."

Among those troops will be about 700 members of two units - the
1st Battalion of the 102nd Infantry Regiment and the 250th Engineering
Company. The members of those units will be at "mobilization stations" in
Indiana and Wisconsin, respectively, where they will be completing
preparations for deploying to Afghanistan.

Both units are slated to have winter holiday breaks - from
December 23 through January 2 in the case of the 1/102nd and December
22-January 2 in the case of the 250th Engineers.

"That's a nice break - but as you know, holiday travel is
expensive, especially for families already facing a financial strain due to
the deployment of a breadwinner," Governor Rell said. "So this year, instead
of collecting toys for the children of military families, we will be
collecting contributions to pay for a fleet of buses. We will use those buses
to ship our troops home and back to their training camps during their break -
at no expense to their families. We call it 'Operation Home for the
Holidays.'"

Operation Tribute, an organization founded in Maine and offering
services throughout out New England and New York, will provide new gifts,
each with an approximate $50 value, to military children who register at
their Web site, www.OperationTribute.com
.

"We have another outstanding partner in the UFL, which has really
given our fund-raising effort an inspiring start," Governor Rell said. "Their
donation of $25,000 is a huge leap forward for this effort - right from the
beginning - and they have my deepest thanks."

The $200,000 will cover the rental and round-trip expenses for 10
buses to and from Indiana and three buses to and from Wisconsin, the Governor
said, as well as providing entertainment options such as movies and meals for
troops who cannot make the trip home or have no family in Connecticut.

"Times are tight all over our state - families and employers are
still struggling with the effects of this global economic crisis," Governor
Rell said. "Yet I also have seen, time and again, the way the people of our
state open their hearts in times of need. And I believe they will respond,
once again, with the generosity that makes this such a wonderful place to
live."

Donations for "Operation Home for the Holidays" should be sent to
the Connecticut National Guard Foundation Inc. The Foundation is a
non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, established in April 2003 to provide
emergency financial assistance for Guard members and their families. All
donations are fully tax-deductible.

Donations can be sent to:

Connecticut National Guard Foundation, Inc.
360 Broad Street, Box 53
Hartford, Connecticut 06105-3706

Checks should be made payable to "CTNGFI."

Credit card donations are also accepted. Please contact the
Operation ELF Hot Line at 860-524-4924 or the Family Program Office at
1-800-858-2677 for a credit card donation form.

As in previous years, Operation ELF will also collect donations
of a gift card to a local grocery or department store, gas station or
pharmacy. These cards can be given to families so that they can choose what
they need most. Cards of any denomination are most welcomed and appreciated.

Donations for the purchase of a gift card are also accepted.
Check should be made payable to Family Program Special Projects and sent to
the above address.

Once again, Operation ELF will also operate the Adopt-A-Family
program, created to assist families who are suffering an extreme financial
hardship as a result of their service member's call to active duty.
Individuals or businesses may "adopt" a family from this category and help
them have a great holiday season.

The name of the family is never revealed to the adopting person
or organization. Rather, a summary of the family's demographics and wish list
are provided. Gifts are delivered by that family's case worker along with the
name of the donor, if so desired. Donors interested in supporting a family in
this category or anyone knowing of a military family that could benefit from
adoption should contact the Operation E.L.F. Hot Line at 860-524-4924 or the
Family Program Office at 1-800-858-2677."


SSG Ramos, Carlos M
Training NCO
HHC 1-102nd IN RGT (MTN)
30 Woodward Avenue
New Haven, CT 06512-3360
W (203) 468-8250
F (203) 468-8224

"IT'S ABOUT THE MAN NEXT TO YOU"

Any help you could give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much.

Until next time..... Lorie

Visit with my Son, Nikolaus

Here are some photos of my son's visit. We hung out around the house just talking - that was actually my favorite thing, just listening to how grown-up he has become and how proud he is to be serving our country.

He and Nano got along so well, they played together every day, and Nik was just like my little boy again, it was so adorable. It was really nice having Nikolaus along with us during our walks, too. Nano kept turning around to make sure all of us were together, he was so excited he was running around our feet and jumping on our legs. I think he was just as happy to see Nik as I was.

We visited the Veterans' Memorial in Celebration on Veterans Day and took a couple of pictures in front of the Army emblem. Nikolaus and I talked again about his deployment... I am so nervous for him. I reminded him {actually LOTS of times during his visit} to be careful and to remember his training. Of course his reply was that he will be fine and for me not to worry about him -- Oh, to be 21 and invincible again...

And... of course we took him to EAT... he is, after all, still a growing boy! Applebee's was very gracious to give all veterans and active duty military a free signature meal on Veterans Day. {Thank you very much Applebee's} He was also craving wings, and we have the best wings around at a great restaurant/pub called the Town Tavern here in Celebration. I also made Nik his favorite cake for him - isn't that what mommy's are for?? I made him a Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, he LOVED it!!

Then on Thursday, we had to take him to the airport to head back to Connecticut to get ready for deployment. It was really HARD!!

He leaves Sunday, Nov. 15th, to load up all the equipment for his unit, and they head out to Indiana for a few weeks - they may get a few days off at Christmas to head back to Connecticut. Then they fly over to Afghanistan right after that.

I had a wonderful time with him, I am amazed at the man he has become, and I love him dearly. I am also SO proud of him for the choices he has made.

So, to Nikolaus: Please remember your training, be careful, look out for yourself and your brothers and sisters in arms, come back to me safe and soon, and remember I am SO proud of you and I love you deeply!

Until next time..... Lorie

First Pictures of The Boy's Vist :-)

Just wanted to post a couple of pictures of my son, Nikolaus who arrived yesterday.

I still cannot believe how much of a grown man he has become (and kind-of handsome, too).... he is 21, but the Army training has really made a man out of him. He is solid muscle and all heart - but no partiality here!!

These are some photos that he gave me from his training in New Jersey where he said it rained EVERY day and was SO cold - they were soaked through the whole two weeks. They had to sleep in tents (to get ready for Afghanistan). He is an Infantry Mortarman also specializes in machine gun firing. He is in the Company 1/102nd INF 86th Mountain BCT.

It so great to have him here... There will be more photos later as we spend time together. I just love talking to him, he is so mature and so well prepared for what his about to do. I am so proud (and scared) of him.

Until next time..... Lorie