From Jacob (April 22, 2009)

He sent his in a letter and asked me to post it for all to read.

"Thank you all so much for the encouragement and love that you have sent me and my family. Reading your posts gives me so much joy and inspiration, two things severely lacking in my world right now. I look forward to mail call every night, just hoping to get a letter or two. I think that I am ahead of everyone in that department. Now, when my name is called it is followed by a chorus of chants and heckling. They usually cost me a few push-ups, but it is well worth it!. It is a tough place, but I am happy to be here. I truly feel like God has placed me here for a reason, and everyday that reason becomes a little more clear. Thank you all for your encouragement , not just for me but for Christine and Cale too! These months are harder on them than on me! The days are passing quicker now, and it won't be long before the end is in sight. It is my pleasure to serve our Nation and no thanks is needed. I love you all, Jacob"

Questions? Fun, silly and serious

OK,

After talking to Jacob today I came up with a fun idea for family and friends. In this section of the blog you can write any questions you have for him. They can be funny/silly questions, like "Does your bed squeek?" they can be curious questions like "how far do you have to run?" or even serious questions like "how are you holding up today?" 

I will print them off and he will answer them and send them back. He really needs anything we can do to lift his spirits and help him through his days. Love y'all!

First Round of Q and A. He loves the questions keep them coming!

Q: What do you miss most? A: sleeping in my own bed

Q:What is the coolest thing you have learned? A:My DS is a Army sniper w/ multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has provided me with a lot of knowledge in the area of shooting. My marksmanship has reached a whole new level.

Q: Can I send you magazines? A: no

Q: Have you had latrine duty? A: yes, cleaning a bathroom used by 53 other soldiers is not very cool. I have actually paid others to do it for me. Does that answer you question Elbie?

Q: Have you been in trouble, and what does punishment look like? A: I have not personally been in trouble yet but, I have been "smoked"plenty of times for other people's actions. Getting smoked is just a punishment of some sort of painful, physical exercise or task, such as push up's, moutain climbers, electric chair, etc.

Q:What is the food like?A: It is not too bad. Just imagine your high school cafeteria, but we only have 7 minutes to eat. I actually enjoy eating the MRE's out in the field more than eating at the DFAC (dining facility) The thing I crave most is french fries and ice cream.

Q:Have you made any friends? A: yes, several. Not all the guys are young punks, there are several close to my age that I have become close to. It is amazing how preconcieved notions about people just disappear when you are crammed into a small living space, and forced to undergo rigorous training together. Racial, socio-economic, and age barriers just disappear. We are all in it together and we are having one hell of a time.

Q: If you continue to shave your head will your hair ever come back? A: I sure hope so. They shave it for us every other week down to the scalp. It is a good look for me though.

Q: Have you meet Gomer Pyle yet? A: Yes, he is from Andalusia, Alabama and he is Gomer all the way. Whenever I feel down and need a good laugh, I go see him.

Q:Do you have any contact with the outside world? A: None! I have no clue what is going on outside these walls. I look forward to our trips to the barber shop, because they have a TV and I can usually catch about 10-15 minutes of something.

Q:What is it like to throw a grenade? A: AWESOME! After you throw it and duck down it seems like an eternity before it goes off, but when it does you can feel the concussion in your chest and the sound is deafening. It is much more violent that what you see on TV.

Q:Who is your battle buddy? Where is he from? Do you like him? A: His name is Dominic Nieblas from Chicago, Illinois. He is 24 years old and engaged. He is a diesel mechanic in the real world and his job in the Army will be to fix and repair heavy equipment. We get along very well and it makes life here mush easier.

Ceremony Date

For all Family who would like to be a part of the Ceremony here is the info:

Family Day is June 18th 

Ceremony is June 19th (I believe it is at 10am)

I will update this post with new information as I get it. As far as I know there are no restrictions on how many people can come. The travel time is approximately 7 - 71/2 hours.

Address

French, Jacob

Platoon 3

Charlie Company

2-13 INF REG

Fort Jackson, SC. 29207

Thank you so very much for writing him. It is the best part of his day.

Notes, letters, and reading material only, for now all other items are listed as contraband.

Welcome everyone!

Please feel free to post as often as you would like. Even if it is just to say hello to him and let him know you are thinking about him.  You can also just tell him about your day, or even interesting things going on in the news. Anything that can help him feel  a little more connected with us. LOVE you all bunches!