From: ed.carman@us.army.mil (Ed Carman WWHS 1984)
Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2005 1:58 PM
Subject: I am back in the US and happy
Well I am finally back in the United States.
We left Bosnia on 19 August, stopped over in Germany and landed in Maine for a customs check. We were on an Air Force Cargo plane (C-17) with 2 of our helicopters. It was nice to be able to lie on the floor and stretch out. We landed in Ohio, unloaded our helos and replaced the parts so that we could fly.
After several days in OH we went to Indiana to out process. That was a total waste. They normally schedule 5 days but we got it done in 3. We were surely glad to get out of there.
Our helos were at Columbus, Indiana airport and we went there to eat breakfast and wait until our departure time (we were scheduled to fly into Parkersburg, WV at 3:00 and did not want to be early). We met several people at the Columbus, IN airport but one was really interesting.
Of course we always like to show off our aircraft. One of our medics, Sergeant Shawn McKenna, saw a little girl with her dad and they started a conversation. Shawn has a daughter at home that is about the same age - 4. They talked for an hour or so all the while Shawn's breakfast was getting cold. He did not mind a bit.
It turns out that the girl was in remission for leukemia and had flown on a helicopter last year. It was a life or death flight. Her dad said she was scared of helos ever since. Shawn showed her all around and the little girl felt great afterward.
Shawn said the man had tears in his eyes as he was talking about all the medical stuff we could do and have done. They shook hands and we thought that was the end of that.
Well the dad went out of his way to find the address of our unit in WV, find the commander's name and write him a letter. He described in great detail the pride that he felt knowing that these were the kind of soldiers that were being sent overseas to fight for our country and defend our freedoms.
Shawn set the example for what that man and his daughter knows about the military. It is good to know that these are the types of soldiers into today's army. We should all be proud.
The next time you see a soldier in uniform, just say "thank you for what you do for our country." That is all it takes. It may seem corny or goofy, but the soldiers like the kind words. We in the military can do it for our brothers in arms also. I do it in civilian clothes and they never know who I am.
We left Indiana and flew back to WV. We did a low pass over our flight facility with all the family and friends in attendance. We broke hard right over the crowd and could see all the 100 people cheering and waving. We landed and a big sigh came over us all. AAAHHHHHHHH we are finally home.
Since we live 550 miles away and my son is in school, they waited for me at home. My best friend Keith, his wife Heather and their son Trey were there to meet me. Keith said that as we passed over all the women were crying and all the men were shouting. WOW, lots of emotion.
I left there and spent the night with my mom in the southern part of WV on my way back to Georgia. That was a great visit and it was nice to talk to mom and talk Army. She was in Desert Storm I (1991) and still in the Reserves.
I left early the next morning and saw Susan at the High School. She did not know I was coming in and was really surprised. Just imagine not seeing the one you love for a year. That is a long time. Lots of tears by us and all those around us.
Susan and I then went to our son's elementary school. He was in art class when I walked in. The flood gate of tears poured from our eyes. A teacher got a picture and that hangs on our refrigerator. AAAHHHH family.
I was downsized from my civilian employer before I left on this deployment and had lots of sleepless nights afterwards. I did not know what I would do when I got home.
I started doing projects of the one year honey do list my wife had made for me. About 2 weeks after being home one of our friends from the Chamber of Commerce called and said she knew of someone looking for a plant manager in town. She talked well on my behalf and I got an interview.
All that went well and I am currently the plant manager from a manufacturing company 3 miles from our home. We are called Dewtex and make supporting material for building materials.
I want to say that things have worked out well for us and for my family. We are truly blessed and continue to be so. I have several great families; wife, son, church, work, military, and extended.
Someone wrote me while I was in Kosovo and told me that all these things would work out when I got home. You worked in textiles and I think live in Florida. Thank you for those words of support and things did work out.
Thanks to all of you that have written back for a year. I know that you all have very busy lives and there is always something else that has to be done. Thank you for taking time away from that stuff and chatting with me.
Please keep our unit in your prayers. There were 34 of us that went to Kosovo, then 9 of us were extended to Bosnia. Well our unit has 8 soldiers activated at this time and they are receiving training to go to Bosnia for a year.
This is my last line for while.
GOD BLESS THE USA!!!!!!!!
Ed Carman
112 Foxdale Drive
Toccoa, Georgia 30577
Home (706) 297-7060
Cell (706) 599-0331
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I have enjoyed Ed Carman’s letters and he definitely has literary skills. Hopefully, he will pursue it further. I also appreciated Keith Cummings Jr. ‘86 Forwarding the letters for all of us to enjoy. me.
MAJ. Keith W. Cummings (WWHS 1986)
FWAATS Operations Officer
DSN 623-6028, Ext 229
COM 304-842-8870, Ext 229
Blackberry 304-389-3081
http://www.wv.ngb.army.mil/fwaats/
