Families of the Embedded Training Team soldier, our most recent group to deploy to Afghanistan, gathered January 22nd at the Augusta Armory to put together their flat daddies.

Since the ETT guys left for Fort Riley, Kansas, Jeannie Deleware and Tiffany Merrill have begun planning outings for the families. They planned a "play date" at the Children's Discovery Museum for March 2nd where several families met to share in some family fun. The appearance of the Cat in the Hat was an additional treat! Currently, a Spa Retreat is in the works for early April to give the spouses a chance to relax as they begin to adjust to their soldiers being in theater.

Recently, some of our families have been interviewed for the Australian based magazine, Marie Claire. The magazine did an article on the flat soldiers and how they help families during times of deployment. The stories will be in the May addition of the magazine. Also, Tiffany is working on getting soldier dolls made for the young children of the soldiers deployed. She has been in contact with 9 year old Mikayla Vandergriff of Windsor, MO, whose dad is soon returning from Iraq. Mikayla has been making soldier dolls "to bring joy to families of deployed soldiers with her handmade dolls".

Tiffany saw her story in the January edition of the GX The Guard Experience magazine and immediately contacted her to find out how to get dolls made for her own little girls. Tiffany has asked her husband, Chris Merrill, to get full body pictures of the ETT guys while at Fort Riley so we can send Mikayla an order! Mikayla only accepts donations, and the dolls cost $5 to make. In addition, Mikayla writes a personalized letter to each child she makes a doll for. If anyone would like to order a doll, you can email a picture to mikaylasoldierdolls@yahoo.com or send donations to Mikayla's Soldier Dolls 212 Olive Windsor, MO 65360. Mikayla's mom, Melissa, just reported that her husband is returning home soon and Mikayla is anxious to continue her project with her dad in making soldier dolls for kids.

Well, that's it for updates for now! Jeannie and Tiffany hope to plan monthly outings for the families. If anyone has any suggestions for activities, please contact Jeannie at wannabewahine@hotmail.com or Tiffany at TiffanyMMerrill@cs.com! We'd love to hear your ideas! Also, please check out the Family Readiness Program website for dates and times of future activities!

24 Feb 08

I got back to Riley earlier this week from my PDSS in Afghanistan. While there, I found that the living conditions at the various camps and FOBs have significantly improved over the past few years. Most of the locations have internet access and some phones available to call back to the US. Most soldiers I ran into have purchased local cell phones that allow the soldier to call home. The cost is pricey if you want to talk often on the phone, but it is not unreasonable. Most areas have cell phone reception.

In Week 1 of training, most of them came down with "Kansas Crud" but now getting over it. We will qualify on the M4 this Saturday. They have received training on some new equipment this past week and going to the ranges this weekend to qualify with their weapons.

They got the chance to eat an authentic Afghan dinner last night - very good. There are a lot of interpreters here so we are getting the chance to interact and learn the DARI language.

The 120th RSG will be sending a soldier to Riley to assist the team in transportation requirements. Hope to have him their within a week. This I hope will give them a little more flexibility to take care of any running around they might have.

that is all for now.

SGM Thibodeau

All the Guys are doing well. They will be finishing up the personnel and medical portion this week. They are going through a lot of briefings, getting shots, and drawing equipment. Living in 2-man rooms for now. They might change living areas in the near future.

That is all for now.

SGM Shawn Thibodeau