BYE BYE, FLAT CAROLINE



Sunday Grandma J's daughter took Mr. triple extraction A-Roid and a buddy to the Outlet Mall in Austin. Because he had a ton of money from the tooth fairy to spend.

My granddaughter and I decided to take Flat Caroline to a landmark here in Central Texas. Maybe a Mesquite tree, or a field full of cattle...ummm, nah, we did it one step better....




We took Flat Caroline to the main gate of Fort Hood Army Post. Fort Hood is 340 sq. miles of rolling hills and plains, with a population of 71,000, and the largest active duty armored post in the United States. It's also the post that 1Sgt John deployed to Iraq from with the 1st Cavalry.




Foot Hood has played an important role in the life of my granddaughter, and she wanted to share it with Flat Caroline. My granddaughter came to Killeen Texas in 2002, when she was in the 2nd grade, just like Flat Caroline. In seven years her father has been deployed to Iraq three times, and Korea twice. Each tour of duty is at least one year in length. If you do the math, it's easy to see that the families of our active duty military make huge sacrifices, just like their parents who serve our Nation. Grandma J's granddaughter is now 15 and in the 9th grade...boy does time fly!




We stopped and bought a post card of Texas, and printed out these pictures to send to Flat Caroline's teacher and classmates.





Bye bye, Sweet Caroline, good times never seemed so good......


and she's off to faraway lands....like Florida!!

AMERICA'S FIRST TEAM

Today was a cloudy day in Central Texas, as 1st Sgt. John, along with other members of

The First Cavalry Division deployed from Fort Hood, Texas to Iraq.

Last night we celebrated with BBQ

The family is used to deployments. This is John's third tour in Iraq, with two tours of duty in Korea sandwiched in between. That would be over five years out of the last seven away from his wife and kids.

My middle daughter will be OK

And the kids will too......because

They are close, and....

Know how to love, laugh and act silly...

I'm sure today was a day of both pride and sadness as they had their private, personal and formal good-byes. I spent the day with JJ.

Stay safe soldier, and thank you for your service, and keeping America safe and free.

THE CAISSONS GO ROLLING ALONG



Mother Nature was kind enough to give us a break in the rain so we could enjoy the Veterans Day Parade.

Killeen Texas is home to Fort Hood. Fort Hood is the largest Army base in the Country, and Killeen is a great place have a Veterans Day Parade in the older downtown area.




The 1st Cavalry Division Band leads off the parade!

My son-in-law is 1st Cav.

There are several High Schools in the Killeen ISD, but Killeen HS was the first, and they are the ROOS....well, actually, they are the Kangaroos...but be careful what you say because their pride runs deep.

Every high school has ROTC program, and they are huge....and considered a valuable presence on campus......

....every single one of them


If I had known about this guy representing the Y....

...and this guy, who represents himself, JJ would have been marching too, and he will next year!


Veterans from every war were honored



Our debt to some is enormous

The First Cavalry, First Team covered wagon has a dog....



And they ride in the Rose Parade in Pasadena CA on New Years Day...
And last but not least....

Hot cowboys soldiers on horses!


Waving at Grandma J
I loved this small town Veterans Day Parade!!


* FYI, I stood on a corner, and the formation of some of the groups look a bit askew as they made the turn.

CELEBRATING WITH THE BEST

Remember me telling you that my son-in-law had special plans for the family Grandma J for Independence Day? Oh wait, I forgot to tell you...but he did.

We hopped in my daughters van and headed out to the largest Army Base in the Country, Fort Hood. Independence Day is celebrated in true patriotic tradition there.
The day starts around noon with a festive carnival with games, food, rides, food and music. There are continuous events throughout the day in the stadium. The 1st Cavalry Division's Horse Cavalry Detachment was the most amazing for me. I mean combine a soldier, and a cowboy in one uniform, on a horse...be still my heart.
Grandma J was shocked and couldn't believe her eyes when she found out these locals were having a competition.
I have to say, H.E.B. played a crucial supportive role in this whole celebration. They handed out fans, and all the bottled water you could drink...all day. Free! You didn't have to ask either, their employees were in several locations with outstretched hands, with water. Grandma J was impressed and wanted to hug thank everyone of them.

And guess what else the good folks at H.E.B. do for the community? I mean this is so unbelievable! And yes, I signed up JJ for the birthday club!
Because it was so hot, we left around five and headed over to our new local theatre to see this.
Hancock! Have you ever seen a Will Smith movie that you didn't like? Neither have I. I loved it! Which just goes to show you how little Grandma J knows about movies because I don't seem to ever agree with the experts. But wait! Grandma J is an expert movie critic. My wonderful grandson likes to sit next to me just in case I get emotional.

I think he asked me a zillion times if I was crying....then he looks over at his mom to see if she's crying.

The day ended with me watching some fireworks off in the distance....from the compound home, which was perfect. How was your day?