26 November 2008

Our mission has come to an end and we’ve passed the torch to our replacements. The vast majority of my unit has arrived home safely but a handful of us remain here waiting for a flight home and as much as I was hoping to report we’d spend Thanksgiving home with our loved ones, I cannot. Though I’m hopeful there will be some leftover turkey when I get there.

I do have much to be thankful for, however. I am most especially thankful for…

    o The opportunity to share this most special meal with a bunch of heroes again this year.
    o The support I’ve received from all of you throughout these past 15 months.
    o My continued membership in the community we call America.

And most of all I’m thankful for the love and support of the Lovely and Talented and Downright Sexy Mrs. Hook and our merry band of pirates. They’ve sacrificed a lot these past 15-months with nary a complaint. Our Thanksgiving Meal together (though delayed) will be the best feast of all even if it is leftover turkey sandwiches. Sgt Hook out.


Posted by Hook @ 1155 zulu | | Permalink
This post is filed under: Iraq & The Soldier



38 Comments »
  1. Welcome Home (Soon) Hook!

    I have been anticipating this post for the last couple of weeks, I can only imagine how it feels for the Merry Band of Bucklers!

    Happy Thanksgiving to your family and to your Soldiers!

    Comment by TIM C — 26 November 2008 @ 1255


  2. Now…we have so much more to be thankful for.

    Welcome Home Sir!

    Comment by Ky Woman — 26 November 2008 @ 1258


  3. You just made my Thanksgiving! Welcome home and thank you so much!!!

    Comment by pam — 26 November 2008 @ 1324


  4. Thank you for all you do and have done…happy Thanksgiving, friend. I think one year my family might forgive me if I was given the opportunity to spend with with a bunch of heroes. So in a way, I envy you.

    A heap of blessings on your head.

    Comment by Erica — 26 November 2008 @ 1330


  5. The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the blog post From the Front: 11/26/2008 News and Personal dispatches from the front and the home front.

    Comment by David M — 26 November 2008 @ 1730


  6. God bless you and your family. I am so thankful for wonderful heros like you who keep us safe at night. Godspeed home.

    Comment by Sharon — 26 November 2008 @ 1948


  7. Safe travels home, hero.
    Thank you for you and your family’s sacrifice.

    Looking forward to your first post from home.
    Happy Thanksgiving!

    Comment by Jean — 26 November 2008 @ 2108


  8. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

    Comment by Carmen — 26 November 2008 @ 2135


  9. Oh, this is the best news! Be safe on your way home! Happy Thanksgiving - to you and your band of brothers, and especially to your dear wife and family! WELCOME HOME & thank you for your service!

    Comment by Mary — 27 November 2008 @ 0409


  10. May your Thanksgiving day be blessed, and your travels home be safe and soon. God bless you for all you do for us.

    From an old Airborne grunt, Thank you.
    Alan Briley, RN
    Former Sergeant, 82nd ABN DIV, USA

    Comment by Alan Briley, RN — 27 November 2008 @ 1159


  11. Sar’Major on the last flight out…

    Safe travels, Hook. Home for Christmas is a good thing.

    Comment by Greyhawk — 27 November 2008 @ 1222


  12. The Best News EVER on this Thanksgiving day!

    Safe Travels Sir….and, even if a bit premature….Welcome Home!

    Comment by Tammi — 27 November 2008 @ 1402


  13. This post made my day. Safe travels, Sgt. Hook, and Happy Thanksgiving!

    Comment by MissBirdlegs in AL — 27 November 2008 @ 1436


  14. Happy Thanksgiving! Safe Travels!

    Comment by oddybobo — 27 November 2008 @ 1458


  15. Thank YOU! Have a safe and happy homecoming.

    Comment by Mrs. Who — 27 November 2008 @ 1650


  16. Hook, I know that whatever day you arrive home will be Thanksgiving for the Hook clan. You and your troops are on a long list of folks for whom I am very thankful. Bless you and them, and I hope you get that flight home very soon :-)

    Comment by Barb — 27 November 2008 @ 1650


  17. Thanksgiving is always the first meal with your family after you return home… doesn’t matter what the calendar says. Thinking of you and yours this Thanksgiving Day… and giving thanks for guys like you!!

    Comment by Some Soldier's Mom — 27 November 2008 @ 1712


  18. Happy Thanksgiving, Hook! And Thank YOU!!!

    Comment by Blackfive — 27 November 2008 @ 1741


  19. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Thanks for all you do!

    Comment by Americaneocon — 27 November 2008 @ 2210


  20. I am very grateful to you. Happy Thanksgiving!!

    Comment by Maggie45 — 27 November 2008 @ 2220


  21. Thank you for your service.

    Have a safe trip home!

    Comment by Suzi — 27 November 2008 @ 2310


  22. Congratulations on completing your mission! Have a safe trip home, and thank you and your family for all you do for our Country.

    Comment by Anthony — 28 November 2008 @ 1706


  23. Welcome home, and my best wishes and deep gratitude to you and your soldiers.

    Comment by Jim - PRS — 29 November 2008 @ 0217


  24. Welcome home!

    thank you to you, and your family.

    Christmas will be good!

    Comment by awtm — 30 November 2008 @ 2045


  25. So very glad to read this post, and I hope you’ll soon be in the loving arms of your family! Welcome home, Hook…to you and our Soldiers!

    Comment by gypsy — 30 November 2008 @ 2350


  26. Welcome home!!! We are so proud of you and your soldiers. And although it stinks that you actually missed Thanksgiving with your family, better yet… you will be home for Christmas! Your family must be beside themselves. Too many homecomings I remember… always chokes me up.

    We’re glad you’re back.

    Comment by Bou — 1 December 2008 @ 0325


  27. Thank you for posting. Once again you’ve lightened my heart by remaining safe and sound. God bless.

    Comment by Chevy Rose — 1 December 2008 @ 1355


  28. … welcome home, big guy!…… and thank you for your service….

    Comment by Eric — 3 December 2008 @ 0002


  29. Hook,

    Old friend, I cannot tell you how often Ive thought about you and prayed for your well being these past 15 months. You know I wear my heart on my sleeve, so I can tell you that right now im at the office in front of my computer and in tears.

    Thank you, sir, for your honorable service and your call to duty and for your sacrifices and those of your loving family on our behalf. I stand in awe of heroes like you.

    Now sit back and enjoy your family, Hook. And know that it is men like you that make this the greatest nation on Earth.

    Comment by Val Prieto — 4 December 2008 @ 2029


  30. I’ve been retired from active duty for a year and a half now. You’ve been away from your family for almost all of that.

    How many deployments does this make since ‘01?

    Thank you for your service and remember, life is just fine on the other side of retirement. I know your leadership won’t say it because they don’t want to loose you, but you’ve done more than your share and more than anyone could have asked. Get home and stay home Top. Pass that torch.

    Comment by Timmer — 5 December 2008 @ 2128


  31. My friend Peggy met me tonight for a beer at a local bar. It’s been months since either of us had a “time out” together… or at all.

    She got a call from her son (in basic training, Air Force, San Antonio) on Thanksgiving… she almost didn’t answer the phone because the number wasn’t familiar.

    Operation Home Cooking.

    He was “adopted”. He told her the line for families present to “adopt” was 4:1. HUGE turn out … (Note to those bitching about us taking care of “every one else”… we DO take care of our own).

    He told her the “lady of the house” pressed the phone into his hand and told him “long distance calls are free, but you’d better call your mother first”.

    Thank you, surrogate families… thank you for keeping our own close to your hearts.

    Welcome home, Sir.

    Comment by pixie — 7 December 2008 @ 0954


  32. I do hope that this finds you home safe and sound spending the Christmas Holiday’s with your family. I know everyone has to be so excited to have you finally home. Take care and God Bless you and yours!

    Comment by Shayna — 11 December 2008 @ 2215


  33. I’m with Shayna - hope you’re home safe and sound. I can probably hear the excitement from here if I listen hard enough. Merry Christmas, Hook - to you and yours.

    Comment by MissBirdlegs in AL — 12 December 2008 @ 2132


  34. Just wanted to stop by and check in…I hope you and your family have a most wonderful Christmas and New Year! Will continue to keep those in harm’s way in my prayers. Be well, Hook!

    Comment by gypsy — 23 December 2008 @ 0117


  35. Hey there Sgt.Hook!

    Thought I’d stop in for a minute to let you know that you were still in our thoughts and prayers…

    Wishing you and yours the brightest and merriest Christmas ever!

    Please relay that message to all of the guys you know as well.

    Sending hugs out across the ‘net for the entire Hook family…

    Comment by Ky Woman — 23 December 2008 @ 2036


  36. Merry Christmas, Hook!

    Comment by Jean — 23 December 2008 @ 2244


  37. I’m hoping that you and the family had your Thanksgiving / homecoming, and are now preparing for a family Christmas. I hope it is peaceful and beautiful. Thank you and all the Hook family for your service and sacrifice!

    Comment by Barb — 24 December 2008 @ 0709


  38. Merry Christmas Sgt Hook!

    Comment by Grace — 24 December 2008 @ 1646


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