Parachutes dropping equipment! You don't get the real feel for it from this photo! 

Mike with the Apache Helicopter 

The last of North Carolina!

May 22 - 27.…The week was full! Monday was Dixie’s post op appointment - progressing slow but sure. Still having some of the same pain. They did another Ultrasound and a liver blood test later in the week. The ultasound was good but haven’t received the results on the liver. We had grandkid time - sure going to miss them as we have spent so much together! On Wednesday we attended Brandon’s Silver Star presentation. It was a very proud moment for all of us. The Silver Star is the army’s 3rd highest award for valor. He received it for a firefight in east Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border in Oct 05. He lost one of his men in this firefight. Also this week we attended some of the activities for “All American Week”. One was called the JRTX, where they simulated a supply & paratrooper drop into an enemy drop zone. First came the Appache helicopters which fired missiles on structures. Then the C17 aircraft dropped MANY parachutes with all types of equipment, including Hummer vehicles. Next came the C130’s which dropped the paratroopers (the winds were too bad so this didn‘t actually happen for this simulation). Once the paratroopers are on ground, they secure the area (gunfire to the bad guys) so other aircraft can land. Let me tell you there was A LOT of equipment dropped - there were parachutes everywhere dropped from several aircraft. Friday afternoon we helped Brandon & Katherine do some packing and moving to their new house on post. Today is there big move! Ooops, we missed that as we had to leave today! We are enroute to our next stop - near Lake Anna in Virginia. It’s north west of Richmond. We will be there until the 30^th and then on to DC.

We are very proud of Brandon and all soldiers who sacrifice so much for our freedom so that we may enjoy life as we know it! On this Memorial Day weekend take a moment to say a prayer for all the men & women who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country .

The view from our camp site. The apache & blackhawk helicopters our regular sites around here! They are actually must closer than this photo shows. 

Grandma Dixie & the Grandkids hiking - searching for Lizards! 

More in North Carolina

May 15 - 21.…Dixie’s Gallbladder was successfully removed on Tue! All went well - it was a quick in and out. They don’t waste anytime - we were in at 730a and out of there by 1100a. It felt good to get back home and lay down. It hurt a bit more than anticipated! Somehow you think since it is done laproscopicly that there is no pain! You forget that they were still in there moving things around & removing an organ! Still having some symptoms but hopefully they are just part of the recovery. The follow up appointment is Monday.
We went to another of Nicholas’s soccer games Saturday and had the boys over to the motor home to hunt for more Lizards. They spent the night once again! During today’s hike we spotted several deer that let us get pretty close up. Later today Mike will help Brandon take down their chain link fence and dismantle the Trampoline. They are preparing for their move this coming weekend.
This week is “All American Week” at Ft. Bragg. There will be activities and a parade. We are also hoping that Brandon will receive his “Silver Star” in a presentation this week. We are scheduled to leave here on Saturday!

The Grandsons playing 'in the motorhome'. They thought it would be a good place to 'sleep'!