[Straight Vermonter]

Ping for a FReeper in Afghanistan.

Kick ass & stay safe Hotmetal.

[Eagle of Liberty]

Prayers Up for a Safe Return!!!

[Smokin' Joe]

Hotmetal! Git ‘er done! Be careful out there—and all you guys come home safe!

[metmom]

And thanks for watching OUR backs.

We’ll keep you and your fellow soldiers in our prayers.

If there’s anything you need specific prayer for, send us a prayer request and we’ll get on it.

[SwinneySwitch]

God bless and God speed, Hotmetal.

If you see my nephew, Jim, tell him, Hey!

cold war vet

[Bigg Red]

God speed and God bless you, soldier. May he watch over you and your buddies.

Thank you so much for your willingness to sacrifice so much for liberty. Please know that there are millions of us who appreciate your work.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

God bless you, Hotmetal. Your bravery and efforts do not go unnoticed around here.

[Cindy]

Hi Hot Metal.

My family and I are always praying for the troops and I hope you get back home here safe and sound real soon.

Watch out for spiders, snakes, pukes, and characters of interest.

God bless you.

Cindy

[Shadowstrike]

Prayers Brother. Keep your head down, and get home in one piece.

Semper Fi.

[LonePalm]

Do good and come home safe.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[boatbums]

I am praying for you, hotmetal, and all the men and women in the service of the U.S. of A.! I cannot imagine the ordeals and tribulations you endure for us and there are not enough words to describe how much I appreciate, respect and love you. Nobody forced you guys to do this, to join, and nobody forces you to put your own lives on the line day after day for your country and your fellow soldiers. I am sincerely praying that God blesses this country soon with a true patriot in the office of the Commander in Chief, one who DESERVES your loyalty and sacrifice.

Please don't lose hope. You are admired and respected. You are appreciated more than you know. You are loved and NOT forgotten though some days it may seem that way. Every time I see a soldier in a restaurant, my husband and I pay for whatever they are having. Most of the time we do it without them knowing who we are, just that the waiter tells them their bill has been paid already. We do this to show, in a small way, just how proud and grateful we are for you.

I'll say a special prayer for you tonight that the Lord enfold you in His arms in such a way that it is palpable and that you have a sense of peace that passes all understanding. You won't be there forever, though it may feel like you will, and one day you will be home again. I hope if we ever meet, I can personally give you a hug and buy you the best steak dinner you ever had!

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:9)

[Hotmetal]

Thanks everyone. It has made me feel really good to hear from all you very kind folks from back home. I have read and reread all your post three times and the computer screen has been fuzzy every time. It's a blessing to know that there are men and women like y'all that care for us soldiers and are there for us at the drop of the hat if we need you. Y'all keep on doin’ what you're doin’ and it won't be long until we get home. I have shared your post with my fellow medics and it put a smile on their faces too, so be proud of yourselves for making the day for us. God bless each and everyone of you.

[Hotmetal]

I was filmed to do a “shout-out” for the Coca Cola 600 race. If you watch the race watch for a medic wearing a scrub top, bonny hat and eye pro from the 223rd EN BN from West Point, MS that will be me.

[right way right]

Hotmetal,

I can’t thank you enough.
There is a song that so many of us still do believe in!

HOPE YOU CAN COME HOME SOON AND SHARE THE AIR HERE WITH US!

America the Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for halcyon skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the enameled plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till souls wax fair as earth and air
And music-hearted sea!

O beautiful for pilgrims feet,
Whose stem impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till paths be wrought through
wilds of thought
By pilgrim foot and knee!

O beautiful for glory-tale
Of liberating strife
When once and twice,
for man’s avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till nobler men keep once again
Thy whiter jubilee!

[Hotmetal]

Hi all. I'm about to round this trip up, less than 2 months left. Here's a couple pics, my section and a patch of grass I grew while over here. I'm on the far right with the ball cap.