Working Hard

Tonight was a first for me at work. For short time during my shift we had NO PATIENTS! While this as a common occurrence while deployed it is never happened to me here at WRAMC especially in one of the ICUs. Of course our time of freedom did not last long but we did enjoy the short moment we had.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Staff Sergeant Conrad A. Mora, 24, of San Diego, CA and Sergeant Daniel Lim, 23, of Cypress, CA were assigned to the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. They died in Qalat, Afghanistan from injuries sustained when insurgents attacked their military vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

Also killed in the attack were Specialist Joseph A. Bauer and Private First Class Andrew L. Hand.

DA Photo

Had to dust off the Class A's for a quick update of my Department of the Army Photo. This uniform is not one that you can just throw together and it is always a team effort. I used the expertise of 3 NCOs, 1 Specialist, and my Company Commander. But it sure looks good once it is all put together!

Oh, after the picture was taken I had to take all the pins and ribbons off the jacket to take the whole thing in to the alteration shop to get a patch sewn on and get the annual dry cleaning. Which translates to having to go through the process of putting everything back on the jacket...

Honoring The California Fallen

Marine Corporal Julio Vargas, 23, of Sylmar, California was assigned to the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendelton, CA. Corporal Vargas died from wounds sustained during combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Staff Sergeant Brian F. Piercy, 27, of Clovis, California graduated from Buchanan High School where he was a member of the marching band. He attended Fresno Pacific University before enlisting into the Army in 2004.

On his second deployment to Afghanistan Staff Sergeant Piercy was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division died in Arghandab Valley, Afghanistan of injuries sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Chase Stanley, 21, from Napa California, was assigned to the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat), Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Specialist Stanley died in Zabul, Afghanistan of wounds sustained when his military vehicle was attacked by insurgents with an improvised explosive device. Also killed were SPC Jesse D. Reed, SPC Matthew C. Johnson, and SGT Zachary M. Fisher.

The Fan of the Game

The SF Giants were in town this weekend playing the DC Nationals. I love my California teams!!! Friday nights game did not go so well for the Giants as they lost pretty hard. But tonight was sweet revenge!!! We beat the Nats 10-5. The icing on the cake was that I was sitting next to Sonny who was voted Fan of the Game by the crowd. What a great game!!!

Honoring The California Fallen

Army Specialist Roger Lee, 26, of Monterrey, CA and Staff Sergeant Marc A. Arizmendez, 30, of Anaheim, CA were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, Hohenfels, Germany. Specialist Lee and Staff Sergeant Arizmendez died in Qalat, Afghanistan of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device.

Also killed in the attack was Private First Class Michael S. Pridham.

Specialist Roger Lee

July 4, 1776

You live in the land of the free...

And it is BECAUSE of the BRAVE!!!

In Memoriam

One year ago today the world lost an amazing woman and heaven gained a super star.

Carol Ruth (Johnson) Gosline born on 11FEB1959 in Redwood City, CA. The summer after graduating high school in 1977 Carol was crowned Miss Redwood City and Miss Congeniality. Married in 1981 she had two children Kyle and Paige. After suffering a divorce and living two years as a single mom Carol met and married Carl Gosline in 2002. In 2006 Carol was diagnosed with a rare cancer. She fought valiantly for 2.5 years before losing her battle on 3JUL2009. Carol is survived by her husband Carl, children Kyle and Paige, step-children Josh and Brittany, her mother Marilyn, and her brother Stan and his family.

Carol was one of the women I am blessed to call "my other mom". She watched me and mentored me through my last year of high school and my first few years of college. She held my hand and walked me through learning to grow up and was at times my biggest cheerleader.

I am so lucky to have had you not only in my life but also showing me how to live life. I am a far better person for having known you. Thank you for all you did for me. I hope I can continue to make you proud. I love you!