Honoring the California Fallen

Army Private First Class Jose O. Belmontes, 28, of La Verne, CA, was assigned to 630th Engineer Company, 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY. PFC Belmontes died July 28 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by small-arms fire.

Also killed was Army Sgt. 1st Class Bobby L. Estle, 38, of Lebanon, Ohio.

Seattle, WA

Finally home and getting some much needed rest with Pepper.

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Specialist Benjamin C. Pleitez, 25, of Turlock, CA, was assigned to 746th Combat Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, California National Guard, Van Nuys, CA. SPC Pleitez died in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, of unspecified causes.

Valdosta, GA

Honoring the California Fallen

Army First Lieutenant Sean R. Jacobs of Redding, CA, was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA. 1LT Jacobs died July 26 in Khakrez, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device. Also killed was Army Sgt. John E. Hansen, 41, of Austin, Texas.

Mobile, AL

Toledo, Ohio

Honoring a Fallen Flight Medic

Army Sergeant Eric Edward Williams, 27, from Murrieta, CA, was hit with indirect fire today at FOB Shank. SGT Williams was a Flight Medic for the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division based out of Fort Bragg, NC.

I had the honor of working with SGT Williams for approximately 4 months on Forward Operating Base Sharana in Regional Command - East, Afghanistan. SGT Williams was an amazing medic, leader, and friend. He has influenced countless people through the lives he has saved. SGT Williams is a true American Hero.

On 17JUL, SGT Williams posted his final blog entry. Clicking on his picture above will take you to his site. Read the opening and closing to his final blog entry:

"This deployment is coming to an end, in a few days we will be on a plane back to the United States to rejoin our family and friends and to try to readjust to a certain semblance of what we think life should be. The truth is everything has changed, we collectively have changed. We have changed as people, as an army, as citizens of the United States."

"So in closing, while reading this you might think I’ve become some angry disillusioned man, someone who sees things so much different than the average citizen, well maybe your right. But I can only hope that things someday will change. As for our accomplishments here in Afghanistan, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I will forever hold these experiences close. "

Fellow WRAMC Nurse

I was super fortunate today to get to catch up with Erin Itawi. Erin is also a former Walter Reed MICU/PICU Nurse. I had the privilege of working and learning from Erin for about 2 years. During our visit today I got to see her two adorable little kiddos! I had never met her second baby and had only known her first as a little baby. Time has flown and these kids are super precious. Even though our time was short, I truly enjoyed getting to see Erin and hear all about her family adventures.

North Carolina

Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego? Well, I looked in North Carolina and South Carolina but didn't find her. However, I did find my Uncle John, Aunt Tammi, and cousin Brittany.

 



Honoring the California Fallen

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Marine Corporal Joshua R. Ashley, 23, of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, was assigned to 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, NC. CPL Ashley died in Helmand province, Afghanistan, while conducting combat operations.

Washington DC

I looked for Carmen Sandiego in DC today and sounds like I just missed her...

But instead I got to spend some much need quality time with friends that know me from before deployment. These fellow RNs remember who I really am and are eager to help me learn that again. Camisha and I were deployed together for 6 months in Regional Command - East. We had some stories to swap, good and bad. Katy, pictured above, was an angel that allowed me to call her at all hours when things were difficult during my last 6 months. She talked me through some of the rough patches, loved me when I couldn't keep going, and laughed with me at some of the stupidity of military medicine. Katy was one of my saving graces.

This stop might have been really short, but it was full of much needed conversation and love from those who know me from before Afghanistan.

Georgia

I started my investigation in figuring out where in the world is Carmen Sandiego. This trip is focusing on the United States. The international travels will pick back up next year...

The first stop was to Valdosta, Georgia home of the United States Air Force's 71st Rescue Squadron. What that really means is that the flight crews from my last 6 months of deployment are in Valdosta, GA. So, that is where I headed first.

This is a group of people that saw me at my best and at my worst. I have nothing to hide from these guys and girls. And the best part is that they still like me no matter what kind of crazy situation or mood I was in over there in AFG. I was super excited to get to surprise them at their hangar on Moody. They were so adorable in their green "onesies".

Having been gone for the past year, I have become a huge fan of getting to spend quality time with people. This first few days of travels allowed me to hang out and really get to know two of the pilots that I got to fly with during my final 3 months of deployment. Without a doubt, I can say that it is because of one these friendships that I was able to make it home in one piece. I am and will be forever grateful.

While visiting in GA, I got to meet 3-day-old Tilly, She is Danielle's new god-daughter. To get to hold a perfectly healthy little baby was so amazing. I can't believe I spent a year without seeing or playing with healthy kids. I am soaking up every minute I can with happy, healthy kids. These kids just make me smile. They make me think that everything I did over there might be worth it one day...or at least make sense...

Honoring the California Fallen

Army Private First Class Alejandro J. Pardo, 21, of Porterville, CA, was assigned to 978th Military Police Company, 93rd Military Police Battalion, Fort Bliss, TX. PFC Pardo died in Maidan Shahr, Afghanistan, of wounds caused by an improvised explosive device.

Also killed were Army SSG Ricardo Seija, Army SPC Erica P. Alecksen, Army SPC Clarence Williams III, Army PFC Trevor B. Adkins and Army PFC Cameron J. Stambaugh.

Sailing With My Parents

Underway with my Dad!

(In my usual serious way.)

 If I can sleep on a turbulent C-130 then I can sleep on the boat!

 Hanging out below deck just before heading out into the SF Bay.

A Day in Santa Cruz With Friends

 Walking in the Pacific Ocean for the first time since coming home.

AMAZING FEELING!!!

Fourth of July in Santa Cruz

In Memoriam

Three years 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!