The cycle continues...

"We Eat Our Own." That's one of the unofficial slogans of AFN. See, we have such a high turn-rate when it comes to news, that many people (mostly new) can't handle the pressure. That's what happened to one of the people I work with here.

She's a fairly new Airman, and this is her first experience working with AFN, and the"beast" that is the news section. Simply put, she's been the backbone of our news section for a while, often suffering for the shortcomings of others by having to pick up their slack. Well...a few days ago, she almost broke.

I knew where she was headed, because I could see the signs (remember back when I was in Korea? Go back to my October 9th, 2006 post to see what I mean). http://lanceheinzelman.blogspot.com/2006/10/its-getting-tougher.html

So I, along with some of our other smoker friends, took her outside to let her vent to us. And she did. A lot! I gave her some advice based on my experiences (in Korea funnily enough), and she said it hlped her out.

Once she got it all out, she started feeling a little better, and then when she went inside, she had a talk with everyone in her shop. And you know what? They listened, and policy has changed! Now, they all do their share (which includes giving me radio version of their news stories ((somehting I'd been asking for since we got here, but people were too lazy to do, and this Airman was the only one consistantly giving me stuff)) and splitting up the stories, so one person osn't carrying the newscast for the better part of a week).

I'm happy that she's not so stressed out. It was good to be the responsive NCO and friend. Now I just hope she can keep going with it the rest of the time she's here.

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My time here is drawing to a close, and I can almost count the number of weeks until I get to be back with Vanessa again on one hand. I just paid for the internet again, so that means in a month, my service will end, and I don't know if I'm going to pay for another month if I'm only going to be around for a few days of it...we'll see. I'm just writing that, so if I don't talk to anyone online, or if you don't see email or posts from me for a few weeks (nothing you're not used to lately), that you won't freak out.

I really miss home. Vanessa is great about talking to me most nights, and that keeps my sanity going. I don't have much to complain about, seeing as how I have the easiest (to me) job at AFN. Still, it will be nice to be in her arms again. There's just something about being in her arms, lying in bed looking at her, gazing into those greenish pools and longing to know what thoughts are being created behind them. Seeing her smile, and feeling that God mad that moment just for you. So much I miss, and will get to experience again..."only a little while longer," I tell her.

It also fills my heart with sunshine and rainbows to know that she is now in a place that is helping her heal from the emotional maltreatment she received as a result of working at AFN K-Town. Enough said on that without getting me into trouble. Now she is working with counselors to deal with things that happened to her in the past, and it is hard for her. I understand, and am doing what I can to be "there" for her until I can be there for her.

So, God is great, because we're now both in a good place, and will be together again soon.

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Speaking of being home soon...it's time for me to start packing up what belongings I have here, to be shipped back to Germany. So, for all of you who have been sending me little CARE packages, please hold off. I'm worried that I might not get anything sent, and that would be sad.

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So that's my latest update...sorry again for taking a while.


ULI







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Immortalized In Art...

Yesterday was Veteran's Day. A day to reflect, remember, and recognize those who have served America while wearing the uniform of a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, or Coast Guardsman.

I am actually the product of a military heritage. My father, and his father served during wartime. My wife shares a similar history. And now it is our turn...

And that brings me to some neat-o news. I was featured in one of my favorite online comic strips, "Electronic Tigers." A while back I won a contest from the comic's creators, and the prize was to be featured in a strip. My only request was that I be in uniform, and that my appearance would be a tribute to all who serve. SO...the strip artist and storyteller put me in their very special Veteran's Day strip. There is even a tribute in the comic to a world famous WWII photo of a sailor returning home featuring me and one of the comic's main characters. You can see it at:

http://comicstripclub.com/2008/11/11/happy-veterans-day/.

Thanks to Mike (Hapajap) for his incredible work.

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Vanessa started her time at WTU today. I'm very happy for her, now she can focus on herself, and her future, rather than worrying about people she's supposed to depend on, hurting her. Once again, thanks for all the prayers and well wishes.

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I'm doing fine, and with only a few weeks to go, I'm anxious to get home.

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ULI



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