Thirteen-year-old Stephanie Fowlie held a sign welcome-home sign yesterday at Logan International Airport for Master Sergeant Oinkers.
That nickname for her father — Master Sergeant Kenneth Fowlie — apparently stuck after she mailed him a miniature pig she had made in school while he was deployed in Iraq with the Massachusetts Air National Guard 102d Security Forces Squadron.
At Logan, Stephanie joined hundreds of other people, many of whom cried tears of joy and waved American flags, welcoming their loved ones home after the six-month deployment.
“I get to spend time with him,’’ she said with a smile before the squadron entered the terminal shortly before noon. “I get to go out to eat with him.’’
She also got to give him a hug when he arrived.
Other family members were also on hand to give Fowlie, 43, of Wareham, a warm welcome. His wife, Lynn, 42, said she was overjoyed that her husband returned safely as their son, Kenneth, 14, sat nearby.
“It was a long six months,’’ said Lynn, adding that she took comfort in their conversations via Skype. “Every day he talked to me.’’
As for her husband, he appeared elated — and a bit overwhelmed — yesterday. He said the beginning of the deployment in Baghdad remains fresh in his mind.
“It’s kind of surreal,’’ he said. “I’m just trying to get acclimated. . . . It seems like just yesterday that we did it.’’
His squadron, based at Otis, provided security for Sather Air Base, according to Colonel Anthony Schiavi, commander of the 102d Intelligence Wing. He said the 102d has been deployed overseas several times in recent years.
“They’ve been stressed since 9/11,’’ he said. “But they continue to keep the bar high.’’
Senior Master Sergeant Brian Eastman, 41, of Sandwich, shared a long embrace with his wife, Glenda.
“We go out there with a job to do, and we’re glad to do it,’’ said Eastman, who has now completed his third overseas deployment in the past four years. “You stay focused on the mission . . . but this is the day we’re all after.’’
Eastman said this last deployment was harder on his family than the previous two, in part because his children, Savannah, 13, and Nick, 8, have grown older.
“They’re involved during the whole thing’’ now, he said.
Glenda Eastman said she is thrilled that her husband has returned safely to “put our family whole.’’
“Our chair just hasn’t been sitting quite the same with one of its legs missing,’’ she said.
Glenda said she had a party planned for last night with her neighbors, who provided invaluable support in her husband’s absence, “whether it’s snow blowing, rides to hockey. I would like to celebrate them, as well as Brian’s coming home.’’
Forty-two members of the squadron were on the most recent deployment, Schiavi said. A formal welcoming ceremony is scheduled for tomorrow at the base.
KUNDUZ, Afghanistan — Forget the drones, laser-guided bombs and eye-popping satellite imagery. For the average soldier, the most significant change to modern warfare might just boil down to instant chatting.
Articles in this series are chronicling the yearlong deployment of the First Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, based in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan. The series follows the battalion’s part in the surge in northern Afghanistan and the impact of war on individual soldiers and their families back home.
A gunner inside an armored vehicle types furiously on a BlackBerry, so engrossed in text-messaging his girlfriend in the United States that he has forgotten to watch for enemy movement.
A medic watches her computer screen with something approaching rapture as her 2-year-old son in Florida scrambles in and out of view before planting wet kisses on the camera lens, 7,500 miles away.
A squad leader who has just finished directing gunfire against insurgents finds a quiet place inside his combat outpost, whips out his iPhone and dashes off an instant message to his wife back home. “All is well,” he tells her, adding, “It’s been busy.”
The communication gap that once kept troops from staying looped into the joyful, depressing, prosaic or sordid details of home life has all but disappeared. With advances in cellular technology, wider Internet access and the infectious use of social networking sites like Facebook, troops in combat zones can now communicate with home nearly around the clock.
They can partake in births and birthdays in real time. They can check sports scores, take online college courses and even manage businesses and stock portfolios.
But there is a drawback: they can no longer tune out problems like faulty dishwashers and unpaid electric bills, wayward children and failing relationships, as they once could.
The Pentagon, which for years resisted allowing unfettered Internet access on military computers because of cyber-security concerns, has now embraced the revolution, saying instant communication is a huge morale boost for troops and their families. But military officials quietly acknowledge a downside to the connectivity.
Some commanders worry that troops are playing with iPhones and BlackBerrys (as well as Game Boys and MP3 players) when they should be working, though such devices are strictly forbidden on foot patrols.
More common are concerns that the problems of home are seeping inexorably into frontline life, creating distractions for people who should be focusing on staying safe.
“It’s powerful for good, but it can also be powerful for bad when you’re hearing near real time about problems at home,” said Col. Chris Philbrick, director of the Army’s suicide prevention task force. “It forces you to literally keep your head in two games at one time when your head should be in just one game, in Iraq or Afghanistan.”
It took the military several years to come to terms with both the cyber-security and safety issues. Initially, the Pentagon banned access to social networking sites. But when officials realized that they were falling behind the times and angering young Web-savvy troops, they conducted a study and determined there was more to be gained by allowing access. Classified-network computers still have no access to social networking sites.
To see the upside of a well-connected force, one need look no further than the Morale, Welfare and Recreation building, fondly known as the M.W.R., at Forward Operating Base Kunduz, home to the First Battalion, 87th Infantry for the past year. [Continued]
16.896 Sale or contractual operation of state-owned heating, cooling, and power plants. (1) Notwithstanding ss. 13.48 (14) (am) and 16.705 (1), the department may sell any state-owned heating, cooling, and power plant or may contract with a private entity for the operation of any such plant, with or without solicitation of bids, for any amount that the department determines to be in the best interest of the state. Notwithstanding ss. 196.49 and 196.80, no approval or certification of the public service commission is necessary for a public utility to purchase, or contract for the operation of, such a plant, and any such purchase is considered to be in the public interest and to comply with the criteria for certification of a project under s. 196.49 (3) (b).
Quote by TriSec:
Morning folks....peeking in today.
I've got the BBC on, it's all Libya all the time. Khadafi has put the clamps on tight though, very little news is getting out, even from Al-jazeera.
You've no doubt heard by now of defections of fighter jets to Malta rather than bomb their own people?
Quote by Raine:
Oh Shit, Chris JUST stepped into it. In New York, Cairo is pronounced 'care-0"
Cairo is a town in Greene County, New York, United States. The population was 6,355 at the 2000 census.[1] The town is in the south part of the county, partly in the Catskill Park. Cairo is named after Cairo in Egypt, but is pronounced "Care-o" (/ˈkɛəroʊ/).
Quote by wickedpam:
Like the syrup?
Quote by velveeta jones:
Morning all!
My sincere apologies for no Sunday blog.
Long story short: called into work SUPER early - like 7am. Only now recovering....
Quote by wickedpam:
yeah, I don't really think she's a dem
Quote by Raine:She must have one of those private sector jobs from Freedomworks to call into liberal stations....Quote by wickedpam:
yeah, I don't really think she's a dem
Quote by TriSec:
Morning folks....peeking in today.
I've got the BBC on, it's all Libya all the time. Khadafi has put the clamps on tight though, very little news is getting out, even from Al-jazeera.
You've no doubt heard by now of defections of fighter jets to Malta rather than bomb their own people?
Quote by TriSec:
Well dayum.
You may have missed the latest pirate act of Somalia; a US yacht full of missionaries was captured a few days ago.
BBC just broke that the US Navy has retaken the vessel, only to find the 4 American hostages shot dead. 13 pirates captured, more killed after a "running firefight".
I'm a little freaked out today...it's feeling kinda "end-timey" around here.
Quote by wickedpam:
oh lord, Billy needs another hobby besides calling the show
Quote by BobR:
Holy crap - The pictures of the earthquake in New Zealand are amazing
The last time Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker ® went after public sector unions it had “disastrous results†for him and for taxpayers. As Milwaukee County Executive in 2009, Walker tried to get rid of the unionized security guards at the county courthouse and replace them with contractors, which he promised would save the county money. The County Board rejected the idea, but in March of 2010 Walker “unilaterally ordered it,†claiming there was a budget emergency. Walker hired the British security contractor Wackenhut — of Kabul Embassy sex scandal fame — to replace the guards. Unfortunately for Walker and Milwaukee taxpayers, an arbiter later ruled that Walker had overstepped his authority, and ordered the county to reinstate the unionized workers, pay backwages, and pay tens-of-thousands of dollars in arbiter fees.
Quote by TriSec:
A word on New Zealand....
As the resident disaster geek, there's a new term I want you all to look up.
"Liquefaction".
This is what happened to Christchurch. (And historically, in several Japanese and Mexican earthquakes, as well as the Good Friday quake in Alaska.)
Quote by Raine:
I had been looking for any busses going to Wisconsin to support the protesters, but yesterday, Ed Shultz mentioned that they don't want people from out of state. that actually makes sense.
Quote by Scoopster:
Morning all : & HappyMondeeTuesdee!Quote by Raine:
I had been looking for any busses going to Wisconsin to support the protesters, but yesterday, Ed Shultz mentioned that they don't want people from out of state. that actually makes sense.
They're doing localized solidarity protests instead.. In fact I'm going to one here in Providence right after work tonite! Check with your various local political groups, workers rights group & unions (i.e. SEIU/Jobs with Justice, AFL-CIO, OFA) to find out when they're planning a gathering down there.
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Scoopster:
Morning all : & HappyMondeeTuesdee!Quote by Raine:
I had been looking for any busses going to Wisconsin to support the protesters, but yesterday, Ed Shultz mentioned that they don't want people from out of state. that actually makes sense.
They're doing localized solidarity protests instead.. In fact I'm going to one here in Providence right after work tonite! Check with your various local political groups, workers rights group & unions (i.e. SEIU/Jobs with Justice, AFL-CIO, OFA) to find out when they're planning a gathering down there.
psst, VA is a right to work state
Quote by Raine:there is one in Annapolis today, But I don;t have the truck.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Scoopster:
Morning all : & HappyMondeeTuesdee!Quote by Raine:
I had been looking for any busses going to Wisconsin to support the protesters, but yesterday, Ed Shultz mentioned that they don't want people from out of state. that actually makes sense.
They're doing localized solidarity protests instead.. In fact I'm going to one here in Providence right after work tonite! Check with your various local political groups, workers rights group & unions (i.e. SEIU/Jobs with Justice, AFL-CIO, OFA) to find out when they're planning a gathering down there.
psst, VA is a right to work state
Mala is right, we got nuttin' here.
Quote by Raine:there is one in Annapolis today, But I don;t have the truck.Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Scoopster:
Morning all : & HappyMondeeTuesdee!Quote by Raine:
I had been looking for any busses going to Wisconsin to support the protesters, but yesterday, Ed Shultz mentioned that they don't want people from out of state. that actually makes sense.
They're doing localized solidarity protests instead.. In fact I'm going to one here in Providence right after work tonite! Check with your various local political groups, workers rights group & unions (i.e. SEIU/Jobs with Justice, AFL-CIO, OFA) to find out when they're planning a gathering down there.
psst, VA is a right to work state
Mala is right, we got nuttin' here.
Quote by wickedpam:
Allen reached out to VA Tea Party
shocker
Quote by Scoopster:MubarakWalker and his oppressive regime are now blocking the internet.
The Capitol internet service, which restricts access to certain websites considered inappropriate for lawmakers, revealed a "blocked page" when users tried to access the site using the building's wireless system.
Users were able to access the site elsewhere.
Quote by livingonli:
Mike Papantonio and Sam Seder are doing the Ed Schultz show right now.
Quote by BobR:Quote by Scoopster:
Goth dude bites Corporate goons!
Awesome story..
Love it!
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
Allen reached out to VA Tea Party
shocker
IOW, Macacca reached around to the Koch brothers....
Quote by Raine:Ditto!Quote by BobR:Quote by Scoopster:
Goth dude bites Corporate goons!
Awesome story..
Love it!
And DAYM that house is beautiful!
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Ditto!Quote by BobR:Quote by Scoopster:
Goth dude bites Corporate goons!
Awesome story..
Love it!
And DAYM that house is beautiful!
I know right, I want that house :)
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
Allen reached out to VA Tea Party
shocker
IOW, Macacca reached around to the Koch brothers....
you had to know he would, almost as long as I've lived in this state he's tried for some kinda office
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Ditto!Quote by BobR:Quote by Scoopster:
Goth dude bites Corporate goons!
Awesome story..
Love it!
And DAYM that house is beautiful!
I know right, I want that house :)
So does Well Fargo, it seems.
Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) offered some advice to troubled starlet Lindsay Lohan Tuesday, saying that the actress should seek "guidance from some people that care about her."
Speaking with "America's Morning News" on the Talk Radio Network, Brown said he "thinks about" Lohan "a lot," and that he would like a chance to tell her "you can do better and be better."
Quote by wickedpam:
Raine - yeah some teabagger still do but the ones in Lorton love him
Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
Raine - yeah some teabagger still do but the ones in Lorton love him
Why won;t they EVER go away after they lose?
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
Raine - yeah some teabagger still do but the ones in Lorton love him
Why won;t they EVER go away after they lose?
I wish he would - he's the guy that promised to get rid of the property tax on cars when he was gov, then when he cut it he never proposed where we would get the tax revenue to cover the missing money
Quote by TriSec:
That's my Scott! Isn't he dreamy? And he's *sooooooooo* concerned about people, you can tell.
Hat, meet ass.
Remember: "compromise" means that you ask nicely if Republicans can use a condom when they fuck you in the ass and then Republicans call you "whore," fuck you without one, and demand that you say you love their cocks.
Quote by livingonli:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Quote by wickedpam:
Raine - yeah some teabagger still do but the ones in Lorton love him
Why won;t they EVER go away after they lose?
I wish he would - he's the guy that promised to get rid of the property tax on cars when he was gov, then when he cut it he never proposed where we would get the tax revenue to cover the missing money
They really don't think where the money is going to come form when they cut taxes.
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Looks like the Brothers Koch have their hands in Walker's budget repair bill.16.896 Sale or contractual operation of state-owned heating, cooling, and power plants. (1) Notwithstanding ss. 13.48 (14) (am) and 16.705 (1), the department may sell any state-owned heating, cooling, and power plant or may contract with a private entity for the operation of any such plant, with or without solicitation of bids, for any amount that the department determines to be in the best interest of the state. Notwithstanding ss. 196.49 and 196.80, no approval or certification of the public service commission is necessary for a public utility to purchase, or contract for the operation of, such a plant, and any such purchase is considered to be in the public interest and to comply with the criteria for certification of a project under s. 196.49 (3) (b).
Scott's WORSE than a dick.