Brandon was cleaning his rifle tonight after teaching a firearms class all day. We decided to take some pictures to send to Nic making it look like his gun was in pieces and he couldn't put it back together. "Nic can probably do this a lot faster than me now!"

Red Fridays

I received an email and loved this story so I thought I would pass it on.
As a Company, Southwest Airlines is going to support 'Red Fridays.' Last week I was in Atlanta , Georgia attending a conference. While I was in the airport, returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and cheer. I immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest acts of patriotism I have ever seen.
Moving through the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camos. As they began heading to their gate, everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet with their hands waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them, being applauded and cheered for, it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red-blooded American who still loves this country and supports our troops and their families. Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young unsung heroes who are putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school, work and home without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud of my country or of our service men and women, a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years old, ran up to one of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said 'hi.' The little girl then asked him if he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, who didn't look any older than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give to her Daddy. Then suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the biggest hug she could muster and then kissed him on the cheek. The mother of the little girl, who said her daughter's name was Courtney, told the young soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months now. As the mom was explaining how much her daughter Courtney missed her father, the young soldier began to tear up. When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her situation, all of the soldiers huddled together for a brief second.. Then one of the other servicemen pulled out a military-looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device and talking back and forth on it. After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to Courtney, bent down and said this to her, 'I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give this to you.' He then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He finished by saying 'your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you more than anything and he is coming home very soon.'The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young soldier stood to his feet, he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6 feet away from this entire event. As the soldiers began to leave, heading towards their gate, people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked around, there were very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act of selflessness, turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his cheek. We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an American.

Nic and Hillary are on opposite ends of the United States this week. Hillary is on a trip to Southern California for 5 days and sent me this picture. Tomorrow her band plays at Disneyland! Then in two weeks she will be on the opposite coast!

Letter from Nic and vising Mr. J's class

I took Nic's letter to Mr. J's fifth grade class yesterday along with treats. They are all so cute and loved hearing Mr. J read the letter.

Before I write about Nic's letter I just want to say he is such a great son! I am so very proud of him. He has had some disappointments in his life and really deserves to feel good about who he is. It really touches my heart to see him stand tall and proud.

Here are parts of the latest letter:
Thursday, March 19
"Hey family! You have no idea how much I appreciate the Biofreeze! I am in heaven. I just put it on my knees and WOW it's unbelievable how much it helps. I can't thank you enough! I may also need you to bring my white Jordans cause a bunch of us are going to the club the night before AIT! Thanks again for being so willing to send what I need. I really, really appreciate it more than you know!
Saturday, March 21
Today was so much fun. We got to shoot the big weapons. (smiley face) Brandon, I know you are jealous! We shot the Saw, the M240 Bravo, the At-4 Rocket Launcher, M 203 Grenade Launcher! It was so much fun. I absolutely loved it! The whole time I kept thinking how much Brandon would like it!
I cannot believe I am almost done with basic! It seems like it was just yesterday I was saying my goodbyes and getting on that plane, a totally different person then who I am now. I don't know if you have been able to tell a change in me just through the letters, but I know I have changed. Like just the way I handle situations and the way I think about stuff. It's all amazing through because I didn't think I had this amazing of a person bottled up inside me. I'm so glad I brought that Nic out and truly found what I am inside. I can look in the mirror now and know exactly who I am! To tell you the truth, its the greatest feeling ever! I am going to bed. I am absolutely exhausted! I love you guys tons. Can't wait to see you all!
Sunday, March 22
Just got back from morning chow. Getting ready to go to church to see Alex. I can't believe we are in week 8 now. We leave for Victory Forge on Saturday. I miss home and hanging out with you guys, running around with Hayden and just hanging out. I can't wait to see you all. you have no idea how much I want to see you all!
(later that day) Today was a great day! It was fun. We got to buy our company t-shirts and hoodies, etc. I am so excited to graduate and see you guys. So I need to ask if I can borrow two hours while you guys are here because a bunch of the guys want to get together and play football. Also we can hang out in the park and play soccer and have a picnic. I will love that. We have our final PT test tomorrow. I know I will pass, I just need to push myself. I know I can do it. So, wish me luck. I love you all very, very much! Love, your soldier son, Private First Class Fowler

Info about Victory Forge:
one squads experience

An excerpt from baseops.net:
Victory Forge ends at night, and the soldiers gather around a forge. Flames spew from the top as the battalion commander puts the soldiers' experiences into perspective. He holds up a rod of iron and likens it to them when they arrived at Fort Jackson -- metal with a lot of potential but unshaped. But then, he says, they went through the fires of Victory Forge. And as he speaks, he reaches into the forge and pulls out a sword. Then the drill sergeants go down the line and congratulate the soldiers. "When the drill sergeants walk down the line and tell [the soldiers] they've 'done good,' many of them break down," Van Alstyne said. "They are being told this by someone they really respect. It means a lot to them."

Letter from Alex

This is a picture from Alex' website. We think that's him in the background. First person on the left!
Since Nic and Alex have been completely connected for so many years, most of you know him and have asked how he is doing. I thought you might like to read the letter I got today.
Dear Heidi,
I just wanted to take a minute to write you a quick thank you letter. I just want to thank you for all the pictures and things you've sent me. I told Nic today at church that if he called you to thank you for me but then I got this free time so I decided to do it myself. Hayden's getting big! Its crazy how fast we all grow up. It seems like last week we were working on the truck and playing halo and now I am planning on getting married and am in the army. I miss my family. I love it when my mom writes me. It makes my day everytime! I miss Kenzie and Kendrick also. I worry about him all the time now because me and Nic are gone plus he's living somewhere different. But at least their soccer team are state champs. They went 19-0 last season so maybe he'll win his senior year unlike us. lol. oh well. Take care of ya guys and love you all.

nic sent me pix from his phone!

wow, two letters, a phone call and pictures! Today is like Christmas. He got to call from his cell phone for 5 minutes. I asked him to send me a picture of him if he ever got to use his cell. It is AWESOME to see him. Guess he really is in the army and not at soccer camp.
He sounded (and looks) really tired. He said he is ready for this part to be over, but its going good.

2 fun things today

This came in the mail today. Its a postcard on light weight cardboard.
It says: "hey mom and family, This is the back of the M.R.E. box. how cool is that huh? I thought you guys would like this. lol. so not much for a long letter but just that it came on an M.R.E. well, hope you're doing good. Love you tons. Love Nic."
How fun. It made us smile. It reminds me of the cardboard boxes he and Robert Hoggan lived in a couple of years ago.

Then, he wrote a letter to Mr. J and his fifth grade class. I just mailed it a week ago Friday. I am impressed he got it and wrote back so quickly. Here are some parts from it:
"Mr. J. and class,
Thank you for all the letters. I really enjoyed getting them. It made me smile reading them and remembering when I was in Mr. J.'s class. wow time flies. Make sure you all live your life to the fullest and live every moment. I will try and answer each one of your letters."
(Nic wrote about a 1/2 page to each of the students that asked him questions. I'm just going to write a few things I thought everyone might like to know and I am not going to put the kids names)
All of the letters he writes start with him thanking them for writing to him and for their support.

"being in the army is different. It's pretty fun for the most part but yes, we have our boring days. Yes, all we wear every day is a camo uniform which is called an ACU (army combat uniform). Yes, when it's cold I have a heavy field jacket. Yes, we have spices for our food. We have seasonal, salt, pepper and sugar. Our drinks are like flavored water. lol. What did I do yesterday? I did an assault course where I got to kick in doors and all that fun stuff and tomorrow I get to throw grenades.

No, we don't get to play sports. We can run around the track or do pushups and situps. I usually do about 200 pushups a day. Yes, I have eated M.R.E.s about 20 times. I love them. When they wake me up they just come over the intercom just like what you have at your school and wake us up. If we sleep in we don't get to sleep the next night.

I'm not sure what fort Jackson is like because we are locked down to the training area, but as far as where I am, it's very nice and very green. It rains A LOT! We wear all the heavy equipment so we get used to it because in Iraq we have to wear it all day. We sleep so close to our rifles just for practice in case I was in Iraq and got attacked I would be able to get it asap.

I'm not into books too much. I love the Harry Potter books and my favorite is My Side of the Mountain! That has always been my favorite and I read it in Mr. J's class. Does he still have you guys read it?

I hope I get a pillow soon, but I am getting used to not having one. 250 pushups isn't too bad. You just break them up and just keep thinking "never quit!" I would give anything to have school food over this food. Do you guys still get the hot dogs with mashed potatoes and cheese? That was my favorite. That's way cool you are graduating D.A.R.E. Good job! Remember follow your dreams. You can do anything you set your mind too!

No, I don't have a camera. I am not allowed to but when I graduate I will have my mom take pictures and bring them to your class. That is so funny the boys fell asleep. If people fall asleep here you have to do tons of pushups.

That is so cool that you want to join the air force. The military is a great career and will take care of you. Just follow your dreams.

It's not bad not having a pillow just because I have gotten used to it. I absolutely love the army. It's the greatest choice I have ever made. It's hard but it's making me a soldier. Its both hot and cold here. Its crazy. No, my clothes aren't all heavy, just the stuff I add to them. They are extremely comfortable.

Thank you all for writing me. I really appreciate it. I hope school is going good and you are enjoying it! Just remember you all can do anything you want to. Just set your mind to it! Never give up. I would have never thought when I was your age that I would be where I am today. Just live your life to the fullest and have no regrets. If I can when I am home I will come visit you all. I will have my mom bring pictures in. Sincerely, PFC Fowler"

What a great guy! I am really proud of him for writing to them. He did an awesome job.

phone call from nic

I talked to Nic this morning! It was a great surprise to hear his voice out of the blue like that. He was calling to check our travel plans and make sure we had a place to stay as requested by his commander. It was very quiet in the background, unlike the chaos there usually is. Sounded as tho it was an assigned call and he had a checklist to cover. lol
Always great to hear his voice. He said to tell everyone hello. This ends his first week of blue phase! He takes his PT test Tuesday and said he will get to call if he passes that.

new pix on nic's company website

I LOVE that there is a website for soldiers in basic training. It is really fun to see pictures of what Nic is doing and how he looks. Its funny to get emails from so many people that have "nic sightings" in the pictures. They all look alike! lol
The pictures on Alex' site show a lot of different things. Nic said in his letter that every soldier does the exact same things and are all issued the same items (except some have pillows!). So, take a look at Alex' pix too and see more of what they both are doing. I bet they are having a blast.
Nic LOVES going shooting with Brandon and now gets to shoot all the time. Nic was excited for week 7 (the newest pictures) because they were going to do things similar to what Brandon has shown him from SWAT training. "Going paintballing" just took on a whole new meaning!

Fifth Graders Write to Nic

If you ask me, Nic and Hillary who our favorite teacher was in school, we will all say Mr. Jeppsen from Lakeview. He is an outstanding teacher and I was really glad when they both had him too. I sent Mr. J. an email this week and asked if he would have his fifth graders write a short letter to Nic. I thought it would be really fun for Nic to get, plus fun for the kids to write to someone in the military. I told them a few of the things Nic had written in his letters. I picked the letters up yesterday afterschool and they are wonderful. Its great to read what they are interested in.
Here are just some parts:

They all start out "Dear Nic Fowler,"
How is it without a pillow? Do you like it in the army, is it hard? Are all your clothes really heavy? Well, i'm just glad your the one protecting us, your a good guy.

I've wanted to join the Air Force and be a technician (I hope I spelled it right). How is it going in Carolina? What gun do you carry? I can't wait til you graduate!

I hope you have a great time in the military. We hope you don't get injured. Will you go to war?

How is the weather there? Are you sleeping well? I hope you get a pillow soon. Is it beautiful there? Do you have a camera? If so please send pictures. Yesterday we went to the Utah Symphony. A whole row of boys fell asleep. It was hillarious. That day my parents asked what I learned today and I said, "boys fall asleep easily".

Hope you get a pillow soon! How is 250 pushups everytime you talk? I would die before I did 20. No books or magazines there? That would be HORRIBLE! especially without Twilight. How is the cafeteria food? I think school food is GROSS. Good luck with graduation. We are going to graduate DARE soon. That is so cool you followed your dream since you were 11.

I'm sorry you don't have a pillow. You go on hikes with 1000 pounds? I can't even go around the block on my bike! (note: i told them all the stuff he has to carry and wear on hikes...I guess he thought it sounded like it weighs A LOT)

I'm so thankful for what your doing for our country. What's fort jackson like? What meals do they serve in the cafeteria? I'm so sorry that you don't get a pillow. I was wondering why do you have to wear such heavy stuff? Why do you have to sleep two inches away from your rifle?

Do you ever get to play sports? I would like to know what you eat. Do you ever eat M.R.E.s? How do the people there wake you up? What happens if you sleep in?

What is it like being in an army camp? Is it fun or boring? Do you get to wear uniforms? Do they give you a jacket when its cold? Do you get spices for your food? What kind of drinks do you get there? What did you do yesterday? (these are just a few of his questions)

Aren't they great? I love them! Thanks Mr. J's class!

Nic's company website has new pictures. It shows them getting their class A uniforms. Everytime new pictures load I search for someone that looks like him...problem is they all do!
We got to talk to Nic last Sunday for 3 minutes. Short call but every second is wonderful. He sounds great and is excited for graduation.
If you have gotten a letter from Nic and would like to share it please send me an email.

The best letter yet!

I have decided getting a letter from Nic is like the golden ticket in the Wonka bar! Today's letter is several days in one again. Here are a few parts from each day.

Sunday, Feb. 22
This page starts out, "So I had a huge reality check tonight...". They were shown two movie clips of soldiers being killed by I.E.D.s. He said it hit him really hard and now he wants to learn everything he possibly can to keep himself safe. The rest of the night was a struggle for him.
"The day even started out as a way good day too because I got to spend a couple of hours with Alex! It was the greatest thing ever to see him".

Monday, Feb. 23
"Today was a much better day! We started shooting and switched to white phase! We did grouping today which is where you put 5 shots in a 4cm circle and I put six dead center of the mass in a qtr size circle. I have to do stupid fire guard tonight! Its the most stupid thing ever cause it's two hours long and I absolutely hate it! But, oh well, everyone has to. One more thing that sucks is we don't even have and freaking pillows because they ran out!"

Tuesday, Feb. 24
"Today was fun. We shot our M-16 from 0900-1700 hours! It was so great. "

Friday, Feb. 27
I had sent Nic a ton of questions to answer:
1. Do you like the food? Depends on the day. My favorite three things are beef stew, chicken patties, spaghetti, and there are lima beans every day! Heaven!
2. Do the drill sgts yell all the time? Depends on if we get in trouble, but not as much as they used to.
3. Have you seen Alex? Yes, I saw him at church last week. It was so good to see him. He looks way different with his glasses (military issue). He is doing good.
4. Whats your favorite thing you have done? Probably shooting and hand to hand combatives. They are both way fun and I really enjoy it. Least favorite is getting smoked when it's pouring rain and getting soaked. (I think "getting smoked" means getting in a lot of trouble)
5. Do you get free time! Yes, about an hour to 2 every night. Sundays is pretty much our day usually. I just chill with my battle buddies or write letters. By the way, I love getting letters so much and the more pictures the better.
6. Who are some people you get along with so we can watch for them on the website? Ford, Fichter, Klabones, Hollingsworth, Dias. I should have pictures on there soon because I have seen them taking my picture and video.
7. Have you had to clean the bathrooms? yes
8. Have you gotten in trouble? NEGATIVE
9. Do they have mail call everyday? yes, if we have time.
10. Who have you gotten mail from? mom, grandma, morgan, katie and aunt kelly's family
11. Do you get your cell phone? yes, but don't know when. lol.
12. Are you used to the schedule? yes, finally
13. Do you have your rank on your uniform? yes and it's way cool!
14. Are you tired of wearing camo? "are you kidding? Hell no! I love it. Lol "
15. Did you throw up during the gas chamber? No, it didn't really affect me as bad as it did other people.
16. Did it hurt when they did the I.V. in you? noway. didn't even feel it, but when I was putting the needle in I could feel it puncture the skin and like a pop feeling in the vain (way cool)
17. Is your rifle really cool? Hell yes! oh and Brandon should be proud of me. Today we went to the range where the targets pop up and you have a time limit. The targets were at 75m, 175m, and 300m. I hit 40 out of 40! Best in my platoon! (60 people)
18. Do you have it (your rifle) with you all the time? Yes, if you forget it you have to carry "big bertha" which is an M16 just like mine only 15 times normal size and weighs about 50lbs! No I haven't experienced it.
19. What bases to you want to get assigned to? Ft. Louis, Washington, Hawaii or England

Sunday, 3/1
"So, yesterday was a long and VERY cold day! I have never seen it rain so much and so hard for so long. It rained downways and crossways and diagonal ways and this one tie it was like it was coming from the ground! Its sunday morning and I'm hanging out in the laundry room because I am waiting to do laundry because I have zero clean uniforms! I know you are thinking I should have washed them earlier...lol...and ya, i probably should have! I got to see Alex today so I'm pretty excited. Thats pretty much what I look forward to all week long!"
He says he will be glad when he can move onto AIT because basic is starting to get really old. He is "getting really sick and tired of people not getting disciplined and getting us all in trouble. I mean week five is starting and people still talk in formation and can't keep their mouths shut!"
"We did the worst thing ever last night! We got in trouble so we had to do 50/50 fireguard so half the bay was up for two hours then switch and do that all night. We had to do it in full battle rattle, which consists of your helmet, your vest with both plates in and your weapon. It was miserable!"
"So this letter is extremely long because I think I will be stuck in the laundry forever. From now on I am going to start sending my laundry out cause they have a laundry service where I can send it out and I will get it back all pressed and folded! Someone just said there is 38 days til family day!"
He ends his letter with, "I just want you to know how much I appreciate all you guys are doing for me, like sending me tons of letters! Because it makes this so much easier so write me as much as you possibly can! It makes my whole day to have a letter every night! Something for me to always look forward to so I really really really appreciate it so never feel like you are writing me too many letters because the more the better! Tell everyone I would love to hear from them too. Tell everyone hi and that I am doing good. I will talk to you next Sunday, hopefully!..."

We talked to Nic!

Nic called today from his cell phone! It was so wonderful to hear his voice. He sounded really good and seems to be doing well. He has seen Alex two Sundays in a row and was excited about that. They are getting a lot of rain and he said its a monsoon there!
As long as they don't get in trouble for anything, he should be able to call every Sunday from now on.