HUNTER - 1 STEP CLOSER TO HOME

Hunter will be leaving Baharia tomorrow for the last time. He will be headed to Camp Al Taqaddum (Camp TQ). He is scheduled to leave TQ on August 25th for a short stay in Kuwait, and then home to Camp Lejuene, NC by the first part of September. Below is a link to what life will be like for Hunter at Camp TQ for the next month or so:

Life on TQ

Hunter will be in the advance party of 20 Marines coming home to prepare for the other 260 to follow a week or two later. He may be able to take a short leave, but will be preparing the buildings and offices for the other Marines to be able to come back to Camp Lejuene.

I will update the blog when he gives us a more definite schedule of his arrival date in NC.

Another Westling Match

Wrestling

HUNTER'S ADDRESS IN IRAQ

Hunter arrived in Baharia safely last week. His daily job while not on missions is the responsibility of keeping 3 HUMVEE and 3 MRAP vehicles operational and maintained properly. He shares this duty with one of his friends from Camp Lejeune.

Hunter has access to a satellite phone, and can purchase 180 minutes on calling cards for about $20 or so. So, he has already been able to call me a few times. I asked that he remain in close contact via phone, email or Facebook posts so we don't worry. He said he would try to make contact a few times a week.

To date he has been on one mission, and provided security for a team that was doing some civil affairs work there in Baharia. The team's interpreter is a native of Baghdad and rides in Hunter's vehicle along with his co-driver and gunner.

Hunter would love to receive letters or care packages. The size of box sent should be about a shoe box size. You can send up to a 12"x12"x12" size, but they frown on much larger than that. It takes about 1 week for packages to be delivered.

His address is as follows:

LCPL Gilkenson, Hunter R.
2/10 DET 3 TEAM 1
Unit 73349
FPO AE09509-3349

Hunter Deploying Today

Hunter is deploying to Iraq. He will travel (wheels up about 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time today) from NC to Kuwait where he will be briefed and given an orientation. Then he will travel on to Baharia, Iraq by next week. His unit's orders as of today is to relieve a unit that has been serving in Baharia. Their function at the base there is to back up the Iraqi Army as needed. Later in the 13-18 month deployment they are hoping that their job focus becomes dismantling the U.S. base there.

Hunter's main job will be as a driver. Any time they leave the base it will be in a convoy of 3-4 vehicles. He will either be driving an "armored up" HUMVEE or an MRAP (see picture). Keep your fingers crossed for the MRAP, as these armored vehicles have had over 2,400 hostile incidence with zero fatalities. One of these vehicles ran over a 500# roadside bomb that blew the wheels off, and sent the engine 300 feet from the vehicle. Then every Marine got out and walked away. There were a few minor injuries, and the most severe was the driver with some broken ribs. They later found out he didn't have his seat belt on. So, we want Hunter in this vehicle with his seat belt on!

I will update the blog once Hunter contacts us from overseas. As for now; please pray for Hunter's safety as he travels, and for the entire time he is deployed.

Merry Christmas

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Mom & Dad Update From Luzern

To All,

We arrived in Luzern Saturday evening after a tour of Bern and a cheese factory. It was a beautiful drive through the rolling hills of the farm country with mountains in the background. We are staying at the spectular hotel Schweizerhof overlooking lake Luzern. Today we took a guided tour of the old city with its medevial archetecture. I took many pictures of the buildings especially for Matthew. This type of archetecture you will never see in the USA. This afternoon is free time to rest and roam as we please. Tonight is our farewell dinner. We take a boat trip across the lake to a fine resturant and have a group picture taken.

Our plan for tommorrow, Lord willing, is to get up early and take the tour bus to Zurich Airport. We will then pick up the shuttle bus to Zurich Airport Hilton. We are not sure yet if we will go into the city of Zurich. It depends on how we feel. Please pray that the Lord will give us the extra strength needed to handle our luggage during the airport transfer.

We leave the hotel early Tuesday morning for the return flight. We are looking forward to seeing you all soon.

Love,

Mom and Dad

NOTE FROM MOM AND DAD

Hi Everyone,

Here it is Friday and we do not know where the time has gone. We are having a great time and both of us are keeping well. Praise the Lord for His goodness. We went to the top of the European World today to the observation point for jungfrau at 11,323 ft and we both were not short of breath. Unfortunately, we were up in the clouds and it was snowing, however we saw the ice palace which was spectacular. Then the sun came out for a short period and we were able to see one of over 700 glaciers in Switzerland. We leave tomorrow for Bern and the next two days in Luzern. We love you all and will be glad to see you all again. Send this on to others as you see fit.

Love Ya,

Mom and Dad

Mom and Dad at Lake Lugano

Mom & Dad (Grandma & Grandpa) sent this note, and mentioned not having some email addresses with them. So, I thought I would post for all. Please find email below:

All,

Staying on Lake Lugano at a beautiful hotel looking over the lake and mountains. The scenery in the Alps is breathtaking. We are getting some great pictures. We plan to take a boat ride around the lake Lugano today, then on to St Moritz tomorrow. Will update you later.

Please pass this on, I do not have John or Lauren e-mail address.

Love Ya,

Mom & Dadd

Hanna Update

I received word from Hunter today that he is fine. They had no damage at Camp Lejeune. Hunter said that the storm was pretty bad and the winds were high, but nothing that was too damaging.

Thank you for keeping Hunter in your prayers now, and for the remainder of his military carrier.