Wayne's World 2005: Wrapped in the Arms of Love

Staff SGT Donald Wayne West, Jr., enlisted in the United States Army National Guard on September 11, 2001. As part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Company A of the 150th Combat Engineers served active duty Aug 29, 2004, until Dec 30, 2005. SSGT West returned to college in January, 2006. He married Lauren Ritchie June 9, 2006, at Seaside, Fla., and they have three children. SSGT West completed military service at Camp Minden, LA on Aug 23, 2009.

Saturday, December 31, 2005

Wrapped in the Arms of Love

Among the women most happy to see Wayne's safe return was my mother, affectionately known to everybody as GG. Over the years, her prayers and encouragement have carried our family through many valleys, but perhaps none more personally intense than 2005.
Thanks, Mom.

Somebody asked, "What are you going to do with the blog, now that Wayne is home?"

I'm still not quite sure how to answer that question. How do you say goodbye to the thousands of visitors we've met here this year, or to all the friends we've made in the extended milblog community?

We could start counting the 158 days to Wayne and Lauren's rehearsal dinner and wedding at Seaside, Florida.

In the mean time, I'll just start working on my taxes...