SFC Brian Sickler

There was a request to have Brian's military history posted on the blog. So here it is!!! Enjoy! Thanks Kim!

Here is the info on Brian's career: He started out in the Reserves after basic training in 1990 C. Troop 9th CAV. In July of 1991 he was stationed in Fort Carson, CO in HHC 2/77AR. In September of 1992 he moved to Wildflecken Germany and was in G. Troop 2/11ACR. They were in the process of closing that post when they moved us there so the very next year September of 1993 we moved to Vilseck, Germany where he was in HHC 1/37 AR. After Germany there was the three year stint in the PA National Guard 1/109th INF. After that it was back to Fort Carson, CO and he was in L. Troop 3/3 ACR where he deployed to Bosnia. From there is was on the Fort Drum, NY where is was in A. Troop 3/17 CAV where he deployed to Kosovo. It was then on to Fort Knox, KY where he was an instructor at the United States NCO Academy. It was here that he received his current rank of SFC or E7 and for those of you that don't know his job in the Army or MOS as the Army calls it is 19D or Cavalry Scout. He was then transferred to Fort Lewis, WA where he is currently stationed in C. Troop 2/1 CAV. He is part of the 4th Brigade 2nd Infantry Division which is one of the new Army Stryker Brigades and he's schedule to deploy to Iraq in April. There you have it...it adds up to a whole lot of moving! We're kind of hoping to be a part of this unit or at least this post for the next six years....it never hurts to dream. Then maybe his last two years at Fort Drum. Love, Kim

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I worked Turkey day then we went to Cracker Barrel for dinner. The food was great. Then later we got out second visitors to our new home! My younger sister (by one year), and Jimmy. We had a great visit. They stayed two nights and are now on their way back to PA. as I write. It was so nice seeing family. Our house is now pretty much ready for company if anyone feels so inclined!!! Post on your blogs and tell me what you all did for Thanksgiving! Have a great week-end!
Linda & Frank

Super game ...Ohio/Michigan! Ohio still #1! Now the up-date on Richard. They were able to reattach the eye verses removing it. For that we're very thankful. We're not sure yet how much vision he'll have in that eye or any at all. He tells the story like this. He was feeding wire through a machine @ work and it got jammed, so he cut it. It whipped around and right across his eye and bridge of his nose. When it first happened he didn't know he dislodged his eye. He knew the bridge of his nose had a deep cut. He thought he couldn't see because the blood from the nose was running in his eye, until he went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. He said that was a horrible sight! The white of the eye was shredded and the shape of his pupil was like out of a horror magazine! He put his hand up to his eye and instead of being hard it was mushy! By the way...he was wearing safety glasses. He is in a great eye hospital in Philadelphia. He's hoping to be discharged in a couple of days. The Dr. told him today that it'll be a long time before he'll go back to work. He also told him that he'll have to have another surgery in a couple of months because it's already forming a Cataract. So he has a long haul. I'll keep you all posted.

Well, we had our first visitors! Friends from FL. Jack and Connie Karby. Jack & Frank were friends many years in N.J. We had a great time. The guys were suppose to golf all day and we were going to shop but it poured rain all day so we all shopped, ate and had a great visit. Connie gave me a couple of great decorating tips! Thanks Connie! They are on their way to the Ohio/michigan game this week-end! (Go Ohio Buckeyes!) I'm so mad at myself for not taking a picture to share with you all! The guest room is ready for anyone that's ready to visit! I'll post a picture later! My son Richard (Richie) had an accident @ work last evening. Something broke from a machine and hit him in the face & eye. He is in Jefferson eye hospital in Philadelphia. He's having surgery this morning to either reattach the eye or remove it. They will know more when they can look behind the eye. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Hope you all are well. Have a gr8 day!

Okay...I know I've been a little quiet! As you can see by the photos below, I've been sewing curtains, draperies and pillows! Also been doing lots of decorating! Still a lot to go though! Hey Joan, I'm even doing all this sewing without patterns! Actually Frank drew the pattern for the dining room! We wanted something that didn't cover the windows but accent them. I think together we came up with a pretty good plan! The weather has been great but that is suppose to end in a couple of days. Sorry Jack & Connie, but it just won't hold out until your visit! You'll just have to bring that winter coat!

I know one picture below is posted twice...but I can't get it to erase. Help Al!!!