* * 48th Combat Support Hospital * * FOB Salerno / Khowst, Afghanistan

     Well the holidays are over and we're headed toward Spring.  My family and I had a wonderful holiday season.  Hunting season was great also.  It was nice to head out to the hunting camp with my father-in-law, brother-in-law, and family friends to sit back, tell tall tales of our hunting adventures, and make excuses for not bringing home "the big buck".  I did manage to kill 2 deer this year.  One was a close shot.  The deer was closer than I've ever been to one.  He came within 15 yds of me.  I was going to let him go because I had seen a bigger buck the day before but couldn't get a shot on him.  However, he kept taunting me and left me no choice.  One shot....one kill.  Then the next day, there were 4 deer in the field approximately 200 yds away.  I looked through the scope of my .270 and saw that they were all does.  WV had a doe season this year because the deer population is overwhelming.  Need-less-to-say, I did my part to control the deer population.  I cracked off a shot and she hit the ground.  That was the end of my deer hunting season.  I bagged my limit in the first 3 days.  However, I stayed at the hunting camp with no running water or electricity for the next few days.  We could hook up power and water, but whats the use?  How can you "face the elements" if you're living in luxury?  I have also taken my new beagle out and hunted her a few times.  As a matter of fact, we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, so on Christmas Day the hunting crew took the dogs out and went on the big rabbit chase.  We came home with only one rabbit.  I'll briefly explain.  My father-in-law couldn't shoot straight, our friend couldn't get his gun to work right, I didn't even see a rabbit, and my brother-in-law was always in the wrong spot at the wrong time.....ha ha.  The poor dogs worked their butts off jumping 9 rabbits that day and we let them down by only killing one.  However, we all had a really good time and thats all that matters. 

     Work is just basically that.....WORK!   Its stressful at times, boring at times, and downright nerve-racking at times.  However, after seeing some of the hardships that I saw while I was gone, I can't complain too much.  I must say that having done what I did over there, I often feel inadequate back here at home.  I read up and try to stay current on the situation in Afghanistan.  Although I am enjoying being home with my family and they are enjoying me, a part of me misses being there and being able to help out the fight on terror.  I have continued working out lifting weights.  My shoulder was injured while we were over there and I am going in a couple of weeks to talk to the surgeon about having orthoscopic surgery.  The VA has been excellent about seeing me and treating me for my issues.  The MRI revealed that I have torn tendons in my shoulder and the capsule is partially torn.  There is a possibility that it won't require surgery though. 

     As many of you may remember Jan. 2nd of last year....one of the most horrific days I had there, I must say this Jan. 2nd was filled with horrific memories of the days events.  I have built a wooden memorial in memory of Collin and have it hanging on my wall at work.  I managed to make it through the day and with the support of my wife and children, we have managed to make the adjustment to me returning home.  I'm sure there are days that she wishes I was somewhere else, just not over there in harms way....ha ha.  I am enrolled back into school to finish out my bachelors degree in nursing.  2 semesters and I'M DONE!!!  Most of my time since returning home has been spent dong things around the house.  We often go to the girls' basketball games here.  Our high school girls are #1 in the state and are undefeated at 17-0.  They are excellent.  Last year we had the state player of the year.  One of the girls this year is up for that honor as well.  They are truly amazing to watch them in action.  The boys....well....not so much.  They are hanging in there at 8-8.  The girls won a tournament here in southern WV called the Mountain State Coal Classic.  Even though they are back-to-back state champions, they have never won that tournament before. 

     Well, I guess I have rambled long enough for now.  I hope everyone is doing well.  Until next time.........

I have been putting it off for weeks now and enjoying my time at home with my family, but I wanted to update the blog and just say that everything is fine back home.  There hasn't been much going on other than enjoying my family, catching up on work, getting back to work, and already having to drive to Fort Meade and back.  I enjoyed hunting season and killed 2 deer this year.  It was so nice and peaceful to be carrying a gun and not having the worries associated with it...lol.  It has been much cooler/colder here than I had suspected.  I'm already enrolled back into school to finish out my BSN.  I can't wait to get that bachelor's degree.  I hope everyone out there in the blog world is doing well.  Thank you for supporting me and my fellow Soldiers during our deployment.  I will still be checking in on everyone periodically.  Take care until next time. 

I'm sure you have all been reading about the happenings at FOB Salerno the past few weeks, so I won't go into those.  SSG Jeffries and all the people at FOB Salerno hospital have been very busy, CARING FOR THE BEST.  But he wants everyone to know they are taking care of business, and staying strong.

He sent pictures of the cutest little thing, and wanted to share them with you:

"I have attached some pics of me with the little baby that I was caring for the other night.  She was adorable and just loved me. [don't we all]  She would smile and laugh at me and I held her most of the night.  I worked over 20 hours, slept for three, then worked 15 the next day.  I just couldn't let her go.  Finally, the next day we sent them home."

Thank God for Eric Jeffries, and the rest of our warriors.

Haole, Over and Out

Day by day we continue to find ourselves going through our daily routine and marking off another day on our calendars.  I realize its been a couple of weeks since my last post.  I'm shooting for one per week but it doesn't always work out that way.  Internets too slow, working too much, don't feel like it....whatever the case may be, there are times that I just don't get on here.  However, I am glad to report that while we have continued to remain busy, we are safe and sound here at Salerno.  I hope this post finds all of you doing well also.  Another reason that I don't post on here more is because of the sensorship that is involved.  Sometimes there are things that I would love to tell you, but operational security prohibits me from posting such things on the internet.  I'm sure that you all understand that safety comes first.  Just know that we are providing not only America's sons and daughters, but the Afghanistan soldiers as well with the best medical care they will ever see in any theatre.  No words can come close to explaining the overwhelming sense of accomplishment that rushes through your body when you package a patient up and send them off to far forward care, or when you prepare their discharge paperwork to prepare them to return to duty.  Some of the injuries we see here are unbelievable.  What ends up being more unbelievable is the care they are given and the outcome of the entire situation.  The entire crew, from the flight medics, to the surgeons, the support staff, the medical team, all the way down to the interpreters, are amazing.  Thank you all for the support you give to us, whether it be by visiting a blogsite and stating your support, to sending packages through various support groups to service members that you don't even know.  All of these things are appreciated far more than words can ever describe.  As the clock continues ticking, our time here begins to wind down.  We are all getting excited at the thought of heading back home to our families, friends, and our homes.  However, a part of me will always remain here.  You pour so much of your heart and soul into the team you are with, the people you meet, and the place you call home for any given period of time.  Part of that will not leave with you.  Part of it will stay here forever and reflect for future generations.  Thank you all again for the support you show.  Until next time....SFC Jeffries...out!

That special wife of mine has done it again!  I was planning on today being just another day over here at Salerno.  Sure, 31 years ago today I joined the world as a newborn, but that was no cause for celebration today since I couldn't celebrate with my family....right?  WRONG!!!  I got greetings from everyone that I work with which I wasn't expecting.  Then, to top it all off, I got called into the office and was wondering, "Now what is this all about".  My friend Rick said, "I have to talk to you in private.  Lets go somewhere quiet."  I'm thinking to myself, "Now what in the world is this all about?"  However, knowing Rick as well as I do, I decided that the serious look on his face must mean that this is really important.  I followed him into the conference room.  As soon as the door opened, I heard a loud "SURPRISE!!!!!!".  There were "Happy Birthday" streamers, Happy Birthday plates/cups, cake, cards, balloons, a table cloth, chips, dips, the flavored crackers that I love, and just about everything a surprise birthday should have.  They were even blowing the little things that make that funny noise and roll out at you....can't remember for the life of me what those are.  Need-less-to-say, I was really astonished.  I said, "Thank you all so much".  SGT Ward informed me that my wife is the one that I need to thank.  That really started to choke me up.  I couldn't believe it because all of her emails kept saying that she was sorry that she couldn't make this birthday more special.  Well honey, you were wrong.  You made this one of the, if not the most memorable birthday I have ever had.  Granted, nothing could be as good as being home with my family, but this one will go down in the books as one of the most special birthdays I've ever had.  She even emailed me pictures of my birthday presents.  I can't tell you how excited it made me and how surprised I was to see that this much though, this much love, compassion, and caring went into this special day for me.  Oh....to explain a little further.  My wife had contacted SGT Ward and arranged to mail her all of the birthday accessories. She even included a bunch of Betty Crocker microwave cakes since she didn't know if I would be able to get cake in any other way.  My wife always sends my lunch on my birthday and she was saying how she was going to miss sending me lunch on my birthday.  Well honey....you did one even better.  Thank you so much!!!!  Thought everyone else might like to hear this story and see just how creative, wonderful, and loving my wife truly is!  I love you honey! 

For those of you that may be wondering, there is a very good reason why I haven't posted in a while.  I WAS AT HOME ON MY MID-TOUR R&R WITH MY FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It was such a wonderful experience to see them all again.  My wife and daughters were there to greet me at the airport.  Each had some kind of "soldier dad"/"soldier husband" shirt on.  We all had such a great time.  I got back a couple of weeks ago but we have been really busy AND I forgot the password to the site.  Luckily I had saved the email that had it...lol.  Things are pretty much the same here.  Its still hot, its still stinks, and its still a war zone.  Things have been fairly busy the past couple of weeks.  It comes in spurts.  I must say that it is nice knowing that our time here is getting shorter and shorter.  I can't wait to get back to my family.  Thank you all for your words of kindness and your support.  I wish there was more to say, but its basically the same old - same old here.  Take Care!!!

     I cannot believe it has been 2 weeks since I last posted on here.  It feels like only yesterday.  I know you all say not to worry if I don't post a lot, but I at least like to post 1 per week.  We have been really busy in more ways than one.  We have bid farewell to most of the Air Force personnel that have been with us the past 4 months.  I would like to take this time to personally thank them for their hard work and support while they were here.  We have been welcoming the new crew.  Can't get into details, but lets just say they were "thrown in the mix".  They started seeing the worst right off the bat.  It has been a big adjustment for them I am sure, but adjusting they are.  I am very impressed with their ability to adapt to the constant change they are seeing.  I haven't had my camera with me lately and it is a shame.  We were going to attempt to adopt a puppy that was going to be put to sleep.  However, we have even better news.  The puppy was given a great home elsewhere and we are glad to see she is doing well.  Most anyoe who knows me back home will tell you that I'm an avid dog lover.

     The weather is warming up quite a bit.  Ok, we're in the desert, lets face it, its getting right down hot at times...lol.  Its surprisingly not as hot as I thought it would be though.  I've been in worse in TX and FL.  The good thing about being over here is that they have the heat without the humidity.  I have been getting more and more excited each and every day as the time keeps going by.  I will soon be going home to see the family and I cannot wait. 

     Remember a couple of months ago I wrote a post about "Sad Faced Children"?  Well, I must admit...we just discharged a patient that was a young boy and he was always smiling.  He had been struck by a vehicle and had received a bad burn to his lower leg.  The doctors were amazing with the care they provided as was the rest of our staff.  This boy had a smile that could lighten up the entire room.  He thought much of what we did was funny and his smile would warm your heart.  He loved throwing ball.  We didn't have an actual baseball (probably best for safety reasons), but we had a plush easter egg and a baseball glove.  We would throw the ball with him and he would set there in his wheelchair and throw forever.  He loved it any time the staff would miss and get hit with the ball.  He would do one of those "belly laughs" where you can hear the laugh come from deep within.  I am so glad that he is better but hate to see him go.  We should be able to keep pre-packaged muffins stocked no because that boy could really tear into some blueberry and chocolate muffins. 

     Other than that, its basically business as usual here at Salerno.  The bugs are coming out, the creepy critters are crawling, and the enemy is starting to act like cockroaches when the lights go out.  Thats ok though....our brothers at arms seem to be dealing with that pretty darn well.  I hope this post finds all of you all doing great and until next time....SFC Jeffries out!

I must admit...time is going by a lot faster now than it once was.  I cannot believe that it has been almost 2 weeks since my last post on here.  That is truly amazing.  I am trying to get some pictures to post on here of today's events.  No, no major trauma or anything like that....we did have to call for backup though.  Are you worried?  Do you think I'm about to tell you of some major fight that we were in?  WRONG!!!!  There was a 4 ft. monitor lizard in one of our buildings!!!!  Yep, I've seen pictures of him and even a video tape of them capturing him.  Ok, so maybe it sounded a little more fierce when I first started telling the story, but that thing was big.  I would have loved to have seen it up close, but I was still sleeping.  I have been getting a better "routine" down here lately.  I had my better half coaching me on it and she was able to help me get a better sleep pattern.  I'm not even taking Ambien anymore to help me sleep.  I'm feeling much more rested than I was, feeling much more energetic during the day, and going to the gym twice a day for 1 1/2 - 2 hrs. each time.  Its just amazing how great I feel compared to a couple of months ago.  Plus, I need to add that I will be experiencing the comforts of home beofre too long....yeah!!!!  Soon it will be time for some R&R. 

I would also like to take this time to thank the elementary school students who sent us the pillows.  They are from Grand Rapids, MI.  Thank you all so much for the wonderful pillows that had some great artwork on them.  The students took markers and drew patriotic pictures and notes of love to us.  I have one on my bed right now.  I still use the memory foam that I had already, but the pillow these children sent is fantastic as well.  Thank you all so very much....teachers, students, and faculty.  I am still receiving messages of support from family, friends, and supporters from all across our wonderful nation.  Obviously, we all know where most of it comes from.....thank you honey.....but the amount of support we receive from our fellow Americans shows why our nation is as great as it is.  Sure, we have election/campaign battles going on right now, we have murder, drugs, and numerous other crimes being committed.  There are some obvious flaws in some of the things that we do as a nation, but by God we're the best of the best and we stick together.  I was thinking the other day of an old Charlie Daniels Band song called "In America".  Regardless of whether or not you listen to country music, you will still enjoy some of the words he says.  Take these words (written after the Vietnam War while we were in the Cold War with Russia) and apply them to our situaiton today.  Just think of it and it will make you proud to be an American.......

"The Eagle has been flying slow, and our flags been flying low, and a lot of people say that America is fixing to fall...." - (How man of you feel that way today?  Really, look at where we're at as a nation....20-25 years later and we're still saying these same things)

"And you never did think that it ever would happen again...In America....You never did think that we'd ever get together again....but we damn sure fooled ya, we're walking real proud and we're talking real loud again.....In America......"

"....and we may have done a little bit of fighting amongst ourselves, but you outside people best leave us alone...cause we'll all stick together, and you can take that to the bank....thats the cowboys and the hippies and the rebels and the yanks...you just go and lay your hand on a Pittsburgh Steeler fan, and I think you're gonna finally understand...."

Then he repeats the chorus a few times. 

As I sat there thinking of this song, I couldn't help but laugh a little.  I mean, this is where we are today.  Sure, we'll bitch, gripe, moan, and complain about each other, but no one else better get near us.  Reminds me of my days in the Marines.  Us grunts would fight each other, cuss each other, just want to kill each other....then, next thing you know, that Marine that you were punching a couple of days earlier is in a bar fight and what do you do......you go jump in and start swinging with him, fighting off the people he is fighting with.  Thats just the way it is.  Its kind of the same thing with our nation.  We can do our complaining and fighting with each other, but if someone else messes with us, you'd better watch out!!!!!  We WILL come together and WE WILL seek justice...whatever that may be.  But I also feel that our country is losing focus.  Sure, these wars are costing the tax payers a lot of money, and we're seeing rising gas prices, rising everything prices, but haven't we always bounced back and come out better than we were?   What.....so this is the end, we're not going to bounce back from this period???  Yeah right, come on people.  So many people say, "Well I support the troops but not the war."  That is why the troops are here fighting the war....so you can say that.  You can express your opinion and live your life freely.  Please talk to your friends and neighbors.  Lets stay in this fight TOGETHER!!!!!  I remember 9/11.  It didn't matter if you hated someone....as tears streamed down your face, you looked at them like they were your family.  You actually felt sorrow for those you had never met before.  I was there with you.  I had tears streaming down my face...I wanted to load up my guns and go on a manhunt right then and there.  However, now here we are 7 years later and America's patience is wearing thin with these wars.  I don't understand everything that we're doing in Iraq and Afghanistan.  However, I have faith in our leaders and in the American people, in our system, our way of life.  Stand together fellow Americans.  Pass this onto as many people as you want.  Hell, start a damn chain email for all I care, but we have got to stick together and win this fight together.  Of course that is like preaching to the choir by telling you all that.  You are sticking together or you wouldn't be on this website.  You aren't the ones who need to hear this, its those who aren't supporting their nation, their troops in harms way....those are the ones who need to find faith.  Faith in God, Faith in the system, faith in something....you can't just live life without having faith.  I will step down from my soap box now and let you get back to your lives.  I hope you enjoyed another episode of "Eric rallies the homeland troops"....lol.  You all take care!  Until next time...SSG Jeffries "out".  Please see below pics of the pillows sent by the children.

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My wife is extremely excited and wanted everyone to see her new Mother's Day present.  Here you go baby!!!!  Hope you enjoy!!!  Can't wait until I get to ride in it too.  By the way...she's not spoiled or anything.....lol!!!!  She deserves it so much.  I must tell the story, some details a little more than I would like to admit, but this story says so much about her.  First of all, my wife is excellent and she is a wonderful mother to our girls.  She still gets our daughter  (who isn't her biological daughter, but my wife treats her as if she was) for visitation even though I'm not there.  Her mother and my wife are doing what is best for everyone, especially my daughter.  She is exceptional with doing what the children want to do and making sure that their needs are met before her own.  Now, the story that I was wanting to tell.  I have an SUV that has been the best vehicle I ever owned.  However, when my wife and I met....I had an old 1981 Dodge pickup that barely ran.  I had borrowed money from my grandmother to buy a 1995 Cavalier that was about 8 years old.  It was dependable, but nothing fancy.  The paint was fading, the window tint was bubbling, but it got me where I needed to go.  The heater didn't even work in the old dodge and the bed was rusting out.  I had went through a divorce and was really having a rough time trying to get back on my feet.  I was not even thinking about finding someone or being serious when out of the blue - BAM...there she was.  She was just as overwhelmed as I was.  We talked for days and before you know it....we couldn't stay away from each other long enough for me to leave, so she and I decided that I would move in.  I had already met her daughter and we hit it off great.  She loved the idea as much as we did.  That was the start to this wonderful life we have together.  Now, for the SUV.  We had said that I needed something much more dependable now and that we needed something we could use for the family as well.  I went and tried out a few SUVs and stuff, but my credit was shot.  I wasn't buying anything without cash.  I could afford the payments, just didn't have the credit.  I wanted it so bad and my wife knew it although I wouldn't flat out tell her how bad I wanted it.  Well, I'm sitting at work one day talking to a co-worker and her husband when I look out the window and see an unfamiliar SUV pull up.  Then I see my brother-in-law get out of the driver's side.  He is the general manager of a popular car lot where we live.  If you ever need a car at a good deal, let me know....he'll work a deal for you that you can't beat.  Anyway, so he gets out of this SUV and then I see my wife get out of the passenger's side.  I'm wondering...."Now what are these two doing here at my work in this strange SUV?  Great, my girlfriend (at the time) is leaving me for our soon-to-be brother in law and they're coming to tell me.....lol"  So they walk in and she greets me, kisses me, then hands me the keys.  I said, "Honey I've already tried it out but I can't get it".  She said, "Its yours."  I was floored.  I'm not sure that these quotes are exact, but this is close to what was really said.  I was so astonished.  This is just one instance of the way my wife is with me and our girls.  If you think that was good, you should see some of the surprises and astonishing things she has done for the girls.  I owe her my life, my new way of life, my happiness, and our eternity.  We have had our problems along the way, as anyone does.  Some were worse than others.  We've even spent some time apart....but through it all, we have only learned how much we depend on each other, need each other, and have to be together forever.  I cannot say enough or do enough for this woman.  She is truly amazing.  Thank you so much for being such a wonderful wife, mother, best friend, and companion.  Happy Mother's Day!  By the way, no I did not go out and "buy" this car for her.  I just did her a little favor like she did me and helped another of her dreams come true, just as she has done for me so many times.  I love you baby!

Acura

Acura 2

Here is my guitar that was autographed by TOBY KEITH yesterday!!!!  Isn't that great?  I wrote the OEF VIII and who it was because I hope to someday have more autographs on there.  Thank you so much to my wife for sending me a guitar.  You are the best baby!  Thank you and I miss you so much.  Thanks to Toby Keith for taking the time out of his extremely busy schedule to perform for us, take pictures, and SIGN MY GUITAR!!!!  Enjoy the pics.

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