Hey Buddy, be safe and watch your 6, as I mentioned, let me know if you are in need of anything and it will be in route.... ~Alan
Cory, take care of yourself. Come back soon and thank you!!!! Had the Blue Bomb out today on Rt 80. It is "Lexus" like, at least the heated seats and the heater work to perfection. I'll be glad to show it. The best advice is to come to Carlisle and get a good look at the different cars, and speak to the owners. You can have some, fun and get some homework done BEFORE you commit, or are committed!
** ! ! C-O-R-Y U-P-D-A-T-E ! ! **
Cory left Maryland over a week ago. He was in Norfolk, VA until Saturday, when he went to Ft Jackson, SC (near Columbia). He'll be at Ft Jackson until early February, when he'll fly overseas. No word yet exactly WHEN that will be, nor whether it will be direct to Djibouti, or if he'll have some stops.
I drove down to Norfolk on Thursday, and stayed the night. Then we said our Good-Byes (for the second time), and I drove back to Maryland.
His days in SC are going to be VERY busy, and long. There is internet access, so he will probably poke his head in here once or twice, if he can borrow someone's computer or get to a lab. I think they mostly have Sundays to themselves, but that will consist of doing laundry, catching up on sleep and going to the Exchange to buy stuff that he's realized he wants or needs.
Today his day started at 0500 (he got up at 0400) and ended after 1900. Tomorrow will probably be much of the same. Next week, I think they move out of the 20-man barracks, and into a "tent village" for two weeks. Sounds like the Boy Scouts, huh?
While he does have his phone, he can't answer it most of the day (I think he'll be leaving it off), and he's pretty whacked by the evening ...
I am still in Maryland for the now; heading to NYC later this week or early next week to go to a meeting or two, and hopefully work a little (money is GOOD!).
The Hoopty sits where Cory last parked it -- in our friends' garage. I'll be going over there this week to start her up and run her around the block. I think I'll fill the gas tank too. Is it a good idea to put HEET or SEAFOAM in the oil and gas before I park her for the winter? I'm also going to disconnect the battery.
Thank you all very much (from Cory too!) for all of your support!
Should anyone want to send anything to Cory, or want to get in contact with him, let me know and I will facilitate as best I can!
My personal email is "teresa(.)h(.)drake(@)gmail(.)com".
I'll post updates as I get them!
I'll see y'all at Carlisle!!
Cory left Maryland over a week ago. He was in Norfolk, VA until Saturday, when he went to Ft Jackson, SC (near Columbia). He'll be at Ft Jackson until early February, when he'll fly overseas. No word yet exactly WHEN that will be, nor whether it will be direct to Djibouti, or if he'll have some stops.
I drove down to Norfolk on Thursday, and stayed the night. Then we said our Good-Byes (for the second time), and I drove back to Maryland.
His days in SC are going to be VERY busy, and long. There is internet access, so he will probably poke his head in here once or twice, if he can borrow someone's computer or get to a lab. I think they mostly have Sundays to themselves, but that will consist of doing laundry, catching up on sleep and going to the Exchange to buy stuff that he's realized he wants or needs.
Today his day started at 0500 (he got up at 0400) and ended after 1900. Tomorrow will probably be much of the same. Next week, I think they move out of the 20-man barracks, and into a "tent village" for two weeks. Sounds like the Boy Scouts, huh?
While he does have his phone, he can't answer it most of the day (I think he'll be leaving it off), and he's pretty whacked by the evening ...
I am still in Maryland for the now; heading to NYC later this week or early next week to go to a meeting or two, and hopefully work a little (money is GOOD!).
The Hoopty sits where Cory last parked it -- in our friends' garage. I'll be going over there this week to start her up and run her around the block. I think I'll fill the gas tank too. Is it a good idea to put HEET or SEAFOAM in the oil and gas before I park her for the winter? I'm also going to disconnect the battery.
Thank you all very much (from Cory too!) for all of your support!
Should anyone want to send anything to Cory, or want to get in contact with him, let me know and I will facilitate as best I can!
My personal email is "teresa(.)h(.)drake(@)gmail(.)com".
I'll post updates as I get them!
I'll see y'all at Carlisle!!
Teresa -
Thanks for the update on our good buddy Cory! We'll all miss his presence on this site while he's away on assignment and will keep you and him in our prayers. Whatever support group you currently have, we're also just a phone call away!
You both have many friends on this site so please keep us posted when you can!
Peace - Out!
Thanks for the update on our good buddy Cory! We'll all miss his presence on this site while he's away on assignment and will keep you and him in our prayers. Whatever support group you currently have, we're also just a phone call away!
You both have many friends on this site so please keep us posted when you can!
Peace - Out!
Ditto what MUSB said - don't be a stranger. Do you plan to make it to Carlisle?
If Cory has a Sunday with some free time, I might be able to drop in on him and make sure they're treating him well.
If Cory has a Sunday with some free time, I might be able to drop in on him and make sure they're treating him well.
"Today his day started at 0500 (he got up at 0400) and ended after 1900."
Should I be switching my clocks over to Zulu Time soon . . . ?
Should I be switching my clocks over to Zulu Time soon . . . ?
Why bother?
You don't pay any attention to it NOW, do you?
Besides.....I always thought you lived on "Evil Time"....
You don't pay any attention to it NOW, do you?
Besides.....I always thought you lived on "Evil Time"....
Lane,
I think Cory's going to call you, but in case he doesn't have a chance ... I don't think he'll be able to hook up with you. Security is pretty tight (I think they want to make sure no soldiers or sailors go AWOL). Of course, he could call you and say "C'mon up, buddy!" for all we know! Everything changes daily, and they don't tell him much in advance. He's getting into "GI-mode": uniforms instead of clothes, public showers, meals on a tray, etc. They have to get a pass to leave the area or the base. I guess it's a lot like prison -- but with a paycheck!
I think Cory's going to call you, but in case he doesn't have a chance ... I don't think he'll be able to hook up with you. Security is pretty tight (I think they want to make sure no soldiers or sailors go AWOL). Of course, he could call you and say "C'mon up, buddy!" for all we know! Everything changes daily, and they don't tell him much in advance. He's getting into "GI-mode": uniforms instead of clothes, public showers, meals on a tray, etc. They have to get a pass to leave the area or the base. I guess it's a lot like prison -- but with a paycheck!
Understood. I have IDs that might get me some access, but he probably won't have the time to do it anyway.
Howzabout you and the Hoopty at Carlisle?
Howzabout you and the Hoopty at Carlisle?
Cory, That's ashame!!!! I drove her into work today here in Sunny Southern California. Temp is in the high 70's sunny and totally awesome!!!!! LOL
Gabe
Gabe
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Cold snap.....going to get to -35C (-31F) tomorrow night. Djibouti sounds nice...well, the weather does anyway. Tell Cory that he may actually meet some people that have millions in a bank account in person. He came come back rich I tell ya!
Dear Mrs. Drake, er, BERT, um, I mean Teresa,
Thanks for the note. I left a message on the cell phone a week or more ago, but guessed it may not be a viable option for comms any more. And the GI Joe thing sounds like the pits to me, but I am thinking that, while not the Ritz, or even the Ramada at Carlisle, the accomdations curtesy of Uncle Sam are not unfamiliar to Chief Drake. He told me once he was going to take a trip to St. Louis in the Hoopty and sleep on the ground next to it w/ his trusty "persuader", locked and loaded, for a pillow. I guess you know about that trip, huh? I never did find out how many nights he spent next to, or under the car, but I bet it was none.
We are very proud of our guy in uniform and admire your sacrifice to the greater good here too. I am thinking the world is going to be a better/safer place on account of this personal hardship. Do please keep us posted and don't be shy about posting up on any and all topics of interest to you. If you have a problem then WE have a problem, and the folks here abouts are going to be there for you. I don't know anything about Seafoam and what not, but gas stabilizer is a not-bad idea, as well as running the rascal every now and then. If you want company on that running, holler, maybe there could be company.
Thanks for the note. I left a message on the cell phone a week or more ago, but guessed it may not be a viable option for comms any more. And the GI Joe thing sounds like the pits to me, but I am thinking that, while not the Ritz, or even the Ramada at Carlisle, the accomdations curtesy of Uncle Sam are not unfamiliar to Chief Drake. He told me once he was going to take a trip to St. Louis in the Hoopty and sleep on the ground next to it w/ his trusty "persuader", locked and loaded, for a pillow. I guess you know about that trip, huh? I never did find out how many nights he spent next to, or under the car, but I bet it was none.
We are very proud of our guy in uniform and admire your sacrifice to the greater good here too. I am thinking the world is going to be a better/safer place on account of this personal hardship. Do please keep us posted and don't be shy about posting up on any and all topics of interest to you. If you have a problem then WE have a problem, and the folks here abouts are going to be there for you. I don't know anything about Seafoam and what not, but gas stabilizer is a not-bad idea, as well as running the rascal every now and then. If you want company on that running, holler, maybe there could be company.
Teresa:
Get some STA-BIL from Home Depot or Lowe's (Lawnmower dept) and add the appropriate amount to the gas tank, then fill the tank to mix it in. After it's mixed, run the engine for 15 minutes (I usually add the Sta-Bil at a gas station and then drive it home) to get the additive into the carb bowls and so forth, then shut it down for the Winter.
SeaFoam is GREAT when storing a boat, so I figure it should be good blasted into a VW, too.
After you've Sta-Bil'd it, pull each plug and blast Seafoam directly into the plug hole for 2 seconds each. That should do it. Put the plugs back in and it's done for the winter.
Disconnect the battery, OR get a "battery minder" trickle charger at WalMart (automotive dept) - attach to the battery, then plug it into an outlet and walk away until Spring. That way, the battery will be fresh all Winter and ready to go when you are.
gn
Get some STA-BIL from Home Depot or Lowe's (Lawnmower dept) and add the appropriate amount to the gas tank, then fill the tank to mix it in. After it's mixed, run the engine for 15 minutes (I usually add the Sta-Bil at a gas station and then drive it home) to get the additive into the carb bowls and so forth, then shut it down for the Winter.
SeaFoam is GREAT when storing a boat, so I figure it should be good blasted into a VW, too.
After you've Sta-Bil'd it, pull each plug and blast Seafoam directly into the plug hole for 2 seconds each. That should do it. Put the plugs back in and it's done for the winter.
Disconnect the battery, OR get a "battery minder" trickle charger at WalMart (automotive dept) - attach to the battery, then plug it into an outlet and walk away until Spring. That way, the battery will be fresh all Winter and ready to go when you are.
gn
Lane : I'm planning on Carlisle with the Hoopty. I need to make the hotel reservation -- hopefully I'm not too late for that!
Kelly : Thanks! It has occurred to me several times over the weeks that we haven't seen you since before the wedding (for that AWESOME dinner!); I apologize for not getting us together again before Cory left!
Gordon : Thanks, as always, for the tips! About the SEAFOAM, I don't have it in a spray, but in a bottle in liquid form. Maybe it comes in a spray (presumably aerosol?) also? I'll have to check the auto-parts store. I don't think the chain stores carry it, but I think Cory last picked it up at a "mom-and-pop" store locally. Or should I put it into a spritzer bottle to apply to the spark plug holes? So I'm putting the SEAFOAM in the engine by way of the plug holes (and then not starting the car until Spring). I'm not applying it to the plugs or the plug wire connections, right? And should I take the opportunity to apply dielectric grease to the plug connections (but not the "sparky end" of the spark plugs DUH!), or do that in the Spring?
Thanks ever so!
Kelly : Thanks! It has occurred to me several times over the weeks that we haven't seen you since before the wedding (for that AWESOME dinner!); I apologize for not getting us together again before Cory left!
Gordon : Thanks, as always, for the tips! About the SEAFOAM, I don't have it in a spray, but in a bottle in liquid form. Maybe it comes in a spray (presumably aerosol?) also? I'll have to check the auto-parts store. I don't think the chain stores carry it, but I think Cory last picked it up at a "mom-and-pop" store locally. Or should I put it into a spritzer bottle to apply to the spark plug holes? So I'm putting the SEAFOAM in the engine by way of the plug holes (and then not starting the car until Spring). I'm not applying it to the plugs or the plug wire connections, right? And should I take the opportunity to apply dielectric grease to the plug connections (but not the "sparky end" of the spark plugs DUH!), or do that in the Spring?
Thanks ever so!
Teresa - dialectic at both ends of the wires (to the cap and to the plug) and both ends of the coil wire. I keep it on all the wires all of the time. Just a bit, not too much, but you're an electrician - you already know not to goober it up.
Be seeing you in Carlisle, girl. Can't wait!
angela
Be seeing you in Carlisle, girl. Can't wait!
angela
Hey Angela....dip this....
Yeah....what Angela sayeth:
About the SEAFOAM, I don't have it in a spray, but in a bottle in liquid form.
Put it in a Peri Bottle (baby section of CVS) and shoot a 1-2 second stream down the plug hole. That's it. It's a penetrating oil with some dispersants in it, so it'll coat the entire inner cylinder wall and rings. The aerosol version is usually available at boat stores (West Marine, Boat USA) and marinas. Just a little more convenient, that's all (for boat engines with the plugs at odd angles).
So I'm putting the SEAFOAM in the engine by way of the plug holes (and then not starting the car until Spring).
Yup.....That's it. It's a mildly conductive oil, so don't put it on the plug wires - use your dielectric grease as Angela said.
Buena Suerte!
gn
About the SEAFOAM, I don't have it in a spray, but in a bottle in liquid form.
Put it in a Peri Bottle (baby section of CVS) and shoot a 1-2 second stream down the plug hole. That's it. It's a penetrating oil with some dispersants in it, so it'll coat the entire inner cylinder wall and rings. The aerosol version is usually available at boat stores (West Marine, Boat USA) and marinas. Just a little more convenient, that's all (for boat engines with the plugs at odd angles).
So I'm putting the SEAFOAM in the engine by way of the plug holes (and then not starting the car until Spring).
Yup.....That's it. It's a mildly conductive oil, so don't put it on the plug wires - use your dielectric grease as Angela said.
Buena Suerte!
gn
Vince - I'll be seein' YOU at Carlisle. And you better eat your wheaties big boy!
angela
angela
Howdy!
Thanks for the really kind words, everybody. It means a lot, especially when you read them from top to bottom. Angela, I want pictures of you and my missus at Carlisle. ...
Lane, sorry, but this joint's got recalled people from the IRR in its clutches, and they make it difficult for us to leave without a six-digit grid coordinate of where we'll be and a pass from the hall monitor. Maybe when I come back through here next winter, huh?
But I hear Teresa's good with you buying her an egg sammich ...
Did I mention there's no beer here? Fooey! I'll probably be able to check in again next week, and I'll let y'all know if I've found any by then. I'll probably have to lock my M-16 up somewhere if I do, huh?
(LOL -- silly rabbit, beer isn't for armed troops -- it's for kids!)
For James Porter, I sent you an e-mail. I'll be away for about nine more months, but I'll help you out if you have a car when I get back.
Thanks for the really kind words, everybody. It means a lot, especially when you read them from top to bottom. Angela, I want pictures of you and my missus at Carlisle. ...
Lane, sorry, but this joint's got recalled people from the IRR in its clutches, and they make it difficult for us to leave without a six-digit grid coordinate of where we'll be and a pass from the hall monitor. Maybe when I come back through here next winter, huh?
But I hear Teresa's good with you buying her an egg sammich ...
Did I mention there's no beer here? Fooey! I'll probably be able to check in again next week, and I'll let y'all know if I've found any by then. I'll probably have to lock my M-16 up somewhere if I do, huh?
(LOL -- silly rabbit, beer isn't for armed troops -- it's for kids!)
For James Porter, I sent you an e-mail. I'll be away for about nine more months, but I'll help you out if you have a car when I get back.
Yeah Cory - my speedstah brutha - I'm looking forward to meeting Teresa in person. Hope she's able to tolerate me as it's a known fact that I put the fun in dysfunctional...
angela
angela
Roger that, Cory. BERT's definitely due a sammich from me. Stay in touch as best you can. There are a lot of folks here who are mentally watching your back.
Mmm, mmm, mmm! I can't wait for EST (Egg Sammich Time)!!!
Checking in again. I'm still in South Carolina, pretty much wrapped up and done with the Army stuff. Moving locations this week sometime, going somewhere else sometime soon.
Vague enough?
Anyway, I've gotten some good training in since arrival here. All the stuff you'd see on the television (or read about from time to time as having happened to G.I. Joe) has been evaluated, turned over and over and made into teaching points with practical exercises. PEs are field maneuvers to reinforce classroom and sand-table theory, and involve all the combat gear they've issued.
The body armor, the helmet, the rifle, ammunition, fresh pair of socks, ballistic sunglasses, food, water in canteens or a backpack ... Pretty realistic, I'd say. Since it's all the same equipment we carry "Over There," I guess it's ... Yeah. Same same, except the cold here would have frozen the balls off a bronze statue this last two weeks. Now we're done, and it's been 70 damned degrees here today. Forty degrees difference from yesterday, and fifty from two days ago.
Aslo just yesterday, I found myself back in a HumVee turret for the first time since 2005. Joy, oh joy. At least once, I yelled to the driver that he wasn't going fast enough to keep stuff from scuffing me up.
It wasn't the Hoopty, but it was A-OK by me. I think I used up one of my Veterans Administration-allowable quota of flashbacks, though ... ;)
(more)
Vague enough?
Anyway, I've gotten some good training in since arrival here. All the stuff you'd see on the television (or read about from time to time as having happened to G.I. Joe) has been evaluated, turned over and over and made into teaching points with practical exercises. PEs are field maneuvers to reinforce classroom and sand-table theory, and involve all the combat gear they've issued.
The body armor, the helmet, the rifle, ammunition, fresh pair of socks, ballistic sunglasses, food, water in canteens or a backpack ... Pretty realistic, I'd say. Since it's all the same equipment we carry "Over There," I guess it's ... Yeah. Same same, except the cold here would have frozen the balls off a bronze statue this last two weeks. Now we're done, and it's been 70 damned degrees here today. Forty degrees difference from yesterday, and fifty from two days ago.
Aslo just yesterday, I found myself back in a HumVee turret for the first time since 2005. Joy, oh joy. At least once, I yelled to the driver that he wasn't going fast enough to keep stuff from scuffing me up.
It wasn't the Hoopty, but it was A-OK by me. I think I used up one of my Veterans Administration-allowable quota of flashbacks, though ... ;)
(more)
Hey buddie,
Glad all is going well in "Olive Drab Land".
I did my Basic A-6-2 and AIT 64A30 at Ft.Jackson... we would steal a jeep on a regular bases doing night runs for pizza.
Keep in touch and watch your 6 ~Alan
Glad all is going well in "Olive Drab Land".
I did my Basic A-6-2 and AIT 64A30 at Ft.Jackson... we would steal a jeep on a regular bases doing night runs for pizza.
Keep in touch and watch your 6 ~Alan
Alan -- I'm at Camp McCrady, on Ft. Jackson itself, I think. We just did land nav, so you'd think I'd be able to figure out where in the ... Nope. Didn't even look at the host country.
I can bet safely that you were in the mechanic school for AIT, though. You wouldn't believe it, but your old buildings are still here. Right next to these immense Quonset huts and ages-old Nissen buildings are these enormous schoolhouses, all with garage doors and open bays under the stilts supporting the main structures.
I think they're Amish-built. ;)
I've been sending pictures to Teresa, mostly for her situational awareness and amusement, but I'll be sending a bunch to Lane so he can post 'em here. Some of the stuff we're doing wouldn't do well to be on a searchable website, so I'll help protect our boys and girls (and me) by just sending Mr. Anderson stuff that's okay to post. I can't save anything onto this computer, and we can't use thumb drives here, so I hope it's not an inconvenience.
I hope you all are well. I'll check in again when I can. There's a little dead space in the schedule in the next couple days. ...
Cheers!
I can bet safely that you were in the mechanic school for AIT, though. You wouldn't believe it, but your old buildings are still here. Right next to these immense Quonset huts and ages-old Nissen buildings are these enormous schoolhouses, all with garage doors and open bays under the stilts supporting the main structures.
I think they're Amish-built. ;)
I've been sending pictures to Teresa, mostly for her situational awareness and amusement, but I'll be sending a bunch to Lane so he can post 'em here. Some of the stuff we're doing wouldn't do well to be on a searchable website, so I'll help protect our boys and girls (and me) by just sending Mr. Anderson stuff that's okay to post. I can't save anything onto this computer, and we can't use thumb drives here, so I hope it's not an inconvenience.
I hope you all are well. I'll check in again when I can. There's a little dead space in the schedule in the next couple days. ...
Cheers!
Oh, you wanted me to post those here. Ummm... I should be able to get 'em back.
No, not mechanic's school for AIT, I taught Heavy Vehicle Driver's Course, (the short 18 wheelers) most times it was like talking to a cinder block....
I tried to call first, Lane, but the cell service here is irregular.
Sorry!
Alan, can I pick you up a souvenir? Or should I tell the IRR guys you're looking for work 'round these parts?
Sorry!
Alan, can I pick you up a souvenir? Or should I tell the IRR guys you're looking for work 'round these parts?
And some more...
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And yet some more...
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Ok, here are Cory's pics, with no comments (cuz he didn't provide any). My comment is that he looks kinda cold, don't he?
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That was AWESOME turnaround time!
Here's a little information, in order of appearance:
1. The whole herd of us (and our drill sergeant) looking at a .50-cal.
2. That's me, freezing over a "hot" lunch. That jacket is niiiice.
3. Death by PowerPoint. Classroom stuff isn't exciting anywhere.
4. Swedish Meat Cubes. Really. Look at 'em!
5. The cousin to the 5.56-mm M-240. That's the 7.62-mm M-243. (Duh!)
6. THAT'd be the much-vaunted M-2. (Unchanged since Grandpa used it.)
7. Me, cold (at night).
8. I was on top of the second one from the left. Chilly.
9. Me, cold (not at night), in the turret of No. 2 truck. That giant thing on my head is the issue pair of goggles, covered with a dust-repellant somethingorother. Think of the bag your Oakleys come in; same idea. It nearly doubles the size of my head.
There's been a whole lot more to this than just shoot-em-up stuff, despite the pictures, but that's what I've got photos of, for the most part. We'll see what else happens this week.
See ya!
(Thanks again, Lane. You're the MAN!)
Here's a little information, in order of appearance:
1. The whole herd of us (and our drill sergeant) looking at a .50-cal.
2. That's me, freezing over a "hot" lunch. That jacket is niiiice.
3. Death by PowerPoint. Classroom stuff isn't exciting anywhere.
4. Swedish Meat Cubes. Really. Look at 'em!
5. The cousin to the 5.56-mm M-240. That's the 7.62-mm M-243. (Duh!)
6. THAT'd be the much-vaunted M-2. (Unchanged since Grandpa used it.)
7. Me, cold (at night).
8. I was on top of the second one from the left. Chilly.
9. Me, cold (not at night), in the turret of No. 2 truck. That giant thing on my head is the issue pair of goggles, covered with a dust-repellant somethingorother. Think of the bag your Oakleys come in; same idea. It nearly doubles the size of my head.
There's been a whole lot more to this than just shoot-em-up stuff, despite the pictures, but that's what I've got photos of, for the most part. We'll see what else happens this week.
See ya!
(Thanks again, Lane. You're the MAN!)
So....how come you'se guys are all dressed like it's 20 below and the DI looks like it's early Summer???????
Them DI's are TOUGH!!
Them DI's are TOUGH!!