JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
They say time flies when you are having fun and my family and I could not agree more with those famous words.
Twenty-two months ago we arrived bleary-eyed from another tour in Germany and we had no idea what to expect from our new community (both military and civilian), the weather and our new assignment. Luckily , we are an adventurous group with 21 years of relocations under our belts, so we were somewhat prepared. Still, knowing the Army had only assigned us to Charleston for 24 months, we were not planning on establishing roots. I guess you can say we were protecting ourselves. Yet, all of those thoughts flew right out of the window as the Charleston, North Charleston and Hanahan communities welcomed us with open arms, caring for us like long lost relatives. The Soldiers and civilians of the 841st Transportation Battalion and our amazing new neighbors never allowed us to put up barriers. Our communities, Chamber of Commerce and battalion personnel showed us what true southern hospitality really means. The humidity never put a dent in those great big smiles; folks would say, "Humidity? What humidity? Have a glass of sweet tea, this is just another day."
So we happily put our roots down, bought a house, enrolled our children at Hanahan Middle and High School, sponsored students from the Citadel, tried to find a way to drink the sweetest tea on this planet and fell in step with the small but powerful work force called the 841st Transportation Battalion.
On commercial ships, we moved more than 10,000 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles and 5,500 MRAP All-Terrain Vehicles to Iraq and Afghanistan. In Dec. 2009, along with Charleston Air Force Base, we were designated by the Pentagon as the strategic deployment platform for the surge in Support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Month after month, trucks and trains rolled into and out of Charleston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Savannah. Month after month, Soldiers and civilians of the 841st Transportation Battalion traveled to each of these ports to ship or receive more than 800,000 pieces of cargo. Month after month, Soldiers traveled to Ft. Drum, N.Y., Ft. Bragg, N.C., Ft. Stewart, Ga., Ft. Hood, Texas, Ft. Polk, La., Ft. Carson, Colo. and countless other unit locations to help prepare them for deployment through our ports into Iraq and Afghanistan. Last but not least, Soldiers from every state traveled to Charleston to see their equipment loaded, and received the same sweet southern hospitality we enjoy each and every day. The strategic logisticians of the 841st Transportation Battalion who can be quite proud of their hard work, should be truly proud of the amazing reputation they have as the most hospitable transportation battalion in the nation.
So, as we sadly pack up our belongings, pull up our roots and head for our new home in Washington, D.C., my family and I express our deepest gratitude for all the smiles, the hugs, the support, kindness and assistance ... but above all the hospitality. We will miss everything Charleston and our newly-formed family gladly offered ... and I may even miss the sweet tea.
"Out Front! Let's Roll!"