Kudos to Nathan

Since, I been here in Iraq, over four weeks now, my grandmother sent me a letter every week now. This last letter, I received a newspaper clipping concerning my cousin's son, Nathan. I thought I would share it. I hope all enjoy. Kudos to Nathan Fleecs. This is an insert from the North Platte Telegraph.

Boy rides in memory of cancer victim
By Mark Young, The North Platte Telegraph
09/11/2007

HERSHEY — Only 10-year-old Nathan Fleecs knew if he was going to have the legs to complete his 20-mile bike ride, but no one can doubt that his heart was big enough to finish his honorable vision.
In honor of a classmate he barely knew, Nathan set out from Hershey Saturday morning to pedal his way along North River Road all the way to North Platte.“It’s the furthest he’s ever ridden, that’s for sure,” said Greg Fleecs, Nathan’s father, the night before the ride. “This will be a stretch for him, but he’s been working hard getting ready.
”The fourth-grade student at Sutherland School got his inspiration from a fundraising event performed by The Connection’s Executive Director Ron Snell who poled his way down a stubborn Platte River to raise money and awareness for North Platte’s homeless shelter.
“I saw that article about Ron and thought I would like to do something like that,” said Nathan. “I came up with the idea to ride my bike because I like to ride my bike.”Nathan saw the piece written on Snell around the time a classmate by the name of Justin Svejkovsky fell victim to leukemia and a brain tumor. Nathan felt the need to do something special for his fallen classmate even though they did not know one another that well.“Nathan saw that article and said, ‘Mom, I want to do something like that for Justin,’” said Susan Davis, Nathan’s mother. “Nathan didn’t know Justin very well. They didn’t hang out together or anything like that, but Nathan’s heart just went out to him and he wanted to do something.”Initially, Nathan’s plan was to establish a memorial in Justin’s name, but Justin’s mother thought Nathan’s efforts would be better served by donating any monies raised to needy children.“So Nathan is going to make this ride in honor of Justin and donate all the money raised to help buy Christmas presents for children who would otherwise go without,” said Davis.Nathan had already raised more than $200 before even climbing on his bike and expected to raise even more upon completion of his journey.Accounts have also been established in Center’s Bank and Adams Bank of Sutherland and these will remain open. The account names are Nathan’s Bike Ride and the money will help some children have a very merry Christmas this year.Sponsors jumped on board pledging dollars per mile and made additional pledges should Nathan be successful, of which the young boy had no doubt.“We might have to stop a couple of times to rest,” Nathan admitted the night before his ride, “but I know I can make it.”And make it he did.Nathan was initially going to ride Highway 30 from North Platte to Sutherland, but safety concerns forced him to change his route along North River Road, beginning at Stockman’s Veterinary Clinic, just north of Cody Park all the way to Hershey, which is an equal distance from the original plan, if not a little further.The route was changed again at the last moment to make the ride from Hershey to North Platte, according to Greg, who said they wanted to put Saturday’s breeze at Nathan’s back.“I think what he’s doing is pretty cool,” said Fleecs. “I’m really proud of him for doing something to help somebody else.”Nathan had some company from family and friends who joined him during his ride.His mom told a story that best summed up Nathan’s compassion for his fellow human beings:“We were at the Sutherland-Hershey football game the other night and Sutherland came back to beat Hershey in the last moments of the game,” she explained. “Everyone was cheering except for Nathan who looked upset. I asked him what was wrong and he said he felt bad for the Hershey football players because they must be sad.”As for Nathan, he’s happy he was successful while raising money to help out other children, but is happier the adventure is over.Finishing the last of the 20-plus miles, Nathan climbed off his bike and said, “I’m sure glad that’s over. I’m tired.”Nathan concluded the journey by raising more than $400, ensuring a merry Christmas for some needy children this holiday season.

©North Platte Telegraph 2007

Life in the Sand Box

Focusing out here in the Sand Box. Today makes day # 17. It has not been all that bad in Iraq. First it was very hot, 116 or so. But the last few days, was very windy with a sand storm, visibility was low. Today, it is quite nice, not to hot. Even this morning it was a nice breeze that blew through.

For me, I am the senior corpsman who is running the Aid Station. It comes with quite of bit of responsibilities. Honestly, in allof my Navy career, I never had this much power has a corpsman, especially over others. But like someone says, "With powers, comes responsibilities".

My Marines in general are doing well, no major issues to reports. There already been encounter with some of the wild life, such as scorpions, camel spiders and tarantula. But no report of bite or sting.

Big thing for me is pushing FMF training for all of my corpsman. It is important to their career to receive their FMF training, believe me I know. I learn the hard way. While we are out here, I am exempt from the Cief's exam, but I am first time up for the board. I am automatic board eligible for chief first time up,

Greeting again from Iraq,.....JCC

Predeployment

Getting ready for deployment was a bitch for me, but the pack out and my gear is finally all ready to go. I been the last few days without a vehicle, boy it was depressing. But I adapt and overcome. With me, I tried not let the stress get to me, I did after I promise myself not to let it get to me. I have 200 Marines I am responsible for, which include who is on long term medication and will they have enough meds that will last through the seven months in Iraq. Oh what about there medical or even there dental needs. Who is class III or IV, are they deployable. What about my females? Make sure they do there pregancies test. Have peole completed there Anthrax, Smallpox or what about there PDHA, or who needs there PHA, typhoid and tetanus, etc.. It could go on and on, and each Marines, think I have nothing else to worry about except there own. Dont let me get you started with the Aviators. But I cannot ask for a better squadron than VMFA(AW) 225, they give me the cooperation that I need to accomplish my mission. But, I may bitch complain or get grumpy, but I would trade my job for any thing in the world.

Thanks to all...s/f

JCC

getting ready

Getting ready for this delloyment is starting to take a toll on me. I have matter of weeks left amd I asm strying to get more than 200 Marines ready for deployment and not counting my augmetning from Mals. And I am trailing behind in my own personal qualifications that I need to maintain for me to deploy also. I did receive my weapon's card and my holster Friday. But lot more things to do.

I am getting a new corpsman this week, so I would get some help. I would update more at a leter time.

Monday, I will have a dental unit on the flight line and hopefully to some dental exams done for the Marines to have them deplyable.

Just so much to do and so little time...

Mexicali, Mexico

Mexicali, Mexico....what a blast. Again, I was there with Rick & Jim. Some things that went on, I am not mention on the net, but the club afterwards was a hoot. We attended a "Foam Party", which I was litterally over my head in foam 90% of the time in the club. I was litterally drowning most of the time. I main goal was to save my beer, trying to hold it above the foam, but that was not working all that well. I just say, f**k it, then just blew the foam off and drank the beer off any way. Good times in Mexico....

"Hanging with the Big Dawg"

Viva Las Vegas

Memorial Day weekend in Las Vagas, this past Memorial Day me we three other friends of mine, who are Marines went to Vegas, which we spent five days and four nights. Viva Las Vages.

I guess you could say, "Hanging with the Big Dog". Even though I just turn 40, I could hang with the best of them.

It was not all that bad, especially the first morning I did rest my eyes on the park bench some where in Vegas.

But I guess you could say that Rick, Jim & John all learn who the "Big Dawg" was. But it was good times, and will never be forgotten.

"Hanging with the Big Dawg"

Desert Talon

I did survive "Desert Talon" in Yuma for approximately 16 days with the squadron. I know one thing, being the only squadron corpsman, with usually a T/O of three corpsman for Iraq, its nothing I cannot handle, but it can be stressful and overwhelm at times. I do believe that I have one the best squadron in Mag 11. I do have a good pour with my Marines, even past that, some of these Marines are good friends.

In Yuma, it sure was hot.....very hot.... Thank god, that I had my POV with me.

Over all it was a quiet det, until we had that picnic with three kegs of beer. One Marines, who thought his foot was stronger than a flying horseshoe. He decided to use his foot to stop a horseshoe, instead breaking his toe. And another Marines, decided to drink the bar dry, and he was "FUBAR" and out of commission that night, especially heas suppose to be at work that evening.

The biggest thing was towards the end, which I decided to drink a few beers, and I was playing spades with a few of my Marines, but I received a call from my flight surgeon at 0015, and I knew it could not be that good at that hour. There was a mishap, which I was off to help to assist. It was 0400 before I was back home, with only a few hours of sleep, help completing the mishap physicals.

By Friday, the next day I was worn out and I had to drive back to Yuma, all I could think of, was to get home, I made it back little over two hours so I could catch a plane to Denver for the weekend.

That was Dessert Talon...