As I sit here in the Dallas Airport waiting to get on a plane to Portland, I look back at the last couple of weeks and realized just how truly blessed I am.  I have an awesome family that truly cares about me and how I’m doing and they tell me everyday how proud they are of me.  That’s a really good feeling to hear that even at 30 years old.  Even my 5 year old tells me how proud she is that her daddy is a soldier.  To hear your children tell their friends my daddy is soldier is a one of a kind feeling that I will never be able to fully express.

I’ve been off for almost two weeks now spending time with family and friends and doing a little fishing and now it’s time to put the uniform back on and go back to work.  I will be in Portland for the next week visiting some local high schools as well as a few other events so if you live in the Portland area be looking around, hopefully you’ll see me.  If you do, please come up and ask some questions.  I always love an opportunity to tell people just how much the Army can change your life for the better.  People always ask me if the Army is really worth it and I must say that for me it was worth it 100 percent and then some.  Without the Army I wouldn’t be where I am today not just money wise but life wise.  The Army has given me such an opportunity to succeed in every aspect of my life and I’m truly thankful to all of those soldiers and leaders over the years who have helped me get to where I am today.  I look forward to the future and what it holds for me and my family and I look forward to talking to all of you who come into contact with me about how you can change your life and become the person you have always wanted to be.

Lastly, I want to thank my parents for giving me the tools and values to make good decisions and be successful.  Without your guidance I would have never had the courage to join the military.  It was through your hard work, sacrifices, love, and prayers that I am able to do what it is I do.  Thanks for everything you have done for me and continue to do for me, my wife, and two little girls.

Look forward to landing in Portland and starting the next leg of this journey. Until next time, God Bless and enjoy the holiday season.