Date: 2014-03-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Next week at this time, Joe, the SGM, will be in Atlanta,GA., meeting, greeting, and bonding with the 13 fellow veterans that have been chosen to thru hike the Appalachian Trail, starting on March 17th on Springer Mountain, and ending on Mt. Katahdin in ME., around Sept 12th. After many applications and interviews Joe was chosen to join this elite group of veterans who are "Walking Off the War" with the Warrior Hike Project. Suffering from PTSD, life has been extremely difficult at times for the SGM, so he (we) are hoping that he is able to leave his demons behind and reclaim the soul that he left behind in Iraq. Doing this will make him a better man, and we, the family whole once again. I know he will be very successful in this search that he is about to embark on.There are some people that I would like to thank at this time for all the encouragement that they have given Joe. First, our three daughters, Jennifer, Sarrah, and Rebekah. You girls have always supported your Dad no matter what he did, even if it meant missing your dance recital or concerts, and I thank you all for hanging in there and still loving him and supporting him. Our son-in-laws Adam and Josh, and Sarrah's boyfriend Casey, thanks boys for being there for Joe and also the girls when they needed someone. Chloe, Mason, and Tucker, although you don't really understand what is going on with Grampa, know that you light up his life when you are around. All of you have no idea how much it means to Dad/Grampa for your understanding.Now for those of you, who we have the honor of calling our friends. Brenda and Paul Anderson at Trail Heads, thank you for all that you do for the community, and thank you for the fundraiser with the $1.00 hearts that you did. Joe has read them all and was in tears, knowing how so many people in the town and local area had come to the store to write a note of encouragement to him. And to raise $225.00 for the Warrior Project was outstanding. Joann Deacon, you have such a zest for life, and such a positive outlook on his hike and any other happening going on, that you are infective. I've made a new friend for life... NQTA folks, I can't thank you enough for getting Joe involved in such an outstanding group with such enthusiasm for the outdoors and getting him going. Rhonda Whitney, your words were wonderful in the article that you wrote about Joe, and it pleases me that we have friends like you and Frank. To all of the soldiers from the Ma National Guard and beyond, that served with the SGM, thank you for all your words of encouragement. I have not forgotten you nor will I ever. And I wish you and your families all the best in the future. Healing is slow, but you can do it. Bix and Grez, if it weren't for you, Joe wouldn't be hiking, snowshoeing,etc. You girls got him into these sports and I don't know yet if that is a good thing or not...LOL JP, the many trips up and down Mt. Washington and the trip to climb Mt. Baker spurred something in him, although you complained about him being a "long legged bastard". Get those new knees of yours in shape, because the SGM is going to come and get you when he is done with the AT and pick up where the two of you left off on the Long Trail, just to practice for the AT which the two of you always wanted to do together after retirement. Jeannie and Kris @ Millers River Cafe, thanks for your support, your girls are awesome. Rolling Thunder VT1, all the thanks for the support and good wishes for our President Joe. And for those of you that attended our breakfast on Feb 23rd, thank you for coming and supporting our veterans and your good luck wishes for Joe. I know I've forgotten someone, please excuse me for that. At this time my brain is acting like the first time we entered a "round about" in Ireland...LOL totally confused.I want to tell you all how amazed I am that this small community of Orange, which many people put down all the time, and surrounding area, has come forward to support the SGM in this adventure that has chosen him. Although I've typed thousands of words here, there are not enough for me to say "THANK YOU EVERYONE" for the encouragement, good luck wishes, prayers, support and friendship for Joe while he takes his "Healing Hike" as I have named it, and returns the man I married 42yrs ago.andreaThis post was written by the Mrs. SGM or as in the military known as "Household Six." She pretty much has summed it up for what I was gonna type but seeing how she did it, why reinvent the wheel.....LOLWe been together 42 yrs this coming October. Its been the journey of a life time. The good, the bad, the ugly, and the Army. She has stood by me in my best and worst darkest hours. She now suffers with the pain of me with my PTSD and had stood beside me and helped me fight my demons. I know it hasn't been easy for her and it hurts me when I cause her pain and grief. So I be hoping that this little walk will help me sort things out in my head and I can come home to her and all a better person.So in the mean time, 9 days and a wake up till Boots on the Trail.....Onward, upward, and forward,SGM