Just got back from one week in Afghanistan and Kuwait

Since I'm on serious jet lag after getting back on American soil this afternoon, I'll keep this quick and try to write more later. I've always loved our fighting men and women, but never have I been more overwhelmed with pride and gratitude than in the last few days spending time with them, specifically in the Regional Command East of Afghanistan, and at the Ali Al-Salem Base (the Rock) in Kuwait.

Six of us Miss Americas, plus my good friend Jill Stevens who was Miss Utah and a finalist at Miss America, but more importantly, a combat medic in AFG 2004-2005 made the trek. This photo above on the right was taken on the C17 as we loaded up with 150 soldiers to head into Bagram. The corkscrew, combat zone landing added quite a bit of excitement, I tell you what. And an almost 5 hour flight (from Kuwait to Bagram) with all these guys jammed in there with NO leg room. And that's just the start of the hardships they endure.

The photo on the left reminds me of a significant moment for all of us. We had the opportunity to visit FOB Bostik, the northernmost forward operating base in AFG. These guys were among the remaining 45 or so survivors from the ambush on their Command Outpost just 20 KM away, 2 weeks ago...they lost 8 Soldiers. SGT Breeding (right behind me in the photo) told us what happened. Very sobering. What a privilege to spend some time with them and give them hugs. There were many others at the FOB that afternoon who we were honored to meet and let them know how deeply we care.

At every turn, and with every individual in uniform that I met, I felt blessed and in debt for their service, and I recognize the contribution that each one is responsible for, no matter their duty.

Highlights of my first trip to AUSA

When I was invited by LTG (ret) Don Jones, the AUSA 4th Region President, to join the Ft. Hood chapter at AUSA, I figured there is no better way to go than with the award-winning (Best Chapter 2009!) chapter from deep in the heart of Texas! They have recruited me from as far away as Salt Lake City. It was a great pleasure to meet General Casey, General Chiarelli, Sec. McHugh, and one of my role models, General Ann Dunwoody over the Materiel Command. It was also a very pleasant surprise to see MG Tony Cucolo who is deploying to Iraq in the next couple of weeks with the 3ID, since RMS is beginning a major project to help them document the Command and their 3ID proud history and I didn't think I'd be able to check in with him in person before they left...I have a VTC with them tomorrow in fact, to make sure they're good to go on their historical documentation that they will be collecting. They are up to their helmets with everything that has to get done, for sure.

Yesterday, General Casey spoke at the luncheon, detailing the priorities of the Army. Most civilians might be surprised to find out that "training and equipment" is actually the number 2 priority, not no. 1. The number one priority of the Army is to "sustain our Soldiers, their families and the Army Family Covenant" ...."to raise the mental fitness of our soldiers to the level of physical fitness" . I also spent some time with Army MWR folks who are assisting with the funding of the 3ID/ RMS flagship program for the Army, as well as MG Bergner, Chief of Army Public Affairs, and LTG Stulz, Chief of USAR. Very helpful to have everyone in one place!

It was a quick 2 days for me out in DC, but I met a whole lot of new friends, and I even committed to running the Army 10 miler next year....what was I thinking??