Who's the Turkey?

Nothing special. Just a picture of us with a big plastic Turkey because we were bored. The girl in front is a friend of “Shadow”.

Grown up Table

They finally got to move the kiddy table in the garage to the "Big People Table. More after Thanksgiving dinner antics. “808” said that this is the size of his table at home.

Funny Faces

After Thanksgiving dinner clowning around at the aviation DFAC. I think “Flipper” and “Speedy” modeled for the melon carver. The girl in the back (a.k.a. Shadow) tagged along for the ride and after dinner antics.

Gangs all Here

Here is our entire gang. We got a new addition to our section (left side behind 808) and we call him “Speedy” because he talks so fast. We are happy to have him in our section because we will really be busy. Notice who has the most food?????

Gobble Gobble

We decided to eat at the North DFAC for Thanksgiving meal at lunchtime. The lines to eat were longer than a Wal-Mart checkout line on “Black Friday” I decided to sit and watch everyone’s weapons while they got their food and about30 minutes later the guys brought me a plate with all the trimmings. The DFAC really tried to make it worth our while to eat but the food wasn’t the same as being home. Here are some photos above this posting.....enjoy - Tino.

Kids in Action

As a proud Daddy, I had to post a couple pics of my two oldest in action. Luckily I attended both of these before I deployed.

Send off Pictures

Here are a couple pictures from the send off.

The picture of my guys are nicknamed L-F = Flipper (likes Miami Dolphins), MAJ Tino (Me), 808 (from Hawaii and is area code), Raven (look at jersey). Great pic of "Team Tino" huh? Ethan was dressed for his Flag Football Game (they are now 2-0), Audrey was dressed for Cheerleading (she cheers for Ethan's League), and Avery just finished playing in the mud - Miss you Family.

Till the next post....Tino

Mail Request

- For anyone who wishes to send me and my fellow Soldiers things from home, here is my mailing address:

MAJ Frank D. Constantino
OPS CO, STB, 25th ID
Command Group
COB Speicher, Iraq
APO AE 09393

- Here are some things I could really use if anyone could help me out. Just post what you are sending here but if I get to many of one thing, there are plenty of Soldiers to share with.

Hangars, 3M Hooks (various sizes), Fabreeze (everythings stinks here), Stick-ups, Baby Wipes, Kleenex

- Here are some nice to have things that I'm sure we would appreciate:
Movie DVDs, Coffee, Flavored Creamer, Candy, Snacks (I'm particularly fond of Almond M&Ms & Snickers, Gummi Bears, Sunflower Seeds, & smoked sausage), Cigars

Until next post....Tino

Journeyman

Travel Log - NOV 08

- Since I had just made the journey to Irag no less than 12 months ago, I had a pre-conveived notion of what the trip would be like....it would suck beyond belief. However, truly the most difficult part was bidding farewell to Janette and the kids at the send off location (photos will be posted later). They were inadvertently the center of attention (which I found out later) from our Division public affairs and everyone on my Chalk (flight). Everyone told me later how sad they were to see Janette and the kids weeping while waiting for our buses to depart and a film crew was taping every minute of it. We'll see if they get their unwanted 15 minutes of fame.

- Let's see.....On the the last journey to Iraq, We had a small raggedy plane that broke at every stop, I got a seat in the last row of the plane and nothing worked...no lights, no recline, headset jack broken. The only thing I could do was sleep sitting upright. Well HELLO KARMA!!!! This time we had a Boeing 747 Jumbo and I got to sit in the front in BUSINESS CLASS. The seats reclined all the way back, my own private screen, and business class service. I almost thought I was on vacation minus my weapon and uniform. That was a great flight.

- After twenty-eight hours of straight traveling and two stops (SEA-TAC, Germany), we finally made it to Kuwait and am now waiting for the Air Force to give us a ride to Iraq. Not much has changed here in Kuwait aside from a few more ammenities being offered and the tents we sleep in are a little more sturdy and insulated to keep the heat out. Also, the Dining Facilities (DFAC) are much nicer in appearance but the food is still the same. The food in Iraq is much better.

- That's all for now.....till my next post. Thanks for all the replies, prayers, and love. I truly appreciate every word you type. - TINO

Hello & Goodbye

Hello everyone!! If you are reading this, you have been successful at finding my first blog. I will try and post something once a week or more if I can, so check back regularly. Once I get set up in Iraq, I will get a camera and also post pictures.
To my family....goodbye is so hard, so I will say see you later.

Tino