Will called me at work this morning a little after 7 am - of course, it was 3 p.m. where he is. The ship with their equipment finally arrived a couple days ago, so they have been busy unloading that.
He says everyone is well - a few scrapes and a sprained ankle among the troops from a wild game of Frisbee are their only casualties!
They have not received any mail yet - are hoping that some will arrive in the next couple days. Has not received any packages either - told him I know that there are several in the pipeline and he said he had no idea when they would get there as no one has been getting packages that he knows of there. He said that he really appreciates the thought but that it might be just as well to hold off on sending more packages for a bit. Not sure if I am going to listen to that, but am passing along what he asked me to.
Naturally, he could not say anything about his unit's future plans. He asked me to let you all know that he is well - access to email and phones is very limited - he has written another journal entry, but has not found access to a computer. He said that he may have to print it out and mail it to me, if he can't get access soon. He wrote us a letter when they arrived and we haven't received that yet, either.
When I hear more from him, will share the news with all of you.
God bless all of you for your support.
Thank you so much for sharing this information with us all....even though I don't personally know you son, I feel as though I do thru his writings as I know a lot of us here do.
May God bless you and your family for your strength and courage in supporting Will through this...obviously, you have done a VERY good job raising a wonderful, humorous, responsible, strong and caring individual...he will get thru this and you will have him in your arms once again very soon!! You have much to be proud of Mom....thank you from all of us!!!!
My heart, thoughts and prayers are with you all!!!
From me and mine, tell him good luck, and safe home.
Posted by: GORDON on April 14, 2003 07:23 PMWill's Mom,
Thanks so much for sharing that with us! That is incredible that you would think of us and take the time to write. God bless you and your family. You continue to be in our prayers....
Godspeed, Will....
Posted by: Joelle on April 14, 2003 07:25 PMThank you for the update! I've been worried and concerned for Will. He has touched many lives. He is and always will be in many thoughts and prayers. I feel like I have known him forever. To ''know'' you would be a great gift. Keep writing because I'm anxiously but patiently waiting.
Your biggest fan.
THANK MOM!
the same as all the other I very much appreciate the update. Was getting alittle worried. God bless you and your family.
Thanks again. Sharon speaks for me as well. It is amazing how much I feel for Will. Like he is a member of my own family or something.
Bless you and yours. Thank you so very much for posting. I was really starting to worry about him. I would check the site like three times a day in spare moments to see if he had posted. It wouldn't have mattered WHAT he had posted just something to know he is okay.
You've done a good job. As a mother of a 14 year old "monster" son right now - you make me envious.
Posted by: Roxann on April 14, 2003 08:23 PMDear Will's Mom,
Thanks for the update. Like the others, I was getting worried. I have shared Will's writing with my friends and four children (14, 16, 17, 19). We all send our aloha, appreciation, thanks and prayers for Will and all the others serving in the Armed Forces. Looking forward to Will's next journal entry.
Posted by: Kim on April 14, 2003 08:56 PMAl-hamduillah, I am so happy to see news of Will, and to know that all is well; thanks Mom! The soldiers, each and every one, are in my thoughts and prayers daily. I, too, have also shared the website information for Will's messages with co-workers at the office. Insha'Allah, all will be home safely, soon. Best regards, Aishah
Posted by: Aishah on April 14, 2003 09:01 PMI wish him well and I don't even know the boy. :o) I started reading this "blog" when it was included in CNN's coverage some weeks ago. I check it at least every other day. Good luck "me foine boy-o"! Come home with your body, heart, and soul, in one piece and make your Mama and your Country proud! Much love, Insha'Allah, and May God Be With You, Always, One of Your Many Nameless Supporters.
Posted by: Gidgie on April 14, 2003 09:14 PMIt's great to hear that all is well with Will and the gang. Have been praying for him since I started coming here to this sight. He is in my thoughts daily. I always wonder where he is and if he is safe. Hope he makes it home soon. And to Will's MOM...You have the BEST Son anyone could ask for I do Believe. He is all that a Girl could ask for and I am sure that a MOM could ask for also.
We are proud of You WILL and the REST of our ARMED FORCES also.
Take Care and We Look Forward to Hearing from you SOON!
Kelley
Posted by: Kelley in Iowa on April 14, 2003 09:19 PMDear Will's Mom,
God Bless You! I hadn't seen anything since April 1, and was getting very worried, even I don't know him. I feel he's a very wonderful, sincere person. I pray for him and all the other troops over there every day. I'm a Navy Reservist over in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and I appreciate very much the sacrifices he and the others go through to ensure the freedom many of us take for granted. I am very happy to hear that he is doing okay. I will reiterate that if he ever comes up to Wisconsin, my husband and I would be more than happy to buy him an entire case of the best beer in the world! God Bless Will, and you for the stress you naturally go through being his mom. I'll keep you both in my prayers.
THANKS TO WILL'S MOM FOR LETTING US KNOW HE IS ALRIGHT! I WAS GETTING PRETTY WORRIED THAT HE HASN'T POSTED ANYTHING FOR SO LONG. MY LITTLE BROTHER IS WITH THE 1ST. EXPEDITIONARY MARINES AND IT MADE ME FEEL A LITTLE CLOSER TO HIM TO BE ABLE TO READ WHAT WILL HAD TO SAY . I HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH HIS SITE FOR AWHILE NOW AND WOULD CHECK A FEW TIMES A DAY AND TODAY WHEN I CHECKED THE FIRST TIME , MY COMPUTER GAVE ME A MESSAGE THAT THE PAGE WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE . THAT REALLY SCARED ME . I KEPT TRYING AND WAS SO HAPPY WHEN I SAW THE RED , WHITE , AND BLUE COMING UP ON THE SCREEN ! WHEW! JUST WANT TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THAT WILL AND ALL THE TROOPS ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ! I PRAY THAT IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE THEY WILL BE HOME SAFE ! GOD BLESS AMERICA !
Posted by: TAMI on April 14, 2003 10:35 PMThank you so much for keeping us up to date. I hope in some way this is helping you know YOU did something right bringing Will up to be such a man, that would touch so many hearts. That somehow knowing what he is going through, gives others hope!
Posted by: Nancy on April 14, 2003 10:39 PMOh thank you so much Will's mom for letting us know he's okay. I don't know Will personally, but feel as though I do after reading his writings. God bless you and your family, madame, and thank you for thinking of us here online. We are so proud of your son, and his brothers out there fighting for freedom, I hope he comes home SOON!
hugs.
Posted by: Shannon on April 14, 2003 11:18 PMHi Will's Mom,
I was watching them check out a suspicious site in Iraq the other day and found myself wondering....wonder if any of those guys could be Will?
Guess it wasn't if their equipment just arrived.
From one Mom to another, we're praying for your son and all our troops. Thank you for the update.
Dvine
Posted by: dvine_connection on April 14, 2003 11:38 PMWill's Mom,
Everyone has pretty much covered all the bases for worry and how proud I am of Will and all of those serving. Bless you for sharing your news with us. Godspeed to all the forces and stay safe.
Mary.
Many thanks Will's Mum
I feel a little isolated here amongst all Will's female 'fans' but I have to tell you how much I have enjoyed son son's writings. My own son, who has just this week come out of the Army, was involved in the 1991 Gulf War so I have some idea how you must be feeling.
My best wishes (from the UK) to you and your amazing son.
Richard
Posted by: richard on April 15, 2003 01:34 AMhi will,
i received the letter fro, your mom and she's so sweet to let us know what was going on, eventhough i know that she is very nervous on what was going on there to you and your troops. i heard that the war is over, i'm not yet sure if that is true bec, i've been out for a while and i just get back home and i never heard anything about war since then. I hope and pray that the news is true and that all of you guys can go back home to your families. I hope to hear from you soon, god bless all of you. lea
hi will,
i received the letter from, your mom and she's so sweet to let us know what was going on, eventhough i know that she is very nervous on what was going on there to you and your troops. i heard that the war is over, i'm not yet sure if that's true bec, i've been out for a while and i just get back home and i never heard anything about war since then. I hope and pray that the news is true and that all of you guys can go back home to your families. I hope to hear from you soon, god bless all of you. lea
Thanks "Mom" for the update!! Will, you and your family have definitely become an extended part of our families. Our thoughts and prayers remain with you.
Kimberly
Posted by: Kimberly on April 15, 2003 07:02 AMI was gettin a little worried about will...i'm so glad he's alright and that we've got to hear from him
Posted by: alicia on April 15, 2003 07:21 AMHi Will and Mom!
Glad to hear all is well thus far! Thanks for the update, I as well as every one else here , have been worried about our guy Will. Take care, and Mom, could you write a book too? I have a 14 year old son, and could use some help! God Bless,
Penny
Dear Will's Mom,
You've raised a great son and a good writer.
My sister and I, both in CT, (sons in
2/6 Fox, Camp LeJeune in Iraq, and a MI BN in Kuwait) found our strength and humor by reading Will's stories.
We added Will to our prayers and started to worry about him. With your posting, we know he's okay.
Hope he's home soon.
Posted by: Sharon on April 15, 2003 08:03 AMDear Will's Mom,
Thank you for letting us know your son is okay. These online journals are new to me. I hadn't heard about them until after the war in Iraq started. They are amazing and wonderful.
You actually begin to care about the writer and worry because there is no new posting. I had been logging onto Will's site every day and when I didn't see a new posting, I felt a pang of pain in my heart.
I think this is a bit of what being human should be about---caring about people whether we know them personally or not.
I'm so thankful and grateful that your son is okay.
Wiliam
Posted by: William on April 15, 2003 08:36 AMThank you, Will's Mom.
I figured no news was good news, thanks for confirming that. In my prayers he is "Will from the Net". I know that God knows exactly who he is and has protected him and all of the other men and women over there. AND, for the miraculous return of our POW's He gets all the glory!
God Bless America!
Cathy
Kentucky
Will's Mom;
Thank you for taking the time to update, we have adopted your son as our hero here at our office and have said many prayers for his and all the troop safe return. Thanks again for posting, your family is Blessed.
Debby
Posted by: debby on April 15, 2003 09:09 AMDear Will's Mom;
I spent all weekend hoping that there would be a new post. I'm sure you can hear the collective sigh...
Your son's sense of humor (wooogie, woogie, woogie) has kept a smile on many faces!
Thanks for taking the time to keep us updated!
Kathy
Dear Will's Mom,
Thanks for your message. Glad to know Will is still safe and sound. Have been following his blog and had been worried about him. The troops are in my prayers daily and hope they will all be home soon. Thanks for taking the time to share with us and May God Bless You and Our Troops.
Barbara
Dear Will's Mom, From one mom to another, Thank you for your son and all the other sons and daughters that are in harms way.
Posted by: Earlene on April 15, 2003 12:37 PMOnce again thanks for the update. Being a Mom of a only child (son) I know you worry and will not feel good till he is standing in front of you, so you can see for yourself that he's okay. Keep up the good spirits. And Will take care and hope you get your packages soon!
Posted by: ctyson on April 15, 2003 02:07 PMStay Safe Will! Find a computer soon, your site is a joy to read. As with many other people, we love your writing and are glad to hear from you when you do. You don't know me, but I think about you and hope that things aways go well for you. You have my support, as a Canadian (see nice people north of 54th). Take care.
Posted by: Ryan on April 15, 2003 02:19 PMOmg, ok (see people North of the 49th). We're not all retarded I swear, my mind is just somewhere else right now.
Posted by: Ryan on April 15, 2003 05:03 PMSo glad to hear he is ok. I too have jumped back here 2-3-4 times a day just to check.Hope all is well with you guys at home and I hope he gets to a computer soon. God Bless!!
Carmen
Hello, I am Brazilian and I don't know any of you, but I am glad to know that your son is well.
I just hope this is the last war in which he has taken part...And I hope Bush does not decide to bomb Syria, North Korea, Cuba or any other country. I lived in the US for a year and have many friends there. But I wish the Americans did not support these fake wars...
God bless,
Renata.
Thank you for the Will update. God bless.
Posted by: amanda on April 15, 2003 07:55 PMDear Will's Mom,
Thank you for the update on Will. We all have been worried about him since his last post. I'm glad he is ok. He has such a good sense of humor with all that he is going thru over there.I hope that it is a comfort for you to know that his internet friends are praying for your son's safe return.And for all the troops over there still fighting for freedom.God bless them all.
Teri
We are united everywhere with our troops and their vital support teams >>our men and women who represent us in these times of challenge. ~ We stay with you in spirit and soul ~ Americans are everywhere on our beautiful planet and no matter how we may be perceived, it is always for peace and freedom we will stand by each other. * Much love to you all *
Posted by: American Goddess Down Under on April 16, 2003 12:36 AMTo Will's mom: Thank you for the update on Will. It's been a long time and I try not to worry. Thank you too for raising such a fine young man - and witty too! Thank you for sharing him with the world and for being the brave mother I know that you are. You are in our daily prayers - as are all of the soldiers and families.
God Bless you!
Posted by: Mattie on April 16, 2003 08:15 AMhey you! americans!
Do you ever know that a lots of people hate you and your country? Did you asked your self why? Just ASK YOUR SELF! I tell you why:
-cause you are narrowminded, but u are sure that u're well educated and intelligent
-u are sure that everybody in the world do need your care and help. Discover for ur self: WE DONT NEED YOUR CARE!
- double standards, cynicism, cupidity - with those features describes you everage people over the world
DON`T BE MANIPULATED BY YOUR GOVERNMENT!!!
You have a big and beautiful country! Go home and rule there!
Alex from Russia
Posted by: Alex on April 16, 2003 08:22 AM4/16 Thanks Will's Mom!
So HAPPY to hear from Will. Our friend is with the Marines in Iraq. We haven't heard from him yet. Will is on our prayer lists also.
(Sounds like Will may have inherited some writing skills from his mom.)
"God Bless and keep all of men and women safe and sound."
FIrst I would like to say to 'Mom' your son is a wonderful person. I love his writings. God Bless You, Your son, and all the soldiers and thier families for making the sacrifice to protect those unable to protect themselves and the unworthy.
To Alex from Russia.
‘War is ugly but not as bad as miserable creatures like you with no chance of being free unless made or kept by the blood of better men than yourself.’
Therefore:
1) do not go to a site of a US solider and degrade his post.
2) if other coutries didn't need our help then explain to me how Hilter was defeated.
3) You say we are controlled by our government? Hmmm! Are you sure your not forgetting where you live? My dear friend from the Ukraine left due to persecution of her religious beliefs. She went back to visit and said the country is in such a state that only compares to that of colonial times.
You have the right to voice your opinion on a site but please spare us from your idiotic remarks about government and control.
Our boys VOLUNTEER to protect us! And we VOLUNTEER to support them and any plight they take to protect us and our fellow men from the Stalin's and Hilter's of our times. And know that there are no Mousolini's in the White House right now!
``People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.''
George Orwell
God Bless America and our Allies!
Stacey from Boston MA
Posted by: Stacey on April 16, 2003 02:31 PMThank God for Will and those like him! I have been checking this site everyday hoping for an update. Thanks Mom!
Posted by: cj on April 16, 2003 04:18 PMThank you Wills Mom!
Have been checking this page for days and was getting a little worried about Will. Thanks for the update on him.
Posted by: Kip on April 16, 2003 05:59 PMThank you MOM!!!! I'm a mom myself and am so relieved you heard from Will and let us all know. I've been worried about him along with the other men and women there. Hopefully they'll be home soon. Send him my love and my love go out to you also. Take care and keep in touch.
All my prayers and love to you both-
Cheryl V. Dempsey-Evans
Dunnellon, Florida
Hi mom and Will hope all is fine and it looks like things are winding down. There is so many posative people out there so I wouldnt let some idiot like Alxe from Russia slow you down.Just remember when those russian bastards have their hands out for some money then we will be humble.
God Bless.
i see you have always a weighty arguments:
"russian bastard", "idiot", "miserable creatures" :)
Please mark, that i didn`t used similar definitions... I think thats your big problem - as i know americans - when you don`t have enough arguments, you go to outrage an opponent... You are too sure that you are always right...
And i do have a right to go to the site of us soldier, because your soldiers imagine they can go anywhere!
All that i told in my post, that you have a country big enough, to play war there... And i wish your soldiers will go home as soon as possible and stay there forever! We have enough brain and power to release our problems. And your soldiers in Iraq are banal invader, i would not proud of them.
To Stacey: Ukraine is more than 11 years an independent state, and has nothing to do with Russia...learn geography! :) - a propos, are you sure where is Iraq situated? In Africa? In Russia may be? :)
Posted by: Alex on April 17, 2003 05:30 AMTo Stacey from Boston
"Our boys VOLUNTEER to protect us! And we VOLUNTEER to support them and any plight they take to protect us and our fellow men from the Stalin's and Hilter's of our times. And know that there are no Mousolini's in the White House right now!"
- as i understand the word volunteer - it must be free service, right? How much your "volunteers" earn for that scuffle, and liberated from life iraqi children?
- don`t make me lough! "protect us" from whom? from downtrodden iraqi soldiers? did they really treaten you? (LOL) With theyr Kalashnikovs? Where is nuclear or chemical weapon? Ah, still didn`t found... What a pitty! Switch off CNN for a while and fall to thinking: what your sons are really doing there?
- Hitler... Stalin... Mussolini,
Stacey! your frisky cowboy in white house is much more dangerous, cause he has a nuclear bomb...
Best regards from Russia
Alex
Alex -
You certainly have a right to express your opinions (at least in this country), but I think that what Stacey was saying is that there is a place for debate on this website-in the Forum- which is more appropriate for your comments than at a site which is only giving information.
Addendum to last post - end should read:
"information about the status of one soldier."
Posted by: husker on April 17, 2003 08:22 AM"frisky cowboy in white house." Oh, man, that's the most hilarious metaphor for Bush that I think I've ever heard.
Moms are awesome--thanks for letting us know Will is doing well.
Posted by: MK on April 17, 2003 10:21 AMThank you Will's mum!! It's strange how a person can worry about somebody that they have never, and probably will never meet! I hope we hear from him soon. If he is as good a soldier as he is a writer he will be doing ok.
Best wishes.
Thanks Will's Mom
This was so thoughtful of you to keep us updated. With all the "finds" over there, it seemed that Will would be not only very busy but more in harm's way and it is a relief to know he is okay!
Will is quite the writer and, when this is over, hopefully soon, he can turn his talents in that direction - his humor is just biting enough to be hilarious without being mean spirited (despite the Wisconsin mullet jokes!).
You can be proud of the way you raised your son - as a parent I know how difficult that can be sometimes (like swimming against the tide some days) but you have done it well!
Take care!
Posted by: Lorrie V. on April 17, 2003 11:09 AMALEX: Please leave this site. We are not here to debate. You are tiring.
Posted by: Earlene on April 17, 2003 11:59 AMI saw on CNN this morning that the Australians that went to help out in Iraq are going home today. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!!! We know who our REAL friends are.
Posted by: Earlene on April 17, 2003 12:03 PMI found this diary by accident but what a hoot! I thank you for writing and keeping us informed of some of the more important issues amongst our "America's Bravest"
Posted by: Diane Garber on April 17, 2003 12:23 PMAlex - stay on the site, but as Stacey and husker suggested, move to the forum where I'm sure some of our friends out there will be more than willing to discuss the issues with you (this could be fun).
To Will's mom - thanks (again). As you can see, lots of people are relieved to know he is doing ok - myself included. Still think they should have just turned the ship around instead of unloading it and sent him home :) .... hopefully soon.
Posted by: Shell on April 17, 2003 12:45 PMThis has been very interesting reading. I hope he gets the job done and gets home to his family and friends VERY soon!!! That goes for all our men & women kicking butt over there. Will you are in my prayers!! You goooooo boyyyyyy!!!
Dear Will's Mom,
Thanks so much for letting us know that Will is ok. I hope you two can see each other real soon.
Carolyn
Posted by: Carolyn on April 17, 2003 04:14 PMWill's Mom-
Your son's a hoot! Tell him to keep up the good work, as weel as his great sense of humor! Hope he comes home safe!!
Love from a 15 year Federal employee!
Posted by: Tess on April 17, 2003 10:53 PMThanks Will's mom,
We are Milena,Ilaria and Adriana,we are happy to receive update.It is beautiful that she write for Will.We'll continue to write also if Will don't may read our messages now. we like our thoughts do company him.
'You may be richness,
have cascket of love amd till of gold
but you'll don't be more copious me:
I have a mother taht read for me'
With love three italian girls
Posted by: Adriana on April 19, 2003 03:17 AMHi boy,
finally we can read again some news about you and the life at the front!
Although you tell us about the war in a very hironic way, i hope to you to came home soon ( It will be however better!! ) and ...to see at least in a mirage your loved cigarette, while you're waiting for a real cigarette...!
Don't get angry with me, i like to joke!
Now i regard you, with love.
Ilenia
Enjoy of the stars in the desert's night and remember that i think of you and i pray too.
Happy Easter to all soldiers.
THANK YOU MOM (See MOMS MAKE THE WORLD GO 'ROUND)
Before I continue, I just have to inject my comments...
To ALEX:
Please ... husker is correct, and you are incorrect as well as rude! Forums are present for your sort of innane, derogatory chatter. (I also never saw Stacey call you 'russian bastard' as you attempted to imply.) Healthy debate (See DEBATE, NOT ATTACK) is what makes humans think, and if presented in the forum, and with a little more tact, perhaps more would be willing to discuss your viewpoints with you. (See DISCUSS, NOT LISTEN TO YOUR RANTING)
You also accuse Stacey of not knowing geography, yet your English is misspelled, ill worded, and combative, as well as incorrectly phrased. (See WHO'S IN COMBATIVE STANCE NOW) If you desire to come to an American soldier's site, and wish to be actually heard and understood, perhaps it would behoove you to attempt to understand the people you attack.
I am now done with Alex.
SHELL: It could, indeed, 'be fun' to debate with Alex!
RICHARD: Awwww, you're not the only male 'fan' of Will's! Though I may be female, I 'love' Will because he is a humorous and thinking person, NOT because he is a 'stud in uniform'!!! (See I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT WILL LOOKS LIKE) *laughs* So it's ok for you to be a fan here...most likely for the same reasons I am!
WILL'S MOM: I will certainly do as you asked me to. I most certainly appreciate the response/consideration expressed by you, and I can be trusted to, shall we say, hold to 'mum's the word'. *grins*
WILL: I know for a fact that my friend Micky has a laptop, and is in Kuwait, so go find him, and you will be able once again to get your posts up in a timely and easy manner!!! (See SEARCHING FOR A NEEDLE IN A SANDSTACK) Ok, ok, I was being a bit of a wiseguy, but hey...you're not the only one who can jest!!!
Will, do you see the yellow ribbon adorning my palm tree, my door, my car antenna? Know what that means? (See COME HOME SOON TROOPS!)
GODSPEED, AND WARM PRAYERS,
Judi
To Alex from Russia!
After you put down your bottle of Vodka, please learn how to spell!! And after you are done with Spelling 101, come kiss my hairy white ass!!
God's speed to all our men and women who keep us safe!
Posted by: Tim on April 27, 2003 01:54 AMIts April 27,2003. I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to Will. I have never sent any e-mail to our troops, but I am very proud of them.
Posted by: Phillip on April 27, 2003 01:22 PM
Will is a pretty good writer and this is the collection of his writings. It'll be interesting to hear updates from a soldier's point of view, so I'll be posting them for all to read.
Take care Will