Well, it finally happened. The Air Force decided to allow me and my family to escape the confines of northwest Florida and finish my enlistment at a new location. We are bound for Cannon AFB which is located in Clovis New Mexico. Never heard of it? Well, it's famous for uh.... peanut farms and hmmm.... peanut farms. Clovis is also where Buddy Holly recorded a few of his songs back in the day. Right now we are taking leave en route in Clinton Alabama visiting Audrea's family. We will be back on the road the morning of the 23rd of February.

In March I finally decided to get off my lazy butt and start getting prepared for retirement. It is funny to me to think of retiring when internally I feel like I am only a year or two older than Cody who is going to be turning 11 this year. I heard somewhere that it was normal for men to feel that way, that is my story and I am sticking to it. In doing these preparations I have been attending an MCSE course through Stetson University (based in Southern Florida).

In our home town of Russell New York there is a cemetary near the corner of Blanchard Hill and Backus roads. The cemetary is old and run down, I do not think anyone has been laid to rest there since the early 1900's. Towards the front of the cemetary is a monument bigger than the rest, it almost seems out of place in this rural community cemetary. When my brother and I were kids traveling to visit Grama and Grampa in the car with Mom and Dad we would look out for that monument. For in our minds (I think Bryan started it) that was the grave of Starsky and Hutch.

Sorry for the lack of updates. Let's just say I was preoccupied over in Afghanistan. I got home on the 8th of January 2007. Since then I have been attending an MCSE course through Stetson University. I now have my A+ certification and am taking my Network+ test on the 29th of May. My brother Bryan is on his way to the war, not too happy about it but what can you do. I am proud of everything he has done, he is a good brother, father, leader, and soldier. He should be proud and standing tall.

I am writing this after the fact so it is kind of weird. I am writing as if I wrote it before I left since I forgot to post it and would like to explain why eight months has passed since my last blog.

I just want to let you know I am deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. I will be in the country of Afghanistan for a minimum of 90 days. It feels good to be able to deploy again and support the nation I love. I am proud of what I do and want to go there with dignity to show my kids who I am. I will post when I get back...

Today was a pretty fun day at church. They started the service today with a baby dedication. Right after that the grandparents of the baby that was dedicated were married. They had found out earlier this week that there marriage of 40 years was not officially recognized in Florida because there pastor did not file the paperwork! After that we celebrated communion, the boys were able to participate which was very special to them since it was the first time. Then at the end of the service there were about 25 baptisms!
After all of the baptisms were done they asked if there was anyone else in the congregation that would like to be baptized.

Today is a pretty good day so far. Although it is only 0745 it is beautiful outside and it seems to be pretty peaceful. Unfortunately I am working this weekend so I do not get to go out and enjoy it. Audrea goes to work at 12 and will be bring me lunch and the kids. LOL

I have got the photo album module installed. Feel free to upload any pictures you want to share.

The Resting Soldier
By Michael White

Growing up in a military family presented me with opportunities that others did not receive. For one, I believe the bond that my brother and I had was closer than other siblings. The reason for this was he experienced everything I did. When we moved to a new duty assignment he and I would set off to explore the local area. Eventually we would both make our own separate set of friends and begin doing our own thing. However that did not keep us from having the occasional adventure together. The story I am presenting you with now took place on Griffiss AFB which is located in Rome New York. Griffiss is no longer an active Air Force Base; it was deactivated in September of 1995, about ten years after we moved from there.

I would like to welcome you to the newest iteration of whiteportal.org. I got tired of the complexity of the old site and decided to slim it down by using the drupal cms system. So far I have the blog and story functions enabled. Feel free to start your own blog today.

Coming Soon!
Photo Module