Hello to Magee Elementary

To:  Ty's 4th grade Flag Class

From:  AM1(AW) Joshua Laird  (Ty's Uncle)

Well, I hope that everyone is enjoying Flat Stanley's adventure with me.  I just wanted to let everyone know that even though the school year is almost at an end that it will not prevent me from continuing on with the stories of Flat Stanley.  I was hoping that we would have something to tell you from Iraq, but it doesn't seem like we will make it there before the school year is out. I would just like to tell you that I will keep this journey going until I complete this tour with the Red Wolves of 84 and back in Jacksonville, Fl.  I hope that you will continue for follow his progress and have a safe and wonderful summer vacation.

Flat Stanley, Jay, Terry Fator, and myself

Well,  in the event that you have been living under a rock for a while, Terry Fator is a winner of "America's Got Talent".  He is a ventriloquist and impersonator.  To tell the truth, he is better than that.  Jay and I went to go see his act while in Las Vegas and we took Flat Stanley around to see the sights.  Sorry, I forgot my cord to upload the photos onto my computer.  I will get them up when I get back to Norfolk.  For now, this is what I got and will probably be the highlight of the trip.  Don't know how I can top meeting Terry Fator, but I guess that I will have to try.  Flat Stanley enjoyed the show a whole lot. He laughed so hard that he just about blew out his laminate.  

HSC-84 Home of the Redwolves

Flat Stanley has landed himself in one of the finest HSC Commands around.  He is now proud to call himself a Redwolf.  It has been a little tedious for Flat Stanley with getting checked into his new command and getting all the qualification that he needs to become a productive member of the Redwolve's Nation.  It is going pretty good and he is doing all that he can to do his part.  He will be going on a little trip pretty soon, so stay tuned.  We can't tell you where he will be popping up next due to Operational Security, but he will definitely be popping up somewhere interesting.

Gone From Camp McCrady

Last day of class for Flat Stanley

Senior Enlisted Platoon Leader, Senior Chief Dobison with Flat Stanley

Senior Officer Platoon Leader, LCDR Smith with Flat Stanley

Drills Sergeant Price with Flat Stanley

Well,  we are all done at Camp McCrady.  Above Flat Stanley is with the leadership of Bravo Company, 1st Platoon.  Drill Sergeant Price was responsible for directing Flat Stanley and Bravo 1st through our training.  We learned a lot in the short time we were in Camp McCrady and would go back again in a heart-beat.  We were directed in more than 1,8oo hours of instructional training, fired more than 1,000 rounds of ammo through various different weapons, and were blown up by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device).  All-in-all, we had a really good time.  We are now in Virginia where we will be indoctrinated in to our new command.  Unfortunately, I don't think that Flat Stanley will make it to Iraq before the school year is out, but we will try.  Flat Stanley and myself hope that every one in Magee Elementary's Fourth Grade Flag Class is enjoying the exploits of Flat Stanley goes Navy.

Battle Gear

Flat Stanley in Battle Gear with Ty's Uncle Josh

Flat Stanley is in his full battle gear along with AM1(AW) Joshua Laird.  It is bullet proof and it will keep him safe when we go overseas.  It is really heavy and weighs approximately sixty pounds.  You really can't complain about the weight when compared to the protection that it provides.  So, no one really complains about it, they just complain about how they feel after wearing it for a while.

Ammo Detail

5.56mm Rounds for the M249 (SAW)

7.62mm Rounds for the M240

Well, Flat Stanley has had a couple of rough days.  He was on an Ammo Detail which was responsible for making sure that every one had enough ammo to fire on our heavy weapons.  It is a very easy job, but it is steady work.  He had to count the rounds to make sure that everyone got the right amount of ammo for the shoot.  It was very fun and interesting to see all the rounds fired.  Flat Stanley had a really good time.  

Getting NARMY Strong

Well, Flat Stanley has been really busy lately.  We are currently having technical difficulties with the internet service here and we can't post any photos.  So, we will have to stick to the narrative.  

Today, Flat Stanley did a pre-qualification fire with his M16A assault rifle.  He did well enough to qualify, but was disappointed at how well he did.  He hopes that he will do better tomorrow.  Tomorrow is the qualifying shoot and he hopes to qualify as a sharp shooter or better.  He did find out that his elevation knob on his rifle is slipping while he is firing so he will be more conscience of that tomorrow and hopes that it will make a difference.  

This week, Flat Stanley's platoon is the duty platoon.  He assists in loading all the ammo so that every one has the correct amount of ammo to fire.  It means that he has to get up really early in the morning so that his platoon can get a head start on it.  It means that he is working really long hours.  Other than that, Flat Stanley is doing really well and is ready to get on to his next location.