FOZ in Falluja!

A year or two after my family moved to Florida, the Curtiss family moved into our Ward from Wisconsin. Foster was my age, and we became friends from the first time we met.

After our Missions and College, I took the business route, and so did he breifly. After a short stint with Ford, (and with the permission and ecouragement of his saint of a wife Jenn) he found his career calling and took his dream job chasing the bad guys with NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service).

Sheri and I and our kids met up with him and his family back in the Spring of 2004 and spent a Super fun weekend with them in Jacksonville. They have since moved to Georgia, and Foster is currently deployed in Iraq.

Below are some pics, and an update e-mail I got from him late last week.

Joe, What's up my brother? I have a little down time so I thought I'd drop you a line and see what's going on. All is safe and quiet here in Fallujah. The Marines have done an outstanding job here in stabilizing this part of Iraq. The same story is being repeated all over this country. We have not taken a mortar or rocket attack since April and the casualty rate for U.S. service members is zero. Its neat to see the Iraqi people step up and take control for their own security. They are making great strides in securing their homes and their families. Too bad the media leads the public to believe otherwise. There is still much to do, most of it rests with the politicians, but progress is being made. Attached is a picture taken of me before convoying out to a Forward Operating Base. A far cry from my Ford days.

I will be home in January. Time can't pass quick enough. Jennifer just got done running her first half marathon and she is training to run a marathon next year. I will deploy one more time, hopefully to Afghanistan, and then next fall, we're putting for transfers to Spain, Italy, or Japan. Jennifer can't wait and the kids are excited as well. Isn't it amazing how time flys? Madison will be in the Young Women's program next year as I'm sure Callie will to. Scary thought. I found a solution to our fears though. See attached.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Take care,

Foster

Iraq Convoy

Foz with his Dream Ride!


Foz and Jenn both have access to the blog now, so feel free to drop them a note in the comments, or send me a note and I'll send you their e-mail addresses. In fact, after reading my blog for the first time, this is the note I got back from Foster... hasn't changed a bit has he?

I liked your blog. Did you get your Mancard back yet? If I had it I wouldn’t give it back. But then again, Jennifer would make me give it back. You and Sheri look good. You haven’t changed much in 13 years. It was neat to see the entire Cluff family. Your Mom and Dad have not changed much at all either. Ryan and all the girls look great. Sheri and the kids look wonderful and you seem to be very happy. I am very proud to call you my friend. You are a good man and have a wonderful family. Give them all my best.
Foster

Well Foster Curtiss - I'm proud to call you my friend! Take care of yourself my Brother! Be safe! Our prayers are with you and your family. Thanks for the sacrifices you and your family are making for all of us!

Joe