Good morning! I hope this entry finds everyone well. I’m personnally looking forward to a great vacation about 6 weeks from now. In geologic time, that’s the blink of an eye….so I’m going to keep my geologic calendar up for the time being. 
Well, I’m sorry to say but this has been a trying week. At the end of the day though everyone is fine and things are moving forward. We’re working through some of the processes that we need to improve. Like I said, it’s difficult, but rewarding. We’re continuing our work and it looks like we’re going to start paving our roads here very soon. It’s taken quite a while, but it’s still moving forward.
I actually took a night off and went to see a movie with a great friend I’ve met here. The movie was Jumper. Decent movie, but not exactly an Oscar winner. Pretty good special effects and action…. a great suspension of reality for a few hours.
Speaking of this friend, she decided that she is heading home in a few weeks. Her orders brought her over here on a 6-month tour and now she’s heading back to the states. I feel very privileged to have the chance to work with Lorraine and get to know her on a professional and personal level. I think that is one of the things most people forget about when asking about our experiences over here. Most people want to know about the work. I know that I’m most going to remember the people I’ve met and with whom I’ve worked.
Many of you have asked for my address, so I figured I’d post it here. Mail takes anywhere from two to six weeks. If you have friends and would like to gather any mail for “Any Soldier” please feel free to include it and I’ll pass them along. We’ve got a lot of young soldiers working on the FOB who would appreciate the mail. Here’s the address:
MAJ Fred Hockett
DoIA / MNSTC-I
c/o FOB Shield Mayor’s Cell
APO AE 09348
I’ve also been working on what I’ll be doing when I return. I’ll be returning to Kalamazoo and working with Chris Fisher at Keyser Insurance Group. He has offered me a position as his Director of Operations and Organizational Development… I think the acronym is DOOD, so that’s kind of cool j/k. I’ve got a few other plans as well that will come to fruition a few months after I return. I’m going to volunteer with the state VA on Veteran’s outreach programs and job placement. I’m working on a website geared toward this end.
Thanks again to everyone for all the support and kind words. It’s great having friends to help you through difficult times. If any of you need anything, please let me know and I’ll see what I can do to help. Have a great day and I look forward to seeing you all soon.
Warmest Regards,
Fred
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Linda and I are looking forward to your visit in Aug on the 18th, at least I hope that is still in the works. If this has changed please let us know, but I hope that you will call so I can hear your voice and we can talk. WYA
Love Pops & Linda
I just want to wish you a great 4th of July. It is thanks to you and all the brave men and women out there than we can celebrate this day. I am proud of you. Be safe and have a great week!
Fred, I came looking for you, and I am glad I found your blog! Hope all is going well in Iraq. I wanted to get in touch with you to discuss your interest (if any) in working for me as the Deputy Commandant of Culver Military Academy, which is a bout 1 hour south of South Bend, IN. I may be offered the Commandant’s position, and I would need a GREAT deputy. Your name came immediately to mind. Knowing all of your strengths and talents as I do, I think you would be perfect for the job, and it would also provide you with the opportunity to help develop young leaders in a military environment very similar to that at West Point. I know you are currently deployed, but please let me know if you might be interested in this type of position. Regards, Kelly C. Jordan, LTC, US Army (Retired), Manchu 5 (ancient).
P.S. Congratulations on the well-deserved promotion!! The gold oak leaves look good on you.