Robert Update

Happy Tuesday, November 06, 2007

As I wrote in the last update, Robert was chosen to assist at the different stations for the Nationwide Combat Competitions. He called this past Friday and said he had a great time. Robert along with others, set up a medic course. It was stationed at the top of a hill (1/2 kilometer with a 60% slope) they had to carry 250lb dummies and arrange them with all kinds of serious wounds. His group, for one of the competitions, got to play Iraqis’ in a riot, he said they got pretty rough, it was great! Lots of other combat stations had to be set up as well as taken down. It was a hard and busy 4 days. The last day while carrying equipment down the big hill, (all wooded and lots of roots), he twisted his knee pretty badly. He had to keep working and running on it till the next day when he went to the Dr. They x-rayed and scanned it and he should hear in a few days. He took it easier in his running and said that the medicine they gave him for pain helped and he is doing better as of yesterday (still has not gotten results).
Robert called last night and told us that they had been shipped to Charlie Co., (down the road to their new barracks), on Sunday. There are 3000 in his Platoon, which is all those in medical training, (Ft. Sam Houston is the largest fort in the world for this). There are 500 in his Company (Charlie). 85 in his Platoon, which are all housed together and have the same Drill Sergeants. DS Smith, the lead medical instructor and SMOKER, Robert said is wicked and cool, has named the Platoon ‘Death Dealers’. He has 2 other DS’s, Ramirez and Hayes (who is also an instructor).
He starts classes tomorrow, and is ready! He will more than likely not get ‘leave’ for Thanksgiving, we are hoping they will allow visitors so we can go to him. He does get 2 weeks for Christmas. He is planning on going with Steven the day after Christmas, to ‘Winter Camp’ with the Boy Scout Troop for the week. He will not be able to have his car until after he graduates from ‘medic training’ as a 68 WHISKEY, which is March 19th of ‘08’. He then goes on for his LVN training but can have his car. He is looking into Officer School, which will also include RN or possible Physician Assistant, when he finishes with his LVN the following February. All that as to be okayed by his Commander, but from what he has learned the Army would rather have as many Officers as possible, so his chances are pretty good.
Please continue to pray for him and all our soldiers.

He would love to receive letters whenever you all can write to him. Please continue to keep him and all our soldiers in your prayers. For photos please follow this link http://www.bis.cc/photos/main.php. Bob had to move our server out of the house so here is our new Blog site http://www.bis.cc/wordpress/. From the Blog you can also use a RSS reader to read the updates and comments.

Pate, Robert PV2
232nd MED BN C-CO Class #0208
4th Platoon
2950 Koehler Road STE 1350
Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
(PUT A # 4 ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE ENVELOPE)

Love and prayers,
Loretta