Trip #12... Not that I'm counting or anything!

One thing about visiting Ft. Benning...

Twelve times in two and a half years since the Ranger enlisted...

Is how much the base has changed...

And, evolved since our first visit!

All of this at the entrance to the base is new...

And, I do think it's a better and a very fitting and grand way to welcome visitors...

Coming to see their loved ones who are training
and/or stationed here... So far from their homes

We've watched the highway into Ft. Benning improve, we've seen the

National Infantry Museum pop up and even witnessed the field where

our Ranger graduated from basic training get a complete make-over. The

work here goes on seven days a week too. It's Sunday, and there are work crews

busy paving roads and planting new shrubs and trees. And, you know what? Those

men working to pave roads and plants trees on a Sunday are being paid more on

a per-hour basis than our men and women in uniform. There's something up-side

down about that, if you ask me. We had dinner with the Ranger and a couple of his

battle-buddies... They joke about the dental clinics that have been closed down and

the chow halls that don't operate on weekends... All in an effort by the current

administration to save money. I say,... Cut back on planting the $600 shrubs and

make it more convenient for our sons and daughters in uniform to get their teeth
cleaned and to have a warm meal whenever they want it. But that's just me!

As usual, our time with the Ranger has been wonderful... He told me today

there is nothing to worry about. And, I'm holding him to those words!

I believe him... But seeing him off to his third deployment in less

than two and a half years still feels and sounds like this in my head...