July 03, 2005
My Nephew, the blogger.
Most of you know that my nephew is a Milblogger, Slaglerock. Because of it being 4th of July week, and because if you cut me now I'd bleed red, white and blue, I thought I'd tell you about him and how I got to know him as well as I do.
Before the invasion of Iraq, the Spousal Unit's best friend PapaSlagle told us that his son had been transfered to Prince Sultan AFB in Saudi Arabia. I wanted to do something, anything, to make things a little better for him so I asked PapaSlagle for his email address, and gave him mine with a request to offer it to him if he ever wanted to email someone back home.
After waiting a few days, I sent my first email to Slagle... And it hasn't stopped since.
There were days when the lack of IM capabilities was no problem at all, since our emails zipped back and forth so fast and furious that you could hardly tell the difference. I would be on my shift just as he was ending his, so we shared a few hours of time "in the office" together each day to talk. We solved the problems of the world, talked about family, kept up on each others' lives, and basically "shot the shit" for weeks, then months. I got him reading blogs through this one and such other notables as Kim du Toit and the Rottweiler, and soon he was reading them pretty regularly.
That was when he asked how to be a blogger. Oh man, that was like having my own kid say he wanted to be what I was "when he grew up". Talk about proud and excited. So I set him up at MBlog (yes, that terrible place) because he could access it from the base, did his banner, and got him started.
He was a prolific blogger. And opinionated? Hell yes. Even when we didn't see eye to eye on something, we could argue it online or in comments and stay buddies. It was great watching his blog grow, develop a readership, and watching him grow too.
When MBlog went belly-up, Pixy Misa at Mu.Nu was kind enough to allow him refugee status, and blogging continued practially uninterupted.
Slagle's home now, on base stateside, and dealing with all life pitches at him. And he got excellent news on the 15th of June... He made the promotion lists and will assume his new rank soon. Not soon enough, as far as I'm concerned, but perhaps that's because I have a vested interest in this particular sergeant.
So on the 4th, when you're kicked back, enjoying time with your families and watching the fireworks, remember that for a time this young man and many thousands like him were seeing a real Rockets Red Glare, and hearing the pounding of artillery up close and personal to make this day possible.
Happy 4th of July, my nephew, my friend, my blog-son. Happy 4th of July, Slaglerock. I'd salute you, but I prefer a big old hug.
Great post and a great tribute to a fine person. As I look to the East every morning I think about Rob at the AFB and the other soldiers at Ft. Lewis, they and their families are all sacrificing the lifestyle we enjoy to protect and serve this great nation. Thank you Rob for your service, it's people like you that have made this country strong enough to celebrate it's 229th birthday.
Posted by: Jack at July 4, 2005 01:14 PMJust sweet mama, your heart is in the right place, Cat
Posted by: catfish at July 4, 2005 01:34 PMHappy Independence Day, Mama! And a Happy 4th to Slagle and crew too!
I didn't know the Slaglemeister was your nephew! This explains everything... :-)
--TwoDragons
Posted by: Denita TwoDragons at July 4, 2005 08:10 PMAwe, Mama, it takes alot to make this man cry, but you have cared so much. It helped every time that I saw a new email from you while I was deployed. I have also grown to appreciate your wisdom and advice. Thank you for being a friend, and confidant.
Love
SlagleRock!
Posted by: SlagleRock at July 5, 2005 11:36 PMOh and 2D I am not a nephew by blood or marriage, but I would be proud to be either. I am the son of Mama's better half, my Father's best friend, sort of an Uncle if you will. Always an Aunt and Uncle in my heart!
SlagleRock Out!
Posted by: SlagleRock at July 5, 2005 11:37 PM