Can you Beleive I'm Posting?

I have alot to say, this will read like a random Spot Report. Good to see all of you home folks looking in on me.

My Internet Account at home was shut down for a few day's. if you have e-mailed me there and was kicked back, it now works. The fine folks at the Telephone company and me had a miscomunication. We got it straightened out today.

I ran a PT test yesterday. I ran the 2 miles in 16:34. I hadn't had good sleep for the last two nights. I pulled Weapons gaurd from 0300-0400, didn't get back to sleep. The entire time it felt like my Tanto Blade was lodged in my throat. Today I have a real sore throat. I've been popping the Vitamin C, too.

Last week there was a big encouragment for everyone to put in a Promotion packet. I'm not going to do it. I came here to train up for War, not the promotion game. If I did that my old 1Sgt from 3/75 would kick my ass. I'm not knocking it, it just takes away priorities in my eyes.

We received our rapid Feild Initiative(RFI) issue day before yesterday. Alot of stuff. I'm not sure if I like the MOLLE gear. I'm going to gripe about it...give me time.

The guy in the room with me held te same position I did. We were once the training NCO of the same Company, he took it after me. my team Commander is from Haywood County, he's forced to live in Florida now. One of the other Sqaud Leaders is from Rabun County, he too is forced to live in Florida. Why am I telling you'l this? Well, I just am.

I have an M4 Carbine now, we're going to be using Aim Point Red Dot Scopes on them. i like that. I have never taken to the AR Weapons system too well, I wish it was a more powerful round. But, darn if the thing isn't handy!

I'm reading two books and a magazine. First, "A Purpose Driven Life", chapter a day, except for yesterday. Also I'm re rereading TE Lawrence's "Seven Pillars Of Wisdom"...and I did squeze in a PentHouse article. I know it's a funny combination.

A few people I know are going home. Someone will have to take their place.

I'm still waiting for another sqd member. it's been two weeks...where is he?

I wish I could write a real post. I wanted to last night, but, the training meeting of the Heads went on for a long time. I got the info late and gave it to my guy's at 2200(10:00PM). I don't know why it takes them so long.

I said I came here to go to War. I'm not going to War to kill and break things. I'm going to War to build, secure and susstain. I don't think it was a great idea for us to invade, that's hind site. But, i'm in this and I'm dedicated to the mission. That's all there is to it.

Soar Throat, Out.
The Appalachianist...

Hey Youl

Due to some kindness I'm able to borrow some Air time. I'm using someones air card and I'm contemplating buying one myself. I quickly want to say that, fortunately, things are going well. Everywhere there are familiar faces that I've known, trained, and worked for through out my nearly 17 yeas in the 108th Division. Heck, it's like a reunion. The weather isn't bad and the country side is real pretty. All of the civilian staff here at Ft. McCoy are real friendly and helpful, too.

Mainly we have being going through soldier readiness Processing, a hurry up and wait fest that contains legal, financial, record, dental and medical reviews. My left arm I a little sore from the shots.

While here t Ft. McCoy, I'm serving as a squad Leader. I have 7 heads including myself, all but one are NCO's and one is a Lieutenant Col. He mainly trains with us and doesn't fall in with the sqd at Formations. In other words, he takes care of himself, and he should. Being a Sqd Ldr I get to sleep in a two man room. It's modest though. I still sleep easier.

Folks, I know this is breif and rambling, but, some one needs to do it besides Travleing Ed. I just wanted to throw in a few lines. Soon, I will be able to visit a few and post a little more...maybe....

The Appalachianist, spreading Appalachiaism through cyber technology...

I'm Off...

Me after Turkey Hunting with twister this Saturday. That's his Mossberg I'm holding. I've already emptied the Guns out of my house.
Until now I've been for the most part anonymous. Since, I have to register my Blog with the Unit once I go to Iraq, I might as well be in the open. Also, more family, friends and co-workers are now reading this.

I'm SFC Daniel Wilson, I live in the Quebec(Pronounced kwee-beck) Community of Transylvania County NC. My MOS's are, 11B, Infantry, and 92G, a Cook...Two of the worst jobs in the Army. I've instructed various Leadership Courses and I've been a Drill SGT. As many may pick out I'm a vet of 3rd Ranger Bn. I'll have twenty years in the Army this July.

Monday morning I will get on a plane and fly to a MOB site, Ft. McCoy Wisconsin. I will spend a couple of months there going through the premobilzation train up and then it will be off to Iraq to releive someone waiting to come home. In my mind, I'm prepared to spend fourteen months in Iraq. Maybe it won't be as long, but, being prepared won't hurt.

In the past I've had some pretty hard things to say about my Home Town, Brevard NC...yep, Buttholeville. We're not a pefect place. There is no where I'd rather be though. We have the coolest Street Preacher in the world. He just smiles, waves and say's "God Bless You". He doesn't scream that your going to hell based on the fact you don't go to his Church. He sets an example. People are good here. They look after each other. Since I received my orders they have been nothing but good to me. I appreciate all of their kindness.

There is more that I want to say. I just don't have time and room today. I don't know when I can post again. Apparently the Internet is not very accesable at Ft. McCoy. I will be busy there as well. So, check in from time to time.

"May the wind take your troubles away"

Daniel Wilson, The Appalachianist

Just A Note

I'm not gone yet. I still have a lot to do around here. I've about gotten it wrapped up though. It's been a busy week for my last one off. I've not enjoyed it too much at all. This time next week I won't be here and this place will just be standing. It's time to get busy, I plan on having everything done today.

The Appalachianist

Closer To The God's

The Black's north of Asheville, mostly in Mitchell County are the tallest range of all of the Appalachians, home of Mount Mitchell. I had heard that the Catawba Indians would climb up onto them before War in order to be "closer to the God's". Most likely it was the Sara, wich joined the Catawba's after being decimated by Small Pox. How true that may be I don't know, I don't have but so much knowledge of the Souxian People's east of the Mountains. This is not the veiw from the Black's, it's the Balsam's. Devil's Courthouse to be exact. From here you can see the waters of the French Broad, the head Rivers of the Savanna, the Tuckaseegee, and even part of the Little Tennessee. I wasn't closer to the God's, just God. Looking out over his country.
There has been a number more of good bye's. At least some of some sorts. My now retired(and proud of it!) NCOIC treated me to Dinner(that's the noon meal) Saturday. Several of the retired guy's of my old Instructors group came. My old Command Seargent Major(CSM) came all the way from down at Greensboro. He had spent seven months in Iraq(and two tours of Vietnam as well) and had som good advice for me. My retired NCOIC's son in the Gaurd just did his second tour of Afghanistan(also one of Iraq, the Gul War and Panamma too). It was really good to see everyone. They are a great bunch of guy's and I'm glad to have served with them. One of the guy's that is still in is wondering why he's not on the list to go. Give it time and he will be. Just because we're ot together anymore doesn't mean that we're not together, if you know what I mean.

It didn't stop there. My Mothers side of the family is pretty big, Aunt's, Uncles, Cousins, second cousin's, and a few little thirds. There's a bunch of us. They had a get together for me. It was supposed to be for my Aunt's Birthday, but, it was a suprize for me. I knew for sure when those don't usually come to anythng was there. And, my Aunt reached over my head and put a cake down in front of me. They had all gotten me something. A new pocket knife, a modified 5.56 cleaning kit, enough toiletries to last me for some time(two of my Cousin's and an Aunt was already planning a schedule to send them to me), a CD Walkman, Crosss Word Puzzle Books(I've never been big on them, but, I beleive they will be very mind occupying from time to time), a Crucifix(my Uncle said it would be a little protection) and one of my cousin's got me a Penthouse Magazine. LOL! Leave it to him. I was sitting next to my Mother when I opened it, I knew of it was from him I better peak first. I noticed there was a little yellow ribbon on the cover. Also, yep, you guessed it, a little reveiw of The Drive By Truckers inside of it! It was pretty good. I've not been hugged by so mny men before in my life. I know I'm sick of good bye's, but, I try to look at it as an "I'll see you when I'm done".

My Ex's Aunt came by to see me and gave me a four leaf clover. She also gave me some good advice about keeping my house from getting too damp while I'm gone. Remember, this is Transylrainia. It was really sweet of her. They're good people and I'm glad to have know them.

Today was beautiful as you can see from the picture above. But, unfortunatly, it was tragic. One of my Second Cousin's had a Drug Overdose last night. She was taking off of life support today. She was young, pretty and sweet. She had a little Boy, and a new Husband(wich I nothing about). I don't know why. I don't understand it. I was thinking about her hte other day. She was working in a gas station I frequent one time and I hadn't seen her. I think she was 25. May God rest her sweet soul.

There's another picture below.... 

This is the veiw from Tannasee Bald just insde Translvania County. Transylvania, Haywood and Jackson Counties all come together here. That's Pilot Mountain you see there and the French Broad River Valley beyond it. Both Tannassee and Pilot are steeped in alot of Cherokee lore. It's a fine country and I'm thankful to God that I'm of it. Visitors may see the lines of the Mountains, but, some of us see alot more. A Mountain is just as pretty to me close up as it from afar. I could go and waller in the dirt and it would be just as beautiful. God made a fine country here.

The Appalachianist 

Remember my tree stand I found back in January? All broken up laying on a concrete floor. Herebis the finsshed product hanging on a persimmon Tree in the back yard. I told my Stepson to use back behind the house. You can't use something like that in Iraq. It's not comfortable, but, it works.
That's a digital camo deal I tediously put on it. The bottom is more green than the top, wich came out of being afraid that I would run out of paint. So what? Right now it's worth the laugh. It's actully been done for some time. I just didn't get around to posting it. That, and I needed to test a pic post on this new Laptop.
The Appalachianist 

Basic Update Post

Hey, You'l. I tried to post earlier in the week, but, it didn't work out. There were some articles I had read on the Immigration stur that I wanted to post. I don't think it's Immigration that is an issue, it's Illegal Immigration. What to do? We just can't tar and feather these people and throw them back across the borders. That's not the way to treat your fellow Christians that's just trying to get ahead. Then, we're continuasly slipping behind in rising costs associated with themm. IE. raising insurance and health care costs. As well as public education. Yeah, the lettuce is cheap, but, we're paying for it elswhere. This led me down a train of thought and I related much to how here in Appalachia we have the Cultural Conflict associated with our growth. I heard a song on WNCW titled "It Don't Look Like Progress To Me". That's what the song was about.

Anyhow, I was going to do a big post on all of that and my train of thought. Basically, I beleive we should Americanize these folks, note, not Suburbanize them. Americanize them. Do so in a freindly manner, if they don't like that, if they don't want to develope loyalties to their new community, then they'll leave. In other words, let attrition take effect.

Some Immigration Rules are worthless. There is a Boy over in McDowell County that married a Girl from Thialand. He couldn't bring her here having to wait months, while all the long Western North Carolina is covered in Illegal Aliens. She will asimulate into the culture. I suppose the Government figures she won't be cheap labor.

Enough of that
Thursday was my last day at work. The next week will be spent getting things in order. What's not already there. Last night I went to a cook out with some Freinds. It was a "good bye deal". I'm about sick of good bye's. My cousin stopped me in traffic while driving through town yesterday. Stopped me just to say good bye. One of the Girl's down at the Diner yesterday morning gave me a hug. That meant alot to me. I've noticed I'm ot looking people in the eye's when I say good bye. I suppose because I'm close to few and, I'm sick of good bye's. I tell them that I will see them in 2007. And the good bye's ain't over yet. I'm thankful that so many folks are thinking of me this way. I don't know how to explain it, but, It's one of those bittersweet deals. Some of you may be wondering about women saying good bye. Well, I'm to a point about all bridges are burned. Not that I intended to. None over the last months amounted to much. Not that I intended for them to. I've never made it a practice to get into my Love Life or lack of here.

Bosco came in and spent the night underneath the bed. I woke this morning to the sound of heavy rain hitting my Bathroom Sky Light. It thundered and it lighteninged, but, she handled it well. Beleive it or not, we really need the rain. We've got a reputation to uphold here in WNC, and Especially Transylvania County, AKA Transylrainia.

I've got me a knew name! I really dig it. The Applachianist. You like that don't ya? I know, you've got to change those links, but, you'll get over it. LOL. Just kidding. Why? With all of the 'isms' of today, that's what I am, an Applalchianist.

Got to get busy,
The Appalachianist

Eruption

This weekend was my last drill before my Activation. Simply, we're splitting up. This is not a Unit Activtion, the Unit is just loaning us out. Some of the Unit will be left behind. Stiil, the majority of us are going to Iraq...And the ones being left here stand a possibility of being called up as well.

The Battalion Commander got teary eyed on us at the final formation. His Command is being fractured and sent out. Unfortunatly, some of us may not return. No one likes to think about it, but, it's true. So, our being farmed out to the needs of CENTCOM is like an eruption to me. Some of us MOB(pronounced "mobe") now, some later. The Unit will be a skeleton of cadre. Our seargent major left to a new assignment too. I can understand the LTC's emotion.

I'm trying to mantain positivness though. Yeah, it's scary. I don't like going away, but, I have a job to do. We just have a job to do and we're going to give it our best.

You Never know
I heard of a boy getting killed in a car wreck here Friday night. He was a young feller, nice enough. he served during the Reguvinator's(formerly known as Jello Boy) Wedding Reception. I remember him saying he was from down around Augusta Ga. He came here for the College. he was trying to beat his Girl Freind to her place in order to suprize her for her Birthday. I think they said he flipped a Jeep. Apparently, he was fine, responding well, then killed over dead. I was told a collasped lung. Some things just ain't worth hurrying for. I didn't know him other than that time at the reception. He was a nice guy that day. God Rest His Soul. You never know when it's going to happen, so you better live today.

A Happy Boy
Twister has made freinds with a boy that has a .50 Cal Rifle. he get's to shoot it. He's tickled.

More later
Appalachian Intellectual