As some of you know, our 'Merc' was deployed to Afghanistan last Friday (The 28th). Troy and I have been very close for several years, so I found it impossible to let him leave this country for 15 months without seeing him off. I left Thursday afternoon when I got off of work at 4, and drove the 8.5 hours from FL to TN to hang out with him in the hours that he had left before he had to get ready to leave. So Troy (Merc), two good friends (one who was also being deployed), and I stayed up all night watching movies and playing video games. It was all good fun, until Friday at 1:30pm the time had finally come, to say anything and everything but 'goodbye', as we will be seeing each other again soon. I thought hugging him was hard enough, but watching them all march away felt like a kick in the stomach. I had taken a few pictures throughout the day, so I will post those on here, but I am now kicking myself for being too emotional and not video taping their march. >_< Ah well, that is an image that will never leave my head. I am so incredibly proud of him, along with all of the other men and women who have the strength and courage to do this for our country. I just pray these 15 months go by fast, so they can all be home again!

For those of you who don't know Merc personally, or who haven't chatted with him much on the Buzz; here is a link to his page, so you can keep up with the blogs that he posts while he is deployed, etc. http://www.cre8buzz.com/profiles/1891

There really wasn't a point to this picture, it was just an attempt at a close up. It isn't very good, as he was adjusting something, however it is still a close up shot of that gorgeous face, hidden behind helmet straps and glasses. ;)

The pile of gear that he was about to put on.

These two guys were keeping an eye on the weapons.