John has begun to get letters from home. It takes about 5 days for them to get to him and then another 5 days for his response to come back. Keep them coming he is enjoying hearing from everyone. He only gets 45 minutes of free time a day in which he has to shower, clean-up his area as well as write so you may not get a response back as quick as you would like.
He has been very busy with all of the various training maneuvers. They do PT every morning then change into their ACU's (army combat uniforms). The uniform includes a helmet, ruck sack and ammo vest. This weights about 60 lbs and then he has his gun to carry too. They load them into a cattle truck/ transport and then take them to various field locations away from the base. They practice using field radios, bayonets, and running the obstacle courses. He said it is just like on the moves. They crawl in the mud under barbwire, climb, run, jump into ravines etc. They are covered in mud from head to toe and wet by the end. Boy am I glad I do not have to do that laundry. They have to be able to read maps, plot points and pick out land marks. He found 2 of the three for his group so is doing very well. One of the hardest drills they have had so far is the Gas Chamber. They marched for two hours to reach the chamber and just as they arrived it started to rain. The ate a lunch of some kind in the field and then stood in formation for another hour. They marched into the chamber and then had 9 seconds to get the mask on and clear they air. He said he thought that he would die. The couldn't breath and when he came our he was drooling, coughing profusely and crying as were others. There was something about the drill that helped to pull them together as a unit. He won't forget that.
They run a lot and John is second fasted now in his platoon. He is running a 7:05 minute mile and the kid who is first runs a 6:05 minute mile. They are always marching, doing PT or something. He will not be able to sit still when he returns. Makayla and I had better get in shape. He will be expecting us to keep up with him. Hope we do not have to start marching and caring packs too.
He is trying to lead and help the other guys in his platoon. He said that about 20% of them get the team idea and about 60% still have away to go. The Drill Sargent's are still coming down on them for any mistake that is made by even a single person. They are still in red phase but should be going to white phase soon. From what John said white phase is not quite as severe. He asked that you all continue to pray for him. He misses everyone and looks froward to seeing each of you when he returns.

Letters from John

This week Makyala and I received two more letters from John.
John said his day starts at 4:00 AM and ends at 8:00 PM. Every minute of the day is scheduled. One of the things that has been hard for him to adjust to is the noise. He says the noise level is high because of all the yelling. Meal time or chow time as he called it is the most stressful time of the day. The Drill Sargents are yelling and you have to eat so fast. He has 30 guys in his bunk area. He has been reaching out to some of them. One guy was crying last week and John sat and talked with him and found out that he has a 2 1/2 year daughter that is very sick and the doctors have not found out why. He tried to encourage him. At least 4 guys have dropped out form his platoon. He said he is tring to stay one step ahead so they will not come down on him. He was made Platoon Captain. He said it is not easy to lead with so many young inexperience guys. Until they all learn to work as a team they will keep having the sargents coming down on them. I am proud of him for being selected and I am sure he will do a great job. He has been fitted for his field equipment and they have been issued guns. He said that the weight of the pack and gun are quite heavy and it takes extra conditioning to carry everything. He said he is loosing wait and gaining muscle with all of the training. They have to march where ever they go.

Address Update:

PVT Romansky, John P.
H Co EN BN PLT
1st EN BDE, Unit 85
741 Iowa Ave
Ft. Leonard Wood, MO 65473

Still put the number 3 on the back and circle it.

News From John

Three letters came today from John. They did not contain much new information. He is getting whipped into shape by the Drill Sargent. He says they are really tough and come down hard if you make a mistake. He doesn't have any heat in his bunk house and he caught a bad cold. He has been doing guard duty at night but I am not sure how often. He is taking classes as well as being whipped into shape. They use a lot of strong language that he did not care to repeat. He can not receive any care packages but can have letters and pictures. He is doing well but would love to hear from anyone who would like to write him a note. His address is as follow:

PVT Romansky, John P
H Co 35th EN BN PLT
1st EN BDE, Unit #25
741 Iowa Ave
Ft. Leonard Wood, MO 65473

On the back of the envelope, below the top flap put a 3 with a circle around it.

He said be precise or the letter will not go through.

We received a letter this week from John. He had written it 1/22-1/24 so it is now a week old. The mail is slow getting out of the base. He had not been given his address yet but he was hoping to send it in his next letter.

He has a tough Drill Sargent. He called John Grandpa at least once already. He is the oldest man in his group but there is one 34 year old. His group is called Delta. He said the other guys are just kids and loud mouths. They do not follow orders well and as a result his group had to do at least 2 hours of push-ups one day as a result of their actions. Guess he will be building up muscles form that. He said the funny thing is that he is in better shape than all of the other guys even if he is Grandpa.

During processing he had to get shots and he had a slight reaction to one but the doctor said it was OK. He also got his hair shaved off and it made his head look BIG. They are feeding him well but he only gets 5 minutes to eat at each meal. They do allow him to go to church on Sunday (not sure where , guessing a Chaplin on base) but you have to sign-up to be able to go.

Today (2/1/09) I got a surprise phone call form John. He had gotten a special privilege to call so he must have done well this week in training. He had about 5 minutes to talk. It was so short but he said he was fine and doing well even thought it was tough. He wanted to know how things were here and I told him everything was going well thanks to all of the help and encouragement we have received from friends and family. He was really surprised that we had not gotten more letters from him and that we did not have his address yet. He seemed in good spirits. Makayla got to say hello and that was all we could fit in.

News From the Home Front

Today I received a post card from the DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY. It started with a typed Dear followed by a blank line that had my name written on it. It was the same type of card that you receive when it is time to take your dog to the vet to get their rabies shot and heart worm medication. Can you feel the warmth? It stated that he had arrived and was undergoing processing at the 43 AG Bn (RCPT) and that he would be assigned to a unit for training. Hope some one out there knows Army lingo since the only abbreviation I know is BN stands for Battalion. It then went on to say that I should not attempt to write to him at the address on the card and that I would receive his address in the next week. I wonder what would happen if I did? Can they courtmarshall a civilion? The Army will inform me when he will graduate and that I can go to www.wood.army.mil/grad for more information.
The second paragraph was even more personnel. It stated that if there were any serious illness or a death in the family that I could contact the Red Cross Chapter nearest me and explain the emergency give them specific top secret information that I can not share with you at this time and then they would inform their Director and they in turn would inform his Commanding Officer. On the very bottom of the card was another underscored line with JOHN written on it. I was so moved by this card that I felt I must share it with all of you immediately. Hope it is as much of an encouragement to you as it was to me.

News Form the Home Front

PS. For those of you who do not know me I hope you know that I am kidding. This is as I expected. I am proud of John and our Military and I understand the many rules and regulations they must abide by. I am sure a real letter from John will arrive soon.

John spent his first night in Niagara Falls. He ended up rooming with another man who is 34 and will be in his Reserve Unit when he returns. The man goes to Browncroft Church and they both shared how God had lead them to this decision. John felt there was a connection and was encouraged. The other man will be going to basic later this month.

I have spoken with John several times today as he progressed through processing and then waited to be transported. He flew from Buffalo to Chicago and arrived in St. Louis around 5:00 PM central time. (one hour behind us) He was waiting in the USO while the military transport arrived to pick him up to take him to Fort Leonard Wood. He arrived 4 hours ahead of schedule because of being able to make flight changes and since processing went so smoothly. He will be able to get to base early which will help him to be ready and rested for tomorrow, wake up is 4:00 AM.

He was in great spirits and more confident than every that God had lead him to be in the military. He said "I am excited to see what Gods plan is for me." Pray that he will remain strong and be able to be a leader in all he does. He and I are thankful for all of the support and encouragement our families and friends have been.


Trusting In Our God
Sue Romansky

Sunday January 18, 2009