By Capt. William D. Jessie

We have been in the wilderness for quite some time now. I have been unable to get to a computer to forward updates. I guess that is why they call it a wilderness.

Now, I will try to catch everyone up on the events that have happened to us.

We arrived in California on the 24th of Sept. We got a few hours (or was it minutes?) of shuteye and then began to draw our equipment for the field. We never drew enough.

The exercise was designed to put us in a situation that required time and equipment management down to the individual troop. We had to meet too many missions, with little or no time and not nearly enough equipment.

This strategy was to test our patience and our improvisation skills. We had to adapt, adjust and overcome with what resources we had. I would liken it to the Army's version of "Survivor" except no one gets voted out.

We would win if we kept our cool and improvised as best as we could. I felt like my patience was tested with every mission. Even with the limited time and equipment, I think that we met every mission and requirement after a lot of grunt work and thought.

At the risk of life and limb from my companions I must say that personally I liked and enjoyed the desert. The air is clear and fresh. When I slept, I felt the most refreshed of my life. I wouldn't ever want to live there, though. There is no replacement for Tennessee.

I saw a lot of things at the National Training Center that I never dreamed I would see in the desert.

It rained three times while we were there. Three times in the desert! I sometimes think that the rain follows us everywhere.

Not that I am complaining, mind you. It was quite refreshing. The last time it rained it sent a flood down through the circus tent where we lived. Shower shoes were floating away, and one trooper said he saw a kangaroo rat surfing down through the middle of the tent.

I was a bit doubtful of that one.

I also saw a snowman in the desert. He is doing fine and survived quite well. Didn't melt a bit. I promise this one is true cuz I saw him myself. No, I haven't been smoking cactus. It was a tough exercise, and we came through it better soldiers and hopefully a bit more skilled at adapting to situations.

We came back to [Camp Shelby] Mississippi on the 22nd of October. I got off the plane, and it felt like someone had poured corn syrup down my lungs. The humidity is so thick and stubborn. It is fall, for Pete's sake. Can't it take a hint and leave? I don't even think Old Man Winter can persuade the humidity to lighten up down here.

I am preparing to send your soldiers home for a bit of time. One dozen days. It seems like so little time. Yes, it is very little time. Therefore we must make the best of it.

Precious memories. Unseen Angels. Sent from somewhere to my soul. In the stillness of the midnight. . . precious sacred scenes unfold.

Momma used to sing/hum this as she fixed us breakfast. I never really put a lot of thought into the lyrics until recently.

In one dozen days we must gather our precious memories and store them away for the upcoming deployment. One dozen days that will melt into our consciousness like butter into hot oatmeal. We must have a plan to squeeze every moment into something good.

In a dozen days, I shall gather a thousand precious memories and secure them away. I will carry them 8,000 miles to be unfolded and relived in a dry and barren land.

I will watch "The Land Before Time" for the zillionth time with my girls, piled up beside me on the couch. I will listen to the haunting melody from the tragic scene where Littlefoot is separated from his Momma.

I will celebrate Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas in the same week.

I will dress the girls up in their Halloween costumes and go Trick or Treating. I think I will dress up too. Just for fun.

I will really watch them play and be children.

I will take them to church and listen to my three little angels sing my 'favorite hymn. . . "Angel Band."

I will go by Mom's and eat gravy and biscuits. I love her kitchen. The aroma always makes me feel at home. Maybe she will have some peanut butter fudge stored away.

I will sit for Thanksgiving dinner and remember what it is really for. A presentation of Thanks to our Maker for the previous year and the years to come. I will count my blessings. They are numerous. Maybe I shall simply number them and be thankful that I have too many to count properly.

I will awake to a November Christmas. . . and dread the real one in secret.

I will dwell on my children's tiny faces as they awake to the sneaky Santa who has arrived a bit early. Maybe my cousin Steve can pull another phone miracle and convince the girls why he is arriving early. Perhaps they will buy off on it.

Perhaps not. I would hate to spoil it.

I will visit my cows and their new calves that are half-grown by now but new to me. I will sit on my feed bucket and watch them eat and I will ponder.....

I will visit my Dad. . . and ponder more. . . gathering in the precious memories and the haunting regrets of yesterday. I will secure the memories and settle the regrets. It is all I can do now. Perhaps I will write him that letter.

I will go to Gatlinburg with my wife and look at the pretty lights. Maybe the Dixie Stampede will be appropriate or just a stroll down the street holding hands. Both would be precious.

I will remind her that I love her and that she is special.

We will celebrate a year in a dozen days. One day for each month. Ironic isn't it? Time is compressed into 1/30 of the original allotment.

Sleep well "Family of One". We are home for a few precious memories. Enjoy.

Highlander 6, out.

Note: I want to thank Capt. Jessie for this article/letter. It was printed in the Greeneville Sun and I knew this was something that needed to be shared with everyone. These are the things that draw us closer together and keep us a "Family of One". I want to encourage others to send in their writings so that we can all read them, but also to preserve this piece of our 278th "Family of One" history. Thank you so much!!
~ MJ.