In Iraq

[Brandon Hughes]

I am a Soldier currently deployed to Iraq on my second tour. I was here for 13 and a half months the first trip and couldn't wait to get home to buy a Sport Trac. I would go to my 'happy place' and look at Sport Trac photos on the internet. A week before we were to return I had orders that was going to move me and my family to Germany for duty six months after I got back. I couldn't buy a Sport Trac because the government will only ship one vehicle and my wife will not part with her mini van. A month before we moved my orders for Germany got cancelled and my unit came back to Iraq after only being home for just 9 months. I can not wait to get home (December, just before Christmas hopefully) to get my Sport Trac. If anyone knows any good searches please let me know.

 

[Nelson Atwell]

Order it through AAFES ASAP. There will be no '06 model of Sport Tracs and the '07s are not as versatile (they're primarily a Street Truck). If you order now, you may get one of the last '05s out there, and can have it waiting in your driveway when you get home.



My step brother, US Army CAPT Brian Evans, is also over there and coming home around the same time. Have a safe trip home.



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CJCS Gen Myers and Capt Evans



God's speed,

TSgt Nelson Atwell (aka NelsonOKC)

 

[Travis Bendel]

Atwell...... have any siblings in the USAF? My recruiter was named Atwell too.

 

[Nelson Atwell]

No siblings in the military. My only brother owns 15 KFC restaurants in New Mexico (mostly in Roswell and Las Cruces).

 

[Larry Phillips]

Take care over there and come home in one piece!!! I was there this year too. I just got back to work here.



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[Gerald Pierce]

Try AAFES like Nelson said... the navy exchange has a deal called "navy auto source" which is a program run by a vendor to procure vehicles for military deployed or stationed overseas. My son just bought a Ranger Supercab that lists for almost 22k for a little over 16k. There were 3k in rebates the local dealer could not touch that are only for military buying through this program. It only took a 500.00 down payment, and the vehicle was ordered for him, to be delivered in about six weeks to a dealer here in the local area. All he had to do was procure financing through the credit union.



I took their offer to the local dealer and he would match the price to make the sale, but not the rebates...... he said the he could apply would be whatever ones were in effect when he took delivery, not when the truck was ordered.

 

[Brandon Hughes]

I dunno about AAFES, the savings that your son got might be the exception, not the norm. I have a couple of buddies that had some horror stories about AAFES New Car Sales. I'm probably going to buy a used 05 or 04. Dave Ramsey (on talk radio, financial advisor) says to never buy new because of vehicle depreciation. Is there any good auto auctions in Tennessee anywhere? Anyone now of another source for buying?

 

[Brandon Hughes]

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tell ya what, I'll trade someone their ST for my ASV (Armored Security Vehicle)

 

[scott r]

Brandon,

I would absolutely take that trade! Soccer moms in suburbans, WATCH OUT! HAHA

I just wanted to say thank you for being over there helping to keep this country free. Military guys (and girls) really don't get the thanks they deserve. You do one of the most important jobs in the world. If it wasn't for folks like you, there wouldn't be an America at all. There are probably many people here who don't agree with what is happening over there, but that doesn't diminish the importance of what you and your fellow soldiers are doing. So I'm sending out a big thanks from a former Marine here in Missouri to you, your family, the people in your unit and everyone else over there.



-Scott

 

[Brandon Hughes]

Scott,



Much appreciated. Actually, there are quiet a few people out there who support us. Just walking through the airports while going home on R&R leave, the people treat us really good. Dallas is an awesome town! When our plane landed the airport brought out two fire trucks and sprayed an arc for us to taxi under as a welcome home gesture. There was a slew of volunteers there at the airport to greet us when we got off the plane. There was people there just to say thanks, and that was enough, but they were also handing us their cell phones and telling us to call our loved ones. Wow, I was humbled by that. Makes a big difference doin the job when people you don't even know come up and say thanks. Also, I didn't have to buy one beer while I was at the Dallas Airport in uniform (thanks Dallas!), buddies that landed in Atlanta got the same treatment (those are the two airports guys comin home for R&R land at. Thanks again, Air Assault!

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[scott r]

You're most welcome. Be safe over there.