Departing Pics

[Gino]

Before I leave you guys, (and gals). I wanted you guys some pics of me on my last tour to Baghdad. The first one is me and my wife Torrie for all you WWE fans.



This one is me patrolling the streets (Notice the sweat drenched uniform)



And me "chilling" at the iraqi police station

[Taco_assassin]

Wait Gino, your leaving? When and for how long?

[Gino]

I posted it in the storm troopers barracks. 3 to 4 weeks, back for the squad scrimmage

[Zabka]

Taco--he posted a thread in the private forums about some training he is off for.

I know that we have had a couple of DSA who have recently done tours in Iraq/Afghanistan and will have some who will be redeployed in the not too distant future. We also have a number of others who have served in the past

I think it would be fascinating to see all DSA (TKs and officers) who have served (wartime or not) post pictures or anything about their experiences if they want--or even civilians who frequent the site who have served. I have a lot of respect for the men and women of our military (I grew up in a military town).

Thanks for sharing Gino. RegentOne came back from a deployment to Afghanistan not too long ago. Sig has been in Iraq. I don't know about some of our other members like swampdonky6. We also have others who have served like Deslock, Moser, 5Star. And even though he wasn't military, Vengence was in the Dept of Homeland Security (previously as a cop) who worked counterterrorism details--haven't heard from him in so long,but he was such a good guy. It makes me proud to know that DSA can count such people in our ranks.

[RegentOne]

Nice pictures Gino. I know the feeling first hand when it comes to wearing the IBA (individual body armor for those who do not know). That stuff raises your body temperature another 5 degrees and is heavy. A 5 degree body temp in addition to the heat in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Kuwait really takes a toll on the body. Good luck on your re-deployment and be safe. Keep in contact with us so we know how you are doing. We do care and want to know.

Here is an image of me when I was going through training at Fort Jackson, SC to prepare me for deployment to Afghanistn last year. I am the one closest in the picture to the left.

[ZEZEEMAYO]

Don't get hurt out there Gino. And drink lots of water.

[Andy]

good luck and be safe gino.

[Deslock]

God bless and favor you and yours Gino. Honor to have ya here. Return back to us safe and sound.

Prime minister Blair of Great Britain was asked by a member of Parliment why he had soooo much faith in the U.S.

And his answer I will never, ever forget.

"Because of two people that have died for you.

Jesus died so he could save your soul. The American G.I. died to keep you free."

I will not share my opinion on this "war". But do know that I honor and respect beyond ANY doubt, your sacrifice and commitment to America, and our way of life, and the freedoms this country espouses.

The military life is not any easy one. You surrender your right to free speech. You sacrifice the ability to refuse to do what you're told to do as long as it's lawful. The American servicemembers give up their rights, so we can have ours, and are willing to stand, fight, and if neccesary, die, so you can get up every morning and not have checkpoints on every corner. The chance to read "free" press about goings on in the world.

They do the uncomfortable, nasty, and sometimes bloody work that the rest of us don't,so secret police don't come in the middle of the night and take you away because you said something the government didn't like.

If you are reading this, thank a teacher. If you're reading this in English, thank a Veteran. I thank the Service members of all the free world. I know first hand how ugly and brutal it can be, to stand up for the freedoms of others, even if they don't appreciate it.

I have served with German, Canadian, British, and Italian special forces. And they were good, brave men all. I raced along in a German train station and watched the German special forces spray down a terrorist trying to place explosives on a train, trying with all their might to save the innocent people on that train. I've seen that, and so much more.

But that's for another day. Today we honor the members of our armed forces. God bless and keep them all in the palm of his hand.

For this Stormtrooper, I take off my helmet in salutations of your combined dedication and sacrifice for us all. For a Stormtrooper,
there is no greater honor, to remove your helmet, and kneel, so you can see the true faces of those that honor you.

Take care fellow warrior. May the Service provide you with a good weapon. May God let you aim it straight and true to target, and bring you back to your loved ones safe and sound.

[Gino]

Deslock I may have bare witnessesed to the greatest speech ever written in a forum. I feel bad you took that much time to come-up with such great writings over me. However I wanted to share those picks before I go to Antiterrorism school for 3 to 4 weeks. I posted the thread in the stormy barracks for more detail. I posted this thread in the cantina to share with everybody my pictures before I left. Just so everyone knows, I posted the other in the stormy barracks because i didn't want the details of my trip on public forums. (OPSEC) gets brain washed into you so much you start getting paranoid about it.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operati...curity_(OPSEC)

[sith_warden]

deployment pics

well now that i know you de3-4 weeks figured i would say it before i forgot, be safe when you go over ,and like the u.s military all of us here from the cilivian thetk,s and the dsa are one big family.and also its a pleasure playing with and against you on swbf2 how is the family taking the news of your deployment?oh and by the way the pic of torrie i would have chosen trish lol

[Deslock]

Gino, you have no reason to feel bad. Once I was a member of the anti-terrorist rapid deployment force. I know what it's like to spend Thanksgiving, and Christmas soooo far away from your loved ones.

It sucks. More than any non service member could know.

I know what you've been through. I've been there, and got the t-shirt. Literally.

Really, more than us, it's the poor women amd families that suffer more than we do. To watch someone you love leave, and not be certain of their return must be horrible. I know I had to go through it. Having to tell those that you care about that you're leaving and can't say where you're going, or even when you'll be back is bad.

So do your training, and come back to us safe and sound.

[Master_Ian]

Good luck out there Gino, stay safe. We'll all be waitin for you.

[LvDevilsFan]

i was navy too zabka LOL cant believe you forgot my ass.. Gino.. torries yer wifey eh??? LOL *drools* *wink*

[Zabka]

I didn't even know you served Devils. Huh. Is that how you and 5 star were both in SD?

[LvDevilsFan]

yeah he was onna ship, i was in school as a sonar tech