Saturday-09-25-2010

Im on fire guard duty right now. Its about 3:15AM on our next to the last night here, in Arkansas. The majority of the day was spent turning in equipment and cleaning. This morning they ask, if any of us wanted to give blood? I volunteered as I've never given blood before so it was a new experience..and it kept me from the Drill Sgts a few hrs! These last feew days are going by really slow! Tomorrow will be our last day here. Im looking forward to it but I know Im going to miss half of these idiots! Lucky for me a lot of them are going with me to Benning. after all the equipment and cleaning was done we watched The Thin Red Line. By that time the day was almost over. They gave us our phones for half an hr. I called Kaili last night and tonight but no answer. That really sucked. But at least Momma answered and Dad. It felt really good to talk to someone familiar! Im going to go read a bit and do my rounds. Love you Guys!
PV2 Fonville

Graduation Day - Friday 09-24-2010

Today was graduation and it was awesome! We woke up early and did another company run. We watched movies and grad. practice most of the day. We were all pretty nervous and excited. As I walked across the stage, shook the Captains hand and accepted my diploma, I had on overwhelming feeling of accomplishment and pride! I worked so hard for this moment. I felt a big lump in my throat when The Captain said, "congratulations"! I sat back down not knowing what was next.  They said we will now present the top 10% of the graduating class! NG-039, my name was 4th on the list, out of 176 warriors, I graduated 4th of my class. My scores were 80% better than the average high school, graduating Senior in the U.S. When they handed me my coin I teared up. I accomplished something, some said, I never would do!
Not only did I accomplish it but I exceeded at it.This was the first of many more accomplishments! Now that Ive graduated Ive opened up so  many more doors! Im about to make some phone calls! First time in 3 wks! Really excited! I'll write more tomorrow.

Rifle Range - Thursday 09-23-2010

Today was a great day! We woke up and kind of got off to a bad start. We got a cape session (aka as SMOKED). I was drenched in sweat! After we cleaned, we ate breakfast and caught a bus over to the rifle range. We showed up and they gave us a small briefing on the M-4. We zeroed in on our targets. Its almost like a huge video game, except its 98% accurate and with a real M-4. We did the weapons qualifications course and I received Marksmanship. I was 2 away from Sharpshooter. Brown Bear got Sharpshooter. After the range we ate MRE's for lunch, in the field and out of nowhere they tell us, that we each and everyone, passed our GED. We immediately jumped up and started yelling and cheering!! Some were even crying! Today was the happiest Ive seen any of us in 3 wks!! I was super happy!
 As we were eating, a Brown Recluse (specifically the most terrifying thing I've ever seen) ran across Fresnos boot, right by my hand! I freaked out and ran!! Drill Sgt Flood just stood there and busted up laughing! But I was NOT laughing! Earlier that morning we walked outside our Bay to find a Tarantula crawling up, the outside of our wall!! Very CHILLING also!!..Anyway, after all that we went to the Claymore mine course. Me and Brown Bear had to low crawl and plant a Claymore 50 ft in front of our position. It was also fun! We spent the rest of our day getting ready for our graduation ceremony, thats tomorrow. Found out we get our phones back tomorrow! First phone call in 3 wks! Im really excited! Our ceremony is @ 2 tomorrow. On top of that I got a letter from Mom today and Kaili got my letter so put my mind at ease.
 Well my fire guard is almost over..I'm sure tomorrow will be an even more interesting day. Got a Company run @ 05:45) I love you and miss you all1 Thank you for all your support. Two more days and Im outta here and on to Benning.         

PV2 Fonville

Sept. 28, 2010

click HERE for pics

Test Day-Wed. 09-21-2010

Today was the final test day. I took math and science. Got myself all worked up, and it ended up being ridiculously easy. After the test I made the dumb decision of volunteering for something. Me and a few other guys got stuck stocking and unstocking and restocking, the supply room! Im an Infantryman not a supply specialist..LOL!! It was actually pretty nice. Our personal bags that they took away when we got here, were there in the supply room. It had my cell phone and pics. We were unsupervised and I really wanted to have at least my pictures. My phone looked so tempting!! I could have easily have taken it but the Army pushes a set of standards into your head. One of them being integrity, so I didnt touch the phone. But if I had that opportunity two wks ago, I would have absolutely took it! I guess that is one positive thing the Army is doing for me..LOL! I got my pics though and hung them in my locker. After we did that for a few hrs, they gave us rubber duckies (Dummy M-16's) WE stormed rooms and made sweeps of the stairs. They also taught us about weapons maintenance. After that we took our class pictures and did some PT. Now that school is over the Drill Sgts are trying to make us miserable by smoking us every 5 seconds. Tomorrow is going to be cool. We have the simulated M-4 range and a land mine course. No letters again..bummer. Its the only thing I look forward to. Im on Fire guard right now, with Brown Bear. Hes reading The Bible, which is probably what Im gonna do after this entry. I just took a nice hot 20 min shower (benefits of doing fire guard early in the night). We started at ten and we turn it over to the next guys at 11. Hopefully we get our test results tomorrow. Im pretty nervous. After PT tomorrow morning, I think Im gonna go see the Chaplain and pray that I passed. Got a long day tomorrow, hopefully its enjoyable. I love you guys. Keep me in your prayers. I'll seee you all soon.
PV2 Fonville
PS: Brown Bear says, "hi"!

Tuesday 09-21-2010

Today was test day. I took writing, social studies, and english. I do great in all of those subjects but I think I could have done better. But I'm fairly sure I passed! No fire guard last night, so I slept great. after testing we watched Full Metal Jacket. Then we hung out in the Bay for like 3 hrs. I slept in my locker, (we cant sleep in our beds during the day). I got letters last night and they helped a lot. I was hoping for some today, but there werent any. Hopefully tomorrow. Im gonna cut this one short. I have to study for math tomorrow. I promise tomorrows entry will be more detail.
Love you guys..Please keep me in prayers.

Address

Thomas won't be receiving anymore mail at the address below. Once he gets to Ft Benning, which is sometime Monday, I will post his new address.