In The News: Eldon and Mike

In 2005, Eldon and Mike were able to celebrate Thanksgiving together while in Iraq. This is the story that was published.

Father, Son Share Thanksgiving, Guard Duty in Iraq

By Cpl. Cullen J. Tiernan
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing

U.S. Army Sgt.1st Class Eldon Casner, and his son, Army Pfc. Michael Casner, celebrate Thanksgiving with a special dinner in a security guard tent at Al Asad, Iraq, Nov. 24, 2005. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Cullen J. Tiernan

AL ASAD, Iraq, Dec. 5, 2005 — For the majority of U.S. servicemembers in Iraq, Thanksgiving was another day, business as usual.

For U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Eldon Casner, and his son, Pfc. Michael Casner, Thanksgiving was the first time they saw each other in six months. They celebrated with a special dinner in a security guard tent at Al Asad, Iraq. What was important to them was not the surroundings, but each other.

If not for the Thanksgiving dinner, the natives of Lewistown, Pa., said they would not have seen each other for another six months.

Eldon has been deployed for almost a year with Task Force Freedom of the 11th Army Combat Regiment. He said he left his family six months before Michael deployed and has spent the majority of his time in the city of Mosul. There, he worked with active intelligence and faced the constant threat of attack from insurgents.

Michael said he volunteered to come out here and join his buddies with the 1st Battalion, 109th Mechanized Infantry Regiment. His main duty here is to provide security for Al Asad.
“This is the first time we’ve been together for a long time,” said Eldon. “A couple soldiers from my unit were coming to Al Asad and I got a chance to join them.”

Eldon stressed it was an amazing opportunity to be able to eat turkey and stand guard with his son on Thanksgiving.

“If it had not been for this opportunity, we would have had to wait another six months to see each other,” said Michael. “We’ve been joking, just enjoying each others’ company. It’s been awhile since we had a good laugh together.”

Michael said he receives support from his family back home, but stressed it was awesome to see his father on Thanksgiving.

“I volunteered to come out here,” said Michael. “I didn’t want my buddies here without me. But, I still miss my family.”

Michael said he has had a really good experience serving with the Marines at Al Asad, which is predominantly a Marine Corps installation.

“There are no cliques here, we are all focused on the mission,” said Michael. “Marines, Army, Navy, we are all one team.”

Eldon said he was extremely proud of his son and proud to stand guard with him on Thanksgiving. Despite the war, he and his son were there for each other and able to share a slice of home, if only for a day.

Happy Thanksgiving

Sent from Bert to her family and friends.

Pumpkin Pie

News on Gram

Hello Everyone. Well, here we are another week closer to Christmas and the weather has finally gotten colder, even here in southern Ohio. Just wanted to let everyone know that Mom will be moving into her new apartment at the beginning of Dec. Tony and some friends will be getting everything moved in for her. She is pretty excited. All she wants to do is shop. She's making her list and checking it twice. I will be getting layed off on Wed., Nov. 21. I will be helping her get some of her things packed, plus I have to pack to go to California. I leave Sat. Nov 24. I'll let you know how the weather is.

John will be coming to my house for Thanksgiving. When he leaves on Fri he will be taking Mom to Marsha's for a visit. She will be there for a week. If anyone has a chance, please stop by and see her. She would love it.

Also, please keep Eldon in your prayers. He is leaving for Iraq tonight. I'm not sure how long he'll be there, but I promised him I would keep in touch with my emails. His wife Bert will be heading to Lewistown to stay at her parents house, the week after Thanksgiving.

I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Don't eat to much Turkey.

I'll be in touch again next week.

Love,

Cathy

News on Gram's Apartment

Just wanted to let everyone know that Mom got a call about her apartment. She can move in at any time. She is pretty excited about it. I will let everyone know when she is actually going to move.

Now she is thinking about buying curtains, a couch and chair so that will keep her busy for the next couple weeks.

She has been going to Tony and Renee's for dinner this week. They live about a half a block away from the where she is going to be moving. They told her that she is invited to dinner any night. Renee told her, what's one more when you're cooking for 5 anyway.

I can tell you one thing, she will miss looking out the back door and seeing the deer and the bear in the yard. (Well, maybe not the bear), but she will miss seeing the deer.

She will be getting her own phone. I will let everyone know the number when she gets it.

Don't forget birthday wishes go out to Anika -12 yrs old (Mary's daughter) and Samatha -15 yrs old (Renee, Tony's girlfriends daughter) for Nov 23rd. Traci (Shirley's daughter-in-law will be celebrating her 32nd birthday on the Nov 24th, also, Jacquie (Linda's daughter) will be celebrating her 25th birthday on Nov 25th. Hope I didn't miss anyone.

Well, got to get back to work.

Have a wonderful day!

Cathy

California Here I Come

Hi everyone. Another week and here is another email from little old me.

Mom had a very busy week. She has been cooking for Les, shopping, taking care of the kitty, and went to the Senior Center on Tuesday and Friday. She went to see the apartment they have ready for her, but told them she wasn't moving in until they told her what her rent will be. Sooooooo, we are waiting to hear back from them.

Les has been busy this week, working around the house and working on some electrical projects for Tony and Renee and our friend Penny. Today he has been packing, getting ready to leave for California tomorrow. He is flying out of Buffalo in the early afternoon. Tony and I are driving him there.

My job in Ohio is almost done. I will be finished on Nov. 21st. Then I will be flying to California on Nov. 24th. I start work on Nov. 26th out there. I am looking forward to going to going.

Got to run. Have a wonderful day.

Love,

Cathy