Yesterday (I’m writing this early in the morning Friday, April 6th), we went to two places:

Mississippi Armed Forces Museum – Camp Shelby

Landrum’s Homestead and Village

The first was a very nice museum of showing ALL of the armed forces, Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. The base was a Joint Services base federalized in 2004 for training for Afghanistan and Iraq. It had over 15,000 artifacts and was VERY well done. I took pictures of everyone outside in front of one of the helicopters there on display. There is also a panorama of 5 photos showing all the tanks. After the museum, we went to Landrum’s. I thought it was going to be dull and boring but I was surprised. You should have seen Mike, Steve, and myself with our piles of dirt as we “panned” them for treasures. We had so much fun, we “panned” twice. We then set the ladies up and had them go to the Mystery House. The whole house is completed tilted on both sides to the back corner. We watched them walk through the house and laughed as they bounced off the walls. We finished off the day with ice cream and shakes.

The photos for the day are here.

Great news. Ben is home from Iraq. Listen to the podcast below.

Ben's Home from Iraq [ 0:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We finally heard from Ben after a few days went by. His convoy in Iraq was attacked but everyone is okay. Here it is in his own words:

“well here we go, what happens when you turn down a road, your in the last humvee and you’re guarding and facing the rear, and you hear a loud explosion, an ied has been fired at the lead vehicle, obviously i dont want to look cuz i dont want my head out the turret, but the first humvee drives forward and we look around to assess the situation, out of the humvee no one was hurt and the truck didnt suffer major damage, well, for that, the entire convoy will receive a CAB, Combat Action Badge, the infantry has something similar so the CAB was for everyone besides infanty, well i am happy to receive it but i dont necassarily feel i earned it, the first humvee was the one in serious danger and im glad to say everyone is good”

As always, keep him in your prayers.

Ben is back in Iraq. Ben was home for a few weeks leave and we loved seeing him again. He’s now back in Iraq and busier than ever. They have him doing “missions” now. The picture is him in front of one of Sadam Hussein’s palaces. Please keep him in your prayers as serves his country in Iraq.

The Warrior comes home today! Just got a phone call from Jo Ann. Our son is arriving today at the airport at 2:30pm. He’s been in Iraq now for 4 months. He’s coming home for a couple weeks of leave and then goes back for another 9 months. It will be interesting to see him again — wondering how war has changed him if at all. I would imagine he’s grown up quite a bit. I’m simply ecstatic he’s doing well and he’s safe. He’s been stationed at FOB Remagen but can’t tell us too much of what’s he’s doing. It will be wonderful to see him again and hear his stories of Iraq. Don’t believe the crap you hear on CNN and most other news agencies. What our son has been sharing with us so far is that a lot is getting done and the people there definately appreciate us being there. Anyway, keep checking back. I’ll update again very soon.

Psalms 127:4-5

From a proud dad. This fine young man you see on the right here is my son, SPC Ben Hendrix. He is part of the 101st Airborne and currently stationed in Iraq. He has been on my mind a lot recently and your prayers for his safe return are coveted. I just thought I’d add this here today as my way of showing him how proud I am of him and how much I love him.