I am copying part of an email from Chris, because there's a message to Christie and Joyce in it. Joyce, I don't think he's able to read the blog, so I'm also copying your message and emailing it to him.

To be with you and Christie in spirit at least, on Saturday morning, I will pack my ruck and do a 5-6 mile ruck march. Of course, it will be around 10pm Friday night your time when I start and I should be done around midnight your time/7 am here. I should be able to do it in 2 hours, 2 1/2 at max, because our annual requirement in 12 miles in 4 hours with a 35 lb ruck. I'm not sure if I can legally try to get sponsors here, but I'm going to talk to JAG tomorrow to find out what I can do, if anything. If nothing else, I may just put out an invitation to my friends an coworkers to at least join me on the ruck march. How old was Gloria when she passed? I thought it was 37 or 38. I don't remember what year it was; I just remember that I was in 7th grade. I'm not sure why, but more than once since I've been here I've thought about Gloria and felt selfish and guilty for going to my wrestling tournament the weekend of her funeral. I think it's because I have the picture of you, Bertha, Joyce and Granddaddy that Bertha took back in June and sent to me on the door to my wall locker in my room. In fact, it's the only picture I have in my room because all of the pics Michelle has sent of the kids, I have under a sheet of plexiglass on my desk. I need to know the official name of the foundation (American Cancer Society or whatever) and who your sponsors make checks out to so I can ask JAG. If nothing else, I do have a paypal account (to pay for my internet) that people here can deposit in if I can get sponsors here.

Please tell Joyce I got my package from her and that I'm glad she waited because the scottcharoos were a GREAT "birthday present". I will write her a letter soon. Things have slowed down a little bit since the big end of the month reports are done and turned in and the assistance division commander (my brigade commander from 2003) has been briefed. I'll try and write her in the next day or two, as well as more about my birthday to you and Dad that I had already written when my computer restarted.

Hope Hannah is doing well. Bertha, since Hannah will not be able to walk with us, I think you should join us.