[Gunner Carvo]

I got the Harley! Although I haven't ridden it due to a shoulder injury, I have personalized it already. I've added a sissy bar, luggage rack, replace covers on the engine with ones that have a Navy emblem, two light kits (white and purple) to make sure people see me at night, a US flag sticker on the taillight, a tool bag on the handlebars, and the windshield should be here in a couple days. I also got a new helmet that matches the bike!

I plan on blowing a lot more money on silly things like saddlebags and bag to strap on behind me when I take three weeks of leave and head North to Washington for my birthday next summer. Here comes the probing! I've been working on a plan to turn that into a fund-raiser for the troops less fortunate than me as to be on the ground in the "sand box". I know there are things that we have access to every day that they miss dearly like beef jerky, soft TP, AM PM's burgers. I'd just like to do what I can. I've never seen Iraq. I've only floated off the coast. But, I have friends who have been there, died there or are still there. One man can do a lot, but it's always nice to have back-up.

As far as expenses, I plan on covering gas, food, water, smokes and shelter myself so all acquired funds can go to the boys and girls "over there". I just want them to know that we think about them all year round.

Lots of people send out e-mails or start websites to send care packages to troops for the holidays. That kind of thing is always appreciated. The sad part is no one says, "Hey, let's send our troops a bunch of green cookies so they know were thinking about them on St. Patrick's Day!" or "I know, let's mail a bunch of pennies and quarters to the troops so they know we're thinking about them on Presidents' Day!" I don't need a holiday to think of the troops. I have plenty of reminders every day. I see ships trolling out of the bay all the time and wonder, "Are they going over there?" I have a Dad and an uncle who are Vietnam veterans. I have friends back home who did some time in the Middle East as reservists. I have the Global War On Terrorism Service and Expeditionary Medals on my uniform.

It sucks being away for the holidays. It also sucks when the cards and care packages stop because New Year's has passed. I want to do this just because I know it sucks. I didn't even have to get deployed to not be home for my first couple Christmases. I was in boot camp stencilling my name on my new uniforms on Christmas day, 1997. I was too broke to buy a plane ticket home for Christmas in 1998. I got to spend Christmas 1999 in Florida with a shipmate and his family so that I didn't have to eat Christmas dinner in another base galley.

I'm going to stop babbling now. Thanks.