Sgt Joseph R. Magnuson

Age 23, from South Hutchinson.

Stationed:

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
346th Military Police Co.
 
 

Greetings everyone-

First of all, I want to thank you for taking your time to read my letter. You never know when war can hit at home, and here it has. In the Army Reserves, you never really anticipate or plan for anything to happen that would send you off to war. However, you have to be prepared for anything. After September 11th, it opened my eyes to reality. On

January 12th, I received a call from my unit (the 346th Military Police Company) informing me that we had just been activated. The next few days were incredibly hectic and busy. Finally, on January 17th, we arrived in Fort Riley, not knowing what to expect or where we were going. It happened to be my birthday, but it seemed that my present wasn't very enjoyable...*grin*.

Needless to say, we stayed in Fort Riley for longer than anticipated and began helping out on post wherever we could, waiting for the Army to send us overseas. Eventually, they granted me the chance to go to Primary Leadership Development Course on April 18th. About two weeks through my course, I found out that my unit was getting pulled from Fort Riley to go overseas. I didn't know where they were headed to, all I knew is that I was to catch up with them when I finished my schooling.

And that's where I'm at right now. I will be flying to Cuba to catch up to my unit on the 29th of May. It's my first deployment, so I'm not too sure on what to expect, but I'm prepared for anything. Please feel free to write with any questions you have. I hope to be able to keep in touch with everyone by email when I arrive, and even before I leave. I ask for your prayers for my parents and myself as I prepare to leave.

Sincerely, Sgt. Joseph R. Magnuson