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by ChrisHiggins from FOX 2

Last Post 10 days, 4 hours Ago


Chris's Corner - Independence Day Edition
Jul 5, 2008 | 9:36 AM
Category: Weather
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Hello gang....sorry this is a day late...but unfortunately the war doesn't take time off for holidays.  It was great to have the chance to spend sometime over the phone with John and Randi Friday morning.  From the comments I ran across in my last blog, it sounds like many of you heard the interview.  I hope I didn't sound too down or tired...but it has been a long stretch and the weather has been a real challenge.  And when it gets challenging, everyone who is impacted (which is everyone) gets a little edgy. 

A quick thank you to everyone who posted in the last few days with well wishes for this Independece Day.  You may remember that I got a little worked up last summer about "Independence" vs. "4th of July".  I still feel strongly about that, but I've mellowed in my time here...probably because of fatigue..lol...and it doesn't bother as much...so long as we all remember that the true day is about more than the number "4".  They had a nice retreat ceremony to retire the colors (flag) last night...followed by your typical stateside bar-b-que.  And yes, we had our limited adult beverage service to top it all off.  So, despite being 1/2 a world away we had a nice celebration here.  Only thing that was missing were the fireworks...but those are generally not a good idea in these parts...could be mis-interpretted if you know what I mean.

To fill the time I have picked up a new game.  Just a new game to me anyway...not to many.  Apparently dominos has been a huge hit with military men and women for years...especially the army.  Up until about two weeks ago I had never played before.  Now I play everynight.  It passes the time and can be a lot of fun.  It's even a good thinking game to bring home and play with my son when I come back...so it's a win win situation.

If you listened to my interview, you heard me throw out another call for help.  I was talking with some of the medical folks the other day and I asked if there was anything they needed.  As it turns out, they need flip flops...mainly for men.  When the wounded are brought in from the field they are pretty much stripped down to the bare minimum and then moved on to wherever they need to go for care.  That means they have no clothing of any sort with them!  Flip flops and boxers/ briefs are in high demand and relatively low supply.  They also could use small lap blankets which are used to help keep patients warm while they are med-evaced to bigger hospitals.  I know that in the group of people who follow this blog we can hit a homerun with this.  They don't have the capacity for a ton of stuff...but maybe a couple hundred flip flops, undgergarments and blankets???  Do you guys think we can pull this off?  I haven't had time to contact anyone about acting as a collection point.  But I bet my good friend at the Kirkwood American Legion could come up with something (good to hear from you by the way!)

Well, my time is up for now...I need to run.  I will post back in here in a day or two to see what you guys come up with.  Thanks again for your prayers and support.  I'm 1/2 way home now and will back in September!

-Chris

 

 

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Member Comments Total Comments: 31
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snowman99 read my blog
Jul 5, 2008 | 1:04 PM

Hey Chris great to hear from ya! Glad you had a nice little celebration over there. Good to hear you'll be back in September, I thought it was November. Weather here for Independence Day was very atypical, highs in the upper 70's and dewpoints in the mid 50's! What a shocker that was. Stay safe over there and I'm sure we can get some flip flops ans other supplies your way.
perkypolock read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 1:34 PM

Yo Higgins! Glad to hear ya on the news yesterday...sure miss ya over here.. So, you need Flip Flops....Well your in luck my friend.. just tell me a place to drop them off at.

Don't forget to bring me back some sand.
madaboutweather read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 1:55 PM

Hello Chris!!

It's good to hear from you. You sure are missed around here. Per your request, I'll get those items up for you. Just give us a hollar and let us know where we can take them. Please tell everyone there I said thank you for everything. We have a cousin over there right now. His last name is Welch. Do you know anyone by that last name there? Hope your day is good as it can be.
Peagcu read my blog
Jul 5, 2008 | 3:37 PM

To you Chris,

I hope your stay goes smoothly. I hope your expertise lends our men and women the information they need. keep up the good work and I can't wait till your back home. Dominoes away!

Now a small rant.

I'm not saying this to sound bad, but if those things (flip flops, underwear, blankets) are in short supply why the heck didn't the gov't/military envision this?

We spend billions over there, but once again we see that when it comes to the care and comfort of our loved ones the bucks/intelligence never quite make it there.

Sure these things are eventually taken care of by grass root efforts, but it's always after the problem has developed. Little good that does for the ones that come first. It seems like personal care for our injured boys is once again the last concern of the Pentagon.
asmerelda read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 8:37 PM

Hey Chris We really miss you but I know you are doing what you want to do and I bow down to you for that. You are very special.

My Uncle who I never had the pleasure of meeting (my dads brother) died in action in The Normandy Invasion and I have alot of his things from the war. We love you!
RodneyNeff read my blog view my photos
Jul 5, 2008 | 10:01 PM

Hey Chris,
Glad your doing well..Been missing you with all this flooding and storms around.


-Rodney
BRTNWXMAN read my blog view my photos
Jul 6, 2008 | 12:33 AM

Chris, great to hear from you again! Glad to hear that you guys had a fitting celebration, and that you've picked up the distinction of being a domino player! I don't play as much as I used to, but I always liked playing when I was younger. I always liked the fact that when you get bored of actually playing, you can just line them up, and let 'em rip!

I agree w/ Rodney, there's been a void without you being here during all the flooding and active weather we've had. I can't wait until you return in September! The good news is, that you'll be returning during one of the lesser-active parts of the year(hopefully) around here :) Sounds like the forecasting and weather is tough over there right now - it's not too much different here! I'm always amazed, year after year, how tough it is to forecast convection and it's chaotic nature. I mean, let's say you get one cell that decides to go bananas, it builds into an unexpected complex, churns out a cold pool, spits out a nasty outflow, and tomorrow's forecast, region-wide, looks completely different as a result. Amazing. And all that could have been due to a degree or two discrepancy at 700mb(cape), etc. that caused that one storm, that one bundle of parcels, to go to town. That's pretty much what we saw the other night, LOL. Between the 2nd and the 3rd, parts of the area saw over 6" of rain! Good luck to you and the others that are forecasting over there - like I've said before, I couldn't think of anyone better to do the job than you! That has to be a gratifying job, knowing
BRTNWXMAN read my blog view my photos
Jul 6, 2008 | 12:33 AM

you are helping out the guys on the front line because they and their commanders know what to expect. I applaud you for that.

Keep safe, and stay cool!
BRTNWXMAN read my blog view my photos
Jul 6, 2008 | 12:38 AM

Heh, I keep forgeting that the "alligator mouths" prompt code, and it cuts stuff out of your post... This should have read as:

"And all that could have been due to a degree or two discrepancy at 700mb([less than]cap), local evapotranspiration effect([greater than]cape), etc. that caused that one storm, that one bundle of parcels, to go to town."
michelle4wellness read my blog view my photos
Jul 6, 2008 | 3:16 AM

Good to hear from you, Chris. I am guessing your Independence Day was pretty meaningful this year. Thanks for the update, and as always, I will pray for you tonight and for your family.
ChrisHiggins read my blog view my photos
Jul 6, 2008 | 6:00 AM

Peagcu... I agree with you 100%. Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to work the issue from that angle. I'm just interested in doing what I can at the grassroots level to try and help these guys out rather than embroil myself in red tape. Really, the biggest need/request was for the flip flops at this point. For those who have them or are getting them...please hold on to them until I come up with a collection point. I'm pretty sure I have a way to get them here.

Rain... I know you have had enough but at least that guarantees that most everything will be nice and green (I hope) when I get back.

I actually get most Sundays off. I've actually joined the choir at the chapel and sing at all 3 catholic masses on Sunday. I'm no Stephen Curtis Chapman or Michael W. Smith, but I'm passible.

Take care and be safe!
reb333 view my photos
Jul 6, 2008 | 8:38 AM

Chris,
Those of us on the east end of Belleville need some more rain. A nice, slow, soaking rain.
The weather has been amazingly nice but I think that is going to come to an end today. Hot is creeping in.
As a vocal music teacher, I am thrilled that you are singing in the choir.
Any particular kind of flip-flops?
Stay safe and thank you for your service to our country. We really miss you.
perkypolock read my blog view my photos
Jul 6, 2008 | 10:45 AM

If you really want Chris, I can see if Market basket will let me get a booth outside their doors and promote a Flip Flop 4 our Troops. I know they will go for it.

Still, don't forget my sand.
Johnpertzborn read my blog view my photos
Jul 7, 2008 | 5:37 AM

Chris! We need good weather for "Operation Lion's Roar"

sTAY sAFE.
wackymom read my blog view my photos
Jul 7, 2008 | 6:27 AM

Nice to hear from you, Chris! Stay safe, we are looking forward to your return!
Wildredneck read my blog view my photos
Jul 7, 2008 | 8:15 AM

Dear Chros,

I hopw you had a wonderful Independence Day. I got to see a friend I hadent seen in a while & we set off fire works we could here hazelwoods celebration from where we were (he lives in my old home town) I will think of you on the 7th of next month (my birthday) if i get cash for my Birthday i'll try to get flip-flops
Medic06 read my blog view my photos
Jul 7, 2008 | 9:14 AM

Hey Chris! Great to hear form you again! Will see if we can round up some flip flops for yea! Take care and best regards to your family as well!
BobBobbyRobert25 read my blog view my photos
Jul 7, 2008 | 11:17 PM

Glad to hear from you Chris! Take care man...
Peagcu read my blog
Jul 8, 2008 | 1:04 AM

Yo, keep the singing up Chris. I'm a soul mate there. I'm no Bryan Duncan myself, but I try anyway.
fox2fan4weather read my blog
Jul 8, 2008 | 7:20 PM

Hey Chris,

It's great to hear from you! There's a lot going on with my weather career. It's getting exciting and staying busy. I can't find much time for anything anymore. However, I do keep up with your blog, even if I don't get too much time to comment.

I will have to see if I can get a few things over that way for the hospital. I'll wait for your cue on the collection point.

Until then, stay safe and I hope it all isn't getting to you too much. When I went through those times the best thing was to just spend time with others. You're all going through it together!

Have a nice week!
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ChrisHiggins

I am the weekend weather guy at Fox 2 and also a weather officer with the US Air Force Reserves. I recently returned back from deployment to the desert of the Middle East where I supported Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Joint Task Force Horn of Africa.

Member Since: 9/13/2006


 

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