...We're back in Maine

...Tuesday -leaving National Naval Medical Center

...Wednesday -we get home to a surprise

...Thursday and beyond 

Friday greetings to all,

Friday has been hot and sticky compared to the weather we got home to on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday to Thursday were near weather-perfect days in my estimation, just enough cool clear air to feel refreshing, but Ben and Katie were shivering in the 'cold'. Ah well, today in the upper 80's and humid they did fine while I about melted. The temp in Iraq got up to like 130 degrees, and in N. Dakota where Katie spent the summer it was often 100 degrees. But whatever the weather we are glad to be back home.

So, let's see - I want to let you know how our trip from Maryland to Maine went. I know many are wanting to hear. Remember, the topic guide at the top of the letter will help those who want to scan for certain topic points. Forgive me for writing in a general sense to encompass a wide range of family and friends at different levels of being in-the-know or not.

Tuesday morning I believe I sent an update from Ben's hospital room. The rest of the day was as we expected with a variety of doctor teams clearing Ben to actually be discharged. Katie and I cleared his walls of the many encouraging cards and well wishes that came from a multitude of sources. The hospital staff likely wondered if they were going to have to re-do the hospital room walls when the Bartlett family finally left. As cards came we would read them to him and then pin them to the walls. There were posters too...

I want you to know that as we got e-mails from so many of you we would write down your messages and take them to read to Ben. The girls would get on websites that their friends all communicate on and relay messages from friends to Ben. Not only was this a constant flow of love to Ben, but to us also. Your friendship and encouragement kept us going day after day.

So, back to the Tuesday topic. In the afternoon I decided maybe I should just make sure discharge papers were really in the making. Good thing I asked. The nursing staff changes so much we may well have got lost in the system on that front and missed getting discharged at all. This set us on a rush course of final needs that ended with me sitting at the hospital pharmacy waiting for Ben's prescriptions until 15 minutes AFTER we were to leave for the airport (7:00pm). My nerves remained on edge until we were safely aboard our plane. Thankfully Katie and I had everything sitting ready to go, so while I sat the last hour out biting my nails at the pharmacy, she made 2-3 trips down 5 floors with our combined luggage, took the release paperwork to the Marine liaison office, and wheeled Ben down and out to the awaiting van.

Ben was able to maneuver himself in and out of the Marine transport van (from and to a wheel chair), and then even swiveled and hopped himself down a few rows of seats in the airplane to his seats. There mustn't have been two front seats available where he would have had more room for his right leg, but they bought him two side-by-side seats so he could at least stretch out better. He seemed to do just fine this way for the 1 ½ hr. trip from Maryland to Portland , ME. We arrived a bit late (about 11:00pm), to a very quiet air terminal. We were probably the last plane of the night or something. Our baggage was ready by the time we were even down to the claim area. I'm not sure if it was the Marine status, or the the wounded status, but our bags were marked with big red PRIORITY tags and came in on a conveyor separate from all the others! We were met by Dave, Sue and Jay (Dave's sister and husband), Michelle (kids' friend going to college in Portland ), and niece Karen Bartlett. We stayed overnight at a hotel there in Portland Tuesday night to break up the travel and sitting time.

Wednesday morning the Maine air was so refreshing and inviting. If only I could have enjoyed it more! Ben and Katie were cold, so up went the windows and out stayed the air! The things a mother does for her kids. :> :> On the way home we started to get a bit suspicious about some phone calls Dave was getting. It sounded like something was up and the rest of us weren't in on the loop that he was. Long story short, from the exit off the interstate to the Mobile down the road from our house (maybe 5-6 miles?) we had a police escort (4-5 vehicles) in honor of our (and I say 'our' in a very broad sense) wounded Marine. Dave grinned, Ben was sort of embarrassed, I cried, and we all knew this was going to be a forever-memory.

We made quite a scene for those few miles, and I guess we were all just a little embarrassed since miles of cars pulled over to the side of the road in response to the escort because the police cars not only had their lights flashing but their sirens blaring too. At the appointed destination there was a crowd gathered to welcome us home. One friend started the ball rolling on this just the night before, I believe, and it ended with a welcoming committee of many friends, area Marines, and Maine Troop Greeters. I cried some more, people took pictures, Ben was thanked over and over for his part in keeping our country free; everyone was so kind and gracious. Pictures taken are posted on www.mainetroopgreeters.com . ( If interested, this should get you there: 1.When you have this website, on the side bar choose Local Heroes. 2.Click on the purple line that says mainetroopgreeters.smugmug... 3.On the next screen choose Maine Heroes. 4.This should bring you to Welcome Home Ben Bartlett. Each small picture on the left can be clicked on to be made large on the right hand side of your screen.)

Though Ben was embarrassed at all the attention, I believe this was something he will always cherish, in reality. I know WE will. He doesn't feel he DID ANYTHING to deserve the thanks that he hears over and over, and I understand that. Yet, our United States history would be vastly different if EACH of those individuals who have put their lives on the line for freedom down through the years had made a different decision than they did. So to ALL OF YOU who have sacrificially given of your lives to keep our country free, WE THANK YOU!!!

A special United States flag was waiting for us here at home when we got here. It was accompanied by a certificate to 'Dave and Constance Bartlett'. It says, 'This flag was flown on Camp Fallujah in your honor, for your sacrifice while caring for one our our wounded warriors'.

Thursday and beyond...

We are glad to be home. It has been a challenge so far to get the visiting nurse and therapists scheduled, and get the other doctor appointments going that we go out for (Three? Everything is separated: hand doctor, hand therapist, leg and wound doctor, leg therapist, primary care...). We haven't much experience with doctoring so the health care system is something we are learning about.

Dave is busy with a multitude of tasks preparing for Sept. 10 when the process of building extra living space out into our garage area begins. When Ben moved out of his old bedroom in 2006 to go to Marine boot camp, that allowed Luke to move down from the attic and have his own little bedroom. There just aren't spares around here. So for the moment, Ben is bedded down in our little glassed-in sun porch until we have another room built for him. We had been going to build a laundry room (now part of my kitchen) in this same area anyway, so this has just sped up some plans and added a bit more complexity to it. Family, friends, and church family have humbled and amazed us with funds and hands-on help that will make this room materialize for Ben and for us in record time, it appears. We haven't quite figured out how to respond to all the generosity and love properly.

I don't seem to be getting any further on this right now. It is already Sunday evening and I wanted this to go out yesterday. Yesterday was our annual church block party and Ben went with us and pulled himself about in his wheelchair with his one good foot. Everyone clapped when he arrived, and Mama cried again, of course! Leftovers of food were generously given to us to help feed our family and helpers as the building project starts tomorrow, and others have said they are sending casseroles too. It sounds like it's going to be one long party all week! But, that story is for another day. :>

May the generosity of you all be music to God's ears, and may those around us be blessed as a result of your love shared with us,

Connie, for us all