Media Support

We are mentioned in this online article.

Photo by Bill Larson clarksvilleonline.com

Thank you, Bill Larson, for being a part of our welcome home ceremony again! We appreciate your support of our soldiers!

The Return

This is the march of heros! {click this link}

Welcome home, Clay

Simply stated… I am happy to have another deployment complete. And, I’m grateful for my faith, family and friends that made this journey with us again.

 

Upon returning to Ft. Campbell I knew what to expect. Even so, the emotions were overwhelming at times.

Rain followed us East and once again I prayed for good weather so we could be outside of the hangar to watch the plane arrive and our soldier with “boots on the ground”. We had clear skies when the plane arrived (and a beautiful sunset).

This homecoming was different than the one in 2011 for Clay had his own family awaiting his return. I knew I would have to wait my turn for one of those big hugs and kisses and this Nana was okay with that.

As the plane approached my heart was filled with love, pride and relief. We waited and watched for our soldier to approach the hangar. With over 250 soldiers on board it felt like forever until we were able to connect with the one face we’d been waiting so long to see. How can you love your child any more than you did yesterday? Well, you can!

Last night my heart prayed for the mother of Clay’s replacement. I understand the journey before her and will pray for her in the days ahead. When your children enlist, we enlist, by default.

I’d like to tell you we are through with these trying times, but I can’t. Clay re-enlisted during his deployment and the future will always hold the possibility of another sacrifice of self and family.

For now, another deployment behind us! We can go back to normal, right? 

Some photos from our reunion ~

Click on the label "Penguin" to read his history with our family.

Photo by 1st Brigade Combat Team ~ Facebook

2nd Return

I haven't posted much on the blog for Clay's second deployment. We haven't had much communication with him this time and life has been busy for me. I'm thankful my lack of posts didn't keep him out of the prayer time of so many that have supported us through these separations.

Last year I moved my Daddy from Georgia to a nursing home close to us in Kansas. Let's just say it hasn't been a pleasant experience. Please pray for this situation.

And, I officially started my photography business which has kept me busy and occupied a lot of late nights. I'm thankful for it was in those long and quiet hours of the night my heart filled with worry for Clay. ( Gale Wall Photography and GWP on Facebook )

We are at Ft. Campbell awaiting his return. I can't post the details but I promise you'll see some happy photos soon.

It won't be long... before we see him!

Army strong...family

Please pray for the TN/KY and KS Wall families during this time of separation.

We are very proud of you, Clayton!

Sharing some smiles

Photo 1: Clay's shack mate....SGT

Photo 2: Um...yeah!

Photo 3: If you look closely you will see another ribbon on the tree in the background. We have another family member deployed as well. Our nephew's wife. Please also pray for the Miller family.

Prayer card & mail

I hope to have a new prayer card available for download soon. And, at this time I do not have a mailing address for Clayton. I will post a note when we have that information. You will need to contact me privately for it as it will not be posted on the blog.

Rendezvous with destiny

The 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Bastogne Advance Party Deploys to Afghanistan. The Bastogne's ADVON leads the brigade in its next rendezvous with destiny.

If you are on Facebook you can see some photos they posted. I tagged Clayton in a few of them.

My heart is heavy with this repeat journey.

This time Clayton leaves his own family behind. So much has changed.

Thank you for your prayers!

Deployment: Round 2

So we begin another journey... of faith, hope & prayer for our soldier.

Please join us in prayer for his health, safety & well-being.

Preparing the home front

We are preparing home for another deployment. When Clay came home from the first deployment he removed his yellow ribbon. We have our new ribbon ready to go up when he leaves again. We have a little while before he leaves but my mind is already there.

We have another family member deployed at this time too. Our nephews wife left earlier this year. We have a ribbon on the other tree for her. Clay's tree has a red, white & blue ribbon on it right now.

Called up

Clayton will be deploying to Afghanistan again. He called to ask for these.

Welcome Home, Note and Patches

Thank you note in our church bulletin

Map to ceremony and my patriotic necklaces

Patches from uniform used during deployment

Mail while deployed

Some of the mail Clay saved from his deployment:

Winging his way back

Yesterday morning we left at 5:20 am to take Clayton to the airport in Wichita. My tummy and chest hurt the whole way there. Barry and I were given passes and allowed to go back to his gate with him. Thankfully our timing was so that boarding began minutes after we arrived. I say thankfully because I wasn't too far from crying. I tried not to do the big ugly cry. Not sure how well I did on that. The airlines bumped Clayton to first class so he was the first to board. Hopefully I did well enough to not embarass him.

I talked to him today and he has arrived in Kuwait. He has one more stop to go before reaching his final destination. He should be back and at work in another couple of days. They have long delays at each stop.

If you can't tell from the 200+ photos I've posted online - we had a GREAT visit. I already miss him and hope the remainder of his deployment doesn't turn me totally grey headed - because I'm not that far from it now.

Remember: You can send your messages to Clayton to galewall@gmail.com and I will post them here on the blog. Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support during this journey.

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To Clayton,

It was good to hear your voice today. Although tired you seemed in good spirits. I know you will be glad to get the flying behind you and back into a normal routine.

Dad and I are sad our visit has come and gone. We hope your adjustments are smooth. Hopefully you will be back and settled for a video chat on Thursday. Be sure to call or email when you arrive so I can turn down the worry volume.

We are very proud of you and love you beyond words!
Mom & Dad

Pics from Clay

I copied all the pictures from Clay's laptop. He's been holding out on us!!!

On a C17 - Going to Afghanistan

Arriving in Afghanistan - not his final destination
Is it just the "mom" in me or does he look lost?

Prayer Bookmark

These are the bookmarks I made to share information on Clayton's deployment, mailing address and this blog location. I mailed them to immediate family and handed them out in Sunday School and Life Group. They are also located at the welcome desk at church.

For those of you outside of Hutchinson you can download a copy. It is in PDF format. You can get the Adobe reader for free at adobe.com if you do not have it on your computer already.

Thank you for your support!

The ribbon is up

Please keep Clayton in your prayers during his deployment to Afghanistan.

Pray for him, the 101st Airborne, 1st Brigade and all that serve to secure our freedom.