I would like to give everyone an update on Bri and whats been happening the last couple of weeks.

July 21 - 25 - Brianna had her pass, Meghan flew in to MSP airport which Greg and I picked her up 3 hours later than what her flight was scheduled - some delays with the plane in CA, but we finally got her a little before 9:00 am and headed down to Indiana. What a long drive but we were all very excited to get down there.

We had rented a cabin in or by Nashville, IN, which we all would be sharing with 2 of Bri's army buddies, Ashley (Alty) & Luke (Sand), well with being delayed we arrived alot later than we had expected, and I guess the other 3 had quite the time to, problems with their rental car, poor Luke had to look for another one, and it wasn't the best timing, IN had their races in Indianapolis the same week as their pass - but with all that aside we all arrived safe and sound.

We had a good week, went horse back riding, they went sky diving, went to six flags, saw some movies and were able to sit back and chill or Hot tub if we wanted to.

Brianna, Ashley & Luke had to be back on the 25th of July no later than 10:00 pm, so the morning of the 25th, we got Meghan a rental car (she had an interview in IN)so that she could get there in time to have dinner with them and meet some of the staff. We, then got the cabin all cleaned up and the cars loaded by 2:00 pm, The 3 headed back to Camp Atterbury to drop off their stuff, Greg and I got a hotel room in Edinburgh, which was only 10 minutes or so away from Camp Atterbury, and unloaded our stuff to make room for their stuff , that we needed to bring back to MN for them. Then met them at Walmart, in Bloomington, IN, they needed to drop off their rental car and pick up some things for their journey over seas. Went to a movie together and then Greg and I took them out to eat, then came the hard part, time to take them back to Camp Atterbury, It was hard but we knew it had to come some time, Bri asked if we could come back in the Morning, because she wanted to finish her packing and make sure we got everything that needed to go back with us.

The morning of the 26th of July, we met up with Bri at Atterbury and it got harder to say goodbye, we talked for a while took some pictures, loaded the rest of her stuff and knew it was that time again. Bri is staying very positive about all of this and I feel good that she knows what she needs to do - she is a very strong person with a good heart - so I know she will do her best and nothing less. Greg and I got back on the road to the hotel to load up our things and we got a call - Bri said she forgot some things and if we could pick them up - we said we sure could and got everything loaded and head back out to Camp Atterbury, we had to stop by the guards and we told him that Bri forgot to give us some things, he looked inside our car and said I don't know if you can fit anymore in. Being our 3rd trip out to Atterbury - It just got harder to say Good Bye - but we knew she needed to start her day and we said our goodbyes and hugs & Kisses and alot of tears again. I am so glad she is alot stronger than I am.

Bri had told us that there would be 2 flights out one late on the 28th and one early on the 29th and that she was on the second flight and could not tell us where they were flying to, but they might have 2 stops one in Maine and one in Germany then to there destination. Reality really started to sink in and realizing this was really happening was a big wow factor and a wake up call for me.

Bri left on Wednesday the 29th and we heard from her on Sunday the August 2nd, she said they had landed in a small country called Kyrgyzstan - where there wasn't much for them to do but sit and wait for the planes to pick them up for their next location, We got to talk online Sunday night & Monday Night (my nights & her mornings) they were about 10-10 1/2 hours ahead of us. then on Tuesday afternoon August 4th, I came home for lunch and saw I got a message from her, that they were loading up and the planes were taking them to the next undisclosed location and she didn't know when I would hear from next but I needed to know she was safe and was in good hands and that they would watch over each other's backs. I was terribly sad knowing she was again on the move and not knowing when I called talk to her again, but I would like to say I have been learning to live day by day (isn't as easy as it sounds).

August 9th, I rec'd a message from Bri telling me that she had landed safely, but it was very hot and the food was not good. She also had mentioned that they were getting ready to move from one FOB to another FOB (there location or base they would be staying at). At a meeting I was attending for the FRG (Family Readiness Group) they said they were moving and under the radar, trying to move the whole unit without having people detect what was happening - so they are moving them in groups and in stages. When I can tell you more and get more details I will try to share that with you all.

I did receive my first phone call from Bri this morning August 13th, but missed it because I had a chamber meeting, but she said everything is okay and she is doing well, She said to say Hi to everyone and that she misses all of you. as I hear from her or the FRG group or other soldiers in her unit I Will try to keep everyone posted - Meghan has been busy trying to find a job and going on some interviews, so she asked if I could keep this current for her till she can get back to it.

Please Keep Bri and her unit the 114th Trans Co Wolfpack in your thoughts and prayers and I do have an address - I just need to get Bri's platoon # from her - once I get that - I will share her address with everyone - I know she would love to hear from you all. Thank you to everyone for all that you have done already and I pray that we have your cont. prayers and support. if any one is interested also I have T-shirts and sweatshirt saying we proudly are supporting our soldier - Brianna Lauer, let me know if interested.

Bri's Mom, Brenda Meyer