Chris has graduated
from training school and is now an MA (Master at
Arms). He was also selected as the Honors Grad in his class. Way to go, son! I will
have a new certificate to frame and add to the collection...
Chris looks forward to his Key West assignment and a warm climate again!
Chris helping to
defend our country, Key West Naval Base September 2002
UPDATE January 2003:
Chris is still on active duty. Looks like he may be able to get back
to college in September...
Feb. 7th, 2003 - From
a local newspaper article regarding possibility of war with Iraq and
war protesters in our country,this was Chris's statement:
"Do I want to go
to war? Of course not, but what I want doesn't matter. I signed on the
dotted line. My job is to protect this country from its enemies, both
foreign and domestic -terrorists, for those of you who haven't been
paying attention. How soon we forget about 9-11. Our war with
terrorism is not over. The American people know this. Suck it up! Let
those in the military do what they're paid to do: protect the citizens
of this country from those who wish to destroy it. For those of you
who are actively protesting the war, remember it's our sons and
daughters, brothers and sisters and father and mothers who will be
fighting for this country. If you don't support the war, fine. But you
better support the men and women putting their life on the line for
that sign you're holding".
UPDATE May 2003
On May 31st, Chris
will have completed his Reserve duties. His plans are to return to
International Fine Arts College and get his degree in Film.
UPDATE October 2003
Chris is back in
college and on the Dean's List. The school has a new name, Miami
University of Art and Design.
Update June 2005
Chris has graduated with Honors, receiving a Bachelor of Science in
Film
Degree. We are very proud parents!
LOOK OUT HOLLYWOOD!!
UPDATE
July 2007
It's been a while since I updated this page but here goes: After
graduation from college, Chris quickly got a job with Butler
International in Ft. Lauderdale. He was a
"Multi-Media Designer." The position included flying to
different cities to film corporate round table meetings but he found
the job lacking as far as being able to use
all his creative skills.
He was able to come home for the Christmas/New Year's holidays in
2006. It was great having him home with us and we told Chris that if
he ever wanted to get out of
Florida, he could move back home and "re-launch" from here
while saving a lot of money (rents in Florida are outrageous!) At the
end of March 2007, Chris did move
back home with us and he's been a great help with the gardens and
shares cooking with his dad. I will never be THIN again with the two
chefs whipping up so much
delicious food!!
As for a new career, Chris decided to check out being an Officer in
the ARMY. The pay and benefits are outstanding but with our country at
war, I was not that
thrilled...Chris was interviewed by a Major and two captains and he
was accepted and in January 2008, will report to Officer Training
School. Meanwhile, he will be
working in the Security Department for Bethel Woods Center for the
Arts, a wonderful concert venue located just ten minutes away from our
house at the site of the
original 1969 Woodstock Festival.
He's still very interested in acting and writing and we'll see what
happens with that in the future. He also plans on going for his
Masters Degree.
UPDATE
January 2008
Chris wanted to serve our country again and on January 8, 2008, Chris
reported to Fort Benning, Georgia for training as an ARMY Officer
Candidate Specialist.
Upon completion of his training, his rank will be Second Lieutenant.
Our house seems so quiet without him and I sure miss having a second
chef. It was so wonderful
to have Chris living at home again...he was a big help to me when it
came to housework and keeping my gardens and lawn areas looking good.
Our Himalayan cat,
Boots, became very attached to Chris and sure misses him.
"In
the field", Ft. Benning, Georgia April 2008
Chris
completed Officer Candidate School and graduated on April 17th,
2008. He is now a 2nd Lieutenant in the US ARMY
UPDATE
January 2009 - Chris graduated from Airborne School and is currently in
Alaska, assigned to Cavalry Squadron I-40 and will soon be deployed to
Afghanistan. I hope our new President will be able to bring
all our troops home soon and we can have some PEACE for a change.
March 2009
Chris is in Gardez
Afghanistan and his job is
Public Affairs Officer.
"Burning 854
kilos of Taliban hashish"
4/26/09 Chris with
Toby Keith at his concert for the troops
FOB Gardez Afghanistan. DAMN good show!
UPDATE
October 2009
Chris
had two weeks leave. He spent time at home with us and visiting friends
in the area and in Manhattan. He returned to Afghanistan and is now a
Lieutenant . His deployment there ends in February 2010 when he returns
to Ft. Richardson Alaska. I can't wait until he is on American soil
again! I told Chris that I wish he could wear a BIG sign that says
"If you harm me, my mother WILL find you and kill you"...
Here's
Chris with our family pets. They miss him as much as mom and dad do.
|
From an article by the editor of the Sullivan County Democrat,
who interviewed Chris via email. Published 2/5/2010
Chris Connolly Q & A
Your reaction to President Obama's speech sending more
troops to Afghanistan. From your standpoint, how will these
additional troops change the situation on the ground?
"Additional troops will definitely help the
situation on the ground. It will allow u to provide more
security for the citizens of Afghanistan and allow us to
provide more soldiers to work side by side with their Afghan
National Security Forces (ANSF) counterparts in order to
build the capacity and capabilities of the ANSF, making them
a stronger, more confident force. More troops will allow our
forces, partnered with the ANSF, to get to the areas that
have been frequently used by the enemy as safe havens.
gaining the trust and confidence of the people of
Afghanistan, through our combined efforts with the ANSF, is
a top priority for us."
What do you recall about Country Music star Toby Keith's
visit? Did you have any particular interaction with him?
"The Toby Keith show was great. He's been going
around the war zones for a while now and it was nice that we
got to see him. He took photos with everyone in attendance.
We also gave him some honorary gold Cavalry spurs to thank
him for his dedication to providing a nice morale boost to
the soldiers by performing shows through Afghanistan. I
presented him with the Honorary Spur certificate that went
with the spurs.
As the Public Affairs Officer for the 1-40th
Cavalry, I was tasked with setting up the visit at our end.
This involved ensuring he had a place to perform,
food/refreshments for Toby and the entourage, the briefing
he received from our Commander and that he would actually
have power to plug in the amps."
How did it feel to be on leave here in Sullivan County
for two weeks last fall? Did your perception of the county
change after "seeing the world"?
"It was nice to be home. Every time I come home to
visit my parents the house looks even better. I think the
local area has definitely improved. There has to be places
for 20-30 somethings to go to enjoy themselves and the White
Lake area is responding to that. Growing up, I wanted to get
out of the area because I didn't feel there was anything for
me there. That's definitely changed, but there's still some
ways to go. The addition of Bethel Woods (I worked security
there for a year) is a major plus and they've had some great
acts. The bar/restaurant scene has picked up a lot also. Now
there just needs to be a place to shop! Walmart doesn't
count."
What was it like going back to Afghanistan after your
"R & R"?
"Returning to Afghanistan felt pretty normal,
actually. It's what my job is right now. The two weeks
R&R was the perfect amount, really. I have a job to do
and I have to succeed at it. Every soldier plays an
important role in the future of Afghanistan. As I write
this, my role is almost up. I'll be going back to Anchorage,
Alaska, a phenomenal place, this month."
Chris arrived at Ft. Richardson February 17, 2010. Now we can
SLEEP well!! Thanks to Dana Payne for giving Chris a big hug
for me at the Welcome Home ceremony and sending this photo!
|
|
|
|
