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| Craig
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Craig
has a wife (Laura), and one child (Dillon) 6,
with another son on the way. Madden is due Sept.
9th. He is currently deployed with 3/25 Lima Co.,
in Iraq. Hoping to make it home in time to watch
his child's birth, continue with his music, as
well as obtain a degree towards furthering his
opportunities in the civilian world. |
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From
Craig - Craig's
Archive
8.30.05
THIS IS IT EVERYONE.... This will probably be my last
e-mail to you all from here. The next time I check this
I will be in transit back home.. I love you all very much
and thank you for all that you have done for me and my
family.. I miss you guys and will see you all soon..
Craig
8.29.05
Hey everyone, I am leaving soon. Can't wait to see you
all again. The time is growing very short and the anticipation
is killing me. It will all be over very soon and we can
all go back to our crazy wonderful lives without having
to worry about me. Thank you all for all of your love
and support.
Craig |
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From
Family & Friends
11.11.05
hey everyone,
I just wanted to let the world know how grateful I am
that my husband made it home safe!!!! Thank you for
your prayers and kind thoughts. We had our baby and
we have a wonderful life together. Every day is like
a gift. For anyone who's interested, thought you might
like a peek at baby Madden.
Laura Miller
9.2.05
Craig,
I cant believe it! You are finally on your way home! How
exciting! God kept you safe.....we are all so thankful....prayers
do come true. Cant wait to see you and give you a big
hug.....your baby is waiting on you! I cant believe Laura
hasn't delivered yet! I just know Madden is waiting on
his Daddy! You are blessed...see you soon!
Amberly
8.31.05
Craig,
We are glad to see you coming! You have so much to come
to. Your wife, madden and dil, a family who is very proud
of you and football season. Bengals look decent this year
and OSU is predicted to compete for the national championship.
I'm woking on our tix for Illinoise. Have a safe return
home and we all look forward to seeing you again.
Jason, Amanda, Rye Rye
8.31.05
Dear Son,
We are trusting you are in flight and you will be seeing
your brother at LeJeune very shortly. It is our prayer
that they will allow Aaron to escort you home quickly
in his GTO to see your beautiful wife before she delivers
your son.
Love,
Mom
8.26.05
Hey Craig. Hope your holding up alright. Only a very very
short while left until you can actually say you're home.
Anyways, we can't wait to see you and I hope you trip
home goes smoothly. We all love you.
Love Kristen, Conner, & Caden
8.26.05
Hi Craig:
I bet by now you really know you are missed by everyone.
One good thing about you going away is that I'm sure you
see how much everyone loves you. You are truly the light
of our daughter's life and we appreciate you every day.
God bless.
Love
Dave & Janice
8.24.05
Hey baby,
You are leaving very shortly. I know that your days must
drag on so slowly, I can't imagine...My days are speeding
by, as I try to get everything done and juggle Dillon,
the house, work, and getting ready to have this little
one. I want my husband back, I cannot wait to see you
again, to know that you are safe, to hold you and be held.
Difficult times like these truly do make you appreciate
what a wonderful gift your life and your love is. I thank
God every day for bringing you into my life. I am so blessed.
I love you,
Laura
8.23.05
craig,
Haven't heard from you on email for awhile....hoping your
ok...........Countdown continues...and your wife is getting
close......cant wait to hear from you again! Almost party
time...dont get discouraged...counting the minutes that
you are alive is alot better than counting minutes hoping
you are alive.....we're all here waiting for you.....love
you
amberly
8.23.05
Hi Craig:
I'm going to the doctor with Laurie today. There won't
be very many visits left - this kid really wants out right
now and Laurie wants him out. Alicia & I are going
over to the house tomorrow to help Laurie with a few things.
All is well here. It seems like everyone is in limbo just
waiting for you to get home. It's always good to read
your e-mails and know you are safe. God bless.
janice
8.22.05
Craig.
we are grateful that you are coming home so soon. you
are in our prayers and we hope you know that. everyone
here is good and soon so will you be.
untill we meet agian,
may the road always rise to meet you
the sun shine warm on your face
the rain fall soft upon your fields
and may god hold you in the palm of his hand. - David
Gardner
8.22.05
Stephanie did an awesome job. It was quite a production!
Dad video taped it. Can't wait til your back in OHIO the
heart of it all!
We all love you.
Love Always,
Mom
8.20.05
Craig,
Yeah.....its almost over......Geez its about time you
get to come back to us......Its football season too......what
a great thing to come home to...and well I guess you can
count your wife and new baby too....if you have too! LOL
Wish everyone there a safe return from us...your in our
prayers.....Amberly
8.19.05
Dear Son,
Stephanie is so excited she will be in Loveland Saturday
night. She wants LASAGNA how about you, got any favorite
dishes you have been craving?
She got a solo spot with her voice and a main character
role in the skit. She asks about you everytime she is
able to call home.
Dad is so proud of his sons. He can't wait to have you
home.
Cousin Allie and her husband are expecting now.
They are praying for you, as well as, Amy Thiery's family.
All our love and prayers,
Mom and family
8.19.05
Hey Craig,
I hope that you are doing well, I have looked for this
page all day, I couldn't remeber the name. Laura keeps
telling me about it. Beth says Hi, and wishes that she
could email you. She needs a computer. I am looking forward
to all your coming home parties, I will be so happy to
see you at home holding your new baby! Laura is so cute..but
I know she is ready to get Madden out. We are counting
the days!! Take care
elaine
8.17.05
Dear Son,
So many people are praying for you, even people that do
no tknow you, yet know me, and have seen your photo in
the paper contact me and let me know they pray for you
daily.
MAY GOD BLESS YOUR SOON RETURN.
Love,
Mom
8.16.05
Hey babe,
2 more weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can't imagine how thrilled
we all are to see you again. There must be like 5 parties
planned already. I am going out of my mind trying to get
everything ready and perfect for your homecoming! I love
you, you are the light in my life.
Laura
8.15.05
Hi Craig:
Just a few more days and you'll be home free! I'm going
to go to the store this week and buy the yellow ribbons
so we'll have it when needed. I'm sure you are looking
forward to some loafing time when you get home. What I'm
looking forward to the most is hearing you sing again.
I hope you will have a song ready so when we have your
homecoming party you will honor us with a song. You will
remain constantly in our prayers until you are safe on
American soil once again. We love you.
Dave & Janice
8.12.05
Craig,
Hows it going? Talk to my boss today about having you
a big party at Uncle Louies when you get home. He thinks
it is great...maybe we can even get the band together
again so you can mess around. Cant wait to see you.....hope
to hear from you soon
Amberly
8.12.05
Craig,
The countdown has begun! I cant believe you are so close
to coming home...what a sigh of relief.....time to start
planning the parties!!! I cant wait to read the lyrics
to your new songs I am sure they are awesome! I hope things
are going better for you there. Laura is doing well and
I am amazed at well she is keeping herself together. I
am impressed with how great she has been in your abscence,
she is so proud of you and anxious to see you that you
might not see the light of day for weeks after you get
home!!!!!!!! Hope your ready!!!!!!!! We miss you
Amberly
8.10.05
Son,
You can not imagine the relief to hear your voice. I am
saving it til your home. Got a letter from the Vice- Presidents
staff by the Grace of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ
nothing will prevent your soon return to AMERICA with
your wife and family. Our Prayer is that the baby will
not be as ornery as you and Aaron wanting to explore the
world sooner then expected. Dad's cell is 937-725-3919
Steph's is 725-8363 which II am carrying.
Your brother is 23 today, He and your sisters have called
daily to see if we have heard from you.
All our Love,
Mom
8.10.05
Craig,
What's up! We are so happy to hear that you are safe.
The whole family has been overwhelmed by this entire experience
and it looks like its finally coming to an end. We look
forward to seeing you back in ohio soon. If there is anything
you need at all don't hesitate to ask and i'll see to
it that you get it. I'm already pricing our buckeye tickets.
You and your comrads have our love and support.
GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS!
Love,
Jason, Amanda, and Rylan
8.9.05
Craig,
How wonderful for everyone to know that you are ok! We
all feel incredibly greatful and extremely lucky that
God has kept you safe. I cant believe you are going to
be home soon......we are all anxiouxly awaiting your arrival....as
well as your sons! We celebrated the twins birthday today!
They were so excited to be turning four! Laura and Dillon
came out for cake and ice cream...your wife is as beautiful
as ever....no one can believe that she isn't "that
big" yet! I believe she got her "glow"
back today after hearing your voice again. I hope you
know how much you are loved!
Amberly
8.9.05
Craig,
I'm sorry I have not gotten a chance to write in a while.
I just heard the news that you are alright. We have all
been so worried about you. My sister has been home for
the past week so afraid to leave in case you called. I
know that, what you are doing and the things you have
to witness, no one could ever understand unless they were
there. I'm sorry that you have to be there to go though
that, but I'm also proud to have you in our family.
I hope and pray that your last couple of weeks in that
horrible place are very boring for you and you friends.
I wish you had nothing better to do than sit back and
watch your DVD's, but if not then please stay safe and
remember that everyone in the entire country is hoping
for your safe return. If it makes anyone feel a little
better about having to be away from friends and family,
let them know their country is extremely proud of them
and they are all considered heros in our eyes no matter
what. God bless all of you.
We love you Craig.
Love Kristen, Conner, & Caden
8.9.05
Hi Craig,
Your E-mail was received with much anticipation and anxiety.
We have all been waiting to hear from you...thank God
your safe from your most recent mission. I pray each day
that Guardian Angels have your back...and stand united
with you.
I can't wait until you have the opportunity to come home.
You are so badly missed by everyone!
We have refurnished and decorated our cabin in WV. It's
a great place to spend some peaceful and relaxing time...I
hope that you and Laurie can take advantage of it.
I am looking forward to celebrating your home coming!
God Bless You!
David (Sr)
8.9.05
Craig,
it was damn good to hear from you today. i am sincerely
glad that all is well even if it is just physically. just
remember to keep your head down, your eyes open and your
trigger finger ready, give em' hell and come home soon.
david
p.s. the cold beer and steaks were a promise. you have
my word they will be here when you get home. if there
is anything else you would like to have or have been craving
let me know i will do my best to get a hold of it.
semper fi
8.9.05
Hi Craig:
Laura just called with the news that you are safe. Praise
God for answered prayer! We are all so blessed. Please
stay safe and come home to us all. God Bless America,
God Bless you, Craig.
Love,
Janice
8.7.05
Hi Craig:
I was listening to the song you sang for Dave and me and
I had to hurry to the office to write you. You see, you
are always on everyone's mind right now. You have a huge
family and family takes care of family. So we pray...and
we pray...and we pray. You are the best thing that ever
happened to our daughter and we're going to pray you all
the way home to her. I was thinking about the Footsteps
of Jesus when I was on my way into the office and I thought
how wonderful it must make you feel when you think you
can't make it another step, another day, another minute,
that you don't have to because Jesus will carry you. We
are all very saddened for the families of your fallen
comrades and while we pray for your safe return we pray
for their comfort. Laura needs and wants you so badly
right now. This baby is growiing inside her so fast and
so big. Somehow I think he must know that his Daddy is
a hero of a very special kind. Craig, if I never told
you before, I am very proud to have you as one of my sons
and I thank your mother and father for doing such a wonderful
job of raising such a wonderful boy who turned into such
a responsible, loving, caring, brave young man. Ida and
Craig, if you read this message, thank you. If Madden
has even one ounce of his Daddy's qualities he will be
gifted. We want to hear you sing. Please hurry home to
all of us. We all love you so much.
Janice
8.6.05
Hey baby,
Waiting to hear your voice again has become unbearable.
I rarely leave the house for fear of missing a call. You
have such a short time left in that awful place...why
does it seem as though this last month is the worst? Your
son keeps me up nights kicking and moving inside me. It
seems he wants to express his displeasure with current
circumstances. I think he feels my worry and sadness.
And Dillon is becoming frantic waiting for you to come
home. His questions about your whereabouts and why you
won't return are daily now. Nothing I say seems to comfort
him. You must feel so loved though...I read these messages
and I feel so proud that I am married to a man like you.
Please come home soon. There is an aching hole in our
lives without you. You are my hero.
Laura
8.5.05
craig,
Whats up brother? I can't even imagine what you have been
through. I look up to all of you who are over there and
what to say thank you. Craig, I've been praying alot for
you and your company. Just remember PHILIPPIANS 4:13 I
can do all things through Christ who strenghens me. Hang
in there Craig and remember that God is always with you,
even when you feel alone. Love ya brother and again thankyou
.
Love,
Matt
8.5.05
Craig,
I miss you. how r you doing? the twins say hi. we all
lve you and my daddy said hi and he prasy for you adn
he hops your ok. love you
Christian Coe
8.5.05
Craig,
Things are sad here in Ohio.....everyone is overwhelmed
with recent events and so many families are sad and overcome
with grief. Its amazing how Ohio comes together and supports
eachother. Everyone is anxiously awaiting to hear from
you. It's almost time to come home..... Its almost time
to be a daddy and experiance that feeling of looking in
your sons eyes for the first time...its almost time to
wrap your arms around your wife again and bury your head
in her shoulders and never want to let go again...and
not have to if you don't want to...its almost time for
welcoming back partys and gatherings of all the tons of
people who miss you, need you, love you, respect you,
admire you and just want to hug you to make sure you are
really you.....its almost time craig.....but until then....you
are doing the biggest thing in your life...you are fighting
for freedom, defending your country, supporting your brothers
and becoming a hero to all the people that haven't had
the pleasure of knowing you and didn't know you were a
hero already before you headed off to war. Its almost
time craig.....be proud, stand strong, hold on to the
love we all have for you and carry it with you as finish
up this journey. your in our prayers and remember all
the good things that lie ahead for you. Love you, come
home soon
Amberly
8.5.05
Craig,
just wanted to write and tell you to keep up the good
work. i sincerely hope all is well and you are keeping
your head down. sorry it took so long to write but i was
just informed about the site. alicia and the kids send
there love and prayers. as for me i hope and pray that
you come home safe and sound. well i will write back and
talk soon. just think, when you get home i have an entire
cooler of beer and some of the thickest t-bone steaks
you ever saw waiting of you. you and the family can come
out and relax on the deck and watch the sun set, drink
a cold long neck and sink your teeth into some USDA corn
feed beef. corn and mashed potatoes. see ya soon brother
and hurry home the beer is getting warm.\
David Alicia wesely haley and alexis.
8.5.05
Hey son,
Your baby sister led someone to Jesus Christ last night,
she was so excited, but also scared. She said, what if
I said something wrong. I thought you would like to hear
some good news, one more sheep brought to the fold.
Stephanie also said, mom being on this music tour has
really shown me what a talent and gift God has given Craigie,
Aaron, Lisa, and I with music. I don't want to sound haughty,
but we really are gifted.
She wants to sing with her brother Craig when you get
home.
I Love you.
I thought your lyrics were good, son.
Love,
Mom
8.4.05
Craig,
Our prayers will bring you back to us safely. Laura is
waiting and loving you each and every minute. We are so
very proud of you. When I think of you and what you are
going through it makes me proud to be an American. You
are truly our hero. May God bless you and keep you with
His angels around you. Your comrades and their families
are also constantly in our prayers.
Love,
Janice
8.4.05
Craig,
BE STRONG! It's almost over and you can come home to your
family who loves you very much. We are worried, but have
alot of faith that you are being watched over by a guardian
angel who will return you home safely. We are praying
for you.
Seen You Soon,
Jason, Amanda & Rylan
8.4.05
Craig,
Trusting our heavenly Father has His angels all about
you.
All our Love and prayers.
Stay Focused on your Job as David did trusting in the
LIVING GOD who brought Goliath down.
GOD is with you SON, SEE ya SOON!
LOVE ALWAYS,
MOM, DAD, Aaron, Stephanie, and Lisa
8.4.05
Criag,
WE are WORRIED sick about you here at home. We keep trying
to tell ourselves that no news is good news...........please
come home safe, so many people here need you and are praying
for your safe return. It seems so unfair that you are
going through all of this. The grief must be overwhelming....Be
strong Craig, God has a plan for you and I cant think
of a braver man right now than you. Laura has been overwhelmed
with phone calls today...all inquiring about whether or
not you were safe...Know that you are loved and missed
by so many and it seems selfish to tell you all this knowing
so many other families aren't getting their husbands/brothers
and sons back. Keep your chin up, Its almost over.....please
come home to us safe..
Amberly
8.3.05
Hey baby,
It's almost over isn't it? I don't know why but this last
leg of the journey has been the hardest for both of us,
I think. I cannot hardly bear to be separated from you
for one more second. My faith in your safe return does
not waiver, but my fear is my constant companion. I can'
t imagine the horror you face on a daily basis, and you
face it with such courage! You were my hero before you
ever left for Iraq, now I can't think of one person that
I admire more. I hope that both of our sons turn out to
be just like their father. I love you and I'll see you
on the other side of this long journey. Laura
8.2.05
Craig,
I have been hearing about more bad news with the Lima
Company. Everyone is worried about you....you're in our
prayers! It's so miserably hot here...I cant imagine how
you are breathing day to day over there. We miss you so
much. The twins are going to be four on the ninth...can
you believe it? I can't wait to go have a beer with you
again when you get back..its funny all the important things
we take for granted huh? HAHAHAHA Call home when you can.....we
need to hear your voice
Love, Amberly
8.2.05
Craig,
Hope everything is going well. We heard the good news
that you may make it home in time to see madden be born.
We are proud of you, and can't wait for you to get home.
Laura talks about how much she misses you and loves you
every single day. Every night when Rylan says his prayers
he prays for you and says that you are the single star
thats painted on his far wall of his bedroom because your
an army man thats fighting bad guys far far away. He misses
you and he thinks you are really cool! Well, hope to see
you soon and we love ya!
Jason, Amanda & Rylan
8.1.05
Laura,
I love you so much. Dillon and I miss you terribly and
can't wait for you to come home. Be safe baby, we are
praying for you and everyone there. See you soon.
Laura
8.1.05
Hey Son,
Dad and I got you an operation Matador T-shirt yesterday.
It is in memory of Goodwin, Ivy, Derga, Davids, Erdy,
Grant, Grez, Dixon.
We love you so much.
God Be with you.
Love Always,
Mom
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