These are some photos from Aaron, Kelly and Mom's trip to the D.C. area. They saw a lot of the monuments.
I think this photo of Aaron was taken in front of part of the WW II memorial.
Aaron and Kelly in front of the Southern states part of the WW II memorial. We're fond of those states.
Mom and Aaron taking a break.
When I talked to Aaron today, he said he slept a lot today after having a pretty rough night in terms of pain. He asked for a sleep aid and was given it early in the morning, and then he fell asleep in the middle of Kelly trying to read her letter for the web site to him. Apparently she had quite a time getting him back to his bed. He slept for a long time and then took a two hour nap in the afternoon, which is good. Aaron said he has still been waking up at five a.m. no matter what because of the short sleep schedule he was on in Iraq, so sleep is good any time he can get it. When he woke up, he and Kelly and Mom made a run to the Dunkin Donuts downstairs in the hospital, and when I talked to them, they were getting ready to watch a movie. The next couple of days should be fairly low-key since Aaron is just waiting to be transferred to Walter Reed and then leave for Ryan's graduation.
Please pray that Aaron would get lots of sleep and be able to be well-rested for all the travel coming up this week. Pray that Mom would feel better and her coughing will decrease, and pray that all the details of Aaron's transfer to Water Reed will go smoothly. He and Kelly will have to wait for some apartment style housing to open up before they can move into their own space, so pray that there would be an opening soon so they can start setting up some semblance of a schedule for themselves soon.
No address for Aaron at Walter Reed yet, so please just hang on to your postal mail until we get one. Thank you all so much ... Aaron and Kelly are checking the site several times a day to keep up on their fan mail, so keep leaving them comments. That's all for tonight. More tomorrow.
Comments (11)
Aaron, Kelly, and Aunt Debbie,
It is great to see ya'll doing so well! I have been taking the pictures posted on the website to school to show everyone! Aaron, I am so proud of you :-)! The first picture says it all! You will forever be a hero (AKA Superman) in my book! I love ya'll and Can't wait to see ya'll ~ Bye!
Posted by Adrian Lowry | April 3, 2005 9:03 PM
Posted on April 3, 2005 21:03
Hey Aaron, Kelly and Mom
I am still keeping up with you and still have you in my prayers. Washington looks like SO much fun - I have never been, so I hope to see it one day soon. As I look at the monumnents, I will be thinking of a couple of very special veterans I know - besides my grandpa, you will be at the top of the list!!
Glad you are doing so well and getting around so much. We love you.
JDeer
Posted by Joyce Deer | April 3, 2005 9:10 PM
Posted on April 3, 2005 21:10
Hey buddy. Glad to hear you are doing so well. You better make Kelly take a ton of pictures to bring back here. They feeding you enough up there? You are going to start looking like a shaved bird if you don't start eating enough. Ha just messing with you. Keep up the improvement and let us hear from you sometime. Yall are all in our prayers.
Phi Alpha,
Clay Sanders
Posted by Clay Sanders | April 3, 2005 9:43 PM
Posted on April 3, 2005 21:43
Aaron and Kelly,
How cool is DC? I love it there--I'm moving to the area in June.
I want yall to know I'm praying for yall.
Lenwood
Aaron--You should be running the Pentagon one day, buddy.
Posted by Lenwood brooks | April 3, 2005 11:04 PM
Posted on April 3, 2005 23:04
Aaron,
You are such an inspriation to me. I love reading everything that is going on. There are great things ahead for you and Kelly. Love you, Jenni
Posted by Jenni Sikora | April 3, 2005 11:28 PM
Posted on April 3, 2005 23:28
Aaron,
Hope all is well in DC. Glad you can finally get out and about... I know staying in a hospital bed for extended time is no fun. Just wanted to let you know that you've been in my thoughts and prayers. We're holding down Starkville for you and looking forward to your return. You made front page in the Reflector so I'd say your famous now. Brother, we are all really proud of you and just glad you're still with us and back in the States. I'd be lying if i said i thought this would slow you down or stop you from doing anything you want to do in life. You're my hero, man. Much love to you, Kelly, Ryan and the rest of your family. Phi Alpha,
Scott Hambright
Posted by Scott Hambright | April 4, 2005 11:08 AM
Posted on April 4, 2005 11:08
Aaron: What a handsome young man you are and your spirit in spite of what you have endured is so uplifting. I am an ex-military wife (Viet Nam era)and I just wanted to wish you and Kelly well and pray many blessings on you both. Thank you for what you and your fellow Marines have done thus far in protecting our freedom and being a part of the liberation of people who are just now enjoying and knowing what freedom is all about. I hope and pray that it won't be long before the war is over so all can come "home" but in the meantime, I just want to express my gratitude in all that you and the other "soldiers and Marines" do so that my grandchildren will continue to enjoy the freedom that I have had the priviledge of knowing in my years (51 years old). God bless you and your family. I enjoyed your website and take care.
Love you much
Carolyn Hairston
Posted by Carolyn Hairston | April 4, 2005 11:56 AM
Posted on April 4, 2005 11:56
I hope ya'll have a wonderful time at Ryan's graduation. Please give him a hug for me.
Love, Aunt Emily
Posted by Aunt Emily | April 4, 2005 12:09 PM
Posted on April 4, 2005 12:09
aaron, kelly and Mrs. Rice,
What an honor it is to read the postings on your web site. I am Abby Munton's mother and she shared this web site with me. We are so proud of you and the sacrifice you have made for me, my family and my country. Please keep your spirits up and know that we are continually praying for you and your fellow soldiers. Hope to meet you when you return to Hattiesburg. Until then, I wish you bon secour (safe harbor).
Wanda Munton
Posted by wanda munton | April 4, 2005 1:08 PM
Posted on April 4, 2005 13:08
Hi Aaron!
Gee, you look good!!!! I can't believe that you look so good after all that you have been through.
I just wanted to stop by to let you know that all of us here @ OGHS are reading about you every day and what you have been up too. Everyone is praying for your swift recovery...it sounds like you are well on your way already!!
I would like to thank your sister for sharing her blog site and for sharing Kelly's letters with us. It has been truly heartwarming. I didn't know the Rice family was so talented in the journalism department but from what I read, they are great and maybe should consider some career changes!! LOL
Tell Ryan hello for all of us, when you see him.
We'll be praying for all of you.
I know that nurses and doctors are going to hate to see you leave...it sounds like you have been keeping them 'in stitches'
Take care...we'll be reading about you!!
Posted by Cathy Bland | April 4, 2005 1:13 PM
Posted on April 4, 2005 13:13
Asron & Kelly: I don't know you or your family at all, or even all of your story, I just bumped into this website and I was touched by what I saw and the request for prayers. So first I would like to thank you for your service and sacrifice for our great nation. Secondly, I want you to know that I will be praying for you. God Bless! <>< James 1:12
Posted by Anne Wallace | July 6, 2005 9:07 AM
Posted on July 6, 2005 09:07