MEET: MAJOR WILL HICKOK VI 

 

OUR LATEST NEWS FROM MAJOR WILL:

August 24,

Ms. Fuchs,

 

Here is another photo that I really like.  Young William just turned one month old and I am still a proud Dad showing everyone my greatest accomplishment.

 

I am no longer the Aide, but serving as the Chief of a Military Transition Team.  I am working with a 15-man team to train an Iraqi Army battalion.  It is a fun and challenging job that offers a different perspective on the events over here.  I have only been down here for a few days but I am really enjoying the experience so far. 

 

I have a nice picture of little William wearing the outfit you sent....taken right before I came back to Iraq.  I'll ask my Wife to send it to me digitally and then get it off to you ASAP.

 

Hope all is well, enjoy the start of school.

 

MAJ Will

 

 

August 21

Ms. Fuchs,

 

Greetings and welcome back.  I hope your Summer was great and all is well in the Dallas area.  With all the rain I was concerned.  We escaped in the Killeen area with only a bit of water in the front yard.

 

Kathy and I are thrilled to announce the birth of William on July 20th at

3:17 PM.   He is a healthy and happy little guy that has brought us more

happiness than anything.

 

I was home from 10 to 26 July so I was able to spend a few days with Kathy and the little one.  It was a perfect break.

 

I have changed jobs here in Iraq, I am now working as the Chief of a team of US Soldiers working with an Iraqi army battalion.  The work is good and challenging and it wil keep me busy until I return to the U.S. in January.

I hope the time flys by!

 

Please let me know how everything is in Dallas.

 

Major Will

 

May, 2007...Ms. Fuchs and the Forth Grade Class,

 

How nice to hear from you and I must have lost track of time.  The school year is almost over.  I am sorry to hear that I will miss my Warriors back in Dallas.  I am sure you will be okay with a nice Summer break and I wish you all the best with your Summer and next year!!

 

We have been extended as well, it looks like we will be coming home in January now.  So just when we thought we were about half way done with our time here, we are back a few months.  It was disapointing, especially for our families in Texas, but we are all working hard and are okay.

 

My wife is doing well, her belly is getting big and the stork will deliver a healthy baby boy in July, or so I have been told. 

(Here is a picture of the camouflage baby outfit and Parish Panther that we sent to Mrs. Hickok from the 3rd and 4th graders.)

If I am lucky, I will be on leave then, spending time with my new little family. 

 

My wife is busy with the school year as well.  Lots of testing for the children and a whole basket of problems as well.  She is a good sport and is having fun!!

 

I am so proud of you all and very thankful for the great support from Dallas.  I could not have asked for a better team of Warriors back there to take care of me.  I wish you all the best of luck and hope to hear from you all soon.

 

Your friend,

 

Major Will

 

April, 2007...Ms. Fuchs and Will's Warriors -

 

Happy Easter and thank you for the wonderfully camouflaged easter eggs.  We are very thankful here for the support you all have given us this day.  Tomorrow is Easter here and we are all planning for an early morning Easter Service before another day of work here in Baghdad.  I am thrilled to have plenty of Tootsie Rolls for the week.

 

We are doing well here.  The weather is still pleasant.  It will be very hot soon and we are getting as much done now as we can.  Most of my friends and I are now about half way done with our tour and are starting to think about what we will do when we come home.  I will spend time with my wife Kathy and our baby boy.  He is due to be delivered in July!!!!!

 

Thank you again for the wonderful Easter surprise.  I hope to hear from you soon.

 

Your Friend.

Major Will

 

 

We adopted Major Hickok after he took Major Leach's place in Baghdad.  He is with the 1st Cavalry from Ft. Hood, Texas.

 

Here is what "Major Will" shared with us about his background:

 

I am from Pennsylania, born and raised on a farm in Dillsburg.  See if you can find it on a map....good luck.  I have been in the Army since 1989 and stationed in Munson, Kora; Ashaffenburg, Germany; Killen, Texas; Radcliffe, Kentucky; and Columbus, Georgia.  I have served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Somolia, Iraq, and Kuwait.  I have also spent a lot of time at Fort Irwin, California.  I went to college in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1997.

 

I am an Armor Officer, meaning I serve on tanks.  I have also served in Cavalry Reconnaissance Units.  Instead of horses, like the old days, we use Hummvees.  We call them "trucks".  They are full of equipment like radios, computers, sights, etc.  I'll take a few pictures soon and send them to you.

 

I love football and I am a big fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  I know you are Dallas Cowboy fans and that may be a problem but I will forgive you after eating some Tootsie Rolls!!!  Have a great day, I am about to head out for a helicopter ride!!!!!

 

Major Will 

 

Here are pictures he sent of his soldiers enjoying their gifts from our Parish 3rd and 4th graders:

 

    

 

Here's Major Will in the Stetson hat worn by all of the Cavalry members...this is a tradition dating back over a hundred years. This was taken the day he was promoted to Major.  He is standing on the insignia seal of the First Cavalry.

                                                With an Iraqi soldier                                              With one of his own

 

   

Here's one of the 1st Cavalry vehicles...Major Will calls      This is Major Will with his wife, Kathy.  She's the principal

it a "monster truck"!  The Army uses it to scoop up                     of a school!

IED's before they explode near our troops.  There is

even a camera on the arm that lets the driver examine

the item from the safety of the vehicle.