Here is the bulk of an Email Brian (B2) was able to get out today.

Eddie, Thank you for your kind words of inspiration. I do truly miss the
comradere and spirited discussions on the synth zone. It is a very special
group of individuals. Please pass along my sincere appreciation for all
their support and let them know they are in my thoughts and prayers.

The dessert is proving to be more formidable than I imagined. The wind has
been blowing up to 50 mph and the sand storms and cloudy conditions have
made things very interesting. I have been flying the night missions. We
pull 12 hour shifts and fly twice some nights. everything is pretty much on
schedule and everyones spirits are great. Hopefully, we will be home soon.

well, as usual, the line is building to use the e-mail. I really appreciate
you taking the time to e-mail me and my wife. It means so much to be
supported by great Americans. I hope that
some day, we can all get together and actually meet face to face. I look
forward to that day.

Best Wishes, Brian

btweengigs. If the oportunity arises send our best wishes to Brian from all forum members in the UK.

Graham UK

[This message has been edited by Graham UK (edited 03-26-2003).]

Ditto Graham's request.
Whilst I hate the thought of war (any war) I am humbled and moved that people such as Brian go to put their lives on the line.

It is very easy for me and others to idealise and pontificate on the rights and wrongs of the political situation, safe in the knowledge that no harm will befall me as a result. It is only due to the incredible bravery of these selfless men and women that we are able to speak and think freely at all.

I have a cousin who served in the last gulf war and is serving in this one also. On a day when we have heard of the deaths of British and American soldiers it brings home to me the reality that these people face.

These people don't make the decisions but are expected to implement them and do so with profesionalism and to the best of their ability.

They deserve and have my 100% support.

Return home safely Brian.
Tony W

If it weren't for people like Brian, I'd probably have to play polka's all night. Probably no jazz and the most important thing is we'd all be one religion and we wouldn't be able to watch nothing on TV but what Hitler would want us to watch.

What a nightmare. These thoughts are chilling to say the least. I do love my freedom to play the type music I enjoy and do what I want to do religion wise.

Yes, I do the "Beer Barrel Polka." I just don't want to do just Polkas or just Country or just Jazz all night. I play every thing but classical and opera.

Thanks to people like Brian and others.
Boo

Hi btweengigs,
Thank you for sharing that e-mail with us. I`m sure that I speak for everyone when I say "how greatful we are to have B2 watch our 6`es"
If you have a chance please convay our deepest thanks and our sincere gratitude for protecting us and wish him God Speed.
Thank you,
jedi

May the lord bless you and keep you safe Brian. My prayers are with you.
Recently Saddam said, "We will win, God willing". No you won't win, and God is not willing. Who do you think woke up the sleeping giant?
Starkeeper from Canada (I don't think to highly of our prime minister)

The latest from Brian...

My e-mail here is
brian.barnes@azab.aorcentaf.af.mil. People are free to e-mail, but I can
receive no attachments as it takes up too much bandwidth which we don't have
alot of. I can not respond to AOL users like yourself unless I do it from
my work e-mail which I'm doing as I write. Those folks can send to
brian.barnes@ctbrad.ang.af.mil. I check e-mail daily. I can't always
respond in a timely fashion, because these are shared computers with many
folks to get through on a daily basis. But I love reading the mail, and I
will answer eventually.

Hello Brian,

Here is a little something I wrote for you and other people that have family in the war...I hope it inspires you and others as well. I wrote it from the bottom of my heart.

Our Friends, Our Heroes


I personally don't have any family members in the war. But I consider all my fellow American soldiers family members. Everyday at 6pm my two kids, wife and myself, hold hands at dinner time and pray for our troops. We pray for their safety and soon return. I teach my children that our soldiers are our true heroes. I teach them that there is no greater love, then that of someone who lays down his life for his friends. I know that our soldiers are not only our brothers but also our friends. And the love and sacrifice that they are showing, is the greatest gift anyone can give to another. I want my children to grow up knowing that the freedom and happiness we enjoy as a family has been paid by a price. A price that many courageous men and women have paid for us. I know that by teaching this to my children, they will appreciate what we have and appreciate our heroes in uniform. I pray everyday for the guidance from God as to how to raise my children. We also pray for the Iraqi soldiers. Many of them are fighting not by their own will, but because if they don’t, their family members will be killed. We pray that their own children and wives are well. I think that by teaching my children to pray for the enemy, they learn that our mission is not of hate or anger,(9/11), but a mission of freedom and hope to a nation which had no freedom or hope.
In these words, I hope that the families that have their loved ones fighting overseas, know that there are people that are grateful for their sacrifice. That their loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers. And that God is watching over them....

Peace to all...
MusiKman

PS, Please share this with anyone you wish. I hope it brings a bit of warmth to their hearts... We are proud of all of you..So much more than words can say....

God bless you guys !!!

MusiKMan..
Your posting has been forwarded on to Brian's military address. Thanks.
Eddie