Initial reactions

Coworkers:

• Did you volunteer?
• How did you get suckered into that?
• I wish I could go. If I were only younger/not married/without kids.
• Cool, you get a chance to be part of history.
• Exciting (new staff member)
• You know, if you need help like this in Afghanistan, I can't come out to help
• you (support staffer).
• Let me know if you need anything done here.
• I bet your mom is not happy again.
• You're going to Afghanistan? You need to talk to ____ (this is a very common
• response to a statement of any type at work)
• I'm coming in ___. Hopefully we can get together.

Volunteer organizations colleagues

• I hope you volunteered
• That gives you alot to think about
• I have a soft spot for all our boys who deployed (guy who went to Desert Storm)
• I heard you are going on a trip.

Shooting range
Keep your eyes open and head down.

Pittsburgh Symphony

• I wish you the best of luck with and safest journey to Afghanistan.
• Good luck, you're a truly remarkable human being

Churches (Chicago/Pittsburgh)

• Can you get out of it?
• Do you get to carry a gun?
• When we say "support the troops," we don't mean actually go.
• What is ___ (girlfriend) going to do?

Asian groups in Pittsburgh

• Stay safe, and keep us informed
• He's a scholar and they're sending him to Afghanistan!
• What does ___ (girlfriend) think about it?
• You are going to have such an adventure!

Amateur radio volunteers

• Been there, done that in my time.
• Stay safe.

Book club

• Stay safe. I know you have a lot of people are helping you, but if you need anything done here, let me know.
  

Former co-workers

• Remember, duck, and duck faster.
• You always go to such interesting places.
• Go to a carnival and practice at the duck shoot. That way you get a prize if you hit something.
• I'll be with your mom in the worry camp.