Does anyone have a basis letter for an appeal that they used for Triwest/Tricare, that worked? I am trying to help my friend Becky P. appeal her breast reduction denial. Any advice or info. most welcome. Thanks, Christie

Hello, my name is Lea Lewis and I am new to this message board. I live in Cusseta, GA right outside Fort Benning, GA. I had my surgery done on March 14, 2006. I am doing great and feeling wonderful. I have lost 38.5lbs.....YEA. I have a wonderful husband and three awesome dogs. My husband is active duty Army. He has just completed three years as a drill Sgt. He is instructor at BOLC- it is new program-Basic Officer Leadership Course. He has been in the Army for 17 1/2 years. I had the the gastric by pass for several reasons. But my main reason is because I was born with club feet and in 1999, I twisted my ankle and found out that the cartlidge in my left foot/ankle was almost completely gone due to the arthritis. In October 2000 I had my first of 7 surgeries on my ankle. I have had 2 triple arthodis fusion, 2 hardware removal and 3 complete fusions. My last fusion was September 2005 and I am happy to say, so far this one seems to be doing well. The dr wants to wait to see how losing weight will help the pain, before we go any further. BUT the pain has decreased tremendously. Do to the surgery my weight has been up and down these last five years do to the immobility. I really haven't had any problems with my gastric by pass surgery. Normal muscle pain but that is about it. I have had 4 bad eating experiences...no dumping... I wish I had did this about 5 years ago. I am starting a support group meeting called The Happy and Healthy Side of Me. I have went through the training with Obesityhelp. I meeting will the first Monday of each month at the public library on Macon Road. With our first Meeting being May 1, 2006 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Well, I hope all is doing wonderful and I pray you have a great day. See you on the Happy and Healthy Side. Lea Lewis

A Military Wife is no ordinary woman. Operating for months at a time without the companionship or assistance of her husband, she routinely overcomes challenges that would give the average person a nervous breakdown. Part Doctor, part Teacher and part Handyman, she can lavish loving care on a sick toddler, help a teenager with his Algebra homework, and track down a faulty circuit breaker -- all while holding down a full time job. With thirty minutes notice, she can serve breakfast, lunch, or dinner to fourteen hungry Soldiers, and still somehow balance her family's meager grocery budget. She can press a set of dress uniform to inspection standards, tie a perfect square knot in a military neckerchief, and pack a seabag in the cold hours before dawn. For months at a time, she must settle for letters instead of kisses, emails in place of hugs, and long-distance phone calls in lieu of her husband's touch. She manages a smile when her Soldieris on duty for the second Anniversary in a row, and accepts the fact that there's a one-in-three chance that he will have to stand Duty on her Birthday. She has learned to stand on a pier and wave goodbye without tears, even when her heart is breaking. To her children, she is Chauffeur, Umpire, Psychologist, Spiritual Advisor, Financial Consultant, part-time Father, Tooth Fairy, Santa Clause, and the Easter Bunny. To her husband, she is Friend, Lover, Partner, Confidant, and Soul-Mate. She is a patriot. She is the sort of citizen that all of us should be, but so few of us are. She lives with sacrifice, because she believes in the rights and ideals that her husband defends. Although she wears no uniform, she is a part of that defense -- a vital link in the chain of Freedom. Although she wears no medals and will reap no glory on the field of battle, she is a hero in the truest sense of the word. She is a Military Wife.

We were stationed in Darmstadt a few years ago and I heard that they were thinking of closing down the base. Is it still around?

Congrats on your husband making Warrant Officer!! My dad was one (he retired 3 years ago as a W-4) and my hubby is getting his packet together to do the same. I hope you guys get a great duty station when he is done. Chawan 298/223/190