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Posted on Fri, Dec. 05, 2008

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Alex Funcheon's family e-mails

The following are just a few of the e-mails U.S. Army Sgt. Alex Funcheon exchanged with his parents, Bel Aire residents Bob and Karen Funcheon, during his overseas tour. Alex Funcheon was killed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad at the age of 21. He died on April 29, 2007.

Editor's note: The e-mails appear as written, but profanity has been omitted.

• • 

From: Bob and Karen Funcheon

To: Alex Funcheon

Subject: hello

Date: Tue, 14 Nov 2006 21:56:10 -0600

HI Alex, Well I will have some care packages in the mail to you soon. I went to my Blue Star Moms meeting last night and we stuffed a box for you and your buddies. Tonite I went to my painting group and there was a 50 pound box of goodies. Iwill be mailing that out in several boxes over a couple of weeks. I talked to Mrs Bertog and they are working on a box. Are you on the internet yet?

We are so proud of you and we love you.................Mom

• • 

From: Alex Funcheon

To: Bob and Karen Funcheon

Date: 11/18/2006 2:31:09 AM

Subject: RE: hello

Thanks for all ur help. Hopefully ill have the internet in my room soon. I've been really busy, I had a rocket land near me the other day. Well not real close but kinda close. It was just like the movies. Except for the wishhhh noise when it goes by you. This place is so mixed up. Im not even gonna try and explain it. Anyways tell everyone not to worry about me im doing good sleep has been a little messed up but there let us catch up last night. I've been talking to sue again lately, im such a sucker for her. Its not fair. I hate women!

call ya soon,

Your son,

gotta go,

take care,

alex funcheon

• • 

From: Alex Funcheon

To: Bob and Karen Funcheon

Date: 11/18/2006 4:34:42 AM

Subject:

I have internet in my room. So im gonna leave my yahoo messenger on at all times. My screen name is Babeboo so buzz me and hopefuly ill be around.

• • • 

From: Bob and Karen Funcheon

To: Alex Funcheon

Subject: RE: boxes

Date: Sat, 18 Nov 2006 15:51:11 -0600

HI Alex,

It was so good to hear from you. Are your ears burning? That means that someone is talking about you. I just got back from my quilt group, we will be packing boxes in 2 weeks to send over. Dad just put a box in the mail to you today. It is from my Blue Stars Moms, Jana's email is in a card for you to send a thank- you. I helped Aunt Elizabeth pack a box for your unit this morning. If you could email me a thank you for her, I will give it to her. That way you do not have to write a letter. I am just amazed the out pouring of people wanting to extend their heartfelt thanks to you and what you are doing, I still have about 50 lbs. of goodies to mail out to you. Probably be sending a box a week.

You are on our minds and we are so proud of you.......Love, Mom

• • • 

From: Alex Funcheon

To: Bob and Karen Funcheon

Date: 11/20/2006 8:05:24 AM

Subject: RE: boxes

Well well sounds like everyone is doing fine. Tell dad not to worry about excersing thers no reason to impress anyone now. I would just drink beer and lye on the couch. You could get some finger excersise changin the channel.

And mom thanks for all the goodies but i dont wanna get fat, i really need that sling shot! Water baloons would be nice too. Just something nonlethal that would go a long distance. Sorry my screen name is boobabewala on yahoo messenger. ill leave it on as much as i can just buzzzz me!

take care, funcheon

• • 

From: Bob and Karen Funcheon

To: Alex Funcheon

Subject: RE: where are you?

Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2007 21:25:17 -0600

Dear Alex,

It was so good to get an email from you. I don't care if you are moody you can call anytime. Do you have the passport that I sent?

The CD was for a year. The next CD that we will open for you will be for 7 months at 7% interest. We found it thru a Credit Union.

You asked about my Dad, yes I would like to talk about it. I actually still fell like an orphan. I fell bad for you and Gloria because he wasn't the type of Grandfather like I had. You know friendly, showing an active interest in you, doing fun things with you.

Maybe you can be the type of Grandfather that your grandchildren look up to.

I know that my dad is in a better place so, for that I am grateful.

He lead a sad life, he also had some mental health problems. He was born too early, 6 weeks earlier and they think he had oxygen cut off to his brain and that caused damage, but he was meant to be. Just like I was meant to be and You were meant to be. The worse part right now is that someone at the hospital or the funeral home stole his wedding ring.

I will be filing a police report tomorrow. That is pretty low to steal a ring off a dead person!

We pray every morning for you and all the guys in your unit. We were so sorry to hear about the soldiers who died while you were out on the mission.

Were you close when it happened? Just knowing that God knows where you are and what you are doing at all times gives us the peace we need while you are over there.

We love you and are so proud of you....Mom and Dad

• • 

From: Alex Funcheon

To: Bob and Karen Funcheon

Date: 1/6/2007 8:30:22 AM

Subject: RE: where are you?

Hey I just got the passport and guitar book. I got to the board for sgt tommorow, if i pass it i get promoted here in a couple months. Just can't get nervous. I cant... believe someone took the ring. If you ever find out let me know please.

And yah im glad he's in a better place to. I wasnt there when it happened but i pulled up 5 minutes later. It wasnt pretty.

Talk to ya soon, Alex

• • 

From: Bob and Karen Funcheon

To: Alex Funcheon

Subject: promotion

Date: Sun, 7 Jan 2007 13:33:46 -0600

Dear Alex,

Good to hear from you. Let us know how your review went. We hope that you got your much needed promotion to Sgt.

Dad just refinished the dining room table, we have had it for 10 years and it was in bad shape. He stripped it and varnished it.. Looks like new.

Gloria had a debate this weekend and her team placed 4th in the tournament. Did she ever tell you the reason she went into debate, because you did it and she figured that if you could do it, she could.

I just caught the new kitten, Freddie Krueger, trying to pee where he wasn't suppose to. Bad kitty!!

Well it is Sunday afternoon and Dad is sleeping, Gloria is watching TV downstairs and I still have Christmas cards to get out!

I just sent out a package with some hot sauce, let me know it you got it intact. Do you want anymore guitar books?

We love you and pray for you hourly, sometimes!!! Mom

• • 

From: Alex Funcheon

To: Bob and Karen Funcheon

Date: 1/7/2007 4:17:04 PM

Subject: RE: promotion

lol freddie kruger? jeez i thought we were doing nice names, we caught a bad kitty this time? How is candy doin?

And no i didnt know about the debate thing, i thought she really like it lol. That is kinda funny. Actually thats really funny.

Did you catch the ring theif yet, do we have any leads?

I passed the board with flying colors. I should get my sgt in 2 months or so. so thats an extra like 400 a month. $$$$ Gotta run take care

Funion

• • 

From: Bob and Karen Funcheon

To: Alex Funcheon

Subject: boxes

Date: Sun, 4 Feb 2007 19:55:48 -0600

Dear Alex.

Happy Super Bowl Day, We just watched Prince during the half time, now we are watching America's funniest video. Dad is at a Super Bowl party.

I just packed up 2 boxes for you. Your jeans and shirts are in one and your T-shirts and other stuff are in the other. They are going in the mail tomorrow.

Haven't found your CD yet, still looking. Do we change your address to Alex Funcheon Sergeant instead of SPC?

Linn Bertog called yesterday and she said that her students have to earn the right to email you. The last child to win the spelling bee got to email you, so I hope you are answering them!!!! Did you ever think that all these little kids would look up to you?

We love you and are so proud of you...............Mom

• • 

From: Alex Funcheon

To: Bob and Karen Funcheon

Date: 2/5/2007 1:19:55 PM

Subject: RE: boxes

Yah I got Mrs. Bertog email. I emailed back told them a little about the land and stuff, and edited for 5th grade reading. Things are going pretty good here. I never been so exhausted before sometimes, or bored, or just wigged out. Sometimes I just can't wait to get back, ya know. There is to much were limited to doing it drives me nuts. But then you just get so use to it you stop bitching and just say whatever.

No its not SGT yet. I gotta wait a certain amount of time before i can put it on, its different than other advances. I had a choice to reinlist a while ago, for 4 more years, about 10 grand tax free, and a ticket to europe in my contract. I turned it down, i need more time to think. I think if I reinlist i minus well stay in, there are alot of pros and cons. Never thought i would, but now that im here i need to think more responsible and all that grown up stuff. Things will be easier when i become a SGT and some things harder. It's just that if i find someone, different, I've seen and lived through what the army can do to a relationship and I dont wanna put someone through that.... Then again im young and still need to have "fun". But then you gotta think about money, and retirement, blah to much, being responsible sucks.

Thanks for all the help again, I'll send yall some good ole iraqi crap, souveniers, whatever ya wanna call it. Cya later

• • 

From: Bob and Karen Funcheon

To: Alex Funcheon

Subject: Greetings from Kansas

Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:27:49 -0500

Dear Alex, You are on my mind, as usual. We are fine, Dad says Hi and we all miss you. I do have a question. When you were young you trusted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. I know that as you got older you turned away. So where do you stand now?

We are so proud of you................Mom and Dad

• • 

From: Alex Funcheon

To: Bob and Karen Funcheon

Date: 3/29/2007 11:27:24 AM

Subject: RE: Greetings from Kansas

I think im more agnostic now more than anything, hell maybe athiest. I still talk to God sometimes but I find it hard. I can't make up my mind. I want to start reading the bible, but right now they got us working more than I thought was possible. When were not sleeping were workin, or i write emails, I try to squeeze an hour in the gym but that takes away from my sleep or try playin guitar or german. Maybe things will slow down and ill have time to read. But anywho, how's home, were you ever able to find that cd?

• • • 

From: Bob and Karen Funcheon

To: Alex Funcheon

Date: Fri, 20 Apr 2007 6:37:24 -0500

Alex,

Good morning. It's somewhat early Friday morning, and the weather should be nice for golf this weekend. We may get a bit of rain today.

Last Friday we got 2 inches of snow. It didn't stay on the ground long but it made everything soggy. Hopefully, we done with the snow. Suppose to be near 80 today.

Gloria finally made her decision on college - she is going to K-State.

Mom is very happy. Gloria still wanted a school back east but I think she will have a good experience in Manhattan.

All is well here. I may have a new job soon. One of my customers sort of made me an offer a few days ago. This would be a new position with them.

They aren't sure of the start date but it should be soon. It would involve a lot of overnight travel but it would be a lot more money. It is still in sales and I am interested. A Changf of pace every now and again is a good thing.

Hope your getting some rest. Also, I hope that you are coming back here for leave. I know it may be difficult given all you've been through but we sure do want to see you.

Love,

Dad

• • 

From: Alex Funcheon

To: Bob and Karen Funcheon

Date: 4/24/2007 1:58:05 PM

Subject: RE:

A new job huh? A lot of traveling for more money and better benefits. you must have impressed someone with some smooth talkin. Maybe you just played a better golf game and you won the bet?

I guess a change of pace is always good, im lookin forward to one to. Maybe i just told mom, or maybe i didnt say anything. But i am going to germany for leave, i coulda swore i told you guys. maybe i didnt, my memory fails me sometimes. I allready made plans, like 4 months ago. I want to see you guys too but i can't pass this opportunity up. Don't worry ill be coming home before you know it.

take care, funcheon