Not knowing

[Shirley]

It is so hard not knowing what he is doing, how he is doing, everything is such a secret.

[Hoppi aka Angie]

Is he in BC or "A" school? If "A" school they are allowed to call family and friends.

[Shirley]

He is in Iraq

[Achseh]

That has got to be hard for you, I'm sure. Try to have faith, I'm sure he's missing home as much as you are missing him.

[Jean]

Our grand daughters husband just returned from a 6 month deployment on 4 Nov. As the wife of a retired USAF E-8 I tried to help them throught this as we had one 18 month separation and the last was a year. And we did not have e-mails, satelite phones, just the US mail. And we were lucky when we thought of the families in WW2 who did not have any word for months on end of their loved ones.Korea was much like Viet Nam as far as communication was concerned.

We can be ever so proud of our sailors today and all of our military, these kids are doing a good job, whether they have plans for a career or to do their enlistment and leave. It was a new and very proud experience for us to see that BIG ship come into view and dock in San Diego, even in the rain and wind.

I know you pray for your son and all of our military every day and they are in God's hands.. Keep busy, cry if you need and he will soon be home.

Jean

[Pam]

Hi Shirley:
I'm new to this site, I understand how you feel. My son has been in Iraq for a very long time. This is his third time and it doesn't get easier than the first. I get phone calls and the occassional email when they are at a place that has those things. Keep your chin up. You have alot of support here from alot of Moms who understand what you are going through. I haven't had that kind of support throughout his deployments, I've kept busy and kept positive and prayed a whole lot and it almost seems like when I'm really worried and haven't heard from him, he calls...I think he just knows when I've had enough and he contacts me. I don't know where he is most of the time either. I can only pray that those Marines will protect my corpsman. You're in my thoughts, stay tough and know that sometimes not knowing is much easier than knowing. There are some thing moms just don't need to know.

[maria]

Shirley,

Hang in there, I'm in the same position. He will call or email when he can. It's terrible for us moms, the not knowing. I'll pray for you and I'm here for you. Maria :)

[Shirley]

Thank you for you reply I guess sometimes knowing yoo are not in a boat alone helps. Although he is married and has a new son he has never seen he tries to call her when he can and I am thankful for that. As mom though I just wish I could hear his voice now and then.

[Laura R.]

Hi Shirley, it is so very hard not knowing. My son is stationed in Bahrain and when he is out on patrol we can't know where he is, what ship he is on or what they are doing. I'm ok for about 2 weeks or so then start to go crazy if I don't hear from him by then. The not knowing part is for their security. Everyone tells me that no news is good news when they are stationed in the Middle East, but it doesn't make it any easier. If you ever want to talk look me up. We all understand what you are going through. Laura

[Denise]

Our youngest son is a Seabee. Our oldest son is retired from the Army's 101st. He was sent to Iraq in the beginning so I totally know what you are going through. Our son also did not call much and he wasn't a letter writer. I was so very worried. I didn't have a Navy4Moms, but I was lucky because I had a good friend who was National Guard. He would stop by once a week and talk to me. I think he was the only one who kept me sane.
My son has a lot of pictures of barrack life in Iraq. The soldiers are/were one big family. In james unit, like a family, everyone shared. Boxes from home were pretty much community property. Although it is such an awful place, he has many pictures of good times the guys had when not on patrol. Times of good natured teasing, holiday celebration, wrestling and such.
Shirley and Mom's.....I will keep you and your Sailors in my thoughts and prayers.

[Shirley]

Wouldn't it be something if they were stationed together. I pray for all our sailors and just hope this is over soon. Thanks for your kind encouragement.

Shirley

[fly 2]

I agree with you all, it's the not hearing thats really hard. Sometime it's e-mails everyday and than weeks go by with nothing. I just put my faith in God and hope and pray that everything is ok.

[Terri]

Hi Everyone,
I agree it is tough not hearing anything. My son is in Iraq. Up until about 3 weeks ago the only form of communication had been a phone call here and there and emails. We recieved 2 DVDs in the mail. They are just him sitting there and talking to us as if he were sitting in the living room. It was so good to actually see him as he talked. On one of them, he and about 10 corpsman are singing Happy Birthday to his sister. They are priceless and I watch them over and over. After he made his he said he was going to make some for the others so they could mail them to their families.