Comment

Comment by Pat L. in IL on December 10, 2010 at 10:37am

"They also serve who only sit and wait" John Milton.

Comment by NevadaSierra on December 10, 2010 at 9:27am

Hi Everyone: I just received this - and wanted to share with you:

From: BSMA -- Rev. Lin McGee

To: thekopps@sbcglobal.net

Sent: Thursday, December 09, 2010 7:02 PM

Subject: Prayers For Comfort and Care

Dear Mamas,

December is a time in our country when so many things are taking place that touch our hearts very deeply.  So many of us with children deployed face family faith days without our loved one near.  With the person that completes our family far away in a land we little know, fighting a war we little understand.  Our hearts ache to have them home and safe.  Other of us have lost our loved ones to this war, their place at our gatherings never to be again.

We mark December 7th as 'Pearl Harbor Day', the day Japan launched the horrific aerial attack on our US naval base at Pearl Harbor on Oahu Island.  This attack, which destroyed most of our Pacific Fleet and Hawaii based combat planes, was to also wound over 1,300 of our heroes and claim the lives of 2,400 others.   December 7, 1941, the day which brought the United States into World War II,  the day which President Franklin D. Roosevelt was to deem the 'date which will live in infamy'. 

December, a time in our country when so many things are taking place that touch our hearts very deeply.

This is not a message of 'religion', nor is it a message of 'politics'.  It is a message of comfort and care for one another.  Often in our busy lives we forget to reach out to our sisters who are facing so many things.  We work quickly on supporting our veterans, getting the cards out, mailing as many packages to the troops as we can ~ such incredibly important tasks!!  For they too are often alone and waiting.

But I would like to just take this moment to ask each of you to remember your military sisters.  There is something that was written in a music book that we shared at the church last week.  It went like this: " America has always been the land of the free and the home of the brave.  Throughout our history, we have found our heroes in the most unexpected places.  Ordinary men and women, answering the call for a cause greater than themselves.  But even as we honor our soldiers for battles fought and won on distant shores, we must not forget the sacrifice of those who wait behind.  Families torn apart, holidays spent alone and moments missed they cannot get back again.  As a nation counts the cost, a family counts the days.  As a nation waits for peace, a family waits for their hero."

May we gently reach out, remembering the emptiness some of our sisters are facing at this time.  Even for those who's loved ones have returned home ~ sometimes things are very different.  Sometimes there are no words to explain what the emptiness is.  May we gently reach out, may we generously share time, may we graciously offer continued prayers for comfort and care.

Hanukkah, a time for joyous celebration ~ how does one celebrate this festival of lights when the bright light of a child's presence is not there?  Advent and Christmas, the greatest preparations for blessings and peace ~ how does one put this all together without their child of blessing who is off fighting for world peace?

My words come from the heart of a military mother, one that has waited in great hope - and great fear - several times as my children were deployed.  Times I could not understand ~ yet my prayers held fast for nation and child.  It is not only, however, a military mother's heart that lives these things -- but dads, wives, husbands, grandparents, and so many others that wait, and hope, and pray.  Special days of faith without loved ones ~ yet they are out striving to give hope to others who also wait through these days.  Times of pride in our country and the valor of all who serve - yet so often feeling that they can never do enough to repay what was given. 

May we remember them all throughout this month.  May we spend that extra time, offer that extra care, say those extra prayers for all who wait.  May we reach out to those who's loved one has returned, maybe serving stateside, maybe to return to the war again.  And to those precious souls who have lost their hero and are striving to upholded all their loved one held so dear.

December, a time in our country when so many things are taking place that touch our hearts very deeply.

In Prayer,

  For Our Troops and Military

  For Our Veterans

  For Our Family Members Who Wait

Peace,

Rev. Lin McGee

National Chaplain

Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc.

860-379-1298

Comment by Emily-aaronsgirl11 on December 10, 2010 at 8:12am

Thanks, BunkerBee :)

I've heard of most of these, and I've read one or two. Some of these are hard to get my hands on without buying and I've been trying to save money lately by using the library. 

 

Confessions of a Military Wife by Mollie Gross is probably the funniest book I've ever read. She's hilarious. Check it out if you get a chance. :)

Comment by BunkerQB on December 10, 2010 at 3:38am

For wives, fiancees and girlfriends, I got the following list of books from Navy Aunt (AF Wife):

1. Married To The Military:A Survival Guide for Military Wives, girlfriends, and Women In Uniform. by Meredith Leyva,
2. Hope For The Home Front by Marshe'le Carter Waddell (her husband was a Navy Seal),Military 101 (Fiction) by Tynisa Gaines
3. 365 Deployment Days A Wife's Survival Story by Sara Dawalt
4. Home Fires Burning by Karen Houppert, That Military House- Move It, Organize It, And Decorate It. by Sandee Payne
5. Life After Deployment- Reunion Stories/Advice by Karen M Pavlicin, Spouses Also Serve by Tiffany A Booker
6. Today's Military Wife-Meeting the Challenges Of Service Life by Lydia Sloan Cline,The Treasure of Staying Connected for Military Couples by Janel Lange
7. The Complete Idiot's Guide to LIfe as a Military Spouse by Lissa McGrath, Surviving Deployment by Karen M Pavlicin
8. The Mocha Manual to Military Life by Kimberly Seals_Allers with Pamela M. McBride
9. Separated By Duty, United in Love- A Guide to Long Distance Relationships For Military Couples by Shellie Vandervoerde
10. When Johnny/Joanie Comes Marching Home by The Revernd Dr. Lester L. Westling, Jr.(USN)
11. Military Spouse's Complete Guide To Career Success- Finding Meaningful Employment in Today's Global Workplace by Janet I Farley
12. How to Survive A Move edited by Jamie Allen and Kazz Regelman
13. Jobs and the MIlitary Spouse- Married, Mobile and Motivated for Employment by Janet I Farley
14. A Year of Absence-6 women's stories of courage, hope and love by Jessica Redmond

Comment by mn linda (nuke MM ELT Groton CT) on December 9, 2010 at 11:01pm

I bought the Pandigital Novel color ereader and I have trouble accessing the internet with it.  But it does display pictures, videos, and music.  I just decided that I'd download books to my laptop and copy them to the ereader.  I got it at Kohls on sale and a 30% off coupon :-) -- so it was about $100.  I haven't tried getting books from the library with it, but it's supposed to be able to do that.

Comment by Emily-aaronsgirl11 on December 9, 2010 at 10:54pm

I've done a lot of research on this lately... I've had my eye on one for quite some time. Now the cat's officially out of the bag.. Aaron got me one for Christmas. :) He had been planning it since March and I spoiled it :P

He ordered me a Nook, and I'm fairly sure its the Nook color. I'm super stoked about it! The Nook is much more flexible with the types of files you can use. I found out today that my library has an ebook system I can use for free, and they're compatible with the Nook. With the Kindle you can only use the Kindle books from Amazon. No other downloads will work. However, I've heard the Kindle does some cool stuff the Nook doesn't like reading books aloud when you hook it up in your car (maybe that's not true I don't know). I think it all depends on what you're using it for and where you want to spend your money.

 

I suggest checking out both websites, Barnes and Noble and Amazon. Plus the discussion in the "Sub Moms" group. It discusses the Nook, Kindle, and Sony eReaders. :)

Comment by Gulf Coast Mom on December 9, 2010 at 10:43pm

Darla (anyone else can give their opinion too) You said you got an e-reader for your son.  Did you go with the Nook or Kindle (or one of the others) and if so why?  My son is on a sub.  Last year, he had just graduated prototype (12/8/09) and I was going to get one, but he didn't want one (said he looked a a computer all day, and didn't want to look at one to read).  Now, he is almost qualified and said he will have some free time and has said he thinks he would like one, but he has not had time to research - Nook or Kindle.  Interested in your thoughts or those of anyone who has one.  Thanks.

Comment by Sherri_M on December 9, 2010 at 9:57pm

Hi eveyone...been reading some of the posts...I have a Sailor who arrived on 12/4.  PIR'd 12/3 and was g&g....was great to see him....

I've had a ton of people ask what to get him for Christmas and I love the ideas here...going to write down the nex website and give it out for the gift cards, and the subway and Mcd's...he's already frequented the Subway a few times..and never thought about the netflix...we have an account so that may be good...I think he's getting a new laptop for Christmas from his dad, or gparents if that doesn't come through--so these other options are great for gifts at any time!  oh, will check out the gamefly website too!  A school Jan 5 and he can't wait! 

Comment by nvmomma on December 9, 2010 at 7:48pm

Anyone else with a sailor in class 1111-T?

Comment by CA mom 101 on December 9, 2010 at 3:12pm

Thanks, everyone for some really great ideas. Don't know exactly what I'll do, but you have given me lots to think about. Love this site!!

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