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Comment by SANDY ship07div056 on February 7, 2011 at 9:19am

To all you Moms who have loved ones deployed, please read~

Mary Alyce Schultz wrote this to a local NJ newspaper when she lived there.  She was often asked why her children wanted to become soldiers. 

 

 A letter to my daughters (the soldiers) and those who ask why.

 

The quiet soldier

You raise them to be respectful, of you, other adults, and people with different styles than their own. You teach them honor so that a lie is more painful than any truth they might have to tell. You teach them to be brave when faced with decisions their young minds and wills are challenged with. You teach them what a free will in a free country means, speech, and they talk back, and you smile because you know it takes a brave heart to talk back to a strong parent. Their back talk becomes intelligent conversation. Their bravery becomes independent ideas. They grow, and you both learn that the nurturing of a young mind and body takes time and patience. You learn what survival of the fittest parent is. They learn what a fit parent is; caring of who they become, demanding that rules are followed, and that responsibility is taken. 

 

Then one day, they as a young adults make a decision that will change their lives and yours forever. A decision based on their lives. A decision you are not sure you agree with, but you will honor as their truth. A decision others will question you, as to why; with no answer available, except you taught them to be honorable.

 

They choose to become a soldier for the United States.

 

You are now faced with a fear like no other. A fear of the unknown, a trepidation that takes over your soul and you cannot speak of this. You are now a soldier’s parent, the silent one, who pray’s daily for every soldier, especially yours. People will ask how the children are, they are no longer children. They are adults in harm’s way, for the rights of someone else. You almost feel as though you have lost your rights. You know the ones of free speech and argument against the government.  Your kid is fighting for those rights but you dare not say anything that might put them in greater harm. You are the quiet soldier.

 

You go to work, support your soldier, look for others in your state of mind, and dare not argue with the masses. Instead you choose to honor your soldier, and the ideals of the country they fight for. You pray that no man can lay asunder in an easy blow those ideologies.

 

And then you pray again and again quietly that all the soldiers, especially yours, come home safe.

 

Sincerely

A Quiet Soldier

Mary Alyce Schultz

Mother of three soldiers

Comment by MWD Mom on February 6, 2011 at 10:28pm

Thanks annm!!  I've only been on this site a week or so and have found several great moms!!

Comment by MWD Mom on February 6, 2011 at 9:25pm

HI SC Navy moms!!!  I live in the York area, any of you near by???  Just got home about 2 hours ago from spending the last 5 days in Norfolk.  Our son re enlisted for 6 more years on Friday!!  It was great to be there, his MWD (Military Working Dog) "Rocky" was even included in the re enlistment!!  It was very quick but I still cried, seeing your son "raise his hand" just sort got to me!!  We are so proud of him.  It was great seeing our daughter in law and grand daughter as well!!! We'll go back and visit the last week of March also, he leaves for a 12 month deployment to Afghanistan on March 26.  He will be deployed with the Army.  His first deployment to Iraq was with the Marines and he deployed with an explosives detection dog, this time he is deploying with a narcotics dog.  Anyone interested we could all use some prayers to get through this deployment, and for his safety as well!!!  I know it will be hard for him to leave his daughter and wife.  His first deployment he left two weeks after he was married.  His daughter will be 9 months old when he leaves and approx 18 months when he returns.  I hope I can be of support to other SC moms too!!

 

Comment by StarChild (Ship9 Div007) on February 6, 2011 at 2:30pm

I finally cleaned up the mess from the stairs being repaired. Still had my Christmas stuff out because it all went under the stairs in the storage space. After cleaning up nails, wood, saw dust and paper, I wanted to just leave the decorations out. Heck it will be time to take it out again soon.

Hippmom, I am doing a happy dance over your great news. Charleston is a beautiful city and I know you will visit often.

Louis requested San Diego, Japan then Norfolk. My nephew is in San Antonio now and when he comes back from his duty he will be going back to Norfolk so I wanted Louis to be in Norfolk too. No matter where Louis goes I will be flying to visit whenever I can. Can you see me going to Japan to see my son?

Enjoy the Super Bowl today Sisters! My team is not playing so I am not too excited. Have a wonderful week.

Comment by SANDY ship07div056 on February 6, 2011 at 10:45am

Aint that the truth - annm??  We spent the day with my Sailor in Charleston yesterday.  It rained all the way there and back home but stopped long enough to walk the battery and Market Street.  It was a great day!

Comment by StarChild (Ship9 Div007) on February 2, 2011 at 5:47pm

Susan, Happy Birthday to your son. Hope he comes home early.

Louis called me to let me know that it is cooooold in GL. Some of them had to go to the NEX yesterday to get food because everything would be shut down today.

Navy Sisters, I am so excited!!! My son just told me that the videos are out of them when they were at boot camp. I saw him and I cried. There are four videos. Go to www.navy.mil and click on All Hands Update in the center. Then click on Visit the Gallery at the left and look for All Hands TV- 2-1-2011. Seeing him and others sailors that I now know brings chills to my body and tears to my eyes. I am so proud that he is a Sailor in the US Navy. The BEST in the World!!

Comment by Tamme on February 2, 2011 at 11:11am

I was thinking of all the stressed out families this morning when I heard the Chicago airports are closed.  I would be crushed.  GL is in lock down as well and under "no walk" orders.  My son is soooo sick.  At least he will get a good days bed rest today since they cancelled school.  I am going to overnight through the post office a package of cough syrup, etc. since no one can go to the NEX.  The postman is supposed to be able to get through anything, right?  It is so hard not to be able to take care of him.  Gloomy in Charleston - need some sunshine to get out of this down feeling.

Comment by CC0727 on February 2, 2011 at 10:29am

Thanks Cindy! : )

Comment by SANDY ship07div056 on February 2, 2011 at 10:09am

Susan - Hugs to you for your Sailors Birthday!  Wishing you some comfort today.

Comment by Denise on February 2, 2011 at 6:59am

Susan...no kidding!  One of our division Mom's that I've become good friends with was scheduled to fly out last night and her flight was cancelled and now she is stuck till Thursday at the earliest!  I can't imagine the stress and  anxiety the families that are graduating this week must feel! 

I will be thinking about you and your son's birthday today...I guess none of this really ever gets any easier.  I felt a sense of relief yesterday when my son called and told me he had moved into his new quarters at Great Lakes and that he had bought a computer.  At least for the next several months we will have a more open line of communication.

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