Anyone with Sailors/Soldiers/Marines in War Zones and Combat Areas

Facebook note by Sen Jon Tester  concerning certification of vets and retired military for civilian work.

Maybe we should form a new group for this, this is really a topic we should get all moms interested in, don't you think? And I don't want to keep an off topic going here, just in case a new mom/dad comes to check us out...and needs support from us. What could we name a new group? I have a tendency to be sarcastic, so we need a more professional name than something I would come up with...

Chief!! glad to hear there was a call! you can sleep tonight!!

We could use Deb's Transistions Group, because this situation is a BIG hurdle for those leaving the military.

http://www.navyformoms.com/group/Transistions

Has anyone seen this evenings headlines:

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/05/reports-osama-bin-laden-dead-presid...

I agree with you, Chief.  I'm sure everyone is geared up and ready for whatever comes their way, but ridding the world of one person does not end a war.

On another note,  the temperatures are horrible over there.  When my son got there last year, they didn't have any ice or coolers, and even though they kept the bottled water in the shade, they could still brew tea with it!  Luckily, he is a "Can Do" Seabee and he was able to do some bartering with some Army guys.   (Think about cooling scarves, cheap multipacks of socks, Monkeybutt  powder, and stuff for athlete's foot)

I'm so proud of the way the Bin Laden situation was handled....from top to bottom, all the ranks, and keeping it secure and confidental. And with Navy SEALS!! whoohoo!

I think, and this is just my opinion and we all know what opinions are like...but this is mine...as far as our troops boots down in Afghanistan, their danger level remains the same, not more in danger and not less in danger. You know they are on heightened alerts anyway, and they are paying attention, and I bet they are so proud of their fellow warriors who pulled off that mission yesterday. Bin Laden killed many Muslims as well as our fellow Americans, I don't know that the average Afgani really gave a rat's ass about the man.

This Army wife nails it on the head....well written, very thougtful post.

"We" got him...a blog by an Army wife.

Rysony!!! look!!! what a story! hope all is well with all of you....thinking about you and praying for the safety of your kids and for your sanity as the days wear on....

Dog Hero used in Bin Laden Raid!!

This reminded me of when my son was deployed and one of his reasons he said he didn't call was that the phone hut was across the compound and they were in heavy sandstorms for days in a row, unable to see or move around much outdoors.

Afghan Photo

Link to Leave a message for a military family

"As a military mom, I know how a simple act of kindness can make a difference to a soldier. It is our sacred duty to honor the service of those who sacrifice for our country – and we can all play a role with a simple act of service." -Dr. Jill Biden

When people ask what can they do? add this to your list...

Patrice...how gut wrenching....soon, 30 days is SOON! start figuring out the menus....favorite foods, newest video games, all that stuff. You will have that hug soon.

Thinking of you, and include you all in my morning prayer every single day.

We're all here with you, Patrice.

Letter from Navy mom to her kids back home

Read this Facebook page from the US Navy for a salute to all Navy moms....It's going to be a tough Mother's Day for all of you....blessings.

TexasDOC Mom okay you know and I am so thankful for you! The God Bless them for finally figuring it out! You get it! You know all about boys! (men) (sons). So very glad you are always here for us!

I was thinking of ordering the book A Heart and a Fist by Eric Dreigens? (sp) For my son. Saw him interviewed. He is a Navy SEAL. Book sounds so good. Goes into you have to have the heart before you have the fist!

Susan, I'm so sorry to have missed your post last night, I know this has been so hard for you...and the wonderful break of having your son being able to come home before deployment will bring you so much joy and comfort.  I can't imagine having two kids deployed at the same time, but we have others here who do know that insanity...once we had a mom with 3, yes THREE kids deployed at once. I'm afraid you'd have to just put me in a rubber room and toss food in the door for that whole time. I have such respect for you moms that get through that...and I'm delighted to hear you son is NOT reenlisting! ( does that make me unpatriotic...nope!! we've done our time!!)

Stay close, remember you are not alone....blessings.

Welcome to the group no one wants to join, Jen!!  but no one ever seems to be able to leave. Most of the parents here are moms of FMF corpsmen, Seabees and some other jobs that get deployed to Afghanistan....we do not generally share information about units or exact locations here, we try to follow OPSEC regs as we've been asked by the admins of NavyForMoms. We also try to avoid putting out information allowing anyone to be able to connect a mom/dad to a specific  sailor or Marine or soldier. In other words, since this is a public board, we don't trust all who may come to read it. (besides, some of our kids come read here and call to say ..."you can't say that, get it down off that board!"...so we try to behave.

What we do do here is give moms/dads/spouses a place to chat, rant, cry and scream with joy together...to remind all that being afraid when your child is in a war zone is a normal thing, crying is a normal thing...and well meaning friends may not always understand that...but we do. You are not alone as you go through the next few months, come here when it gets tough...and come back again when your corpsman is safe and sound at home to pay it forward with the next new group of moms.

So glad you are hearing from your son! that means some nights you sleep well!!

nice to meet you!

@Deb..."I am over this war thing"....no kidding. Done with it!

Snickers makes an ice cream bar. Little ones and big ones. I think  you each need a package of BIG ONES!! Pbear, now if I see those Magnum bars, I hold you resposible for every single calorie.

Long time ago story...my brother and his wife divorced, my niece came to live with me....and her mom came to visit. We watched like hawks, we were very paranoid she'd try to take off with her....and they had a great visit. When my exSIL left, my little niece was upset, and "mad, I'm MAD!" because her parents were such idiots (she didn't say that, that was me). So I told her when I was mad or upset, I cleaned the bathrooms. Scrubbed the tup, polished the mirrors...and next thing I know, that 4 year old was scrubbing the tub! She's almost 40 now, still does that same thing!  It's a womanly tradition...

Keep trying on motomail, they work hard to try to get those letters to the troops, and at some point it will work. Especially if you keep trying and spread the word to other families in the same unit. It may not work perfectly but it will keep them working on it and maybe the next tour will get a better shot at motomail working.

I cannot stand to hear of these dropped phone calls, I know that has got to be so frustrating so painful and so gut wrenching. But at least you know those sailors have mom on the mind for Mother's Day....and I will assure you, there are 100,000 Mom wishes coming towards the USA right now and yours will settle around you soon. In the mean time, we'll have our own Mother's Day chat right here on this board, so be here and be on time...

And the reminder that when your son/daughter does call, that conversation is for Mom, and to be very selective with whom you share it, especially if that other person's son/daughter is in the same unit. I know you are, but this is what they pay me the big bucks for...actually I don't make crap, but still, bossy is why they use me.

I am glad to see you all here supporting each other, this is a tough tour, with all that has happened (as good as it may be) and you are all in my prayers every single day...as are our children who serve and those especially in harm's way. You're not alone.

My friend George Ensle...

Happy Mother's Day!! here's to phone calls from all those kids too far away to drop by...and hugs from those loved ones close at hand...

Have a wonderful day! and if you are having a tough time, please drop by here and share your day, we'll all be checking on you all day long...

Hey, Carol! welcome...to the group nobody wants to join...but then nobody seems to leave....Is your son a corpsman? don't need to mention with what unit he is deploying, we attempt to obey OPSEC regs  here, so there is not a connection made of who is connected to whom by any one looking to do any harm in any way to our kids or our families connected to them.

Someone is usually home, so remember, you are not alone...we cry on any level, laugh, screech and pitch hissy fits in Walmarts...please, join us!

Hi Carol, sorry to see you here LOL. I had forgotten C was deploying today. Haven't been online much this weekend. Stinker Dan never called, oh well no news is good news, Carolyn is taking it well considering we heard thru his gf he would be able to call sometime this weekend.

I'm sorry Chief!! I used to mark down the time of day I'd see my son online and then try to be at the computer that whole time. Got a lot of family history done during his deployment...

He is okay, he's obviously in safe and sound some place so breathe...you will hear from him soon. Screw those stupid phones, that's so frustrating!!!

But you know he's thinking of you!! let me know if you need bond money.