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

Susan- as far as the final date to ship all I can offer is this.  We were sent multiple emails by the ombudsman with the dates about when to stop mail, and we had to have everything mailed by Nov 15.  It probably dpends on where they are, and all that jazz.  I would recommend you contact the ombudsman and ask them.  There is an organization called Cypress Cares also that sends care packages to deployed troops and she said they were told to have everything out by mid November.  Our son had told us mid November since about the beginning of October.

I plan on baking some goodies for Christmas, bought him some Christmas videos and some travel games.  I still say I should send him a small tree with ornaments.  I hate the thought of them there with nothing to remind them of Christmas day.  Is this your son's first deployment?  My son was in Iraq several years ago.  I hope your son stays safe and am so glad I am able to talk with others who are going through the same thing

Susan I went through a short time where my son's were both in the sand at the same time. its difficult to manage those emotions. You are not alone I do understand how it feels. Right now my little brother is in AFG he's a Navy doctor - trauma surgeon at the moment and although I worry, nothing like I did when my sons were there...  I can tell you the ladies here help and although no one who hasnt had 2 in the sand at the same time can understand the trying to give both kids adequate worry time thing.. they are veterans of these war and kids being gone... we are all here for you... and my only advice would be stay out of Walmart when the Christmas music starts playing... I'll Be Home For Christmas ALWAYS left me a sobbing blob in isle 4...

My poor son said where they are they are having a hard time getting mail to them. The last unit was lucky to see mail once a month.  that is so ridiculous.  Those guys rely on it for a morale booster.  I think I will get one of the trees also and send it

I do understand the emotions about Christmas away from home. But...if the CO or FRO said specifically to not send Christmas trees/deco, etc. I would definitely follow their "advice."  Not to mention, these guys are very mobile and they might not even be able to take anything like that with them wherever they end up at Christmas. The felt tree can be rolled up in a pack, the thoughts and love will be there, and they, being the military professionals they are, will be good with that. Keep your home tree up to share with them when they come home, they are not at home in Afghanistan, they are at work. If they are someplace where they can celebrate and no holds are placed on Christmas deco, then that's good, but if so, always do as the CO and FRO "suggests". Keeping their troops safe and not antagonizing the local folks is a priority with the commanders and it's one we need to support.

Good Morning. I am here to support my nephew who is currently deployed with the Marines in Afghanistan. My son is a depper in the Navy but won't leave for bc until August 2012. As this is my first time of sending care packages I've been looking around for ideas. I found some good information from your group so I thank you-and I'm sure my nephew will also.

Just sent out Christmas packages yesterday and included an advent calendar. I almost didn't get him one this year because someone said to me "Why are you sending him a calendar? What does he have to look forward too". Then I thought that I have gotten him one every year since he was born and this year will be no different! Anyway, hope I did the right thing.

Love the idea of a cake in a jar. Guess I'm going to have to get another package ready :)

Oh Julie...I can relate!  My son is married...and has 4 older sisters.  In addition, the small town he is from has several groups sending boxes to our local guys, and he was on everyone's list.  In addition, he was in an area that got huge shipments of donated stuff.  However, as "Mom" I couldn't send nothing!  I was the babysitter while my DIL worked, so I would have the kids draw pictures  and write letters that I included in my boxes.  I'd also send photos, the local newspaper (or clippings about people he knew) and that kind of thing.  I am thankful he didn't lack anything important, but I did feel shabby until I realized that is the real home he missed.   I'm sure you will come up with lots of ideas...the Dollar Store is a wonderful place to browse looking for ideas.  (Little puzzles, hand-held games, something silly but meaningful to him.)  Good luck and keep posting...that is how we get each other through this horrible time. 

When my son was in Iraq, he was the same way. Now, in Iraq they had big bases, and it was pretty built up in some of the area. He said they would get so many packages, they would dump them on the floor, everyone would take what they wanted out of them and toss the rest. Afghan is more rural, remote...like Iraq in the beginning, I would guess, so they don't have the base stores, etc to shop in. My son did call me for dart board repair stuff and new darts. Every place he went, he'd fix the dart boards. I sent photos, and took a video of me walking the dog around the neighborhood , looking at the houses, making comments. He loved that. We were on myspace then, I loaded my photos with home photos. I do house concerts here in the back yard with local musicians and put them up on youtube, he saw his backyard! I sent books...when he sent back his stuff, so many of the books came back...I asked why? they were supposed to stay there for others. "I haven't read them all yet".  If your kids are artists, or maybe someone else is...I bet sketch pads, pencils, markers would be great and able to use all the time. Don't forget lots of plastic baggies, all sizes. Salsa, lots of salsa. Buy it already wrapped up at costco or sam's...wrap it in bubble wrap. Salsa makes everything tastes better. If they're doing their own cooking, send spices, chicken rub, stuff like that.Pasta, flavored rices.  Hard candy. Batteries for electronics. Christmas cd music...

Also, fresh and warm gloves and socks. Lots of socks, they toss the white cheap ones. My son did bring home the Fox Socks. They fill like clouds on your feet. (yes, I tried them on, after several washings.) And decent bath soap. I sent Dove. Don't laugh, they itch from the dry/sand etc. Lotions in the winter boxes. My son told me about a Marine that would put butter on his face so I sent the big jars of yellow cream from Sam's for him. Chap stick or whatever they like for their lips. Decent toothpaste, new tooth brushes. Nail clippers. Warm caps.

Chief...WOW!  You have been waiting for this time since the day he left!  Now that it is finally here, I bet it doesn't seem real.  Have a safe trip, and when you see that boy, give him all the hugs you need, then give him one more from his Navy moms.  Yes!  Pictures, pictures, pictures, please!  We want to SEE that he is back home...and when things calm down a bit, we need YOU back here.  You have grown so much and have so much to share with the new Moms...please don't just disappear!  YOUR train is safely pulling into the station, but if you look over at the ticket counter, you will see lots of confused, crazy Moms.  Come back and be a guide! 

Chief!!! one of those sit down at the computer mornings when the dogs think I've gone out of my mind! shouts of joy and tears for you!!  Love that story about the store...in my town, that'd be Spanish, so that's what I'm picturing in my mind....you in the middle of all those folks who want to support you, babbling in spanish and tears rolling down your face...

The friends we make on this board are  priceless. I came on this board when it started and today there is a core group of women that I share such a tight bond with...some with their kids out of the Navy now, some with deploying kids as we speak....and we "talk" every single day, so many ways. And yes, this experience is life changing for all of us....

Susan, Chief...whoever would like to, but especially those with kids in rural remote areas of A, please send me addresses, I have had some folks ask for some...I always suggest anysailor.com, anysoldier.com, and anymarine.com but they know I'm on this board and want "real" people to send to...It might not get there for Christmas, but January will be bleak there as well...

Such a happy day today on this board...thank you all for sharing your time and support with one another....

From a facebook Navy mom:

Well, if your great jerky is in that box, just take it with you to the homecoming!

Yes, no news is good news....won't be long now, my friend! good for you!

I know that this week is a tough week for those of you with kids deployed to war zones, onboard ships or anyplace around the world. Please know your kids will be remembered and thought of, and prayed for, around this country at countless dinner tables...and they will be in our hearts, as you are.

Do the best you can...that's all I can offer, other than my old standby "you are not alone" . I know you can feel very alone on tradtional days of joy and family when your kid is not home with you.

Yahoo article on Marine wind down in Afghanistan

I've been invited to join a "socks for soldiers" group here in my hometown.  An Army mom started it in 2003 but it has since gained momentum steadily.  They apparently love it when they can have one of the soldiers, sailors or marines play "Santa" and ship things off for the holidays.  On Wednesday night we will put together care packages for all 135 people in my son's company, over in the sandy place.  I am so excited to be able to be doing something concrete.  

Hi all.  TDM suggested I join your group to ask a question regarding the problems I am having sending mail to my Corpsman.  He's not in Afghan or Iraq, but currently in Italy.  I hold a special place in my heart to all of you going through what you are going through with your service members serving in the desert.  I also see some familiar faces. 

((Chief88 - I can't tell you how happy I am for you that H is headed home!  I can almost see the relief on your face.))

Now for my questions...  I sent my son a box to his FPO AE address for his birthday on Nov. 12 and he has yet to receive that.  I have also talked to another Mom whose daughter is at the same base as my son's and she sent one three weeks ago that her daughter has not received.  Normally a priority box will take 7 days to arrive.  What do you think the odds of him receiving his Christmas box on time if I send it on Dec. 1?  Is it normal, considering the amount of mail the Fleet recieves, for things to start taking longer to be delivered at the first part of November? 

On the bright side, he may recieve his birthday box for Christmas and his Christmas box for Valentine's Day!! 

Thank you for all that you do and all the support that you give!

Janice: You can contact the Ombudsman for your daughter's battalion...They should have a Facebook page or your can google her battalion for the FRG for that group....Call them anytime and they can update you with all the info you need....Our FRG/Ombudsmen for 133 are most helpful and don't mind calls at any time...

Also Janice...when my son returned from Aghan last year, he had to put our names on a command list so we could go on base and be at the homecoming..

Well, I really felt horrible last night.  My poor son called and told me he lost a Marine buddy yesterday.  His Corpsman friend had to recover him and I am sure is having some hard issues right now.  He's only been gone a month.  I can't sleep.  I'm scared to death.  At times I feel like I am going to just break down.  He is in such a remote area with only 16 of them.  I have 6 more months of this.  

Oh Hon, that is awful!  Take a deep breath and tell yourself that he is safe at the moment.  I never could figure out which was worse...knowing what was happening over there, or NOT knowing and having my imagination run wild.  The important thing is you are NOT alone...we have all felt what you are feeling, and we will help you walk through it.  My son has been home for a while, so I don't post very much anymore, but I can't let a Mom sit here hurting.  I'm sure others will be by soon, and in the meantime know that it is okay to be scared...and to cry sometimes...but then we will help you find the strength to get through each day.  ((((Big warm hugs))))

DJones......Its ok to feel scared.  Try and stay busy.  If you live alone, call a friend and prehaps have a sleep over.  You must have a very special relationship with your son for him to call you and tell you what is happening.  Lots of our son's don't share, they will hold it in.

If you haven't started writting a journal it can be very helpful to write what you are feeling and is a great release.

We are all with you this evening.  Check back in soon and let us know how you are doing.

Navy Mom Hug!!

DJones, I wish I had words, just realize you are not alone in your fears, and that we all familiar with that knot in the stomach feeling.

Do start writing it out, keeping it in will make you feel even crazier....and I hope you have someone close at hand to talk to, spend some time with...you and your son's unit are in all of our prayers, we'll be here when you need to talk.

I know you're worried about what he's seeing there, and the experiences he's going through...just remember that those young warriors are well trained and watch out for each other...and they will be more so with this devastating loss. Start that list by the phone so you have topics to share with him on his next call, put some photos of home in his next package, and cry to us.

We're here. He won't always be there.  

I can't thank you all enough for being  there for me.  I wish I could physically meet all of you.  I am new to DC and know no one.  Unless they are military, they don't understand.  I have tried to reach out to a few and they really don't hear me.  I am so hurt right now I can hardly write.  I feel so horrible for the families who lose there loved ones.  I don't know what is worse, hurting for my son or form the families who have to endure such pain.

DJ, is there a Blue Star Mom group in your area? look online to see....I haven't joined one because I do have a strong support group here around me, but if you need support, I'd bet those are the moms to find...

Crying is good, it gets all that negative energy out, wears you out so you can sleep. Don't be ashamed of your tears or your fear. You have a child in a war zone, your feelings are normal, the same ones our grandmothers back through time have felt sending their children off to fight war.  Anyone who doesn't see that doesn't have the sense God gave a goose.

Remind yourself every day of how well trained our warriors are, and how young and strong....prayer helped me, and the women that come to this board.

You are not alone.

Cheryl! congrats on the homecoming!! we all know how exciting that is! home in time for Christmas!

I'll take this moment to remind each of us that we follow OPSEC regs here, please do not give out any actual locations, times of arrivals/departures/  or countdown information. No one has breached any line, just like to remind the new moms and dads as they appear. Yes, we know that anyone can get anything off of the internet, our goal is to make sure that this group is not ever the source of any information. Also, remember to not share information about individuals, or casualities or specifics of any action in a warzone  that your kids give you until it has been released by the DOD. We do not want any moms/dads finding out about injured kids here instead of through the right channels.

My heart is with all of you today, it's so tough,hearing so many are coming home, which is good, but it's not our kids yet....watched a homecoming on TV from Fort Hood yesterday, the joy was just overwhelming...I wish that for each of you soon, very soon.

New photo posted above...

Well, I must say my day today is nothing but crying.  I to don't let my husband see me this emotional.  I am so thankful to have found this site to unload on and share all my feelings.  I cannot begin to say how good it feels to know others are going through what I am going through.  My family and civilian friends don't understand.  I plan on finding work after the holidays since my daughter will be coming home.  I to want all this to end and all our troops home.  I've sent my son and his unit 11 boxes so far and I have 2 more going out to another Corpsman and his unit and a friend who is there.  I know 5 there now.  Four are Corpsman.  So...I send out boxes as often as I can.  It makes me feel better.  Does anyone know how to find out the address of the family of the fallen Marine?

DJ, if you google his name, all the obits/announcements etc from his hometown paper will come up...after it has been announced officially by the DOD. Nothing will show up before then. The news feed above, if you click on "more" will lead you to http://www.icasualties.org/OEF/index.aspx  where you can find the list of fatalities that have been announced.

I cried in the shower. You'll also probably hear some stories of Walmart meltdowns....we cry every place.

About this photo....my son had posted it on his facebook page today when he saw it at Fort Sam...

By the response on my son's facebook page to that photo, I think he served with my son and his corpsman buddies. His death was about a year after my son's graduation out of Corps school. My son and his buddies are pretty darn pleased with this building being named after Doc Anderson. I just think it's so young to lose such good friends, and how many more has he lost that he hasn't told us about...? He shares some things with us, but not everything. He tells me I have to keep my shit together (his words...) for you folks here and not get upset over stuff I can't change. When I said something about not being a Navy mom any more in January when he leaves the Navy, he laughed. And he's right, I can walk away from the other groups, but this one is too important. I hope I am still finding the words to reach out to each of you, and I thank every mom who has been in this hell that comes back to reach out to our moms living it every day.

I volunteered this Wednesday night from about 5:00-10:00 p.m. taping shut boxes that were being shipped to Afghanistan.  About 2000 went in all, 135 to my son's unit.  The lady here locally who spearheads the Socks for Soldiers program takes donations all the time, then buys what she needs right before Christmas.  In some cases she has the names of everyone in a unit, but in our case, she made 135 address labels with my son's name & address on them ~ he will act as "Santa" when they get there.  Although it takes all week to do the packing, addressing (and the customs forms - yikes!) I was there on "Family Night" so there may have been a little more emotion floating around in the armory that evening.  It was wonderful to do something so hands on.  Imagine the assembly line:  mug, socks, cap, food, treats, toothbrush, loofa, Christmas cards from local schools, powdered drink mixes, chocolate, etc.  Several people said they thought a little prayer as they put in their piece of the package.... ditto for the taper-uppers, address label people, etc.  Wonderful, and now on their way!   

Thank you, eurekamom and all those with you on Wednesday night.

docsmom, my son was assigned to  Lajuene right out of corps school, went to FMTB and then on a Mediterrean cruise with the 2/2, who had just returned from Iraq when my son was assigned to them in 06. I think he was probably in basic, and corps school with Anderson, there's a little group of them that remain very close, and the loss of Anderson is probably one reason why. My son deployed to Iraq in 08 with the 2/2. 

When my son went to FMTB, there were about a dozen of them that were pulled out of clinicals to fill the class, so each of them were assigned to a Marine unit at the end of FMTB. My son and one buddy went to the 2/2, the others were assigned elsewhere.  Back then, they were short of trained FMTB corpsmen. Some of those young corpsmen went directly from FMTB to deployment.  I'm very thankful that my son had that time to "season' before going to a war zone.

I do know, however, that here on N4M's, many of our kids serve together and we have no idea!

Susan, I'm not sure how the rotations are working with Afghanistan. I do think that from the rhythm of the posts on this board that the Marines (and our corpsman) are still on those 7 month deployments, more or less. And what  I learned as my son moved around with the 2/2 was that much of their movements were planned out pretty far in advance. That said, the bring down of forces in A (Marines in particular) might have changed that, but unless they are serving with units with some different jobs than the weapons/infantry guys, that you would know by now what the orders were and when they are deploying. I would find that Family Readiness officer for your son's battalation and email him/her and ask. It's the holiday season, I'm sure they are getting a lot of emails like that and have an answer. I hope!

I hope that mom finds this group as well, I tell so many women about it, I don't know if they come to lurk and not post or what, but if they do I hope they read enough to know that they are not alone and that there are others praying for their kids just like we have prayed for all of ours....and that crying is the right thing to do....cuz Lord knows we can't do much else sometimes!!  My son turned 21 on a training ship someplace in the ocean....he was an old guy of 22 when he went to Iraq, turned 23 there. Our big day was being able to celebrate his birthday with him last year for the first time in years!

I hope you get some answers soon.

Susan, I know the feeling. My son is a Doc in a very remote area with no com right now and feeling very low after his Marine buddy was killed last week.  They may not get their mail since the road they have to travel on to get it is to dangerous.  I just wish I could bring them all home.  I guess I feel better by sending out lots of goodies to all his unit, his friends units and our friends.  Makes me feel better.  I have good days and bad days.  Yesterday was a bad day where I did nothing but cry all day.  I'm lucky to be able to talk to his gf who is having a hard time also so we keep check on each other.  Hang in there and remember we are all thinking of you and all those troops who will not be home.  It's tough, but somehow we manage to get through, don't we.

Is anyone else's son with 2/11 from Pendleton? Would love to correspond.

When my son was deployed, and those times would come when I could not hear from him for weeks at a time, I'd throw myself into my family history. I found out my great grandmother lost two sons in WWI. and it was highly likely that after they enlisted and left for war, she never heard their voices again. And as I read about my family's life in the Confederate times, I remember those movies where the mom didn't know many times until she say her son shuffling up the road and down the drive to their porch if he was even alive or not...and there was no therapy for PTSD, no one to help them...just bring him back into the family fold and love him as hard as they could. I know how hard this is for each of you, and you know me well enough to know that I am not diminishing your pain and fear, I just think in today's horror of war, the communication is so much better, and you can bet those commanders are working to make sure your sons and daughters are going to come home safe and that they will be able to  make that call on Christmas. I know that will happen, keep those phones glued to your side!!

I hope that since it is quiet here that everyone is good?

Mine will be returning from a short deployment next week, just in time for the holiday's.  It will be nice for him to be with his children as he has had to miss many holidays, and birthdays in the past.

Susan....He will just be with his family as they are in the Southern US and we are on the west coast.

Happy holidays to you and your family.

After my son was transferred out of the 2/2, they were deployed to Afghanistan...and this was made there in 2009.

I love it!  They will miss "home" with friends and family...but they WILL find ways to celebrate in a unique way.  The important part of Christmas is the spirit behind the celebration...and no one has spirit like our troops! God bless them all!!!

This is wonderful.  They all look homesick.  God bless them all.  He's very good.

I have to watch it more closely this morning. My son said that the Marine that was injured in A and came to stay here at the house with him for a few days was in that pan around....wish I could see their hair...he's tall, handsome, slender and red headed, like a movie star cast as a Marine!  He got hit in the arm, the bullet lodged in the vest. Came home to Dallas on R&R, and my son came from San Antonio, spent about 4 days here, hitting the lakes and swimming holes and talking. Lots of talking. "just wanted to make sure he's okay..." The Navy might pull the Doc out of the battalion, but they can never pull the Marine out of the Doc, I think.

Susan, I've heard several young warriors talk about going back as civilians, but once they get back home, into their lives again, I don't know if any of them followed through. I know for sure one did not! Cross that bridge when you come to it, you have plenty on your plate right now!!.

DJones...I went to the youtube site to watch it, and read the information. The lyrics are written out and there's a note that says if they look bored, it's because they've stood there as the audience for "about 200 times" of singing the song!  They look cold to me!! I'm sure they started out with a lot more enthusiasm!

lynda, that isn't my son, it's one of the Marines in 2/2....my son didn't deploy to Afghanistan, he deployed to Iraq with 2/2 the year before this was taped.

I heard they were pulling the Marines out, but thought it was later in 2012, I know someone getting ready to deploy. Maybe that person was confused between Iraq and Afghanistan?

Today I got the coolest gift ever my brother sent me a flag with a certification that it was flown over one of the med corps in Afghanistan where he is stationed... with a note thanking me for all my support and help through this deployment, my husband wants to build a flag frame for it instead of buying one and I will frame the certificate and take a pic when its done and share it..  we are sending him and his guys dozens of cookies, fudge, toffee, brownies, and pumpkin break my grandkids and I made this weekend.. they will get a nice after christmas treat.. since it wont get there on time..

I found this on Huffington post about the packages being sent over seas.. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2011/11/30/well-wishers-asked-to-st...

I posted this on facebook but wanted to post it here... so many of us probably having the same emotions...Tears today as I watch our troops and the final end of the Iraq war.. my son's deployments, the loss of American lives, the loss of innocent Iraqi lives.. the loss of innocence of our returning young men and women, the injured soldiers as they try and rebuild their lives... I struggle with the question.. was it worth it? Only time will tell... Thank you to all of our troops, their families for the sacrifices you made...and finally welcome home...