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

Well, my son says he signed his release from active duty papers.  I am so nervous about him getting out and being able to survive going to college.  He has no college behind him yet, wants to attend school in southern CA where it is sooo expensive, will not have health care and dental.  I am so afraid he will get out and not be able to make it and then what?  He wants to go to medical school.  I hate to see him have to go in so much debt.  This is scary.  

Djones, all I could think when my son signed his papers in January was "THANK GOD". He will never deploy again, barring some horrific act of war while he's still young enough to serve.

He'll be fine, he's a military professional, and he's learned a lot. Don't worry about what is not even happening yet. Find our group Transistions, and post there with us with your concerns and all the things you will learn about VA benefits and the GI Bills he qualifies for....

Scary, to me, is these kids in Afghanistan today. That's scary. Safe and sound, boots down USA is easy....as long as they fill every date in correctly on those VA and GI Bill papers!

My heart goes out to all the families who have lost loved ones this week.  I wish this could stop.  I really feel for these families.

TexasDocMom if your son says what's good to send for Lime Burn I'll keep tuning in to hear and go get whatever I can.  I'm hoping wherever he is there is a doctor.  When they are off base do they have doctors with each group?  The day it happened I had already sent foot creams in a box which I had never sent before and find that very strange that two days later I find out that was the day it happened.  I'm thinking our kids also start learning that moms really do have eyes behind their heads.  I will go get more socks too.  His birthday is in April so I'm sure these are kinds of things he will be happy with.  I wrote it all down for my next shopping trip. 

Thank you for saying what Lime Burn is too.  I looked online and it looked painful to have sores and to think about wearing boots and working 11 hours on your feet sounds like his days just got a little rougher.  Please do pray with me for his quick recovery. 

I joined Navy4Moms as my first step in being supportive of my sons decision to join the Navy but to tell the truth I got mad at his dad when we were married anytime he mentioned trying to talk him into someday joining.  I didn't want it because I didn't want my son in a war zone.  His influence wasn't around long as he left but I still knew everytime they spoke it was always mentioned so when he finally did join I knew it was pretty much inevitable he would be going where he is now even though I don't think he thought he would.  Maybe he just didn't want to scare me.  I told him I'd be supportive of his choice and I wouldn't have it any other way.  What I find ironic is that the man who kept talking him into this all those years is no where in sight and doesn't send cards, or letters or even a box to support him after he did join and I'm the one here hanging in there with him.  Oh well, I have learned to be a strong role model as a single parent and that is why I soooo love Navy4Moms and all of you because you help me do something by myself without feeling like I'm alone.  I'm not. You are here and that helps.  Thank you again today.

One of those 3am wake up thoughts. Dove Soap, I sent Dove Soap to Iraq for Marines and Corpsmen...and I know one corpsmen who still likes to use it. Every single thing you can send to moisturize the skin. I know the Dollar Store here sells cheap Ponds Cold Cream in big containers. As the heat comes, be SURE to put it in zip locks!!

Waiting to hear from my son, weekdays/nights are busy for him, school and work both...I'll also check with my new ex Marine buddy if he comes in today. Really, do any of you have daughters who should fall in love with a young ex Marine? he is so handsome, like our kids!

TexasDocMom, funny you should say that, I don't have any daughters that are available. They are already married.  But I on the other hand, would love to meet a nice older available military man.  I've been keeping my eyes open for someone special everytime I'm around those men in uniforms.  Someone say in their 50's.  haha.  Is there a group on here for that?

I'm getting ready to go to the dollar store right now and pick up zip lock bags and I'll look for the Ponds Cold Cream too.  I just saw a picture of my son that was posted.  He looks like he's lost alot of weight and he wasn't heavy in the first place.  Is that pretty common for them to lose alot of weight over there.  I had first noticed it on pictures of his Battallion leader her first pic over there and one recently I had noticed a change in her weight and I'm not even her mom but it was so obvious I couldn't help noticing.  Now I saw him and the same thing.  Not everyone looks like that but I have noticed these two. 

Dawn... Its hard when they sound sad.   I use to try and save news articles from are local paper to have things to tell him that were either funny or of interest (nothing sad).  It helped to have topics to draw on.

TDM...sorry daughter is now engaged, so she is off the market.

Ladies, I'm going to take the photo of that handsome young Marine next time he comes in to work, and your daughters will ALL change their minds. He's just such a nice guy, and hangs to chat with a military mom, likes answering the questions we come up with here, and was kind of amazed I even knew about fox socks!

Dawn, it is hard when you don't hear the vibrant voice you're used to....but he's a busy man and he's probably also exhausted. Like Paymaster says, you have to keep topics close at hand. I always suggest a list by the phone...the scores from the high school games, the NBA team he follows, the latest on the Tebow trade, what the dog did that was so funny, what the mean lady down the street has done to the kids next door, all those things about HOME he wants to hear. Chat his ear off....and send photos, real photos in those packages, ones he can hold in his hand. I went to Dollar store and got a cheap album, made photos to fit of all of us, his pets, the neighbors...and my new almost daughter in law tells me he still has that album, it went with him everywhere when he was deployed. Online, I made a video of me walking Rosie the dog, you can hear the plop plop of her little feet and we look at all the neighbor's houses, some waved at the camera. Remind him that home is still here, and he'll pull some strength from that. That's why he enlisted, to protect all of you at home and his home. I do house concerts in my back yard, and my son liked to go look at the youtube to see his back yard (even if singer songwriters aren't his favorite type of music). Home.

Heard from my son on Lime Burns, he said he wasn't familar enough with them to give advice about what to send and he hoped the Doc there was checking them. Also said to wash the new white socks before sending if possible.

TDM, I like hearing the things you talked about because I've been doing the same in the messages I've shared with my son, only small ones when we get the chance and then afterwards I start wondering if I'm not focusing on what is going on there enough and making him feel like I don't care.  I've told him I know he can't say alot about it right now but I am interested but I try to tell him all kinds of things about home.  I even made my facebook page cover photo our home so he sees that.  I spent today carrying my video camera around family things today showing him his sister filling 26 easter baskets for grandma's house for next weekend and how she is really the secret Easter bunny and then I did one showing him his brother who taught him how to be the mechanic he is today pulling an engine out of a car and chatting with his uncle about the lottery.  So I'm hoping to post those for him to see things about home too.

You always make us feel better about the things you did to help your son.  Thank you.  And I got my baggies today to send and some gold bond powder.  Still need to do socks. But got another box full to send but I don't think my buddy will get any of what I'm sending him til he is back at the main base.  I don't know if he will get anything sent to him wherever he is.  I'll send it though so when he does get there will be goodies to cheer him.

ktssong, I learned so many of the things that I share with you all from the women that came before me, the ones who started this group. We just have to keep sharing them until we get them all home. I love that you use facebook, I did the exact same thing with myspace, put up so many photos of home, and the dogs. "they might say they miss their girlfriends, their wives, mom and dad...but we miss our DOGS!!" I'll never forget laughing over that comment on the phone with my son. Hence the video about Rosie. And, no, you cannot ask about their jobs...I also heard "we'll talk when I get home, mom" so I'd just ask if he was okay, and of course he'd say yes he was....and then I'd talk about whatever was on that damn list, and listen for a little laugh or if it was politics (we are both political junkies!) some snide comment....and know that as the phone call progressed, he was better...

Spotted on the web: Blog for Military families

That photo is from August 1942 at the Corpus Christi, TX NAS....my dad was stationed at that base around that time before heading out on ship....and they returned there after Dad retired after 27 years in the Navy to raise us all there.

Yes, there are battery powered razors that are made by Gillette Fusion I saw them at Meijer when I was buying shaving cream for my son.  He asked for the Gillette Fusion Razor and I was wondering if I should do the battery powered or manual and my son at home said mom, send the manual because if he runs out of batteries he can't use it...so I did the manual and bought the shaving cream for the Gillette fusion that is to prevent skin breakouts because he said that the air over there was so dry it was making his skin irrated.  Even one of the pics I saw of him his skin was broke out and he said the shaiving cream worked and send more.  So I did..Of course.  All he has to say is mom and I'll drop and run and go get whatever it is.  I made a large homemade birthday card to put in his box that tons of people are signing.  it folds like a trifold wallet does.  Everyone has loved signing it.  I'm hoping he enjoys it and I hope he gets it because right now we don't know where he is.   I keep sending anyway just so he gets it whenever .  It's good therapy for me to fill boxes. 

Also on the forms for customs....the post office is very nice in helping to teach how to fill them out.  Our post office said just put the information you have on each line and it will get there.  And it always has.

Mariann....I painted 3 bedrooms and the hall way when my son was deployed. Dug a garden, walked the dog until she just said no...staying busy is how I stayed sane. Or some semblence of sane...Now, watch it...I'll put up some  video that will make you cry for an hour or ten...but then you'll feel better and maybe get some sleep.

You're not alone, we're all here.....and I'm thinking you'll all get some sort of communication over the next week or so....cuz they are thinking of you and home as well.

Thinking of you all .....and planning a beautiful gorgeous day of work in the  yard, so I'll be in and out and around the computer, just come visit if you want, or need to.....Happy Easter! hope each of you gets that phone call! or Facebook chat...

Happy Easter to all and your loved ones who have joined the military family in 2011/2012.  Keep Safe!

Thank you for the Easter Greetings.  I did get a facebook message.  It was short but just what the doctor ordered.  I didn't know there was a message for me and I had been choked up all day because he was the only one missing from our family gathering yesterday.  I made a large homemade birthday card for him and have spent over a week getting signatures and notes by all his friends and family in it to send soon.  It's almost done.  I do same spend all my time doing something.  I rarely sit still.  I have to keep moving.  Today at work I just was choked up from yesterday.  Even though everyone kept me busy it just wasn't the same.  This is the second Easter not together with his family and I'm starting to lose track of how many holidays he's away and all the family events and that's what is hard is that I miss him at everyone of them and it affects all of us.  I know it will make reuniting even happier though.  Sorry, sorta teary today.  I even designed a camo bracelet that we are giving all the supporters we've had that have asked about him and signed the cards and I've had requests for more.  I'll try to take a picture of them to show you.  Also organizing another Navy Mom breakfast here in Cincinnati to get together and share with each other.  Plain and simple though,  no matter how busy I stay, I can't help it, it's natural and normal, it's my son, he's in harms way, they are big and strong and prepared but I don't want to forget him or run from thoughts of him.  I love keeping his memory strong.  Even when I was at the store, a song we used to sing together came on, I feel him in my heart and I do believe TDM that they miss us just as much as we miss them.  It's what helps all of us through, thinking and praying for each other.

I think, ktssong, while we all know the fear of having a child in the warzone....sometimes we just MISS them. Just plain miss them like they were at college, or on a trip or living in another town or base someplace. We are caught up in the fear, the danger they are in, but sometimes moms just miss their kids. That's all. And it's okay and natural to do so...glad you're staying busy, it's how I had to handle it!  So glad you got that fb message!!

Has anyone ever had the situation where you feel like you are balancing your affection to everyone in your family as evenly as possible but if you mention your deployed one they all say it's all you talk about?  Then you feel like you can't talk to anyone about them because you don't want anyone to think that about you.  Or am I just the only one that feels that way?  

No. you are not the only one to feel that way. I was more than a little confused by family members who didn't think about my son being a war zone like his dad and I seemed to...but I also had friends who had husbands/brothers in Viet Nam, and who listened every time, and when my son came home to Austin, drove here to be at the air port. Sometimes I think it's just the life experience of each individual...next time they say that say "yep, good thing it's only 3 months, 16 days, 21 hours and 12 minutes until he's boots down USA and I can stop, right?" and smile...and come here!!

Good idea.  Thank you.  ....Not many on here lately.  I've been working two jobs and odd hours and wonder if I'm missing anything and well, TexasDocMom, I'm glad you were here.  Is everyone dpomg ok out there?  Anything new?

Still missing my son, dearly.  He's on patrol every day where he is at right now.  Not comforting.  His return cannot come soon enough.  Two friends of mine did return yesterday from Afghanistan. I cried seeing their homecoming.  More so because I cannot be at my son's homecoming. It really is hurting me.  I live in east coast and he's in Cali.  I want to spend at least a week with him when he gets his leave so I can only make one trip.  Only 3 more to go.  Going to register to do a 4 week CNA course and become licensed.  Need to get out and find a job.  

I couldn't make my son's homecoming, DJones...before he left, he made it clear we were not to spend the money to do it. But I think he would have liked it after his experiences in Iraq. But...there was one Navy mom who was there to greet her son, and found mine and took a great photo of him. Even tho I had spoken with him on the phone a couple of times the second he hit the USA, when I opened that email at 6am the next morning and saw that smile and those eyes, I cried...for the whole day. That photo is on the bookcase with all the other VERY IMPORTANT ones, it's the day I could breathe again. And it was wonderful having family and friends gather to drive out to the airport here to greet my son a couple of weeks later when he came home to Austin, hold that banner high and shout his name....so we got a homecoming. They all count, he's counting the days too, just like you! Good luck with the CNA class and the job hunt!

It has gotton quiet here, maybe another group has formed. That happened with other groups on N4M, but this one will always be here, as long as this horrific war zone is active. I hope it means all are doing well...!

Like TexasDoc mine is currently state side.  But I am sure that will change come this summer.  We have had 3 deployments to the sand box.  Each one had its special challenges. 

I too have never been at any of my son's homecoming as we are on opposite coast. 

Doc you are right there is nothing like opening up your e-mail and finding that beloved picture.  Oh how we lavish our attention on that new picture!

Just thought I'd say hello, I am always here, just don't always have something to share. 

I got my second phone call from my son now that he is back to the main base.  He told me something funny.  After I the worrying I did to get him a guitar over there and it finally got there, he had to leave to go off the main base and when he did a guy asked if he could use his guitar while he was gone and instead of just letting him use it he sold him it for $20 and went and bought a pizza before he left.  I'm glad he couldn't see the expression on my face.  Oh well.  His good guitar is here stateside so he has one still.  Hey, they are making a go of it and making the best of it and helping each other out.  That's what matters is teamwork.  When we ask what he wants  he says fruit roll ups and flavored chapsticks.  He said they use the chapstick all day long.  Anyway.  He is safe and I've heard from him.

I plan on going to his homecoming from deployment.  I hope they tell me in time for me to get there.  I don't know how they do that.  I'm anxious about that.  I do get alot of emails from the Ombudsman and Frg so I hope that happens as we near that time.  Does anyone know from experience how families are informed that are in another state so we can be there with security involved I'm nervous about how I get the information.

That is so funny about the guitar!! good for him for making sure there is music in Afghanistan......

You will know a general time of departure, and then you will be notified of the exact time by phone and email. Your son will probably give you the general time, the omsbudsman will do the rest. You will know!

Check the web site for your son's unit, they'll have phone numbers and email addresses there...if not the ombudsman listed, there should be a Family Readiness Officer...? I think that's what they were called when my son went. We had a volunteer parent connection person when he was in Iraq.

Sleep well, Malamama....it's great when you communicate and can relax. My meltdown was over Bacon....

Hi, I haven,t been on for awile either but I forget what is the sandbox, I think my daughter might be in one now to.  I have been having melt downs too.  It's the hardest on me when I turn on the tv or radio and all you hear is about the fighting and tension in all these countries.  I am going through some heavy projects myself with health reasons.  i don't want to keep anything from her but I don't want her to lose forcus on what she is doing to she doesn't create problem for herself or others.  It's so hard , I hate nights because I am alone and I miss her so much.  The stress is taking a tow on me, now they want me to have surgery for weight loss, and this scares me something terrible.  I have only the people I meet along the way for support but I can't reach out and touch them usually when I need a hug. Military life is hard for all!  It's hard for me to accept that our loved ones are fighting or putting themselves in danger to help keep peace and us safe at home.  They need so much more than I think we can give them.  Saying thank you is just alittle thing, and giving them a pat on the back isn't much better but there isn't much else I can think to do!  so with that said I will keep praying for our loved ones no matter where they are or where they are going, for we are all in this together.  Hopefully I get through this day without another meltdown!

• Mama bear...The "sandbox" refers to the war zone in the Middle East...especially countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan.  If your daughter is there, you NEED to be here.  This is a wonderful group that will help you deal with the worry and anxiety, and it also helps you reach out to help her through her experience.  If nights are the worst time for you, get on here at night!  When there is little activity scroll back and read how other Moms fell apart...and got themselves put together again.  Also...Just because it is "quiet", don't feel no one is here!  Trust me...I would come here during a "quiet" time...post something...and often had a reply by the time I came back from the bathroom. 

I have been experiencing a very strange emotional place lately.   I feel calm and well just ok that my son and his battallion seem to be doing great.  Either my son is a good actor or he really is enjoying this.  Even though he is back on main base, he loved going so much off it and doing the project they were doing that he wants to go again.  I think this is helping him do what he signed up to do.  He really sounded good on the phone and I guess that peace in his voice has gotten me to where I am right now. 

I love coming here all week long, I too don't have much support from family in the way of them asking me about my son.  At the same time I might have contributed to that because I've been the family connector and sent quite a bit of info to keep them posted so I've backed off and low and behold my daughter brought her brothers name up and told me she was online at same time as him and they got to chat.  So I'm learning to let them bring it up and let them ask and not be too hard on them about not talking to me too much....maybe they feel they are  helping me through it by distracting me with other things.  Even though I do have many distractions, nothing keeps him off my mind.  It is all day.  I saw a strange  cloud last night after my late shift and so I went to see why it was so low to the ground and when I got to where I could see it I was at a park that had the American flag flying with a light focusing on it and it was at the memorial for soldiers.  It made me think of him and say a prayer.  It was beautiful but I wondered if God needed me to pray right then and led me there so I did.

Our FRG  made T-Shirts that  say "we love our Seabees" and I can't wait to get itl  My sons wife, my new daughter in law, started coming to my Zumba class with me.  We talk about homecoming and how we plan to try to coordinate  our arrival close to theirs.  So we help each other. 

ktssong....Our children have one trait in common, they love doing their jobs and are most happy when they are the real situations.  They have that "A" type of personelilty.  They thrieve on the challenges!

You are in a good place and enjoy it. 

I am just thrilled that I will get to see my son next month!!!  Can't wait.  Its been 15 months since I last set eyes on him. 

That is awesome Paymaster that you get to see him.  That will be a great day.  I was just listening to one of the media videos covering them going out and getting prepared over there for what they called "spring fighting season". 

Does anyone who has knowledge about other deployments over there know if that is something that usually happens?  Do they have an increase in fighting in the spring?  Will pray that it doesn't but wondered if anyone knows.

Fighting is less in winter because of the bitter cold. Our guys are still there, the Taliban/insurgents are not out and about as much.

Now you ladies know why I was so happy to see my son fall in love. It's the first time I heard "I don't want to deploy anymore". The very first time...before it was "I don't mind deployment, there's always something to do."....and meeting his young lady, falling in love, figuring out a future without a war zone in it was my sanity's salvation. He was very happy being part of a team of warriors, then happy teaching others combat medical techniques. I think he is have an adjustment time, tho. I see it in the young Marine I met who comes in to use our weight room at the city Rec center I work at as well.  They miss that camaraderie, that work as a team thing...

Sounds like you ladies are in a "good place"; I'm so happy for you!  Yes, I think our fears jump when we don't hear anything.  My son also enjoyed his tour over there.  Don't get me wrong...there were scary moments...but for the most part, he enjoyed playing with his Man-toys (he was a Seabee EO) and seeing new places.  Good grief...He even looked into buying some land while over there!  LOL  No...He doesn't want to LIVE there...but he thought it would be a hoot to say he was a landowner. 

Paymaster, I know you want your son home safe and sound, but I also know that you just sometimes miss the kid...which has nothing to do with where he is.  I KNOW that excitement you are are feeling, and it makes up for all the fears.  Enjoy!!!  You earned it!

Paymaster, how about a photo of that HUG for 15 months of none...? we'd love to see that!!

Do you know about the National Resource Directory? This is definitely a website that you will want to bookmark as a favorite. From information on homeless assistance to health care, the National Resource Directory is online to connect service members, veterans, their families and those who support the military community to useful resources.

My husband and I will be welcoming our son home from - oh some sandy place - I forget the name... in less than a month. We will drive there, picking up our older son on the way, and be there to meet the plane. We are so excited! Yesterday a young Marine came home from his deployment to our fairly small town. It was published in the newspaper and there was quite a crowd at the airport (which only has one gate)! He was the last one off the plane, and you could see that all the other passengers were wondering what was going on with the music and flags, etc. We started saying, "Welcome" and "Enjoy your visit" and it was a hoot! Then the Marine got off, and it was really really touching. Now I'm more impatient than ever to see our son!

Maybe I spoke to soon, now he was taken somewhere we don't know where again for we don't know how long and my goodness, I'm trying to go with the flow.  I am a master at coming up with things to pre-occupy myself so I just decided to counteract this one with planning a late bridal shower for his wife so she could stay occupied by registering everywhere.  They got married right before Christmas and spent four weeks together before he deployed.  All three of us went apartment looking and got one for when he gets home and she and I will be going there to prepare it before he gets back so before we go, I thought it would help me and her stay occupied if I throw a Bridal shower for them.  That way she can make the home all cozy before he gets home.  Her face lit up when I told her I was doing this and she is so excited.  It's been a real shot in the arm for me and her. 

On a funny note, his birthday is this Monday and so we both tried to send packages to get there in time.  Hers got there and before he left again so he got it.  He told her before he opened it confetti was coming out of it and so he had the package on his lap when  he was in a meeting and when he stood up and walked confetti was following him.  He had a birthday trail.  Mine will hopefully get there on Monday.  It has so many nice things from  friends and family in it and myself and a jumbo card I made that everyone signed even the little ones in the family.  I used scrap book paper to make a large trifold card and it is signed all over.  Hopefully it will be something he will enjoy. 

Most of all I hope he gets back to the main base to enjoy it on his birthday.  It's a birthday wish. 

Ktssong...birthdays are hard in deployment. I'm so glad he got at least one of his packages before he went back "out"....and he has the anticipation of knowing that there will be another from mom when he returns...and that confetti story is priceless!!

The bridal shower is a GREAT idea!! that will occupy you both and really do something that needs to be done anyway....bless your heart for being so generous with your new DIL.

Thinking of you all and prayers being said every day....

They are all important but we've lost one of our own sailors:

My  Prayers will be with his family, and Loved ones.  I also will say alittle prayer for the rest of the sailors who served with him. Sometimes we forget about them.

Yes,, I mentioned those warriors serving with him on my facebook post, should have copied the whole thing here. And those dogs...those good dogs laying their lives on the line every day with these EOD heroes.

Praying right now.  My heart just dropped as did my head.  I'm so sorry.  God be with their families and brothers and sisters serving by their sides.

Unique Deployment Ritual

One way a family copes with deployment...good read.

Hi All.  Some of you I know from Corpman Mom's, FMTB or Georgia Mom's, other's Hello!  My son is currently stationed in Italy, but will be leaving there for his next assignment -- being attached to the Marines, 3rd Division in Hawaii.  I know deployment is in our future and I won't borrow worry now, but I am already getting that lump in my throat.  Can anyone tell me if their Sailors are attached to this Division?  I have a cousin who served with the Marine's and he said they are a very respectful division.  I'll be thinking about all of your Sailor's and will say a prayer for their safety. 

Facebook Corpsman page

Good page, some information, but it's strictly corpsmen themselves posting....but great photos, especially if you're the mom of a Devil Doc.

If your son and his wife have a  joint account, she can get her own debit card off of that account. I don't know what the big base situation is with stores/food outlets there. In Iraq, my son used his debit when their patrols hit those larger bases.  And of course, he needed it as he traveled to and fro.