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

Malamama: Congrats...I know you're extrremely relieved...My son's headed to the desert in a few days....second tour...we'll be glad when he's back on US soil too...

Damn, what a time for the computer to mess up! I'm on the old, OLD, desktop, so life is sllloww...but I'm so happy to hear Malamama's comment!  on the way HOME!! MT, that is a great suggestion, let's make sure it's repeated every time our homecoming times roll around...leave is just too short! 

You will bawl your eyes out MM, when you see that face boots down USA and then for the rest of the day you'll cry in relief. It's the best cry ever! 

DJ, please search out the Transitions group, we can sure use your voice over there for our moms and kids as they make that move back to being a civilian. 

I got my call to and my daughter is out of the sandbox too.  She sounded tired but happy.  I haven't stopped crying yet, with happy tears.  I can't make the homecoming but when she hits USA soil it will be my homecoming in spirit.

Mama Bear...YES!!!  More happy dances!!!!  Who knew tears could feel so good?  Don't forget...When she finally reaches home, we want pics of all the welcome hugs. 

I love HOMECOMING TIME!! and you know what, with the break down of forces in Afghanistan, we'll be sending fewer Marine units to replace those coming home and we'll have fewer moms with fear and heart break here! I cannot wait until our "going out of business sale..." but until the last Seabee or Corpsman or Soldier or Marine is home, this group will be live and in person....Congrats moms ...and yes we want a photo!!

From Molly who founded Molly Adopt A Sailor years ago when we all first started on this board: Molly here ~~ Sunday Story time !! 
I have spent countless hours in a post office sending the boxes, and it is always a unique experience, it is a spectacle that I look a bit crazy with anywhere from 17 to 55 boxes on carts with me monthly :) So not much happens at the post office that is unique to me. BUT yesterday I 

TDM...Thank Molly for a beautiful story!  I've got the happy tears flowing...We all know how overwhelming the post office can be, but I bet that young man will be there often!

GOOD FOR YOU!!  We want a photo or two!! 

My daughter called me at 3:30 am and said she was back in the USA, I was so happy to hear her voice and know that she is on USA soil for now.  Wish I could have been there for the homecoming but the distance and cost stopped me, I hope some shook her hand as she got there and thanked her for her service on her 1st deployment.  Soon I hope to be able to give her a hug myself.  Thank you friends for helping me through this part of the journey, I know I will be back when I need your support and prayers again.  Hopefully all your loved ones are home safe to, or aleast in a safe zone.  So until the next time I will keep you all in my prayers.  Wonderful for all involved give him a hand shake for me tell him he is super,

Mamabear!! GOOD FOR YOU!! boots down USA is just the right place for all of our young warriors! Can't wait until you get THE hug!!

Yes Chief, they are VETERANS!!! 

I'm thrilled for ALL our homecoming Mamas!  However, in all your joy, please don't forget to share pics with the Moms still waiting, and PLEASE at least follow us for a while.  For every kid coming back, new ones are leaving and there are going to Moms full of panic.  You are needed as much or even more than before!!!

Sleep tight tonight, Kym!!

Malamama...I think my son is on the same flight....I can't be there until the weekend, so just give any lone Bee a hug, will you?  Such a relief to just hear these guys and gals are on US soil.   Thank you all for being such a comfort going through this deployment...I didn't make a lot of comments, but read every single word.   I had the opportunity to go to a welcome home party yesterday afternoon for a HS friend of my son's who is in the Army and just got back from the sandbox---I'm sure he didn't get why I hugged him so hard! I am so thankful and humbled by all of our military's service and sacrifice.  Thank you all

Love to read about homecomings!! Everyone of you have the best week! want to see photos....mom2nw, Susan, I didn't get to go to homecoming either...I think my son regretted being so firm about it but he's so practical ("I'd rather spend that money to come HOME" he said.) But I did get a great photo from another Navy mom. If malamama possibly checks in maybe she could pm mom1nw, and get a description and name of her son to grab a photo to email.

And like MT says...we need you all for the next round....more are leaving as yours are returning. Hopefully, we're on the countdown to being out of Astan!

I kinda lucked out....I need to put in for vacation a year in advance...I picked next week!....  so pretty darn close! I feel blessed that I will get to hug the boy soon.  He's not planning on being home home until Christmas.

That was close, and the way things change, could still work out...you never know with homecomings! 

the plane just landed in Gulfport...I'm in Wisconsin.  Big shout out to Malamama for getting a picture!!  Love my Navy Sisters!

I have a good Navy mom friend who just sent her Bee out of Gulfport...replacement for your Bees! Should be the last rotation, I hope!!

Mom2nw..,.He is HOME!  Okay...maybe not strolling into your house (yet), but believe me, being on American soil makes him FEEL at home.  I'm sure you will be getting the phone calls soon, and before you know it, he will be walking through the door.  So...Take a deep breath and start planning that welcome home party I was talking about!   

Medic never stops caring   yes, you will cry, and if your older veterans are still around, maybe share it with them. 

What a beautiful story!  I have always felt that people with dementia are NOT as spacey as they may seem.  They have reasons for what they do...just can't tell the rest of us.

And we're deployed to the desert again...Gotta start getting some packages together!

Start packing Joanie! Do those Bees have any favorite items?

Look at the little icons on top of this box, click on the second to the left, it will open a box to browse your computer for the photo. I've found if I resize the photos smaller, they upload faster. But we don't care we just want to see your sailors smiling face!

And malamama, you love on that son of yours....give him your full attention, those moms don't begrudge you welcoming your baby home! they love that you're able to do so!!!

From Amanda's link! I love those HUGS!!!

So now  you have me sitting in the middle of a rec center, kids and volleyball all around me trying not to cry!! I truly LOVE those homecoming hugs!!

Who is the other Navy mom with you? you forget we don't know each other...ha!!

MalaMama...My heart feels like it will burst!  Thank you for those wonderful pics...I could almost FEEL the love and gratitude in those hugs!!!

Maybe when one of meets the plane or bus, we need TWO signs.  One welcoming our kid home, and one for N4M with our screen name!  lol

Well, you are both gorgeous and happy!

MalaMama, So glad to hear your son is home. I know you will be sleeping so much better.  I am so happy for you.  And how wonderful you got to be there.  Just thinking about it makes me cry.  Best feeling in the world is to know they are home and safe.

Please share with any moms you know that might have a corpsman with a Marine unit in a cruise that might be moved into Libya after this horrific killing of Americans on duty in Libya. We're here, we don't ask questions and we will offer our support during their time of fear.

Prayers heading out to Libya and all in war zones.

I'm the N4M mom who emailed Malamama at the last minute. THANK YOU so much for the pictures and the hugs for him.  I'm sure he didn't expect that! I'm roadtripping from WI to MS to see him in a few days.  We've rented a cottage and will be able to hang out in a little more relaxed atmosphere.

I was hoping it was you mom2nw! if you want, please share a photo of your son! I'm excited for you to go to Gulfport!

Mom2nw....Congrat to you on getting to share time with your son.  Enjoy!

This seems to be one of our best reunions...at least, one of the best I've heard about!  Moms greeting kids who don't have anyone there, Moms greeting other Moms, and, of course, Moms getting to give their own kids a big hug.  I was thinking that Moms DO reach out to the kids with no one there...but how often do we get to hug  a loner and say "YOUR Mom wants a pic"?  That has got to make that "stranger hug" sooooo much better!

Okay, I had to go find it...my son Boots Down USA Nov 2008, photo taken by Navy Mom Cher. She said she watched for him, and her son told her who he was, she walked up to him and he said "my mom sent you, didn't she?" and the kid who hates to pose for photos gave her a big smile!

is this where I post and introduce myself? 

Welcome, Mamawalrus...Yes, you found the right spot!  As you can see, we just got a bunch of kids back home again. Believe me...It is a WONDERFUL feeling!  However, we are also used to all those other feelings that every mom gets.  Please, come here often...We walk the walk with each other,  and no Mom needs to be alone with her thoughts and feelings. 

TDM...What a beautiful picture!!!!  (He knows his Mom well!  lol)

You betcha! I guess I went to bed too early and missed this!!  Welcome to the grou no one wants to join mamawalrus...We've got some great moms and a few dads on this group, with a lot of heart, and great advice and the same fears and tears you're  carrying. You're not alone. 

Just remember OPSEC regs, keep tight lipped about arrivals and departures, names and too specific information of where and what your son/daughter is doing. Do you have a Bee? or a corpsman? we welcome all, so if you know Army, Marine or Air Force moms/dads who need support, please invite them. 

Thanks all for the welcome.. 

I have a Corpsman and this is our first round so we are newbies per say.  I spoke to his FRO and she is wonderful!  Wow what a great support  I will have from both sides.   My son is not in either of the countries listed above and I dont really know where if that is ok to say on here.  

I can only imagine the welcome home and how wonderful it will be!

This question is for anyone.. I heard once they (corpsman) go on one they will usually get picked up for more since they have gone before, easier to resend them?  I am not sure if that makes sense the way I worded it. 

Mamawalrus, it's all up to Ma Navy...don't start crossing that bridge until you get over this one. You'll make yourself crazy. My son deployed to do other things with his Marines but he only deployed once to the sand. So you just never know.  Those Marines they just put down in Libya were probably on a ship deployed to that area on a cruise. Just get through this one! 

Can you send packages to your son? put that box on the table and start putting things in it...and get it in the mail! 

Prayers and good thoughts for the moms of corpsmen and Bees in Camp Leatherneck, waiting to hear from their kids tonight...Link to story It's a huge base, and it was hit in the Brit area looking for Prince Harry...

Just heard from my Bee on Facebook...He is ok after this attack..Praying everyone else's Bee is ok..

What is a bee? LOl Sorry.. I was thinking of Seabee's.   had to find some humor here in all this tragedy around us.  I dont think my son is near those areas of unrest. his best friend deployed (Marine our of 29 palms) and this could be his area. So we are praying and praying for all those there, being sent there, or just to be an American abroad right now needs prayer.   It is a very scary time right now and I am hoping our men and women do not start deploying all over.