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

Happy for you vanmom!!  Enjoy!!

That is the news every mom wants to hear.  Wonderful for you and your family. - Vansmom

docsmom, I just spotted your post!  so glad your son is safe and sound right now! what we wish for all  military moms!! good luck!

Vansmom....Very happy for you.  There is nothing in the world that feels like the feeling a mom has when her kid is safe and sound and back here.  Very happy for you, your son and your family.  God Bless your reunion and times together.

Just wanted to say Hello!  @ TexasDocMom,  How are you? I hope the Waco episode didnt cause you any harm. 

No, I'm in Austin...but it's hell up there I've heard. Prayers for all Americans suffering from the events of the last few days....thank you for the good thought!

you are very welcomed.TexasDoc!!  I have family in the Dallas Ft.Worth area.

I do like Texas. But the Boston People are awesome!!

Finished a quilt for my youngest grandson to take to day care.  I had made a quilt for him when he was born, but there were so many scrapes left I felt like I had more than enough to make another quilt.  So I did.  I used up all my mistake blocks and the left over scrapes.  I figure it would be a great quilt for him to take to daycare when he goes, its one of a kind and I worked in his name when quilting it.  Lets see someone take this quilt!

PS: This is also how I stay sane while/when my son is deployed to hot spots, I go in my sewing room and make something that someone else can use. I do a lot of sewing in the middle of the night when I can't sleep.  I would garden but its really dark out during the middle of the night, plus the neighbors would really know how crazy I am:)

Wow Paymaster.....That is Beautiful!!!! My future D-in-L just had a wedding shower that I nor my side of the relatives could attend to, (out-of-state), and she had a sewing machine on her registry, so we all pitched in to get her that. We thought it would give her something to do while our son was deployed.

Vansmom...I'm so happy to hear your good news!!!

Gorgeous!! no patience from me for quilting, but I have been thinking about getting the sewing machine out again...

Paymaster that is beautiful and inspirational to us to use the time we can't sleep on doing something for others. When my son signed into the Navy it was right before Christmas two years ago and I had so much nervous energy....I made 26 pair of Bengals pajama pants for all my kids their spouses and all their kids.  The people at work laughed at me.  By the time I was half done, I could sew them without a pattern.  And last summer while he was in the sandbox on deployment I was a gardner in the night.  I thought I probably did scare my neighbors.  You made me smile saying that on your post.

@ Kathyproudcorpsmanmom ....  We sent our seabea something like a mini camping stove and the fuel was a mixture of propane and butane. We had no problem mailing it but when she got it her CO's ( I dont know who actually) let her use it once to heat something and then took it from her.  What is a jetboil?  I was told they are allowed microwaves.  Hope this is of some help. I am still learning alot of things. :)

Thank you Kathy, See I have learned something new. When in doubt I feel back on my ombudsman. I may had to wait a short time on a reply but I would get a reply. Goodluck! Im looking forward to seeing what you send. 

Awe...So Happy for you Kathy!!!!!

Kathy, so glad to hear it! you'll sleep well tonight, girl! If you can find Salsa/Picante in a plastic jar, send it along too...might be a Texas kid in that bunch. You would not believe the amount of salsa ("NOT Pace, Mom".) that I sent to Iraq!

Glad for you Kathy!!!  Enjoy!

Good for you DsMoma!  I know the ONE photo I saw of my son was the biggest blessing, sent it to everyone I knew...hope you got some rest last night. 

Wonder if they are closing down some medical facilities in deployment land...? Sounds like it!

www.youtube.com//ytr2sJGGz9Y

"V Corps comes home"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ytr2sJ...

Here it is again. I actually saw this from the Stars & Stripes News the other day. No it isn't from San Diego, it was taken from Germany just recently. But is very moving to see and put a smile on my face when I viewed it.

The still pictures from the family members are "Great". I think if you google The Stars & Stripes News on April 24, you can see all the pics. Wouldn't that be something if that was the group your son was with on the plane!!!!

My husband used to work at V Corps HQ.  This video made me weep just like I did when the troops left for Desert Storm so many years ago.  

Awe.......... docsmom!!!

Marine and Corpsman to receive Silver Stars

This young corpsman served with my son, and my son is very proud of him! Several of our moms had kids in these units in Afghanistan. 

God Bless them. So Brave, So Proud, So many Heroes.

Hello everyone, havent been on here in awhile, when the marines are deployed, I see where family members can go down to see them off. Not sure what this all entails? We live several states away and would have to fly in, due to cost of flights now days and days missed from work. Not sure if we will get to spend much time with her b4 shes leave ?  As well has she will be home  a couple of weeks prior to leaving.  I know when she comes back we will definetly go to welcome her back... Any thoughts, suggestions.

pschumacher....I did not go to see them off, my son said they were busy, and the single guys kind of pick up the load for those guys there with wives and children stationed nearby....they have a lot to do to get ready. I don't know how much time you'd get with your daughter.

TexasDocMom... thank you for the input .. that too,  I figured they would be busy and wouldnt really have much time to spend w/family. You are a great  source of information. I do appreciate your time in working w/people on this site. Have a great Mother's Day.

Awww, Happy Mothers Day Kathy!!  How sweet is that!!

Oklahoma Storms

While I was watching this yesterday while it was happening and then the following hours...I realized that probably we here on this board know the fear that those parents and families were feeling (and some still are) while they were trying to get to their children in those schools. The fear of the unknown, the fear of not being in a position to protect your child, the fears of injury and worse to a child you love....just plain fear. My heart hurt for them all.

If you have family and loved ones in that area, please know our hearts and prayers are with you. Our family in that area are, at this moment, safe. 

why do I want to check out google.com?  and what do I enter when I get there? :)

Loved that! you don't have to enter anything, yelomoon, just go...today.

Just got back from staying with my daughter in law while my son and his battalion went to FEX to prepare for deployment again.  The first weekend there went to the GP Music Festival with her and several other Navy wives.  We had a good time.  Even though I didn't get time this time with him I went specifically to encourage her in her new life with him that our family was supporting both of them in their journey.  I teared up in the car as I left to come back home but I told myself I went for a good reason....when I told my son I would support him when he signed into the Navy, I meant to also help his wife so she didn't feel alone.  All went well and I'm going back for a week in July to spend with him.  While he was at FEX I did his chores for her.  I took out the trash, cooked dinners and froze some for the both of them to enjoy after I left. 

June 13 FRG says we should know where their deployment will be.  Still feels like we just got them back from the sandbox.  It makes my head spin how fast time flies.  I'm trying so hard to make the most of the time stateside.  I call every weekend and talk and send comments to pictures they have on facebook.  I look forward to seeing him in July but also dread it because I know I won't see him again for another 8 months.  Here we go again.  Did anyone else tear up on Memorial Day?  I took my grandkids to see the local parade and shook hands with a World War II vet.  When I told him I loved his tie and thanked him for serving, he had tears down his cheek and told me a few stories and said it was the greatest honor he had in his life was to serve.  I took the grandkids over to the monuments in town and explained the wars.  I hope that I'm making an impact on their lives by sharing with them.  It  was their first Memorial Day Parade.   Ended the day with a call to my son.  He spent the day alone because he had liberty and his wife had to work on the holiday. What I love about my son is whether he was in the sandbox, out on FEX with alligators, snakes and a sinus infection, or home alone on a holiday with no wife or family, he never ever complains.

Yes, ktssong, I did tear up on Memorial Day.  Went to Barrancas National Cemetery (on NAS Pensacola) to visit my parents (Dad was a veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam), a colleague of my husband's (veteran of Korea and Vietnam), and a friend of my daughter's (veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan).  My dad and my husband's friend led good long lives and did all the things they wanted to in life.  My daughter's dear friend, on the other hand, came back with many demons, and overdosed in his early 20s.  I think visiting his graves is saddest part of treks to the cemetery.

On a bright note, my son FINALLY comes home for post deployment leave today.  It is a bittersweet visit though, because when he leaves, he takes his five year old daughter who has been with us since his pre deployment adventure began last August.  Our home will be very quiet and lonely without her.

Memorial Day is always a bittersweet day for me, so many lost in war, so many gone that have fought the wars for this country. I did some family history and wrote about my first cousin 1x removed, grandson of my ggrandparents, Joseph F and Mary McCann Webb : "Funeral Services for Corporal Frank D. Webb, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Webb, 1519 Foreman Street, who was killed in France, Oct 10, 1918, were held in the home of his parents at 3 o'clock Saturaday afternoon with the Rev. J. B. Blansett officiating.

Corporal Webb was a member of the original Dallas Grays, which wen to France as Comapny B, 144th, Infantry, 36th Division.His company was composed almost entirel of Dallas and McKinney men. Many former comrades who served in Company B attended the funeral.

The body of Corporal Webb will be sent to Clinton, Hunt County, former home of the family, Sunday morning, where it will be buried under the auspices of the Otho Morgan Post No 17, of Greenville."

Dallas Daily Times Herald

A few months later, another grandson dies, about the same age as his cousin who died in the war zone...no reason listed, there in Dallas. At first I confused them and thought they both died in the war, but I was wrong. Even back then, the effects of war came home to those waiting....

Ktssong....my heart to you as you work your way to another deployment. Is this one to the box or elsewhere, you don't have to say where...docsmom, how are you going to manage without that 5 year old helper there everyday? I bet she misses you as much or more ! 

Yes, we will miss our little sweetheart a lot when she leaves us.  We had her for a year when her parents were in IDC school so we knew what to expect having her the second time.  However, five year olds do a whole lot more talking than a three year old.  I have considered duct tape recently.  Her daddy gets to attend her preschool graduation on Friday.  Very exciting for her. 

JerseySusan, my husband and I will one day join my parents at Barrancas.  Wish we could pre-select our niche!  I don't want too much sun.  Assume my son will one day also be at Barrancas.  Since we live in P'cola, we won't have to leave home.

Little one is getting very "antsy" right now and keeps asking if it is time to leave for the airport to get Daddy.  Just an hour more.

Docsmom the days your granddaughter spent with you will always be engraved on her heart and I bet they will be fond fond memories of the days she spent with you.  Thank you for sharing that...it's awesome that her dad gets to go to her graduation.  JerseySusan it will be a good busy it sounds like for you so those are the best kinds of busy to have.  Is the bride to be in the military too?

TexasDocmom, I don't know where my son is going next...Our last FRG meeting notes said we will know in a couple weeks where they will be going.  This time the battalion is going three different places so it's just the wait to hear.  I suddenly realized that we are all probably in one of the following groups.  About to deploy, just returned from deployment or on deployment or I guess on a break from deployment.  That probably sounds ridiculous but it  is starting to feel like those four categories is where our family will be living for the next 4 more years.  And my vacation location has changed from being Destin every summer to GP.  I just have two choices to make:  will I drive or fly and what dates I go.  Other than that, my vacation time since my son joined  has revolved in following him around the world. Ha.  Ive enjoyed it though.  I'm not complaining.  I just started seeing a cycle I'm in with him.  We are either coming or going.   At least I've learned to drive 12 hours to go see him by myself.  I would have never dreamed I'd fly alone or drive alone three years ago.  I'm petrified of being alone on a free way but I do it.   That's what I love about the Seabee's...their motto is "Can DO"  I've always thought of myself as a Can Doer too but I never in a million years thought I'd travel alone.  But I can do it now.  Ha.

Our Corpsman is back on US soil!  For a couple of weeks of R&R at least.  Thanks for all your prayer.