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

Hugs all around! Good for you, Tamme!!

My daughter will be deploying soon, while she is away we will be storing her car here with us. She still has a loan out on her car. Is there a way to discontinue or lower her car insurance since it won't be in use the time while she is away ? We do not plan on using the car however think its crazy on paying insurance on it if we dont plan to use it .

pschumacher, Allstate wouldn't let us discontinue my son's car insurance, even tho if I had driven the car, my insurance would cover any accident. Maybe it was written in the loan agreement? can't remember. I ended up driving it some, fell in love with that little Mazda! but not with the stick shift!

My son was just told he cannot leave his truck with anyone except his wife. Since he doesn't have one, he has to store it there on base someplace. Period!

Eurekamom, my son brought his truck home to Texas from NC...as did his buddies....hmmm....wonder who to check with...

Malamama! welcome to my world! what a relief!! I know exactly how you feel...that "not deploying" thing is HUGE!! Very important for him to jump through all those hoops about disability, physical exams and get every single thing documented. Especially any hearing difficulties and joint issues...things that will be ongoing for the rest of his life. My son has 50 per cent disability due to his hearing and a bad knee. Just thankful it was his hearing and not his brain that took the force of those explosions.

We have a group, it's not very active right now, but those moms will come answer questions if you post....Called Transitions. please join us! And please keep an eye on this board and the Deployed kids board, your experiences are invaluable. You can breathe now.

I just realized I thought I was on the Corpsman moms board...but the sentiment is still the same....

I'm so happy for you, MalaMama!!!  My son has been out for a few years, so I hardly ever post...BUT I will lurk here until I know there there are no more panic-stricken Moms, needing a kind word.  This group saved whatever sanity I have left, and being here for another woman feeling as I did, is a very small way for me to say "thank you".

Free welcome home banners....we used one of these! Free Banners!

Thanks to all who posted about my son's truck.  I don't get it either, but he recently was transferred from CP to 29*** and they were told "no wife" no vehicle going elsewhere.  They wouldn't even let him leave it in LA with my brother - a USMC Colonel....

pschumacher:  We all have USAA.  They let you stop your insurance when you deploy, and pick up again when you get back. Piece of cake, plus great insurance company!

Kathy, that's so hard....went several weeks at a time not hearing from my son, as most moms here have....it's so damn hard! Found out later that not only was he not being able to call home, he was in the same clothing most of that time. YUCK! He's busy, he's staying focused and hopefully, they'll be near someplace where there is a phone bank soon. My son also said he waited to call so those with wives and kids could use the phones first. HEY! I'm a mom, call me FIRST! 

I also noticed that sometimes, as much as I would worry, I just simply missed him so...just like if he was simply away, just missed his face, his voice....just missed him...then the fear would take over again. I hope you hear soon, please let us know, and remember that you are not alone, we're here. 

I know how you feel Kathy. Non communication is the absolute hardest hit on a mothers heart.

Eurekamom.....Our oldest son had to leave his car in a special parking lot just meant for the deployed. I think they just want them to keep focused on getting ready for their deployment. If they are married, that's not an issue as the wife is there to handle it. If they start to make arrangements with other members in the family from out of town, it can turn into unforeseen circumstances that can cause them time and stress that they don't have or need before leaving. Also, he needs to make sure his insurance is kept up-to-date or they wont let him leave it in the deployed parking lot either. 

Thanks JerseySusan.  It's just that when he went last time we picked his car up and drove it home, then returned it to him 8 months later when he got back. I could see it if he were just out of boot or going for the first time, but he is a 23-year-old man and perfectly capable of making decisions for himself.  As far as the USMC requiring insurance while a car is not moving for months, that must be a deal the insurance companies love!

Kathy! great day! thanks for sharing. I used to watch myspace to see if my son logged in that day....I'd keep my myspace full of home photos and videos....the next year we were over on FB. 

So Happy for you Kathy. Prayers to All.

Kathy...I got a cheap small photo album at the Dollar Store, filled it with photos of home and family and dogs....and my son still has the darn thing. Carried it everywhere, fit in his pocket. Glad you got a good visit, sleep well tonight, mom....

Corpsman and an Afghan Soldier  Be proud moms...

Thanks for that "Inspiring Story" TexasDoc. As I kept reading the article, it turns out the Corpsman was a Native of Washington Twp NJ which is the very next town over from where we lived as our kids were growing up. Our children know many kids from that town. I posted it on my FB, hoping someone may recognize him. 

Second deployment coming soon for my son.  He is not returning to the sandbox.  Quite the opposite.  He and his wife are on a little vacation right now before he leaves and I'm on my way down to see him in a week and half to say my goodbyes and spend some mom/son time before he goes.  My daughter in law texted me and said he has gotten emotional on this vacation and started opening up more about his experience in sandbox.  I wondered if this is normal for them to start getting really emotional before a deployment because of all the emotions they are still getting through from the last one.  I mean, do they tend to start  feeling like us maybe we need to get some of what we held in because of our fears of upsetting each other and not wanting each other to know that we were scared, do they tend to tell it now so they can start fresh on new deployemnt.  Seems it would be healthy to be doing.  I'm finding myself being typical mom......wondering if he is concerned whether he is completely back to full self before this sandbox experience. Does this make sense?

PS KathyProudCorpsmanmom thank you for sharing the "Deployment Blues" post.  It is so true.  I saved it to my computer because deployment is coming soon for our family again.  I'm feeling slight anticipation of those blues approaching and I can't stop it but that's because we love them.  Also TexasDocmom, I did save to my favorites the "Free Banner" page too.  That will come in handy and I especially say to Malamama that I'm happy for you that your son is coming out.  God Bless and may all go great in his job search and his civilian life.  I look forward to those days too.  I'm proud of my son for serving but I feel a stress in our life that just doesn't lift.  I work two jobs and tonight I was at my second job and had to take my patient to a social event.  It was a three hour movie about world war I.  I am not the same now as I was growing up.  I used to be able to watch every war show with my dad (he was Navy) and not tear up.  Now I get a lump in my throat and I tear up in just movies about families waiting for loved ones. loses,and waiting and crying.  I thought I needed medical assistance myself even though I was there to assist my patient.  It was a rough night on my emotions.  Oh well, just checked in and love all of you. 

It does make perfect sense. One of my son's first phone calls home from Iraq he told me he saw a change in his Marines who had other deployed before from the moment they hit the sand. He told me that PTSD was real, and that they were being told (this was in 08) that they would never get jobs, yada yada if they told anyone about it, etc. He told me "Mom, get those Navy moms on the phone to their congressmen, this has to stop." He always thought it was amusing that I got so activist but not anymore. He is very focused and still available to his Marines and others who might have issues with PTS. Of course, he says he's fine...and I'm a mom, I worry. I'm very thankful that the attitude towards PTS has changed and is changing, and that our young warriors are getting the opportunity to get help if they want it. 

ktssong, I think it is a very good sign your son is talking...I remember so many of my friends' dads who never spoke about WWII or Korea. Many of my own friends who are Vietnam vets are now getting treatment for PTSD, after holding it in or turning to a bottle or drugs all these years. 

There is a link up there above the discussion post about secondary PTS, take some time to read it. I think all of us have it at some  level. Worry is what we do best, isn't it?

My M-in-L always talks about how my F-in-L never talked about WWII. He was the second wave to storm the beaches & fought in the Battle of the Buldge. He received a couple of medals, one being a Bronze Star. It wasn't until after he passed away 13 years ago, that his brothers told the family he actually received two Bronze Stars. The second one he threw in the river back home b/c looking at it reminded him of the reason why he rec'd it, & he didn't want to be reminded of that particular battle.

My M-in-L will be 91 in 2 more days. Our youngest son lives in the same area as she does, and she has been the rock that has helped me deal with the set of emotions we went through when he came back. He is scheduled to do another tour come January, and I pray & hope she will still be around mainly for him, as he loves and looks up to his grandmother so very much. 

Just wanted to announce, our oldest son returned home from his 7th month deployment of being Under the Sea yesterday!! Even though his sub hasn't officially pulled into their home base, he was able to take a flight home from their last port and "Surprise" his fiancé as they have a wedding planned for next week. I finally took our Yellow Ribbon down from being up on our tree since our youngest left for Afg. last Sept-March. I kept it up there until our oldest came back from Dec.-July. It's a great feeling having them both U.S. bound. 

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful news, Susan!!

Enjoy them!! And a wedding!!

Congratulations, Susan.  We had two at the same time this year as well.  One is returning this week to Afghanistan after being home for two weeks R&R to finish his deployment.  It has been nice breathing easier having both back on US soil but it all starts again.  Best wishes for a wonderful wedding.

JerseySusan, sooooooooooooooooo happy for you. It is terrific when both your sons can be with you.  I know I have two sons also and it is a great joy when they are both home at the same time. Enjoy every second. 

http://www.123greetings.com/events/fourth_of_july/wishes/god_bless_...

Thanks to All for your Blessings of our boys being home. We will all be together next week for the wedding.

Happy 4th of July & know that all deployed are in our prayers.

Hope you are all doing well, you know me, I worry when I don't hear from you guys...maybe it means the withdrawal from Afghanistan is moving along!

My son posted a link on his facebook page with the note "this is huge"....thought  you would like to see it...Tourniquet saves lives

Enjoyed reading the article and sent it to my Corpsman in Afghanistan.  We were hoping for an early return since things are supposed to be unwinding but not happening.  Will still be the end of the year.  Things are not good over there right now so keep the prayers flowing please. 

Tamme, your kids are always in my prayers and in my thoughts every single day. Hang on, hope you're getting some rest and taking care of you so your corpsman hears mom's voice being her normal self when that phone call comes....stay in touch here, you are not alone.

My daughters group gets an extended stay  (a few months +/-) - this is her 2nd time in sandbox.  She has been to 3 bases (in same country) on this deployment alone.  She has a 1 year old at home - so this extension is a bit painful.  This current location is worse than all others.  Please keep this Seabee group in your thoughts/prayers.  The rest of the battalion is coming home in near future.  These next few months cannot go by fast

enough!

Prayers & Hugs to All of Your daughters & sons for their safe return home soon.

((((( : )))))

Just wanted to share our oldest son in the Navy made "Chief" this week, as well as our youngest son in the Air Force made "Staff Sergeant". As of right now, our youngest has orders to deploy to Africa sometime at the end of the year.

Why haven't I been getting notifications? darn Google, they've reorganized the mail, have to figure it out!

Just have been thinking of you all and praying hard for all of our military as we watch the news today. My son says " mom, it comes with the job."...and so it does with us moms, too, I guess. My heart to each of you. Be sure to keep us updated and let us know when you hear from your kids, and remember to take care of you. You are not alone. Even if Google tries to hide this group from me!

I get them sometimes, but many times I don't.  I'm using Yahoo (Yahell) so now I wonder if it is my computer, N4M, or just cyberland trolls.

I switched my email on this site to another one, and got notification of your post, MT. 

TDM...Great!  I know this site has slowed down, but not THAT much.  We still have worried Moms.  Until ALL the kids are out of harm's way, I want to be able to offer support when it is wanted or needed.

Susan, what a beautiful post..I'm so happy for  you that your son is boots down USA for good! I remember a day....I had heard his voice, I knew he was safe, then I opened my email the next morning to see a photo snapped by a Navy Mom at homecoming...and it took my breath away...his face, pack over his shoulder and that smile! I cried the whole day. Going to cry now, just remember ing. It's the wish I pray for each of you, that day of tears, pure joyous tears, boots down USA. 

Susan, I'm so happy for you, also...Heaven knows, you have paid your "dues"!  Things have really slowed down here, which is the best news of all.  I can't wait until this site can be closed because there are no more kids in a war zone.  (I'm with several groups on N4M...and I don't dare say anything as the mothers write in panic that in three more days Johnny leaves for boot camp.  Since learning what REAL fear is, I have no patience with fears that their kids will turn into responsible men and women.)

Susan, I know that feeling you have. It doesn't matter how far they live, just to know that are back on U.S. soil is such a comfort of the heart. It's going on 6 months since our youngest was last over there. He has opened up to my M-in-L & husband the most. Everyone in the family knows how "sensitive & emotional" I can be get, so it's better if I get the info second hand, as I know that's what helps him too, and we are all good with that process. He did receive a bronze star at a very humbling & quiet ceremony. He is just starting to talk about and prepare for his next deployment in Africa. He was selected out of the few to deploy over there. Most of his unit from his base will be going back to Afgh. I am just starting to research any web sites of support for the deployed in Africa, but have come up empty handed. If anyone finds something, I will be forever grateful for any info.   

Susan, as you find other moms with kids headed to Africa, and there seem to be others I know who are on this page but do not post much...please use this group to share your fears and let us help support you. We can change the name..."My kid does scary work all over this Earth" group. or whatever...

A Bronze Star!! ohmygosh, I would love to hear that story sometime, I hope he shares it with you and you might message me with it? They are all such heroes, being recognized as one is the least they deserve!! Please hug that kid from his Navy moms.

Remember, no matter where your child is in this world, if you need us, you are not alone. 

MT....I agree completely with your comment about real fear...and I have little patience with some of the folks who still hover about their kids like they are 10 years old. Hence, I'll probably limit my participation on this board to this group and one other, the Transitions Group. I think many of us mature right with our kids through this Navy change of life!

Oh TD...I Love that new name for this site!!!! Honestly, I don't cant ever imagine leaving this support site. It has truly been and still is my saving grace. ((( : )))

Seriously, open to suggestions for a name that makes sure every mom or dad whose son or daughter, no matter what service...Navy, Marine, Army, Air Force, Embassy employee...knows that they can come here for support and understanding without having to share too much about their son/daughter's job....something that encompasses all parents who live with "that" fear. 

Susan and Jersey Susan...If you run into any moms on other sites that should be here, please tell them about this group!  It may be slow now, but we are here for anyone who needs it. 

TDM...I love that new name but it is rather cumbersome...How about something along the lines of OMG!  The Danger Zone!  That is what I felt when I first heard the news.  lol  (I have a horrible feeling that the way the world is, there will always be one.)

Susan, I am so excited for you and glad to hear your son is back in the U.S.  November can't come fast enough for us. 

Please go to the below link and vote for my son and his wife.  They have set their wedding date for June 15, 2014 following his deployment.  They are in the top five to win a photography and flower package.  Thanks!

Awe Tamme...We have a lot in common. Our oldest son's wife grew up in Charleston AND they just celebrated their wedding in Charleston July 13,2013. We had the rehearsal dinner at the Tristan & they had their reception at the Marriott. They met in Charleston when our son worked at Goose Creek for 3 years. Talk about "Just" making it home for the wedding. His sub was deployed in Dec., had an extension of 10 more days added on & pulled in the week before the wedding!! Good Luck, I hope your son & his wife WIN!!!