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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhg7Xm4FXAY

Gotta Love this! Just want to put a smile on Everyone's face during this season. Praying for those who can't be home.

Praying for all the families who cant's be with their loved ones deployed   <3

Feeling very Blessed. Had these 2 precious boys home for a couple of days. All is too quiet now.

I know the feeling, Susan...my son just left after being here since Christmas Eve Day...you get used to the sound of boys/men in the house, don't you? 

This board is so quiet, I hope it's because we have LESS deployments! Afghanistan war zone officially closed...except .....for those who have to stay. 

Hah, TDM...I like how you put "boys/men". I almost put "men", but the oldest son rode my 3 year old grandsons new toy on wheels up & down the driveway, and the youngest son constantly chased and threw the grandsons on pillows and couches the whole time they were here....Yes...I opted for the "boys" category!!  ;) 

Yes, I'm very sure the silence on here is a golden good thing. I have a couple more months until the next one which I'm sure will go too fast.

Happy New Year everyone!  We've had or corpsman home for the holidays and it has been loud, crazy, messy, busy, but oh so wonderful!!  So far we've had another corpsman stop for two nights on his way to a new duty station, a former marine fly in for three nights and another corpsman drive in for three nights. The military has been so good to my son and he has made some amazing and lifelong friends.  Only another year until he decides if he stays or chooses his next base.  Hoping for something East Coast so that the visits can happen a little more often.  God Bless our troops and the loved ones that support them! 

Wonderful picture JerseySusan!  And this group being quiet is a good thing.  We have another deployment coming up quick, but hopefully this will be the last one.

Pam! what a wonderful holiday! and all those military men! I love it when you meet those serving with your kids...The other day I met a friend of my son's who is also recently out of the Navy and who also just graduated from UTSA. He's on his way to PA to work in IT. Happy New Year to all of you!! Hug a sailor or Marine for me!

All quiet here again.  And I'm so sad! We now have a girlfriend stirring the pot a little bit.  And I can't help but think this is a good thing because for the first time in nearly five years, he actually wants to come closer to home for his next duty station. He only has a year left in Hawaii and one more deployment to get through.  I do have a question.  He will literally be deployed when it's time to PCS.  Will they send him back to base early?  He wasn't sure how that was going to work.  Anyone had any experience with that?  Thanks ladies again for all the support.  No tears, but plenty of deep breaths!

My son was due to re-up when his Marine unit was preparing to start training to deploy to Afghanistan the year after their Iraq deployment. It was right around March 1. He had been offered to head up the Corpsmen in Afghanistan. Well, he procrastinated, called me to say they had transferred him out because he was short time! He rushed to reenlist but they transferred him to another Marine unit that was not deploying...and that's how he ended up as an instructor in San Antonio, falling in love and leaving the Navy. So, if your son is short time, they will not deploy him if he is not going to reenlist, as far as I know. 

Thanks Ladies.  I'll keep you in the loop when the time comes.

TNM - oh my goodness - you have been through so much this year and I really pray that 2015 will be better for you, your family and your health. I've been home on medical leave since Dec. 9 and go back to work next week.  I'm looking forward to returning to the office!  There is no such thing as taking it easy around this house. 

TennNavyMom....I was so glad when this new year rolled over. I hope & pray this year is better for all of us. I never had so much pleasure with taking my calendar of 2014 off the wall and chucking it in the trash and not looking back on it with a *few* exceptions of remembering the positives of a few Blessings that did occur. C'est la vie!!

http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/24/us/california-marine-helicopter-crash...

Praying...

Blessings and prayers for the families and loved ones of those two Marines, and those with whom they serve. You know they are all reeling with grief. 

We have an update and they gave my son a choice on whether he wanted to deploy or not.  He has (right now!) chosen not to deploy.  He said he's going to miss the extra money, but is ok with staying behind this time around. We will hopefully know by summer where his next duty station will be.  Keeping our fingers and toes crossed he can get Florida.  The fun in the military never ends!

Pam!! that is great! The best feeling in the world is hearing your son say "I don't want to deploy again"...for my son, it meant leaving the Navy, which has turned out great for him. I think he misses his buddies and the comradery, but he is doing great. Your son has been in long enough that he should get his choice of duty station.

Thanks TDM - it is good news indeed.

So happy for you & your son Pam!!! Our youngest (who just turned 25), I always say that's the turning age for many boys, is finally starting to think that way too. He started dating a very nice intelligent GF that he grew up with & we all know very well which I'm sure has a lot to do with viewing his future plans on a different level. He does have a deployment coming up soon that we all have to get through. 

That's funny JerseySusan - my son just turned 25 recently and has said that he would like to be closer to family when he chooses his next station.  I think when he came home for the holidays he realized how much he has missed out on.  It must be a maturity thing that kicks in.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/be-safe-love-mom-elaine-lowry-brye/...

Just thought some of "us" mom's might be interested in this new book coming out on the market.

I saw a blurb about that book Susan. Will have to check it out. I'm afraid with this Congress, we'll be seeing more moms here in this group instead of less. I hope not! 

Those of you dropping by this group, just because it has slowed down now, if you need anything please post on this thread, one of us will be right here to check in with you. We are not going away. Just thankful it's not as busy as it was and hoping it stays slower...but we are here. You are not alone. Let us know you're here or have questions. Whatever. 

I am hoping this group is quiet because we have no deployed kids around...but I can't believe that's true. We are still here. 

Want to let you all know that Tenn Navy Mom is in surgery this morning.

 "One of my disc that ruptured in my lower spine is embedded in the nerve. After several months of extreme pain I will be having surgery tomorrow morning on my lower spine area." Her husband said on fb today that he will keep us updated. Prayers, the good thought, whatever you've got. She's had such a rotten year this last year. But her son is safe in the US and this surgery will ease her pain.

Tenn Navy Mom will stay in my prayers for a speedy recovery.  She has been through a lot - too much.  But you are right TDM - her son is safe.

My son is back from his training at 29 Palms.  Twice there were accidents while he was there, but we have a really awesome FRO who has kept us informed.  So, even though he's not currently deployed, the training can also be tough to get through.  I have learned over the last five years to stay calm if anything!

Hope everyone will be able to enjoy some Spring weather soon!  Here in Georgia we had snow flurries this morning.  Very odd in March, but I am ready for warmer temps.

My son was just approved for reenlistment.  Looks like we'll be on the crazy military ride a while longer.  Can't wait to see where his next duty station will be and where his travels will take him.  Hopefully back to blue side.  And closer to home! 

That's what it meant for my son when he reenlisted...a few months with Second Battalion and then the assignment to Camp Bullis in San Antonio (80 miles from here!) to be an instructor. No more deployments! but if he had stayed in, I know he would have wanted to go back to serving green side.  

Please forgive me for bragging...but he just got a promotion and an 8% raise and only worked there since last July! There is life after the Navy, ladies!

That's awesome TDM!  Good for your son!!

So, youngest is over there right now. Even though I have become a much stronger mother & person during the past few years with this, my fears have intensified for his well being & safety. All I can do is pray, pray & pray.

And we will join you, Susan....we're here, you're not alone, and not fighting your fear by yourself. My heart to you...

My thoughts and prayers are always with you Susan. 

Navy Mom (((HUGS))) to you JerseySusan.

Thanks everyone for all your prayers as I know they help tremendously.

I'm hang'in in there. First couple of weeks was tough. Waking up a lot at night with some  nightmares. I cringe every time I wake up in the morning going on the computer or putting the TV on & praying the news is just copasetic. Blood pressure went up sky high, but is now back under control. Our daughter is expecting her "4th" grandchild, another "boy"!! That will make Grandson #5 Hah, no granddaughters yet. Funny, both my husband I both came from siblings of mostly girls. Her family keeps us very busy!! Our son has a GF now, a very sweet  girl that we all new from his HS years. She's been a huge help with getting packages out to him, although he hasn't t rec'd any yet.  :(  With the warmer weather approaching here, I'm sure I'll get a little more busier to keep my mind more occupied.

My son hit his 5 year mark today. At times it seems so much longer and other times not so long. He too is making the Navy his career choice. 

TNM, glad you're healing....and if it means anything, my son was thinking of making the Navy his career at 5 years as well. That changed...and he didn't re-up when he was at 7 years. You just never know. 

Susan, think of you every day...

Awe TNM....You sure have been through a lot with that surgery. I can only imagine!!! My simple surgery of just my broken ankle last May, just recently started to feel normal again, and I definitely can't even compare that to yours. Here's to hoping you will get well soon.  

We finally heard from our youngest just the other day. It was so "Wonderful" just to hear his voice. It's pretty tough this time, I really can't communicate anything over the net, so I do feel pretty much alone, and it looks like I'm the only one on this site right now going through this.

Hah...our oldest said the "same exact" thing at his 5 year mark. This fall he will be in 10yrs. He's now married and has a new baby, and he receives a "lot", no make that a "ton" of pressure from his wife to leave the Navy. Since he has land duty right now, he's taking more classes at the Citadel and was just inducted into the very prestigious Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi for having achieved outstanding success in their academic careers. Only 10% seniors & 7.5%  juniors are selected. So of course I'm one proud mama!!  ;) 

Susan, we know others are deployed....but maybe don't know to find us here...possibly not as many active Navy personnel deployed at this moment...but you are not alone, every single one of us have that memory, and as I have discovered, it just doesn't leave you. Any time you need to reach out, please do...you know how to contact me, I will always listen!  

I think my son decided to leave at 7 years because he knew if he re-upped he'd be in for the 20...and he fell in love. Thankful! Wish it had worked out for them but I'll always love that young woman for helping him move away from the military. If he had stayed in, he would have gone back green side because he loved being a Corpsman. He liked being an instructor okay, but even when they offered him all kinds of schools, he'd just tell them he was a field corpsman and he was good with that. 

You have every right to be so proud!!! That is an amazing accomplishment!!! 

Susan, you are not alone.  I have you and your sailors in my thoughts and prayers all the time.  Reach out when you need us.  So glad you were able to talk to your youngest.  It makes such a world of difference just to hear their voice.  Congrats to your oldest for doing so well at the Citadel.  Hope you get to Charleston soon and we can meet.

One of our sons got out after five in July and is going to college in CT.  His plans are to finish school, go to OCS and hopefully be a helicopter Corpsman which is what he always wanted to do.  The Navy wouldn't let him go back to the blue side after this two years with the Marines in order to go to C school for that so he got out.  Our other son is still on the Stennis which has been doing two-month deployments every other month this year to get the ship ready for deployment.    

TNM, glad to hear you are doing better. 

Just a deck of cards.....please watch to the end. It's short. Sound on
This is really neat! I have no idea how he does it....

Click here: Deck of Cards

My heart to all of you....and I am hoping that those moms new to deployment hell know about this group. I remember those days, even tho my son is out and last deployed in 08...you just can't forget. As I see now, those young vets who serve and have served together are the strength they run on while deployed. My son is still very close to his Marines and fellow corpsmen....he's going to the wedding of a young man who came to visit with us after he was injured in Afghanistan when my son was stationed in San Antonio. They both came to Austin, spent 3 days together, a lot of that time at Barton Springs (68degree water all the time!) and in sitting on my son's bed...talking.  My son's CO in San Antonio told him to come and spend that time with that Marine, making sure he was okay. So, now he's getting married! And probably a half dozen Marines from all over the country are coming to Texas for the wedding. Our problem is that my granddaughter graduates 10 am on the morning following the wedding about 4 hours away. There is no way I want my son driving after a night of party with his buddies! So I told him to send a big check...and make time to get with her later. These guys are so close. My son said if he isn't on social media or their game thing for a couple of days, he gets phone calls from them...'are you okay" type calls. They watch over each other like a hawk. And they do while they are deployed as well. We will never rest comfortably while our kids are in danger, but please remember that they are each well loved by their peers and they watch over each other. They are not alone, and neither are you. 

Happy Mother's Day! If your child warrior is far away, please know he/she is thinking about you....and some CO is trying to get them all to a phone to call! But until then, Happy Mother's Day from your mother friends.....be nice to yourself today! 

Happy Mother's Day! If your child warrior is far away, please know he/she is thinking about you....and some CO is trying to get them all to a phone to call! But until then, Happy Mother's Day from your mother friends.....be nice to yourself today! 

A celebration of military moms!

Where did you find that great t-shirt?  Happy Mother's Day!

Love that T-shirt!  I have a friend that got a call from her Sailor while he is on an underway!  That just made her day!

Happy "belated" Mother's Day to All!! I had to relieve my sister x 2 weeks who takes care of our 92 old father who is suffering terrible with Parkinson's, so she and her husband could go away on a little vacation.

Heard from our son on Mother's Day. I was soooo happy & blessed the phone call lasted as long as it did since they are in an area of very poor connection. He finally rec'd his packages all of us sent out 2 months ago. He was a little down, he found out when he returns home, he's leaving his beautiful beach base @ Hurlburt/Ft Walton to the isolated sands @ Cannon AFB in Clovis NM. He's really going to miss that base it was only a 6 hour drive from us & my m-in-l lives there so he was very blessed to get a home cooked meal every other weekend <3  But it is what it is. He's heard a lot of negativity about the next one from others who are there & have already been there, so I've been researching some positives about the location to hopefully pull him out of a slump that he's feeling right now. :(   I'll try my very best through some emails to encourage and build him up for his next move. In the mean time, just praying all is safe with him, his unit & the many others deployed.     

Hope everyone is doing well.  I thought you would like to see the link to a great t-shirt:http://teespring.com/c32a_g3_3961?fb=eml

Thinking about you TexasDoc with all that terrible weather of rain & flooding going in your state....:(  Praying for all your continued safety in your household & your neighboring community.

Thank you, Susan. It's so heartbreaking to see the loss across our state, the young and old lives, the destruction.  More weather coming in tonight, I don't know how those who have lost so much will handle it. The young McComb family  were the children of  Joe McComb, we graduated from different high schools in Corpus Christi about the same time. Great family, gorgeous children, generous hearts. The other family was really hit hard. I didn't know of them, he was a retired dentist from Corpus, with his wife, daughter, son in law and grandchild. Just heart breaking. So many more stories as well. Houston is a swamp anyway, and this rain just makes it crazy. Thank for your continued prayers. I hope all are doing well, You never know,  your son might fall in love with New Mexico, I know many who have!