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

TNM, I'm doing better than I ever thought. I'll take all the prayers coming my way.  We had a skype with him a couple of weeks ago, so that was really "NICE"!!  He looked healthy very upbeat and told us he is already accepting is next duty station in NM. He said "Mom, you know NM is actually my elements of living. I always wanted to walk out of my back door and have a big sandbox to ride my dirt bikes and quads." Not that it's any different from what he's in now. But, he'll be back to living in his paradise cove for a couple of months before making that transition. So glad some of that terrible weather has finally broken TDM. 

Thanks to the support of Kroger and Coca-Cola, I have helped donate Coca-Cola to our troops. Help us reach our goal of donating up to 100,000 Coca-Cola cans to our Troops.

http://www.honoringourheroes.com/share-a-coke

Hi Everyone.... I am back.  My son returned from Afghan in October and then somewhere toward the end of the year my computer crashed.... lost a lot of my "favorites" pages....

Anyway, haven't been on since then but now that I am just letting you all know thoughts and prayers with all of you and any deployed kids.     Here we go again with mine.... ARGH!!!!!

nicksmom..."welcome back" to this group isn't really what I want to say...hate to see any mom come back here with a deploying kid! But we're here! you are not alone!

Glad to be back around..... just got busy.....  it happens.  Hope everyone is doing well.... had to catch up on about 10 pages since my last visit.

I'll echo TexasDocMom's words "welcome back" to the group no one wants to be a part of nicksmom.  Hope your son is doing well.  My corpsman son is now having issues with new orders.  My son has picked twice and has been passed up both times.  One more shot at it before they "assign" him somewhere new or he gets out.  His plan is to go back to blue side and this makes me one happy momma.  I know most of your Sailors have only served on the greenside, but my son served blue for two years before going green.  He has made some wonderful, lifelong friends of many of his marine's, but he likes it a little more "quiet."  If there is such a thing! 

Hope everyone is doing well!

Pam, here's hoping that he gets that blue side order! Or out! My son was greenside for the first 5 years, then an instructor at Camp Bullis in San Antonio for 18 months or so. So he never really had a blue side job. He had to put on his dress Navy uniform to report to duty in SA and other than maybe a pinning ceremony that was probably the only time he wore it. And yes, those Marines are life long, he and his Marine vet buds are tight as ever!

It's a crazy life TennNavyMom.  But, you are right, all you can do is pull up the big girl panties and carry on. 

Nicksmom, sorry to hear the "again" has rolled around. TNM, I couldn't have expressed the feelings many of us have better than you!! It's always good to be reminded that we are not alone. I try not to mention how frustrated   /:(   I really feel,  hearing there is never a stable solid plan set in place over there. It just makes your mind go in many different directions wondering what is it going to take for everyone to come together to have the utmost best protection for the ones that are over there. Hopefully, it's just something we are not privy too, and that's what I tell myself over and over again. Pam, keep us up-dated on your son's new orders and lets hope he gets what he wants!

Happy Birthday Comment from Navy Medicine

Happy Birthday, Corpsmen all over the world...past and present, especially those whose moms are in this group.....proud of the service of you all. US Navy Corpsmen are the most highly decorated branch of the military....and there is a reason. Hug a Doc today, if you can! Even if it's not your Doc!!

A tribute to FMF Corpsmen

Just wanted to share this here, to remind us all what heroes our FMF corpsmen are....as if we didn't know. Also wanted to share here so I don't have to explain, yet again, how FMTB training and FMF qualification earned in a battle zone are two different things!!

Be proud, Doc Moms....

Love it TDM and thank you for sharing..  I am so proud of my son and although he will eventually go back to the blue side, he is still my hero!  And ugh.... FMTB and FMF are so darn different!  Haha  Should find out by the first of July where his next (I almost typed our next - goes to show you that when your child joins, you join) duty station will end up being.  Can't wait!

Ladies, we are going back to blue!  After three months of picking, my son finally got Jacksonville, FL.  NOT Jacksonville, NC - haha.  I am extremely thrilled with this choice because for the first time in nearly six years, my son will be back in the same time zone.  And working in the hospital, doing the job that he loves.  If there is anything I can say, it would be for you to know that I will keep your children that remain greenside in my thoughts and prayers and to please let them know that there is a totally different side to the Navy.  I will forever be indebted to all of you for your guidance and wise words of comfort for me during my son's deployment last year and for his stint on the greenside.  He still has a little time left in Hawaii with his new Marine unit, so I'll continue to offer any words of advice that I can and I will be checking in on you and your Sailors to see how you/they are doing. 

Pam, congratulations to your son!  Jacksonville is a nice area as well.  Our son wanted to go back blue as well and go to helicopter corpsman school in Florida but they wouldn't let him transfer.  So he got out and is going to school fulltime.  He misses the service and hopes once he graduates to go back in after OTC and still follow his dream of helicopter work.  Happy 4th to all.

Thanks Tamme.  We are so excited!  I'll admit, much like TDM, my son has met "the" girl.  It sure has changed his way of thinking that's for sure!

Aren't those young ladies wonderful? Even tho my son and his lovely lady did not work out (altho I haven't given up  yet!), I am forever in her debt for making him realize there is life away from being a FMF corpsman. Congrats, Pam! My brother was born at Jacksonville FL NAS! 

Tamme, encourage your son to find his local Student Vets group. It really help provide my son with a focus and buddies who share his experiences and keep some of that military comradarie going.

Thanks ladies!  And now that girl is officially his fiancé!  Yep, he popped the question tonight.  I love that girl more than words can say and can't wait to see what the future holds for these two. 

Congrats, Pam!!!

Oh WOW Pam, Congratulations!! So very happy for you & your son on many different changes!!

Thank you!  Does the whirlwind ever stop with your children?

The Student Vets group at his college is pretty active.  It also had a group dealing with PTSD and so great to have others to share with.  He also now is working part-time at a gym and they also have many Vets who have found working out and camaraderie with peers sharing the same experiences really helps. 

Also meant to mention that the bonds these Corpsman make on the greenside are for life.  Their friendships, as well as their experiences together, will last a lifetime. 

Tamme, my son worked at a golf range while he was going to UTSA...free golf and the San Antonio Spurs used that one! He was in Heaven!  He was Sec of his Student Vet group and they started a big tailgate thing for UTSA games. They also do a lot of gatherings to bring in vets that might not think they would like to participate. I think the downside to him is that he would prefer it was all Marine, Corpsmen and possibly Army combat vets. He felt that kinship. And yes, those relationships will bond them forever. Last month, one of his Marines got married in Fredericksburg , TX, about 60 miles from his home. Many of the Weapons Unit from 2/2 came to the wedding...and my granddaughter's graduation from college was that same day in Corpus Christi...he chose the Marines. I don't blame him, not many opportunities for them all to gather now they are out, going to school, working, raising families...they live all over the country. He said he'd just make the check to my granddaughter bigger. Hope it worked!

We do have a group called Transitions for those whose kids have left the service, not very busy, but it might be time to ge it going. ,

While the media, military and law enforcement were sorting out details from the Thursday morning shooting in Chattanooga, Tenn., family members of one of the victims, who has ties to Kansas, were praying and rushing to be at his side.

Paula Proxmire, who lives in Ottawa County, received word Thursday morning that her son, Randall Smith, 26, a logistics specialist in the U.S. Navy, suffered three gunshot wounds during the incident in Chattanooga. He underwent surgery Thursday afternoon, said Tania Daugherty, of Minneapolis, Proxmire’s cousin.

Story Link on Stripes.com

Atlanta welcomed home Lance Corporal Skip Wells today.  RIP and go rest high on that mountain Soldier. 

Same to you TN Navy Mom.  Devastating. 

We all know the fear of a child in combat, the sleepless nights, the knot in our gut, the jump at the knock at the door and the sitting up all night on sites like these just to connect with others who feel the same....but our kids are supposed to be safe at home in the USA. They are supposed to be SAFE from combat danger. My heart breaks for the families of these fallen, who woke up one morning and sent them off to work....plans for the evenings, kisses from kids on their cheeks....Fair Winds and Following Seas, Semper Fi. 

TDM, thanks for letting me know about Transitions.  I will check it out.  TNM, that is such a wonderful gesture on the part of your son.  Our prayers for all these families as they endure the funerals and the hard course of healing.  We aren't even safe on our own soil. 

TDM...it's been a very very sad week for all of us. Although we are not blood related to the families of these fallen military heroes, we can all feel the heartbreaking pain & suffering they are enduring. We are all "One" bonded by sons & daughters serving our country to keep it safe, as they are in our own backyards......  

A quiet board is a good board!  Hope everyone is doing well.  Here's a photo that I absolutely love.

RIP as our hearts go out to Captain Matthew D Roland (Jonathan's Captain) & his family as he was identified as one of 2 casualties in Afghanistan. We have had the pleasure of meeting him a couple of times before deployments and he loved his country & loved his team. 

So, so sorry to hear about this.  I have the Captain's family in my prayers. 

Susan, is your son okay?  Do you have an address for the Roland family?  Thanks.

So very sorry to hear this. Tried to get on earlier today and read your notifications, but the site would not load at work.

Susan, your son with Capt Roland 's unit  when this happened? 

Thank you all for your prayers. B/c Jonathan is special ops, when his team deploys, they all get separated & dispersed to different countries & locations. However, when they are state side, they train as one whole team. As of right now, they are all just around the corner from coming home. I always say, it's the last count down that makes it the most critical. This is actually when I get the most nervous. You here so many times, how long they have been gone & they only have so many days or weeks before their homecoming. Sometimes I wonder if they are all so excited that they made it so far, that maybe some of their focus & guard comes down slightly. Just me thinking. I haven't heard from him. I touched base through a private message. I can be a very emotional person, and he knows that. It's better this way until he makes it back. We've been around his Cap't on 3 occasions, and we know just how much admiration he felt for him. Will keep you all updated on our son's return which will be soon.   

Prayers to your son JerseySusan and to Captain Roland's family.  My heart breaks as I read the post. 

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&sour...- JC191JKTFvKQ&sig2=CCLEt5MWya-P2VThUlH7OA&bvm=bv.102022582,d.cWw

Just how "Honorably Precious is this"......

Just need to drop a quick line here. Our son arrived safe & sound last night @ his home base in the states from deployment!! WAHOO WAHOO WAHOO!!!!!!......AND.....Our daughter brought our "5th" grandson into the world last night as well!! Needless to say....We are all so Blessed and very busy right now!!  :)

GREAT NEWS!!!!!!! Big hug for all, especially that son who is safe and sound! oh, and that baby too! XO

Congratulations!  So excited for all of you. 

AND....Our Little pint...."Jameson Ray"

So wonderful Susan!  I remember that total feeling of relief once they are in your arms. 

What great smiles!! gorgeous family!! Congrats to all!

http://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/136/Article/61782...

It's been so "bitter sweet" for our son finally coming home, but having to hear him go through laying to rest 2 hero comrades. We haven't seen him yet b/c of our daughter just having a baby (her 4th). We were so Blessed his girlfriend could be by his side from day #1. This is the "1st" time we haven't been able to be there for his homecoming which has really affected me. I feel like "I'm" going through the post-partum blues along with my daughter. We also had to miss our oldest sons baby's "1st" B'day party in SC. Jonathan & his GF are both finally coming up to visit with us tomorrow after both of the funerals having finally come to the end as of yesterday.  

When we have to face the facts that our children have such heavy loads and responsibility, it's tough on parents. We still feel all the joys and pains of our children, but we don't know the depth of serving in combat with someone and losing that person in a senseless violent act. I am so sorry to hear of your pain and sad heart, Susan. And thankful you came here to share it, so we can be here even if we don't have quite the right words to help. So very thankful for you that Jonathan will be walking through your door and so very heartbroken for two new Gold Star moms who will not get that joy. I think we all have some sort of survivors guilt, and we try to push it away, but when I am so grateful my son came home still knowing some one else's did not, it is kind of overwhelming.  I tell the young vets I see "thank you" ...and it's not just for their service , it's "thank you for coming home". Much love. 

Hugs to you and your son JerseySusan.  It is indeed a heavy load these young servicemen and women bear.  When our children are grown it's almost impossible to be there for everything and the guilt is enough to consume you sometimes.  I can't wait for my son to come home and I know he can't wait to be close to home.  He has missed out on so much "family" stuff and his sense of "normal" is going to take some time to fix.  I can only be there when he reaches out for me as I am sure your son knows he can reach out to you when he needs to.  Prayers to all of you for an easy transition back home.