DianeJ, prayer is certainly the most powerful tool we have as parents, but remember that we also have to place our trust in our kids and the training, equipment and attitude they use to deal with the situations they face.

I don't know if you have read any of my other posts, but when I was 18, I "ran away from home" by enlisting in the Air Force without telling my parents until 3 days before I was scheduled to leave, and this was during the Vietnam era. My Mother was scared to death and called the recuiter, but there is nothing she could do. My father, a WWII veteran was very proud.

By the time I was 19 I was an Air Force police officer in the Strategic Air Command, entrusted with the power to shoot on sight anyone who messed with a nuclear weapons site and was trained to kill people with the bare hands.

Remember that our kids are not the little guys and gals we used to see toddeling around the house. They are military professionals who have stepped up to the plate to do a job that has to be done. They have the best training, equipment and attitude in the world.

My son is a sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division stationed at Tallil Air Base, Iraq. When he was a little guy he used to be afraid of shadows and sounds at night as he tried to sleep in his room.

As you can tell from the picture below, he has come a long way and is now a professional soldier, afraid of nothing. The parents of anyone who goes up against him have infinitely more to worry about than I do. May God bless you and yours.

Hi Diane, I'd like to hear more about the Red Cross program, when you go. Sounds fantastic and something I think I'd like to pass on to my friends up here!! There isn't one support group for parents that I know of. It sounds like your going to be a busy Mom,,, something that I found helped me when Jeff was gone.
Jim,,,,,,,I agree.... Jeff has more experience than most in here,,and I knew in my heart he had been well trained for whatever was ahead. He's now at Camp Shelby, again training for the next "trip".

My Army son Christopher is being deployed in less than 30 days. This is his first deployment. I know I have to be strong but it is so hard!!!!!!! When we took him out to dinner last night, we were not charged for his dinner. "Good Luck" was written on the bill. A lady came up to my son and thanked him for servinc. I am beginning to feel the love most people feel for our guys and gals serving their country.

Don, Raymond, NH
Proud dad to USMC LCpl Donnie, currently stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC as an Amphibious Assault Vehicle Mechanic/crewman

Parris Island, 2006

Hi, I'm the proud parent of a Marine boot camp
"visitor" graduating this November. Dirk is my youngest (18), my oldest (22) is enlisting in the Army. My husband of 25 years is Navy, and I did 6 myself. So I guess you can say, its in our blood....

Hi!

Marsha here.

Our daughter Kelly is active Navy and currently with a Mobile Expeditionary Squadron. She's been to the sandbox twice -- and continues to serve proudly!

As I am new to this forum, I would like to offer my support to other parents and their families who also have sons and daughters in the military. My husband and I are currently living near an overseas Naval base and can share with you the patriotism and honor that we see exhibited by the men and women who serve our country. Each one of them is a hero in our eyes.

Marsha

Welcome Marsha and Inspire, My goodness you both certainly military families. Please "jump in" on the different forums. We have lots of parents who have sons/daughters deploying.
Jean

Hi all,

I am a proud mom of an army medic currently stationed in South Korea. I also have 2 other sons who did not qualify for the army due to health issues. My name is Julie and my son's name is Jon.

It is nice to meet other moms and dads here.

Julie

My name is Jane - from Ohio; I am a proud mother of a 21 yo son - Air Force Active Duty Security Forces. He is deploying this winter "downrange". This will be his first deployment having just enlisted this past March. It seems AF Security Forces are the ones from the Air Force deployed the most. He is currently stationed in Europe which he LOVES and LOVES his base.

I am scared to death for him and he and all of your children in the armed forces are in my prayers daily! We are hoping to get a chance to go see him before he deploys as he is not being given a chance to come back home before then (which is a bummer).

I work part time as a CPA.

Hi. My name is Vicky and I am a proud Army Recruit's Mom from Mississippi. Richie left for Basic Training in Fort Benning, GA and I already miss him so much. It is good to know there is a place where I can talk with other parents. Does anyone know how long it takes to get a mailing address for our guys going through basics?

Hi Vicki. During basic they are kept super busy but they allow time at night for "personal time" to write letters, etc. My son Chris went to Ft.Leonard Wood but I am sure they operate pretty much the same. The 60 second phone call came before the letters. I would expect a post card fairly soon from him with his exact address. Make sure to follow the address exactly! My son had us to put his unit number on the back of each piece of mail we sent him. I forgot once and he paid for it with tons of pushups. We were told over and over how important mail is to them. They all get homesick and mail from home is the best treatment. I wish you and your son the best. My son just left this past Sunday for Iraq and now we have another whole set of worries.

Hi Everyone,
Cheryl here, username: ArmyMon409.
My son, Kevin is in the US Army, recently activated from the Guard, 2 yrs after he was discharged from the Army. He is now in El Paso, Tx @ Ft Bliss. He spent 4 yrs there as a patriot missle operator, now he is with the 290th Military Police Co. out of Parkville National Guard Armory. He will land in Iraq on his 24th birthday. But the bright side is, he will head for home right around his 25th birthday!
I just found out yesterday that a neighbor of mine (who works at the Pentagon) and her office staff have "adopted" my son. I think this means that they will be writing and sending him packages. I am so grateful for all the love and support he is getting.
I would like to thank all of you for this forum to give me help and guidance during this tough time. God Bless you all.

Thanks Diane. What is your son's name? I will keep him in my prayers. I just got a short letter that Richie wrote me (and his Dad) while he was still in Reception and the last thing he told was not to worry about him.

quote:

Originally posted by DianeJ1943:
Hi Vicki. During basic they are kept super busy but they allow time at night for "personal time" to write letters, etc. My son Chris went to Ft.Leonard Wood but I am sure they operate pretty much the same. The 60 second phone call came before the letters. I would expect a post card fairly soon from him with his exact address. Make sure to follow the address exactly! My son had us to put his unit number on the back of each piece of mail we sent him. I forgot once and he paid for it with tons of pushups. We were told over and over how important mail is to them. They all get homesick and mail from home is the best treatment. I wish you and your son the best. My son just left this past Sunday for Iraq and now we have another whole set of worries.

Gosh, that is really nice about the office group "adopting" your deployed son.

We have found the reaction of our work colleagues, friends and even family to our son's upcoming deployment quite different. Very few ask about him at all - it is almost like he or we as a family have contracted a diesaese no one wants to catch. It is quite disappointing as support would be greatly appreciated. I am glad these boards exist.

We discussed this a few months ago. Came to the conclusion that the area your in might have something to do with that.
It seemed that more support was given to the troops that were near military installations.
You might want to try to give your sons name/address, etc. to your church, local VFW, and even a school that he possibly attended. Good Luck!!!--- my son was amazed at the servicemen in Iraq that didn't get packages, etc....so we always packed "extra" so that he could share!
Good to meet all .......... and "hang in there" ArmyMom!!

Hi, my youngest deployed 10/30. He is in the Army. He assured me that the army trained him well but he is still one of my chicks. I pray for his safety. Have had a few tears, not wanting to leave house because I do not want to miss a phone. He did email and let me he arrived OK. Thank God for computers. I will be here reading and learning. My oldest son lives with me so that helps but I think he is worried about his baby brother too. Thanks for listening. Sorry for being all over the place but adjusting to him being away.

dar6456

Hi Darlene. My youngest son Chris also just deployed on 10/28. This is the most difficult thing I have ever gone through as a mom. If you don't have a cell phone you might think about getting one and also add "call forwarading" to your phone service. You'll not miss phone calls that way and it gives you such peace of mind. Their time zone is 10 hours ahead of us here on the Pacific Coast, 11 hours after the time change on Saturday night. If you have not done so, you might want to join your son's FRG (family readines group). Their members consist of the wives and parents of soldiers serving with your son and are a great link to gain information about your him. To locate them I contacted familyonesouce.com. They are a wealth of information and answered all my questions. Having your questions answered will give you some comfort. These are some of the things I have done to make me feel better. I just wish I could get rid of the anxiety. I know that will take time. Good luck to you and your son. I hope this helps you.

Hi, I'm Paula. My son is in the army. He will be graduating from military police training in a couple of weeks.

Hello! My son was just deployed also on 11/05, I heard from him once when they were refueling. 2 nights ago..I didnt realize they were 11hrs. ahead, thanks for that info. I know he said it could be awhile before I would hear from him, but I can hardly stand it! Every minute I wonder where he is,,, and it just hit me how long this "journey" will be! 15mths is a long time. This forum has helped so much!

My oldest son, Jesse, is now in the Army. He's in Texas, just starting AIT to be a medic.

He's 20, and before this we'd never been apart longer than a day or so. I knew it would be hard, I just didn't know it would be this hard.

He sounds like he's having a ball, he usually does. It doesn't seem quite fair. I have 3 sons, and his two little brothers (19 and 14) have always, always, always had Jesse to lean on. We have two dogs, Polly and Lovie, and I think Polly is having an even worse time then I am.

My 19-year-old and his wife have moved 50 miles away for college. I still have my baby, but he's 14, and now I know for a fact that I'll blink and he'll be headed off somewhere after a life of his own. Please tell me it gets easier.

And the first damn thing I read on this forum was the Mother's Manual, which made me bawl.