Happiness does come at a price
 

Sorry for the depressing title. Didn't know what else to use. Feeling kinda guilty right now. Here I am floating around on my little cloud because of Ryan and I get a phone call from my little brother Travis. He is in Iraq. His stay over there has been extended. He will be there for another 9 months. He was due to come home for X-mas. We didn't want to tell our dad cause we wanted it to be a surprise to him to have T-Rav home for X-mas. :fallen: T-Rav is the brother that I am the closest to out of my 3 brothers. I miss him terribly. He doesn't have access to the net or the phone very often anymore. It sure was nice to hear his voice though. We talked for about 45 min. Then he had to go. He was telling me about some of the stuff going on over there and it horrifies me. Just want to be able to give my little bro a hug ya know. :hug: I told him about Ryan. Before T-Rav left for the Army he hung out with the same group as me and has been out with Ryan alot. He is really happy for me. Got Ryans email addy and phone number from me so he can call him also. I think he is going to warn him to take care of his sis. :) Anyway, dont take happiness for granted.

i'm so sorry. i will keep him in my thoughts and prayers. again i'm so sorry.
i hope all goes well with ryan!! thats really exciting!

I hope your future bro in law is lucky and gets to come home. Travis, my brother has been there for almost 2 years now. They keep extending him. He came home for 3 months about a year ago and they sent him back over. Its sucks. I dont get how they keep taking guys that have been there already and sending them back. Why not send fresh troops?? Or get them all the hell outta there??

i like the last idea the best. a close family friend's son is over there. he's only been there for like 9 months or so, but his dad hasn't been the same. he used to be so cheerful and happy to see everyone, he still is but perfers to be by himself. i can't wait until he comes home.

Kelly I am so sorry to hear about your brother, that really is horrible, especially that there is hardly any communciation with him. I will be praying for him and your family for his rapid return. I am glad to hear about Ryan though. Anything you need you know where to find me. I just sent you a PM

Thanks so much. I appreciate it. Its amazing at how affected families are by this war. My dad used to be able to relax and watch TV but since my brother has been over there he is constantly busy, he always tells me that by keeping busy he doesnt have time to sit and worry. I feel for my dad going through this. I mean. I am the oldest and my dad has raised us kids as a single dad since I was 11. There are 4 of us, me and 3 brothers, he never dated, just finally started. He didn't feel that it was right to date cause his commitment was to his kids and raising them right. I just hate to see my dad going through this. He has gotten more gray hair since my brothers have been gone. I also have a brother in afganistan.

Thank your brothers for me! This American really appreciates their dedication and sacrifice for their country and the freedom of millions.

Glad you got to talk to your brother....Tell your brother's thanks from the US..

Gosh, I don't know hwat to say , except that I'm so sorry. I hope the next 9 months go very fast and he is home where he belongs very soon. He is in my thoughts and prays.. :usaheart:

Wow that really sucks. I'm sorry to hear that. I hope he stays safe and in good spirits regardless of all that's going on. He has ALL my respect for what they're doing over there now!

Ohh, sorry to hear that kelly. i hope he comes home safe. My cousin is in the airforce. i think he's been over there three times. He said it is pretty scarry, because he does most of the mechanical work, but then he had to go on some type of duty. I think a couple of his buddies got shot. After he got off duty he told his mom that he wanted to run and scream like a girl she said i don't blame you!. it is scary stuff. Best wishes to your brother kelly

I'm sorry about your brother. My boss got really sick over there and has finally come home. I know it seems like forever but he'll be back.

Bless your brother's and all the men and women who fight for our safety and concern for the innocent who have to live in a war torn country.

I pray they make it home safely.

Oh Hon... I feel your pain. My Fiance is in Iraq too :( . He has been there for a Year and A half and they keep extending him too. It is horrible to live like this, everyday I worry about him. He can't call often, I have not heard from him in like 2 weeks. I hate this! I just hope that he is able to come home safe. :(

It sounds like you have more than your share doing their "duty" for us. I thank them all, but I know how you feel. My son was a Marine and supposed to be on the next boat to Quwait when that war was over. I so wish this one had been the same way. I was having panic attacks, depression, crying jags - even at work! But my son said and still says - he wanted to do it.

Just be proud of them and love them as you can. I'm glad he knows your fiance and approves - that's a blessing.

Take care.

I'm with you! I have heard they are doing that a lot! (extending their duties) It's terrible on the morale! It isn't fair! I wish supporting the troops meant bringing them all home!

Me too Kim. Its hard having my brother over there but he wants to be there so I cant argue with him. I do however tell him if he gets hurt I am gonna personally kick his --- when he recovers.

Kelly, I'm so sorry for you and all the others who have loved ones in Iraq and other dangerous places. I wish they could all come home. I don't know how they keep their spirits up. Especially when they're sent back over and over. They have to keep sending the same ones back because there aren't enough troops. We've had a couple of National Guard troops from my area go recently. It's so discouraging. Personally, I'm praying that we can get out of there. We've had too many of our people in harm's way for way too long.

I'm Sorry.
 

I'm sorry to hear that, I had a friend over there he finally was able to get out after he had also been extended. He is in Germany. I will keep him(your brother) in my thoughts and be grateful every single day of my life for him and all the others serving their country. :usastar: :usaheart:

I pray daily for our service men and women, and their families. The sacrifices all of you make are astounding! It's SO wrong to force extended stays on our brave volunteers, at least in Vietnam they had the choice of staying or going home. Seems like our soldiers now have no choice at all, and to me that is the opposite of the freedom they are laying their lives down for to begin with. What is wrong here? Bring 'em home!

Sorry to heat his time has been extended. I'm sure it would of been nice to have him home for the holidays. At least you got to talk to him, just to hear his voice has to mean alot. Hats off to all our soldiers.

I am so worried we may be headed toward war with Iran. I really wish I could go to Crawford to help that brave woman who is grieving for her son who was killed in Iraq and doing her part to stop this war and bring our troops home.

I get very emotional when it comes to hearing things like this. I lost a very dear friend last year. He had only been there a week. I pray for our troops every night. I have such respect for the uniform! I will add a little added prayer for your brother. I know not hearing anything can be very hard on you and your family. I am so happy you got to talk to him!