Need Support - Anyone have Military in the family?
 

Need Support - Anyone have Military in the family?

I am having a horrible day today. I have been crying all morning. My (baby, well 22 yr. old) brother is a Marine. He had gotten his orders to go to Japan for 2 years, he is an Electrician. He has been there for 1 month and now we just found out from him that in November he is going to Afghanistan, for a "non job related tour and he's going to be a machine gunner" :(

I am just devastated (to say the least). It is very hard to get in touch with him and that's literally all we know so far. We are waiting to get more details, although, what more could I possible hear, to me that quote says it all.

I don't know how to really feel or how to really think. I hate that my mind races to the 'bad' - but I can't see how it possibly can't, with everything happening over there in the 'war zone'.

I guess I am hoping there are some of you out there that are in the same situation as my family and I hope you can shed some light and insight onto our "new, news"???

Thanks...

Oh honey I do feel for you! when my son went "to the desert", no one could tell me anything. I didn't even know where he was. not until he got back. only then could he tell me where he had been. He had gotten out of the airforce and was putting time in as a reserve. they called him up and off he went. Ending his tour just in time to be qualified for another call if they want to do it all again.
there is nothing we can do but keep in touch with them. they can send emails now , which is a big improvment over past wars. just don't expect too many words on the emails because you have to remember they are sharing computers with a lot of other soldiers who are in line to use it as soon as you are off.
I have found one thing helpful... keep all your letters upbeat. if not it will bring him down. only makes things worse for him.
I've got you and your brother in my prayers. Let him know how proud you are of him.

I will remember both of your sons in my prayers. I have a friend who just got back from his second tour in Afghanastan. He was there twice for about 18 months each time. he is/was a reservist and was almost 60 years old!!! He is home safe and sound now and finally retired.

I had two brothers in the Air Force, but one is out and is now a police officer. The other is still in and has decided to stay in until he retires. It's VERY hard never really knowing when or if he will be sent to Afghanistan or Iraq, so I know how you feel. It's something that's always in the back of my mind.

I don't really have any advice for you other than try to keep busy and put it all in God's hands. I know that's hard, but that's the only way I can deal with it. I wish you and your family the very best, and I will keep your brother in my prayers. Let your brother know how very proud you are of him, and that everyone in the US is grateful for what he's doing.

I'm sorry but hang in there. When my ex husband was in the Army, we were stationed in Germany at the time of Desert Storm. He was a trumpet player in the Army band. When we started out processing we went to Fort Dix. They sent all military personnel one way and spouses the other. After about 1/2 hour someone came in and said they are all going to war and then left. It was hours before I heard anything else. It was horrible. My husband kept saying I'm a trumpet player! Turns out his secondary was an MP. Every person was trained for 2 different jobs. They were going to send him over to be an MP!! :( Needless to say he ended up not having to go and we boogied for the airport to spend the night so they couldn't find us and change their mind.

The only thing I can say from my experience is you need to remain positvie and not dwell on what if's. I'm sure he'll be fine and always be positive when you talk with him. Send letters and packages all the time. There is a chance you may never know much. I had a friend to was a Marine on the front lines and he refused to discuss any of it after he got back.

Just be there for him. I'm sending you happy thoughts and big hugs. He is also in my prayers and tell him thank you for giving his all to keep us safe.

Hugs to you Nicole from the both of us.
 

Dear Nicole,
Would you send us your brother's mailing address.
I just posted on Celstu 1 thread regarding her brother in Iraq.
We would very much like to include your brother in our sending care packages to.
Those we have heard from have said they especially appreciated items such as, foot powder, foot soaks, baby wipes, disposable thin rubber gloves, small jar of vaseline, eye glass wipes. alchohol wipes (individual packets come in small box of 100) a quart plastic container filled with cool aid, lemon aide, tea pkgs. Freezer bags. Several stores have the small individual variety of items for $1.00 and they pack real easy. These are items that they remarked about getting. Little things, but to them they mean a lot.

It is so important to support our men and women serving in our armed forces, we don't have to agree of them having to be where they are, but we most certainly can help to make their stay there more bearable.
Hugs to you Nicole and please let us help you to help your brother and the others serving there with him.
Patti and Jack

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our letter we send to our troops,
This Is For All Our Troops Men and Women
God Bless Each Of You.

This is being sent to each and every one of you to let you know our thoughts and Prayers are with you daily. We sincerely hope the package we have put together are items each of you will be able to use. We wish we could come and take your place so each of you could be with your families and loved ones. I know there are many Grannies and Gramps that share the same feelings as we do. Please keep strong in your Faith and know that Our Dear Lord knows our needs as we strive on each day. I must keep telling myself as the years are upon us both that God didn’t promise us a rose garden without the thorns but HE did promise us Strength for each day and Hope for tomorrow and Eternity with HIM. We continually pray for you and your families and are grateful to each of you for the many sacrifices you make in serving in our Armed Forces. We have constantly emailed our Government Officials and let them know to make sure your needs are met.
We also voice our own view on our being there in Iraq/Afghanastan. We don't go along with our government continuing to be in Iraq or Afghanastan, but we support each of you in our daily thoughts and prayers and hope the care packages help in some way to know we are here for you.
We pray the country there will be able to return to care for itself and you all can return home soon.
We send a big hug to each of you.
Sincerely, Grannie Patti and Grampa Jack
__________________

I am so sorry that your brother is going to the sand box. Unfortunatly, a LOT of us are sent out of our rate to go over there. A lot volunteer too.

I know it is hard, but, you do have to be upbeat. Be patient too. I know a lot of families worry needlessly when their family members are simply too buisy to eat let alone call everyone and give updates. I know he will have a lot to do, check out of his command to "TAD/TEMU" orders, attend pre deployment briefs, possibly go to training stateside first, get all of his finances and paperwork in order, ect... there is TONS to do before a deployment. Especially one like going from Japan to the desert.


If you need anything, or have any "military" type questions feel free to ask/pm me. Also, he is at Iwakuni right? Or is he in Okinawa? I might be able to try to get in contact with him if you like. I am stationed on Atsugi. It is near Tokyo and if you want I can try to get in touch with his command.


Also, I too am interested in sending a care package to your brother too when he deploys.

WOW - Thank you everyone. All your support and stories were so kind and very appreciated.

We finally heard from him last night, only for a few mins...He is doing some kind of 24 hr shift sim training. But he said he will call again in a couple of days.

Right now he is in Okinawa. In Sept. he is coming back to NC - Ft.Braggs. And than in Oct. we think he can come home to see his family :confused:
(not sure yet, but I would hope so. we are all spread out and we would like to have a reunion weekend with him, so I really do hope that they give him leave).

I am doing better, for now. But, I know that with my 'worry' personalty - when Nov. comes, I am going to wake up everyday...wondering...is this the day

I just wish they would bring ALL of over troops home already.
Enough is Enough

P.S.
I don't have an address yet...You all are so sweet! :)

I am so sorry for you, and what you're going through. It must be very scary, but I will pray for your brother as I do for all the men and women over there. I would like to get in on the care packages.