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Dorothy, there is no measuring up! We're all in the same boat more or less, and everyone handles different situations in different ways and I think it's great to see how other people 'do it' - and perhaps be able to take something away from their stories and experiences.

I'm glad I found this group, I believe I'll be here for a while.

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Sandra
Proud Mom of PVT E2 Erich B.
BCT FLW, May - July 2010
AIT FLW, July - September 2010

~The struggle for normality normally isn't such a struggle~

But there is a standard of decorum that exists outside of what is going on around you. Watching someone maintain that standard when the cosmos is dumping on them is always uplifting. Its a hard standard to meet and I see it met so often by the people here. Its just really nice and I keep striving. . And so does that cosmos, always dumping something

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Dorothy mother of John, 25Q FORT HOOD, TEXAS

Barb (MaxsMom),

Is there a Blue Star Mothers group near you? (BlueStarMothers.org) I belong to Blue Star Mothers and our local Military Support Group so I can be around others who "Get it". GAP is a great place to vent and get info but sometimes we just need a real hug (the virtual ones are great too don't get me wrong). Our BSM group meets once a month so it doesn't take too much away from other obligations. Have made some good friends there too.

Hubby tried to join me at the local Military Support Group but the amount of men was limited and he felt like a rooster in a hen house He was hoping to find a place to talk to other dads who "Get it" too. He is actually thinking of getting a website going for the Military Dads out there.

Jim's deployment has been hard on both of us and we have both dealt with it in our own ways...especially after he was wounded. He is now on his way back to Aghanistan to finsh out his tour (his decision not the Army's) and I hope that all of my family & friends now understand why I was worried he first time he left and "Get it" now.

There are people out there who "Get it"...you just may need to look for them. If you feel that at this moment in your life that you need to surround yourself with these people (for your sanity), then do it. There are people out there who do care and will ask, but they arent walking in your shoes (and you aren't walking in theirs either...I am sure they have some things going on in their lives too) and we need to "Get that". As for the rest, they aren't worth getting upset over...I have too much on my plate now and there is no room for them.

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Cathy,
Mom of SPC Jim (Medic)
4B/4ID, Ft Carson, CO
June '09 Deployed Afghanistan
Wounded in Action Sept 10, 2009
Feb '10 Back to Afghanistan to finish tour.

Thanks, Cathy. I haven't heard about Blue Star Mothers so I will check it out. I'm doing so much better now--I guess the days before and the day of deployment were
more stressful on me than I'd anticipated they would be. I know a neighbor mom whose son is a Recon Marine who is deploying this spring. I've reached out to her and she has been very supportive and caring. This will be her son's 2nd deployment so she is a good person to know. In the meantime I llook out at the sky every
night and pray for his safety and the safety of all our troops. They are truly an amazing group of young people.

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Barb, Proud Mom of Pvt 2 MAX
BCT Ft. Benning 10-09, AIT Ft. Sill 11-09
Stationed at Ft. Bliss 12-09
Deployed to Iraq 1-30-10

"I am an idealist without illusions" John F. Kennedy

The nicest comment that I got that I wasnt sure how to respond too was

"God Bless You both and Thank you both for your service" I remember thinking, what am I doing to serve? He deserves Thanks but me? I asked her about this later and she said, because I know how much you love your son and there must be moments when you fear for him that you don't tell him you're scared but just offer loving support to him. You support him and lift him up, while he serves our country.

She made me cry. it was said with such sincerity that I knew it came from her heart

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Me - Tricia
My Son - Keith (35F)
BCT at Ft. Sill May 21st
Graduated AIT Ft. Huachuca October 15th
Graduated Airborne Train. Nov. 20th
Ft. Bragg - 82nd ABN
Deployed to Iraq - 12/2009
Back on U.S. Soil - 8-2010

Didn't Churchill say something to the effect that those who wait also serve?

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Dorothy mother of John, 25Q FORT HOOD, TEXAS

Some times we not only worry for there lives but for all the horrable things that come with war, Perhaps he might have to take a life are watch a fellow Soldier fall, The hardships of war follow for many years to come and us moms cry for our boys for all these reasons!!!

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Janet
proud mom of
Sarah -21, Pharmacy Tech student
Vinnie -19, soldier United States Army
Mary-18, Veternary Tech student
and Luke- 12, 7th grader

Amen....

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Kat W
Wife of 20 years to Tim, Vet, 63Y, USA
Mom of Stephany, 19, BCT Ft. Sill: 2/10-4/10, AIT Ft. Eustis: 4/10, 88H, USA
Mom of Jeremy, 18, future Army, HS Senior
Mom of Hillary, 11, 5th grader, Best Little Sister, and ray of sunshine to Mom and Dad

(Stephany 2/2010)
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the strength to do what is right in the face of it."

My son is nowhere near deployment yet. He's still safely in OSUT, but the day is most certainly coming at some point in the next six years. I don't like to talk too much about the bad things, but things such as those mentioned in the quote above are what I fear most for my son when his time comes...even more so than for his physical safety.

As far as his physical safety goes, I've often said that he could just as easily die in a car crash here at home as on a deployment.

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~Barb
Proud Mom of PV2 Chris
Cav Scout
National Guard

There's just something about a Soldier with an M-4 and a Sippy Cup...