Sadly, the news isn't that biased -- unless you listen to Fox and think it isn't all that bad. Just remember it is a BIG country and there are many thousands of US soldiers and Marines over there. They know we support them, whether we think they should be there or not. Be proud that they are sincere in doing their duty and service to our country. If your son/brother/friend/cousin/grandson keeps his head and uses his training and takes nothing for granted, he will be OK.

My son really is into sports, so we kept him up on what was happening to his favorite teams -- Maryland basketball, then Orioles Spring training and the start of the season. What he wanted to do most of all when he came back was to go to a Redskins game, so we spent a lot of money on 3 tickets to the opening game (he got here on the 10th, and the game was the 12th) and had a fantastic time.

He even had to deal with a "Dear John" letter while he was gone -- but even that seemed to go OK. We sent him lots of jokes and kept him up on what was going on in the family. He bought his Dad Orioles tickets on-line for his birthday, so we took pictures of us at the game to send to him. When we got together with his sister we'd send him pictures of the three of us. He enjoyed getting good news from home.

Arkansasnurse-I just want to add my thanks to your son and all the other military personnel in Iraq. I also say my prayers daily for the safe return of all our troops. I don't think any of us can thank them enough for all they do.

uh_oh busted - I live in Fallbrook, CA on the backside of Camp Pendleton. Many Marines live in Fallbrook and the surrounding areas and we have quite a few of our church members who are deployed. I agree that the Marines have a hard job and since I see them everyday, they are always on my mind. We recently had a representative from the base come to our church group to discuss how we can help not only the deployed Marines but also their families who are left behind. We are thinking of doing several projects that will involve the children, give them a fun day that will help them take their mind off their absent parent. It's a little thing but hopefully they will know how much we appreciate them.

uhoh_busted

I am so happy that your boy is back! : B

I hope this ends soon, ( Yes, maybe I am a dreamer) and none of these mothers and fathers have to worry about their children anymore.
God bless!

Say! Is there a way to send the extra Halloween candy over there? I usually let my son pick out a certain amount and then the rest goes away. He hasn't gone to too many houses in the past, but this year, he wants to go to many more now that he's a big 7-year-old. He's even made a map! LOL. I think many of the parents in my community would send excess to Iraq if we knew how.

i would also happily send letters to lonely soldiers and could probably get many more to do the same.

Any help, suggestions, comments?

Martha

My son has been there a little over seven months and I send him weekly care packages with plenty to share as he says several of his fellow soldiers receive no mail at all (which breaks my heart).

Trail mix, gatorade powder, gum, canned fruit, tuna in pouches, starbursts candy, underwear and socks, magazines like Maxim and FHM (the British "racier" versions), wet-wipes, soup, juice packets, and Vienna sausages are his favorites. It is much cheaper for him to buy phone cards there. The ones I bought here were more expensive and ran out much sooner.

They have some much better phone systems in use now -- there's no 3-second delay (which was really frustrating) and they get terrific rates on calls.

My son does not call much, preferring to email just about every day.
However, I ran across this today on the AAFES website.
https://thor.aafes.com/scs/default.aspx
ChristiP - Are these cards a good deal?
Wow, I forget about all the civilians over there. Is your husband living in US military "housing"? How does all that work?
The last box I sent my son took only 17 days to arrive. Others have taken anywhere from 2 - 5 weeks. 2-3 weeks seems to be norm for my son's APO address.
We sent cards... never had any problems with anything we have sent.
Does your husband's mail go through an APO? Possibly that makes a difference?

Thank you all, my son is in for a reality check, he commented last night on how they will be doing laundry weekly just like always. The worst part of his leaving is the fact that his wife will give birth 6 weeks after he leaves and they do not close on their new house until 2 days before he leaves, so he will not get to assist with moving nor will he live in it until he returns, May 2006. 18 months is a LONG time. he read thru all of these posts and took notes, thanks again.

Arkansasnurse,

I have a friend who's son is in Iraq and she just told me about something she sent him last month that he told her was a Godsend in the heat. I wish I could remember the details because she's out of town so I can't reach her. I can tell you that it was some kind of superabsorbant cloth made to hold water and place on the head. He told her that soldiers were miserable in the 110 plus degreee heat but the 20 some people he shared them with were much more comfortable. Hopefully someone here will know what I'm trying to describe.

Godspeed to your son AND you mom.

UPDATE The Army sent my son home for 2 days to see his new daughter, born 11/21. He also got to sleep in his new house. We all cried when he left. his arms were bruised from all of the shots. We got an international no limit calling card from the American Legion Ladies Auxillary. Now he is gone til Christmas. Thenhe leaves for IRAQ 1/1/05. Thanks all again. I know my son leaving means someone else's child gets to return.

ARKANSASNURSE: congratulations to your son, DIL and of course, you on the birth of a precious little girl! My thoughts and prayers for a speedy return :)

ArkansasNurse, congratulations on your sweet, beautiful (I'm sure!), new granddaughter. Your son will be in my prayers!

Arkansasnurse, I pray that your son will be safe and come home finally to his dear wife and beautiful little daughter and also his loving mom.

Being from a military family I know how those at home suffer so much too.

Living where I do (just a few miles north of Travis AF Base) I see our heros on a day to day basis. I always get a lump in my throat.

May God be with all our troops and their families and loved ones.

Congratulations on the birth of your grandchild. I am so glad that your son was able to come home for a couple of days. A friend's son is career military and he makes an effort to get people home for times like that. I hope the next year flies by. Make sure to send lots of pictures. We were lucky that our son never had to serve in a war zone but one thing he and his friends really enjoyed when they were overseas was tapes of his favorite show. Good luck to all of you.

Congratualations to your family on your new bundle of joy, ArkansasNurse. I am so glad to hear that your son was able to come home for a brief time to see his new daughter. My wishes and prayers are with you all for his safe return.

Arkansasnurse, I hope and pray everyday that all our trops stay well. It is good to know he is fine AND with a new baby! God blees you and your son.

Congratulations, grandma!
Godspeed to your son, and thank him again for all of us.

What part of Iraq is your son going to? My son has been in Baqubah, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad, for 10 months. He made it home on R&R in late July but the months have really dragged since he went back.

I had to laugh when I read about "camel spiders." He sent us a picture of a spider that was much larger more than 2 FEET LONG and I thought I'd have a heart attack just looking at the picture!

He says the best part of Iraq is making plenty of tax free money and saving most of it. He says the worst part is not the danger, it's the boredom when you're NOT on a mission.

Even though he calls me at least once a week, I send out at least one box of goodies every two weeks. OH, and I HAVE sent homemade cookies and they arrived fresh in 12 days!

My brother was there for 14 months...DVD's, dried fruit like raisins if he likes them, books...I bought my brother a couple of small "personal" battery operated fans that he said really came in handy.

A recent issue of National Geographic showed a soldier who had returned from Iraq. He said he extensively used their map of Iraq and a GPS unit.

Our prayers go to everyone serving there and elsewhere.

Congratulations! So happy for you that you got to see him, and especially that he got to come home for a bit to see his new baby. Thank you for posting the update.

Thanks all again, my son's MOS will let him email and video message. He took the camera with to CA. Baby gained a full pound in 10 days and is holding her head up, no I am not kidding. She smiles and laughs out loud, hates the swing, carseat and pacifier. Does not like her arms covered up and just try not to hold her!!

So good to hear your family is making it through this deployment, and thrilled that your son got to come home for the new baby. Isn't email a godsend? I still shake my head in wonder thinking that never before have families had a means to keep in touch with loved ones in a war zone. Best wishes to you all for the holiday season. Think how much fun it's going to be NEXT year!!!

ArkansasNurse, again, my prayers are sent that your son will return home safe and sound. And your grandbaby sounds precious. Enjoy every moment.

I too have family in Iraq, although not a child. But prayers are sent every day for them. May all our troops be out of harms way.

Take good care.

After months of dreading it (us, not him, he volunteered for 18 months when he had to do only 10) my son left for the middle east today. He will be in Kuwait a month before actually going into Iraq.
I did find the goggles that were suggested and he was thrilled for them.
The baby is at 11 lbs and 4 oz. Rolls over from back to front, gets mad when turned away from the TV. Her crib has one of her Daddy's worn but not soiled shirts on it so she can remember his scent. She sleeps very peacefully this shirt. She slept all night last night after he talked to her over the phone. 465 days til he comes back!!
Thanks everyone for your best wishes and prayers.

arkansasnurse and txtravelpro - unfortunately, no info or advice, but
as others have already said, my thoughts, thanks , and prayers go out to your sons - wishing them a quick and
safe return home. I know I couldn't do what they do; they are so brave.

Oh honey, my prayers are with you and your baby boy every day until he comes home!
((F))

Ditto the above posters....

Yes, you and your ramily, especially your son, are still in my thoughts.

Geez, the least I could do is spell it correctly! Family...

My deepest thanks to your son and his company, for the brave job they are doing. my prayers.

Hey Arkansas, mine left 12/21, the same day of my surgery...
This time he is in the thick of thigs. He has been emailing, thank goodness.
We are worried this time more than the last time!
~Laura (in Texas)

God bless our troops, all over the world, our prayers are with them and their families.

The camel spider referred to above is on the Urban Legends site if you're interested (be sure to read all the way to the end.)

Maggi

Your son is one brave man. God bless him and bring him home healthy soon.

Arkansasnurse and TxTravelPro, my thoughts and prayers are with both of your sons, as well as the rest of our troops in Iraq and surrounding areas. I hope that everyone is returned safely home as soon as possible.

Arkansasnurse and TravelPro - God bless your children. We'll keep them in our prayers. And please keep Ryan's brother in mind also - I believe he was deployed this weekend.

ARKANSASNURSE and TxTravelPro, your sacrifices in worry etc. are much realized too. Mothers are serving as well as their children, every hour that they are away.

My brother is in Iraq since October and will be there to next Nov. most probably- totally voluntarily, mentoring their new police force. He is 55 and my mom is 82, but he's still her baby. I see how hard it is on moms/wives especially.

Email is amazing. We can "talk" several times a week. But sometimes that makes is even harder on the moms because they may generally know jobs and whenever the danger may be greatest. Very hard.

Thanks too.

I pray for your boy, Arkansasnurse, and I pray for all the brave kids over there, and I thank them for their service and their sacrifice.

I also pray that the men in Washington who sent these fine young people into harm's way find the wisdom to bring them home now.

He called his wife from Kuwait. The phone card uses 10 minutes for each one minute they talk. So we will rely on email. Thanks for all the prayers.