[cheerfuldoer]

Originally Posted by jnette

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He went to his postal schooling somewhere near Camp LeJeune and would tell me how he'd stand on his room balcony and watch all the "grunts" parading by and doing their PT routine. He would chuckle to himself, thanking God he did NOT join the Marines !
.................................................. .

Great idea to start this thread Jnette! I couldn't help but laugh about your ds was "thanking God he did NOT join the Marines" because just as the Navy laughs at the Marines rigorous workouts, the Air Force laughs at the Army in the same way. I work on an Army post, and see them out doing P.T. EARLY in the morning...regardless of the weather. When I lived on the Air Force Base briefly with one of my dds, I NEVER saw any Airmen doing P.T.

Originally Posted by Grace Oz

Thanks Jnette!
Excellent idea!
I know this is primarily for US families, but can our mob join in too?
Since Australia is in this together with the US and our other allies, we have much in common. Perhaps also, much to share.



It's errie you've posted this now.
We have just heard news of confirmation of DS being re-deployed.
He leaves beginning of April.
It was on the cards, so it's no surprise.
While he's not going to the Gulf, (for which we're greatly relieved), the danger is still ever present and unpredictable.
Most other military mother's will understand the anxiety and concern I feel.
He returned safely last year, we pray the same again this time.

My thoughts and prayers for all who serve and their loved ones.

Grace - are women in the Armed Services in your country like they are in our country? I understand the anxiety and concern having a child in the military as two out of three of my dds served in the Armed Forces (one for eight years in the Army, and one four years in the Navy). My prayers will be with your son, you, and your entire family.

Originally Posted by mjlrn97

I just got great news the other day: Melanie and Bryan's deployment is actually being shortened by five months..........they'll be home in JULY!!! And they're planning to come out here after they pick up the baby in Georgia to visit for a week or so. YAAAAAY!!!!!

That's great news Marla!

Originally Posted by Arwen_U

...........................(When our dad was in the USAF, his 'wish list' was Italy, England, and Germany.....ended up in *drum roll please* Rapid City, South Dakota, where I was born.)

Yep! Been on wish lists like that when I was a military spouse.

[cheerfuldoer]

MARY - so sorry to hear about your son's injuries when he was in Iraq. I pray he is healing more and more each day.

[Grace Oz]

Grace - are women in the Armed Services in your country like they are in our country?

Yes Renee, we have women serving in our defence forces.

Women in the Navy only went to sea sometime around the late 70'-80's. Prior to that time our ships had men only aboard.

Women in the Army do not go into combat roles. The jury is still debating this one.

We have at least one female Air Force pilot that I know of.

Our defence force is small compared to other countries with much larger populations.
Despite this, we've always "punched above our weight" when it's come to Australia doing it's bit in time's of war, peacekeeping, etc.

Our veteran nurses have a proud history, but I'm sad to say, they've never really been fully or adequately recognised and rewarded as far as I'm concerned.

You might like to read about my hero, Vivian Bullwinkle..................

http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a397317ef71ae.htm

Vivian was a family friend.
As I say, she is my hero!

[cheerfuldoer]

Grace -- thank you for posting the remarkable story of that very brave nurse. It almost made me cry while reading it. I could almost visualize them marching into the sea. Thank God she survived to tell the story.

[Elvish]

The latest - my db leaves for boot camp 2/10/08. We are going there hopefully next week to a family get-together/going-away party for him. Between my dad & stepmother there are 5 kids plus all OUR kids, so it will be a houseful, but we want to see him before he leaves. I can't believe it's actually going to happen now......

[jnette]

Originally Posted by Arwen_U

The latest - my db leaves for boot camp 2/10/08. We are going there hopefully next week to a family get-together/going-away party for him. Between my dad & stepmother there are 5 kids plus all OUR kids, so it will be a houseful, but we want to see him before he leaves. I can't believe it's actually going to happen now......

((((((Arwen)))))))

Bittersweet. A difficult thing to let them go like this. Just remind him how proud you are of him, and that BC will be tough.. but it WILL come to an end, as well.

Start stocking up on funny cards, stationary, etc. DAILY mail is sooooo welcomed by those in BC !!! Means so much to them! You might have your family members save clippings of your local newspaper,, things that are happening back "home" that might be of interest to him, any sports interests he might like to hear about, etc.

Will be thinking of you during this time.

[earle58]

arwen- i've been reading about your db...

i don't know what to say or how to react.

my dd has joined the marines, and is leaving the end of may.

everything seems so surreal.

indeed, very bittersweet.

jnette has wonderful ideas, that i have already noted.

may God be with you and yours.

leslie

[VivaLasViejas]

Whoa, Leslie!! Did you say your daughter joined the Marines??

You must be so proud of her, and yet sooooooo conflicted......I know I was when my own dd joined the Army and then ended up in Iraq. (Who am I kidding, I'm still conflicted.) It's scary knowing your little girl will be so far from home; but I have to give the military its props---it makes you or breaks you. The service takes marginal people and makes them strong, and it takes good people and makes 'em better.

I can say for certain that joining the military will more than likely do a great deal for your daughter; in a year, you won't even recognize her. I'm still amazed at what the Army has done for my girl (who's 22 going on 40). I was still a party girl at her age, even though I was married and had a job; now here she is, in the middle of a war zone, taking her duties and responsibilities more seriously than most people twice her age. She has her financial act together, she owns a home, she does all the right things to ensure her family's security. Just wait............your daughter will surprise you!

Thoughts and prayers going out to you, my friend.

[Grace Oz]

((((Arwen and Leslie))))

Somehow, and at times I do not know how, both the wonderful young person joining the services, and us, their loved ones, survive!

The mixture of emotions has to be experienced to truly understand just how it feels.
And I'm here to tell you, ten years down the track, the emotions are as strong and passionate as they were the day we waved our son off.

Their decision to join the Defence Forces is life changing. Not just for them, but for us their parents, and their sibling's also.
It impacts in so many ways and on so many levels.
Then, when they are deployed to another country, are in harms way, facing danger every moment, they, and us, face another emotion - Fear.
Fear of the unknown. Fear of the 'what if's'. Fear of maybe never seeing them again. Fear in it's entirety.
Somehow we have to learn to conquer that fear. Often the real enemy is fear itself.

Being able to share, vent, laugh, cry, seek advice from others travelling the same journey, can be comforting and greatly encouraging and supportive. We can offer each other all that, and more, here on this thread which Jnette kindly implemented.

Again: ............. Jnette!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~

Another suggestion to add to Jnette's: .............

I bought a plain 'gold' frame and put a photo of the four of us in it. A nice reminder of a special occasion with his family.
I would, and still do, send his favourite lollies, chocolate etc. I'd take photo's of us and the pets and other familiar places, people, things etc, and send those for him to look at and get a laugh from.
I'd find jokes and cut them from the paper or whatever, copy them and send those too.
Write as often as you can. Even saying; "I've got nothing much to write about, but wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you", can make their day. Just that link to home and loved ones. I'd often include a small message card with some nice verse on it. Or a funny saying.

Hope these idea's might help you!

[ingelein]

Leslie, whoa,what a surprise, did she surprise you too? Read the entry's about Marine boot camp in Arwen's thread about her brother, some helpful tips. The females in the Navy train right along with the males, I suspect it is the same in the Marine boot camp. I know you will be a support for her, she will need all your love and hugs through letters. My best wishes for you and your daughter, I hope you and Arwen share your experiences with us.