Deployment

[Sorceress]

My husband deployed to Iraq today for a year.  I'd have to say dropping him off with his unit was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

[Alida]

{{{HUGS}}}

[kckgirl]

((Hugs)) to you. If the unit has a family support group, I encourage you to join it. You may not always want to participate in their activities, but it sometimes helps to spend time with people who completely understand what you're living with. Keep in contact with your IRL friends, and we're here if you need to vent.

[miredrose326]

If the unit has a family support group, I encourage you to join it. You may not always want to participate in their activities, but it sometimes helps to spend time with people who completely understand what you're living with. Keep in contact with your IRL friends, and we're here if you need to vent.

I completely agree.  It helps so much to others who know exactly what you are going through.  I was resistant to join the Navy Wives but they turned out to be some of my best friends while he was out on deployment.

((Hugs))

[momto3daughters]

First HUGE HUGE HUGS, It sucks that they couldnt allow him to at least have Christmas time at home before being sent off.
Secondly a HUGE HUGE HUGE thank you to not only your husband but to you as well for what your family goes through to keep us safe and sound.
Thirdly (im long winded lol) my girl scout troop is looking for a new soilder to sponser, the last two years our soilders we sponsered after sponsering each has come home and we need a new Solider to sponser.
What we do is hold cookie booths and offer the customers to purchase additional cookes, they get to sign the box and we pay to ship them to the soilder to share with his buddies. We also write letters send cards and sometimes little gifts if we have the funds.  Send me a private message if you think this is something you'd like for us to do for your husband.

[Sorceress]

Thanks for the support everyone!  It helps to be able to talk about it.

And momto3daughters, I've heard of that and it sounds like a wonderful idea.  I'll send you a PM shortly.  I know my husband really loves Girl Scout cookies, especially the plain peanut butter ones.

[Clara Bow]

My husband's cousin (and one of my favorite people) got his orders to go in September for a year. We can't wait for him to come home, so I can't imagine how you must be feeling with it being your husband....but we're all here to listen and help. Send him lots of letters and care packages and try your best to be patient...those letters back may come late or in chunks as military mail isn't the greatest. I hope you have good support around you and I'd do my best to stay busy.
I'd like to thank you and your husband for his contribution to this country. I'm proud to know you through this site and him indirectly....

[debnjerry]

I'm sorry I can't imagine how hard that must be.

[ItZWhoUKnow]

If you need to talk just e-mail me any time. I've been an Army wife for over 12 years and we've already been through one Iraq deployment and will be going through another one in the near future.
Big hugs.
My best advice is to stay away from the news and stick with your normal day-to-day routine....and take care of yourself, your husband will be happier if he knows you are doing fine (even though you miss him tons)....


and when summer rolls around, never complain about the heat:)

[Reika]

*hugs* I too can't imagine what it's like to send someone off.

[IndianInlaw]

May I offer a bit of advice?

Send, send, send, physical things in the mail...

Email is wonderful, but nothing beats a package from home.

My older sister and brothers were in the military and I regret not sending them more mail.

You can survive this and you will survive this.

[NewMrsF]

<<Hugs>> for you. There is always that fine line between being really supportive of what the troops do and missing your loved ones because they are away doing it. Keep your spirit strong and I agree with IndianInlaw, send him packages. It is like a little piece of home.

[Sorceress]

Thanks everyone!

I do plan on sending lots of care packages.  I never deployed, but was in the Reserves for eight years and mail call was definitely the best part of the day during basic training and schools.

My brother just came back from his second tour in Iraq last February and my stepdad is supposed to go sometime in 2007.  Unfortunately, I didn't live close enough to be there when my brother left and came home so sending hubby off was definitely a new experience.  In a way, I think that was the hardest part.  I feel a little better know, but it's still pretty lonely around the house.  I have the dogs to keep my company and my best friend from high school invited up to her house for the Xmas weekend.

[Sandi Papaya]

*hugs* sorry to hear of your husband's deployment. If you don't mind, I'll keep him in my thoughts and pray that God keeps him and the soldiers he's fighting with safe and sends them home soon, safe and sound.

Also, if there's anything I can do (I'm not an ace knitter, but I'm pretty good at it) I'll be glad to send him something knit to keep him cool from the desert heat - there are a lot of ideas online for helmet liners and all kinds of knit goodies for the military. Just let me know.

[Clara Bow]

I just thought about this...find the USO's website. They should be able to get you in touch with people who can be supportive of you!
And please, no news and no newspaper for a while, until you get adjusted. Then ease it back in in small doses.