ladyangel Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 I wasn't sure which category to post this under, but since it has to do with my family, that's where I'm putting it. The LAST thing I want is for this to turn into a political discussion...please, please, please! I'm begging. I would appreciate it very much if you would respect my request. I want to post this website for purposes of some interesting and cool information about my son's Marine Battalion in Iraq. It happens to be a site called Politics1, but that has nothing to do with why I'm posting it. It's a pretty basic non-biased site intended to give people information about their candidates, on all levels, and information about the election in general. But this is NOT about me endorsing the site at all. It's merely for information about my son and what he's doing. That being said, go to the site and click on the section at the top entitled "Our adopted Marine Corp Battalion." http://www.politics1.com/index.htm This is my son's battalion. As a matter of fact, the Marine who writes the articles is one of my son's "bosses." He's in H&S Company, which stands for Headquarters and Service. He's in the Advance Party. They go ahead of the rest of the battalion and set up headquarters and supplies, etc. My son's job description is logistics, but in the circumstances they are in, the platoons will be rotated from time to time and he'll be expected to do the same jobs other people do, including going out on missions away from the base. He's already been in one convoy that went 80 miles from base, towards Fallujah...scary stuff. Quite an experience for him. I get some of my best information about what is going on with their battalion from this guy's writings and pictures. As you can guess, there's not a lot of communication or information coming out of there. We have been able to talk to our son on the phone a couple of times, but it's always family talk about what's going on at home, encouraging him to stay strong, things like that. He got married two weeks before he left, so the time he does have is mostly spent talking to his wife, understandably so. We also have a nephew who is a Marine. He is in the 3rd MAW (Marine Aircraft Wing) and flies F18's. We got quite a shock when we found out that he had been deployed the week before our son -- and ended up at the same base! It was pretty exciting for our family to know that at least they would be (somewhat) together. They live across the country from each other and rarely get to see one another, and now here they are within a few miles of each other in Iraq. How ironic. They do completely different jobs, with different groups, and it's a huge base, so they don't see each other on a regular basis. But they have had a chance to get together once already since they got there. I feel our son is a little safer, knowing that this particular base is more protected now that the "big guys" are there (F18's, etc.) At least that's what I tell myself....LALALA (hands over ears). That's pretty much a necessity when his safety is totally out of our control. This is obviously a stressful time for our family, one of the hardest things we've ever had to go through, aside from the death of our oldest son. It's impossible not to have horrible thoughts going through your head, hoping and praying that we do not lose another son...or a nephew. I know there are others out there in this same position. How do you deal with it? What do you say to your sons and other loved ones in this position? How do you keep your spirits up, and the spirits of the Marine who calls home? Any advice would be appreciated. We send care packages about once a week; favorite food from home, letters, cards and other things to try to remind him of home and to let him know we care about him and think of him constantly. What is your opinion on watching and reading news reports? Do you think it's better to check the news all the time, looking for what's going on in his part of the country? Or would you be more inclined not to want to know since there's nothing you can do about it? We find ourselves drawn to whatever news we can get our hands on. When the report came out last Monday about 7 Marines being killed by a suicide bomber in a convoy near Fallujah, we freaked out for the whole day until his wife heard from him that he was okay. It was also his birthday. What a way to spend it, huh? Link to post Share on other sites
Fayebelle Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10494380&BRD=2101&PAG=461&dept_id=417987&rfi=8&xb=foquq http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10196974&BRD=2101&PAG=461&dept_id=417987&rfi=8 http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=11112696&BRD=2101&PAG=461&dept_id=417987&rfi=8 http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=11133077&BRD=2101&PAG=461&dept_id=417987&rfi=8 These are all links to articles written by or about my ex BF when he was in Iraq. You may have to register to view them but the registration is free- it just links you to my local newspaper. LA- I did not watch reports on Iraq when he was gone. I prayed for all the soldiers involved but when it came to news- I only wanted to hear from him or God forbid his mother. From afar- the cammis seem indistinguishable- but when you know that someone you love could be under that helmet... well it's just too much for me to watch. Try to keep their spirits up- but make sure you encourage them to communicate their neg feelings too. The pain and suffering they see and do does have an impact on them- but they are trained not to speak of it to one another. Make sure they have an outlet somewhere- don't let it eat into them and leave a hole to rot. My ex had A LOT of probs when he came home and I think a lot of them stem from the pain he internalized for so long. I am so proud of him, your son, and all the men and women fighting for our country. For what it's worth- you can know that somewhere in MD a young girl says a prayer for your son every night. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ladyangel Posted September 14, 2004 Author Share Posted September 14, 2004 Thank you Fayebelle. I enjoyed the links and your words of comfort and advice. Do you still talk to your ex-boyfriend? How is he doing now? Link to post Share on other sites
Fayebelle Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 He is one of my best friends but we've had some probs since he returned. War really messed w/his head (duh) and he has not received treatment for what I see as a big prob. He now has a teaching position in Ft Benning and when I spoke to him over Labor Day wknd he seems to be doing a bit better. I'm pretty disappointed w/the military's lack of therapy for troops returning home. They basically told him "it takes a while to reaquaint yourself to civilian life. If you have any probs give us a call" Very helpful huh? Of course he hasn't pushed for counceling either which is something we argue about. Time will tell how it all works out. Link to post Share on other sites
amerikajin Posted September 16, 2004 Share Posted September 16, 2004 The accounts are interesting, and I like the photos, too. Almost seems like we're there on the ground with them. Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts