My Brother, the 303Rd Cavalry & the Us Military

[armywife_consultant]

i can definantly relate. my husband just returned from a 16 month tour in november. it goes by alot quicker then you think it does. just pray dailey. and stay busy.

 

[vwpamperedchef]

Meghan any new updates?

 

[baychef]

Meghan, my prayers are with your brother, all military troops and especially their families.

I live near Fort Drum, NY. Along with making friends with many military families over the years with my PC business, I also head the food services for a school with 55% children from Fort Drum. We have seen these families and children endure the high of highs and the low of lows. They have my total respect and admiration. I can say that I doubt I could be as strong.

Our school district prides itself in being the best support we can be when a family is in crisis or need. To watch the worry families endure, it is a helpless feeling. It helps to be involved with a district which prides itself in being a "soft place to land" for all families.

 

[candiejayne]

Is there a group set up here for people who have someone deployed? I think that would be a great support to those of you who need each other right now. I know when my exhusband was deployed, no one really got what I was going through except others that were there, or had been there at some time.

 

[baychef]

This is so true, Andrea. Even though I am friends with many of the wives, their daily burdens are very different from what we civilians can imagine.

Examples...one woman (who's husband was in the last leg of his deployment) was distressed about family issues with deaths of her one of her parents, teenage children and when she spoke with her husband looking for support, he was frustrated because he was an officer and just couldn't "take on" anymore than what he was dealing with his men and what they were dealing with. They got in a little fight over the phone but she understood. She decided that she could not tell him anything negative so she really leaned on her military friends so she could discuss her own burdens. Add to that her worries about his safe return.

One of a MILLION stories!!

 

[candiejayne]

Yep, exactly. Things like that happen all of the time. I was the Special Events Chairman for our Family Readiness Group during the deployment. I made sure to set up a fun event every month for the mom's and kids (we were a male only unit at the time). One month we did a craft day where the kids could make stuff to send to their dad, brother, grandpa, uncle, whoever they had over there. It was always a nice way to get the kids together and give the mom's a break to sit and talk to each other. Although I'm not affiliated with any unit anymore, I'd still love to be part of that process in helping others. It got me through the deployment and helped me to be a better person.

 

[gailz2]

prayers must be working guys because - without going into much detail - there was an incident & everyone involved was able to walk away.

however - zachary is having some head trauma now & is having difficulty with his short term memory. they are keeping a close eye on him & my poor mom is ready to fly over & get him.

if you could all remember to include him in your prayers again tonight. i would appreciate that.

Meghan, I truly hope he and all his fellow soldiers come through this "incident" as best as can be expected. I pray, most nights, for all men, women, and their related families who give so unselfishly of themselves so that others can enjoy the freedoms we have. Your brother will be at the top of my list. Stay strong and positive!
Gail

 

[heather223]

Tell him Thanks and I will keep him in my prayers.

 

[abaker1]

sending up prayers!

 

[baychef]

Yep, exactly. Things like that happen all of the time. I was the Special Events Chairman for our Family Readiness Group during the deployment. I made sure to set up a fun event every month for the mom's and kids (we were a male only unit at the time). One month we did a craft day where the kids could make stuff to send to their dad, brother, grandpa, uncle, whoever they had over there. It was always a nice way to get the kids together and give the mom's a break to sit and talk to each other. Although I'm not affiliated with any unit anymore, I'd still love to be part of that process in helping others. It got me through the deployment and helped me to be a better person.

We also have classroom activities, live computer feeds to Iraq and/or Afghanistan...we have arranged time when the Mom or Dad can see their child receive a special award, etc. There is a lot of live communication done.

Every graduation ceremony is streamed to the bases over sees. Last year there was a dad given special time with his daughter in her graduation gown and the two of them were able to talk on her special day. We just don't realize all of the little things that military families miss to help defend our country. One of my friends has 3 little boys and this is Dad's 3rd or 4th deployment. These boys are all under the age of grade 3. The most recent deployment for Dad was in January. One of the little guys just cried and said...but I need my father. :cry: Now I am going to go cry too!!

 

[thecougchef]

Meghan any new updates?

zachary called last night & he had an appt with the marine neurologist on his base & the swelling in his brain has gone down enough for there to no longer be a threat. he is still having bad migraines & memory issues - but they have medically cleared him to come home. they have put in his papers for him to come home on leave. im hoping he'll be in the states by mid march.

thank you all for all of your support. their deployment is still another 6 months - please continue to pray for their safety - & for the safety of other cs family members deployed & the entire armed forces.

 

[vwpamperedchef]

I am so glad Meghan that his swelling has decreased and that he is cleared for leave. He's been on my mind!!

How is his best friend doing? Was he OK during the incident?

Hugs to you and your family & thanks for your support as well.
Vanessa

 

[thecougchef]

I am so glad Meghan that his swelling has decreased and that he is cleared for leave. He's been on my mind!!

How is his best friend doing? Was he OK during the incident?

Hugs to you and your family & thanks for your support as well.
Vanessa

riley (the friend) was in a different vehicle but saw the whole thing happen. ive been emailing back & forth with him because i knew that he would know exactly how zac was doing without the sugar coating i know that zac is giving us. riley said it was a wake up call for both of them. thanks for keeping him on your mind vanessa. i appreciate it & so does he.