Post by Jeannette on Jan 7, 2008 23:26:46 GMT -5
Hiya,
I wanted to send a message out to those of you who will or do have loved ones on their first deployment.
The first time my son deployed I was at a loss and as the mom of a soldier I didn't have the close support of being on or near post.
I was a wreak and worried like I never had before and it was crippling.
We lead a fairly quiet life so if the phone rang in the night or the door bell rang unannounced I freaked and my adrenaline kicked in like I was strapped to the cow catcher of a freight train.
I started drinking and staring at Fox news everyday...bad idea I was plowed his entire first deployment and was of no use to my husband and 2 other sons.
When my oldest son deployed again I was determined not to let our lives come to a screaching halt and to do something positive for him and those with him as well as for my family.
I coordinated the sending of over 2000 Christmas stockings...one for every soldier in his battalion.I started when he left the states and made it my mission and accomplished it with pride and was kept plenty busy thinking of others and was able to step out of my worry and have a positive purpose.
His 3rd deployment I wanted to do the same but because of circumstances we were only able to send stockings to all the guys in his unit.
He comes home in about 2 months and I have spent the year talking with him and his closest buddies over there and getting folks to write to his unit and send care packages and adopt the single soldiers in his unit and we love and care for them as if they are our own sons.
My point is that no matter what please find a positive outlet for your worry and concern especially if you are not closely connected or are not near any support groups or post.
Focusing my energy into bringing some love and support from home even to soldiers I don't know has brought me so much happiness over the past few years.
I am so happy I found this site and if I can be of help to anyone please just ask.
~Jeannette proud Army mom
I wanted to send a message out to those of you who will or do have loved ones on their first deployment.
The first time my son deployed I was at a loss and as the mom of a soldier I didn't have the close support of being on or near post.
I was a wreak and worried like I never had before and it was crippling.
We lead a fairly quiet life so if the phone rang in the night or the door bell rang unannounced I freaked and my adrenaline kicked in like I was strapped to the cow catcher of a freight train.
I started drinking and staring at Fox news everyday...bad idea I was plowed his entire first deployment and was of no use to my husband and 2 other sons.
When my oldest son deployed again I was determined not to let our lives come to a screaching halt and to do something positive for him and those with him as well as for my family.
I coordinated the sending of over 2000 Christmas stockings...one for every soldier in his battalion.I started when he left the states and made it my mission and accomplished it with pride and was kept plenty busy thinking of others and was able to step out of my worry and have a positive purpose.
His 3rd deployment I wanted to do the same but because of circumstances we were only able to send stockings to all the guys in his unit.
He comes home in about 2 months and I have spent the year talking with him and his closest buddies over there and getting folks to write to his unit and send care packages and adopt the single soldiers in his unit and we love and care for them as if they are our own sons.
My point is that no matter what please find a positive outlet for your worry and concern especially if you are not closely connected or are not near any support groups or post.
Focusing my energy into bringing some love and support from home even to soldiers I don't know has brought me so much happiness over the past few years.
I am so happy I found this site and if I can be of help to anyone please just ask.
~Jeannette proud Army mom