How do You Survive Deployment?

I get this question quite a bit from co-workers, friends and family members. How do I do it? Well, I might say, "Very carefully." The truth is I do not always have a good time dealing with it. Even though my son is not in war zone, so to speak, I still worry and realize he is still a target. I find the not knowing aspect to be the hardest.

 

I cope by working on his Christmas care package, writing emails to him and updating his deployment website. I am so fortunate to be able to follow his deployment on FaceBook and Twitter. I also look at Marine, Naval and Unit websites quite regularly. I have said it before and I will say it again. Google is my friend.

 

Surviving deployment is made a little easier for me because I have many friends and family that understand when I get a little upset. Even though this is a non-combat deployment, there are other issues such as financial problems. I have to get his car registered this week and I have a feeling the experience will be less than pleasurable. Power of Attorney is not the end all to every situation that arises.

 

I also believe that we, the people back home can help ourselves survive by doing whatever we can, be that standing with the Patriot Guard, becoming a Soldiers' Angels or just shaking the hand of a vet and saying "Thank you." For some joining support groups or online communities such as Marineparents.com can help coping on a daily basis.

 

Deployment is hard any way you look at. 

So, how do you survive deployment?

Military Monday - LCpl Honda at Sea.

Here is a pic of LCpl Honda working on the flight deck in Combat Cargo. He is the one one the right. The Marines are moving a net that is used to transport cargo, food and other supplies from the the cargo ships and between the Navy ships. Combat Cargo also aids in assisting visitors or military personnel arriving and departing from the ship. It does not matter how high up in rank the visitor may be. Combat Cargo personnel is in charge on the flight deck.

LCpl Honda will be home on leave this weekend and then will deploy in Sept. It is going to be a long 7 months. He will however get to visit quite a few ports in many countries. Anyway, here he is:

 

God Bless our Troops. Happy Military Monday!

Military Monday - USS New York

The USS New York was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center. It is the fifth in a new class of warship, designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.

It was christened by Dotty England, the wife of Associate Press Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at Northrop Grumman shipyard in Avondale, Louisiana.

Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, Louisiana to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, “Those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,” recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. “It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.” said Capt. Wensing.

Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the “hair on my neck stood up.” “It had a big meaning to it for all of us,'” he said. “They knocked us down. They cannot keep us down. We're going to be back.”

The ship's motto?
'Never Forget'

 To read more about the USS New York go here.

Military Monday - At Sea

I am a little late with this. There is a new series, "At Sea" on the Military Channel featuring the US Navy and the US Marines. It actually started last night, Aug. 9th. It is a three episode special focusing on Naval ships.  The second episode airs tonight Aug. 10th at 10pm eastern time and concluding with the third episode on Tues. Aug. 11th. Hopefully it will repeat at another time. There is an excellent article about the series here.

The series focus is to let the American people know how the Navy and Marines work together and what these joined forces do when they are at sea. Our armed forces are made up of real people who have chosen to serve the American people and the series conveys this message to the viewer.

LCpl Honda is currently on the USS Bonhomme Richard preparing for an upcoming  MEU. This is why I am especially interested in this program. He currently works on the fight deck in Combat Cargo. He and other Marines and Sailors are responsible for loading and unloading cargo and making sure that people get on and off the Helicopters safely.

Go to the Military Channel website and you can explore an aircraft carrier interactively, find out more about the program, "At Sea" and learn about ships of the future.

Military Monday - MarineParents need your vote

Marineparents.com is a wonderful message board started by a Marine mom in 2003 when her son was deployed to Iraq. She wanted more information and the board was born. Now over thousands of parents as well as other family members connect daily with each other. Parents can offer each other support, guidance and love. Everyday new families join with many starting on the recruit board when their son or daughter goes to boot camp. I found this board to be extremely helpful and sometimes I knew what my son was doing at bootcamp before he had a chance to either write me or phone me.
Marineparents would greatly benefit from the $3,000 that will be donated to one charity from Squidoo a forum for writers to build lenses similar to blogs. There is no need to registar to vote.
Here is the link to vote. Here is a link to the Marineparents lens.

Please take the time to help Marineparents win! Hurry voting is today and tomorrow only!

 

Wordless Wednesday - Twins

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Comment about A Mother's Silent Scream

Laurie, another Marine mom left this comment about my Parent's Zone article A Mother's Silent Scream: Coping with Impending Deployment.

Your story is mine. My son is USMC Lcpl. somewhere in the world traveling as I write this to his first deployment. God help me I had no idea I could hold my breath this long, let alone how long it will take until he is safely back home.

My motto is "It is what it is." I also avoid the subject w/ non-military families. It is just too difficult. I am consumed at the moment, looking for distractions and move between pride and fear every second.

I remind myself that I (we) raised a Marine and that he represents everything the embodies the few and the proud. He is my hero in every sense of the word.

Set your intentions high and know that our fears are insignificant compared to the job our boys have volunteered to do. Find peace in friends and family, and remember to have courage. Our boys sent to war need to know that we will be okay.

Thank your son for me for his service to our country. Thank you for raising a Marine.
Semper Fi,
Laurie

It is good to know that we are not alone. Sometimes it feels that way. It gives me great comfort to belong to this huge "family."

Thanks Laurie and your LCpl will remain in our thoughts and prayers through his deployment and when his feet are again on American soil.

It's Promotion Time

 

Just got word that on this past Sunday my nephew, CPl Red is now SGT Red!!! Congratulations to you! Way to go and we are proud of you!

Not only did he get promoted on Mother's Day but he also took the time to send his mother, Crafty a big, beautiful bouquet of flowers. Nice move SGT Red.

So I guess this makes up for the lack of enthusiasm in his unit's newsletter. 

 

 

 

A Mother's Silent Scream: Coping with Impending Deployment

This is my newest post to appear on Parent's Zone

My son, LCpl Honda is set to deploy to the Sandbox later this year. It is still a few months off so I decided I just cannot freak out and go out of my mind with worry just yet. Nevertheless, I have to admit that each day that comes to pass, I feel a scream welling up inside of me. I know that this is probably normal and I know that I am not alone in feeling this way.

When my nephew, Cpl Red went on his first deployment I watched my sister, Crafty go through this process. I was with her when she had to say goodbye as his unit left. That experience is forever stamped in my memory. I watched other parents, wives, girlfriends and children say goodbye to their loved ones. I saw the look on their faces. I came home and told my mom, "I don't want to ever have to do this again." However, in my heart I know I would.

I remember when I was very young and Vietnam ended. I naively thought that there would not really be any more wars. Why? I guess because I was young and not very informed about the way of the world. I never ever thought that a child of mine might have to go off to combat. I think after 911 that changed. With my daughter, Cinderella, active duty army at the time, for the first time ever, I felt the fear that I feel now.

I have only told family about LCpl Honda's deployment. I cannot bear to divulge this information to other friends and co-workers just yet. LCpl Honda worked at the same place I worked before going off to boot camp. So everyone there likes him and knows him well. I just cannot bear the sympatric looks that I know will come. Please do not get me wrong. I know people mean well, but non-military families just do not have the understanding. It is not their fault. They are just not in the situation.

I have also found that I purposely do not do things like watch war movies. My husband wanted to watch 'Saving Private Ryan' this past weekend. I could not do it. HBO is replaying 'Taking Chance' at the end of the month. It is about a fallen Marine being escorted home. I plan to record it, but I do not think I will watch it until this deployment is over and my son and nephew are home safe.

I am not sure how well I will cope in the days ahead, but I will at least try to "soldier on" and if anybody asks, I will just reply with, "Good to go."

 

Quote of the Week

Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world, but the Marines don't have that problem.
--Ronald Reagan--

Military Monday

Yes, I know it is Tuesday. As I said before just a little writer's block. But I am glad to announce that when I checked my email today I had a nice little post just waiting for me.

My nephew Cpl Red is still on his year-long delployment to the Sandbox. The group he is with sends a newsletter every month. Whoever writes the newsletter decided to include quotes from the guys to their family and friends.

Here are a few:

"Happy mother’s day Nancy and to all the wonderful mothers who supported us during this deployment. Your job is the hardest. Ours pales in comparison to what you do everyday. To Kerry, Isabella, Sean, and Ryangela – I miss you tons and can’t wait to see you again. I can’t wait to build your animal cage, play Barbies, shoot your BB pistol, and dress up your babies. I love you all. Love Hubby/Daddy"

"To Family, Thank you so much for all the birthday gifts, love you all so much & miss you. Daddy will be home soon. Can't wait to see how big my two little angels have grown. LaShed continue being a good brother to your sister Tatyanna, and a good boy for your mother. Baby I love you so much and miss you. I know this is hard for you but you’re doing a great job all around. You’re an amazing wife & an outstanding wife. So happy to have found you, you’re my wife, best friend, soul mate, partner, better half and my heart. Love you all Love Daddy/your Husband"

 "To friends and family: Thank you for all your support during our time in country thus far. It’s been one heck of a year so far, but we’ve had a lot of good memories. However, we all look forward to returning back home, and seeing everyone again."

This must be the poet in the bunch.

 Sandstorms – A haiku 

Sandstorms come and go

Blowing dust and blindness around

Misery on post

I was reading all these really heartfelt messages and then I come to Cpl Red's message:

"This has been a very long deployment, can’t wait to get home."

That's it. No love you, miss you, Happy Mother's day Mom. Oh well, he never was long on words.

Here is a picture of his group. I can't find him in here so maybe Crafty will chime in a let me know.

 

Predeployment Training: Making Warriors

This is my newest post to Parent's Zone.


LCpl Honda is currently training for an upcoming deployment. Since I am always interested in what he is doing, I decided to ask him some questions and get his take on the training he is receiving.

Predeployment training is very intense and designed to teach the Marines what conditions could arise on a combat deployment. Marines train in realistic towns with actual Iraqi people playing citizens and terrorists alike. These "actors" prepare the Marines to react a certain way when they are deployed to places like Iraq and Afghanistan. It is vital that the Marines learn how to interact and in turn to watch reactions of the people playing these parts in order to ensure the most utmost safety conditions.

Marines learn how to conduct raids under live fire-like conditions. They learn the safest ways of securing a town or building. One technique is using buddy rushing by running and covering each other while advancing on a target. A squad may start out together but end split up into two "buddies.”

Jumping out of helicopters is another vital training exercise because that might be the only means of getting the Marines to a location. Marines are trained to slide down a fast rope and be able to land without injuring themselves on the ground. They are instructed on how to deal with the rotor wash air coming down from the rotors and the brown out dirt that is kicked up from the ground. LCpl Honda says that the instructors are very good at helping the Marines to jump successfully.

LCpl Honda says that the most important thing about the training is working together. This has been emphasized since the Marines were recruits in Boot Camp. "You have to look out for the guy next to you and he has the do the same." said LCpl Honda. The training is really a dress rehearsal for the actual theater.

The Marines have no idea what will happen during training. There could be a riot, a sniper on a roof or terrorist hold up in a building. The element of surprise prepares them to expect anything during deployment. Better to make a mistake during training than during actual combat situations.

I asked LCpl Honda if he felt he was ready for deployment. "Well," he said, "I am not through with training yet so not quite." but he continued, "I will be." He also said that most of the Marines feel the same way as him.

He closed with, "We get the best training possible." and more importantly, he added, "Our leaders and instructors prepare all of us to come home."

I found pictures of LCpl Honda's unit in training here. I don't know if he is in any but it illustrates a lot of the training.

Marines in Training

LCpl Honda is doing some serious month-long training. His unit recently went to 29 Palms to train for their upcoming deployment. He said it is very intense but he is having fun doing it.

He called last weekend to say they were on their way to a base near Oakland to jump out of helicopters. HE was overjoyed! Makes me a little bit queasy. I am just glad he is happy and enjoying his training.

So I was browsing around Marines.mil and I came across this article about his unit and their training. I thought it was interesting. There are a few pictures too and I wondered if LCpl was in any of them. Hard to tell because they all look alike in their camo and gear.

Apparently the training is pretty grueling and challenges both the Marines’ abilities to work in unison as squads and their individual physical endurance. Also,the scenario mirrors combat situations in Afghanistan, where they may be deploying.

“The course is physically exhausting,” said Staff Sgt. Shawn M. Skaggs, 26, from Pilot Grove, Mo. “In combat, you have adrenaline and the will to survive to keep you going. In training, you don’t have that; you have to have that physical will to drive yourself.”

You can read the full article here.

Please say a prayer for my son and his unit. I know they get the best training possible but a little divine intervention can not hurt.

Attention: Marines will be closed for Superbowl

My son called a few days ago and said he would be coming home this weekend. He doesn't usually come home for the weekend as it is an eight hour drive from his base to our house. But this is a special weekend because Sunday is Superbowl and apparently some of those Marines like to party a little bit. Oh my gosh! Tell me it is not true! Ah, seriously, my son says the Marines know that the boys and girls won't be worth anything so they are giving them Monday off. Why can't my employer think like that?

Now, next weekend happens to be when I will be playing the 50 year old bridesmaid so I decided that I needed take Monday off too! And not because I will have a hangover either. Just want to be able to see LCpl Honda for more than a few hours.

So all you terrorists, dictators or any crazy world leaders out there please don't start any crap this weekend because the Marines will have left the building.

12 Days of Christmas - Marine Style

This is the unit Cpl Red is assigned to but he is currently in a different location in Iraq. Too bad it would have been fun to see him in this little production.

Marine Cha Cha Slide Team

Crafty sent this to me yesterday. I had to keep from laughing out loud as I was at work.
I want to do this! Happy Friday!



*I don't know why there is two, but I will work on it*