30 May 2012

Pre Deployment Planning

Stayed up late last night planning a funeral.  No one's died, but those are some of the things MilSpouses have to talk about before a long deployment.  Those are some of the things pre-deployment planning involves.  I'm a planner, so having a plan in place before hand is something that is reassuring.  DH and I talked about

29 May 2012

Why They Serve: "If Not Me, Then Who?"

Tom Manion: Why They Serve—'If Not Me, Then Who?' 
After more than a decade of war, remarkable men and women are still stepping forward.
By Tom Manion

 I served in the military for 30 years. But it was impossible to fully understand the sacrifices of our troops and their families until April 29, 2007, the day my son, First Lt. Travis Manion, was killed in Iraq.

Travis was just 26 years old when an enemy sniper's bullet pierced his heart after he had just helped save two wounded comrades. Even though our family knew the risks of Travis fighting on the violent streets of Fallujah, being notified of his death on a warm Sunday afternoon in Doylestown, Pa., was the worst moment of our lives.

 While my son's life was relatively short, I spend every day marveling at his courage and wisdom. Before his second and final combat deployment, Travis said he wanted to go back to Iraq in order to spare a less-experienced Marine from going in his place. His words—"If not me, then who . . . "—continue to inspire me.

24 May 2012

Count Down

One month and 12 days til deployment. Gone through all the AFRC briefings and signed up for emails and base benefits- loving the idea of dining out and oil changes!! Now I have to find a calendar for the kids to count down the days til mid deployment R&R and then Homecoming. Or I could spend the time making one, I haven't yet decided. But one thing is sure, deployment is coming and things are getting more real for the kids and for me.