My son's best friend is being sent to Iraq

[MichiganVote]

I've known this kid since he was in 4th grade. I'm just sick about this. Air Force National Guard, Lower Michigan / Battle Creek...

Anybody know anything?

[astonamous]

1. What's his specialty...his job? eom

[MichiganVote]

2. Sposed' to be radio / communication but may be infantry

Don't know if it makes a difference nowadays

[astonamous]

5. It may not make a difference. I am an Air Force vet.

I don't remember the Air Force having an infantry, but if he is in communications he's going to be where they are trying to put in phone and cable lines. Even though technology has changed a whole bunch since my dad was in Korea, that is what he did and he wouldn't even talk about Korea.

I am praying for him and for all of our troops. I'm sure he will be fine. You have to be smart to even get in to the Air Force and the training is top notch.

Sorry I don't have any info on his paticular unit.

[MichiganVote]

11. Thanks!

[Skittles]

3. got a tip for your son

cheapest, easiest way to help his friend out is to load up on post cards (get some cool ones at bookstores like Borders and Barnes and Noble) - also get postcards of the area you are from - get books of post card stamps at the post office - mail them frequently so he gets something in the mail regularly; those guys get their biggest lift from the mail....tell your boy his friend will very much appreciate this

[MichiganVote]

4. I will and thanks!

[Skittles]

25. it's US poscard stamps

remember, for the military we only pay postage to the coasts; the military picks it up from there :D

[MichiganVote]

27. I didn't know that, thanks!

[shaniqua6392]

6. He is in our thoughts and prayers.

I am so sorry. I know how you feel. My son in laws nephew is leaving in January for basic training. He is only 19 years old and for two years in high school, the military recruiters were working on him. We had no idea and now it is too late. He thinks he is going to see the world. The only thing he will see joining the Army is Iraq. All we can do is pray for them and keep sending letters, postcards and love.

[MichiganVote]

8. I hear you and thanks, I appreciate your thoughtfulness

[misternormal]

7. I sympathize with you...

My daughter, U.S. Army Combat Medic, assigned to the 101st Airborne is due to be deployed before Thanksgiving.. (Due to security she could not say exactly when).

I was in during Viet Nam, and I'm scared to death for her.

And thanks to the others for the advice on the mail.

[MichiganVote]

10. Welcome misternormal

My heart goes out to you and yours. It may be that by the time Brian is deployed it will be Thanksgiving too.

I don't know what advice anyone can give when it comes to this kind of fear. Its a whole different kind of fear from others. I hope you have people you can keep close to you. Hold on tight and be sure to let others know what you need on this board or whereever you feel safe.

I'll think of your daughter, you think of Brian, and maybe we'll do both of these kids some good.

[misternormal]

14. Thank you...

I certainly shall.

My daughter tells me "not to worry..."

I tell her that phrase is not in a parents vocabulary.

Pray for them all in whatever way you do... and thanks again.

[MichiganVote]

19. Added her to my list...we literally keep a list in our house

that we pray for. Nothing fancy but if it makes the families feel better, what's the harm. You and your daughter are now on it.

Best.....

[misternormal]

20. Thanks again...

Her name is Angela

I keep a candle burning... I lit it the day of the invasion, and I will keep it lit until the last soldier, sailor, marine and airman comes home.

[MichiganVote]

21. Angela it is...

[SammyWinstonJack]

12. My oldest son was in the 101st Airborne, he got out in '98, needless to

say, I am so glad. If not, I am sure he would have been deployed to Iraq and I could not have handled that. I hope your daughter stays safe and comes home soon. :hug:

[misternormal]

17. Thank you for your kind response.

[knitter4democracy]

31. Does she need anything?

My hubby's an internist, and I heard that they don't get enough scrubs. Let me know if she needs anything, especially anything like a pair of socks or a helmet liner or whatever.

[etherealtruth]

34. Welcome to DU ...

I'll definitely keep your daughter in my heart and thoughts.

[AlCzervik]

9. Sorry to hear and i sympathize with you

my nephew is there again and this time it feels worse for some reason, more dread. My thoughts are with your friend and you and i will keep the vibes for his/her son.

[MichiganVote]

15. Hard to live with the feeling of dread. Keep me posted on how

it goes for him...or for you. Like living my youth from the Nam days all over again. Jeezzzz

[AlCzervik]

18. i will and thanks, i appreciate it.

[knitter4democracy]

32. Not to sound like a broken record, but

Does he need a helmet liner or some socks? I'm trying to find soldiers to knit for--people I have some kind of connection to rather than just sending things randomly to charities to forward or to anysoldier.com. I don't have any on my needles right now . . .

[Just Me]

13. Be sure to tell your son to write him OFTEN!!!

Write about personal goings on (NO POLITICS) to give him a sense of anchor.

:hug: I'm sorry. This shit is tough!!!

[MichiganVote]

16. We'll send him something everyday. Easy enough to do, thanks!

[jody]

22. Consider buying him body armor. DoD is supposed to reimburse

troops for providing their own armor.

See link "At odds over body armor reimbursement"

May God watch over him until he and all other troops return safely.

[MichiganVote]

23. I would seriously like to know where to go to check it out

Where can one buy the body armor for troops people?

[jody]

24. I posted a thread in the "Guns" forum and asked people with more current

information than I have to reply to this thread.

That thread is http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=118x115845

[MichiganVote]

26. Thanks Jody, when we find out we'll direct DU'ers to it in GD too

[jody]

28. Several DU members have replied to the thread below. Please read them.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=118x115845

[Dolomite]

29. Also very popular with the folks going over

is the Underarmour tactical line of wicking under garments.

[MichiganVote]

37. I'll check them out. Thanks!

[knitter4democracy]

33. Cool Max items are also high on the list at anysoldier.com.

They're special shirts and socks and all that wick moisture away really well.

Phone cards are a given.

[MichiganVote]

36. I'll look for both, thanks

[knitter4democracy]

30. That's where I am.

I hadn't heard of more being shipped out, but then, our newspaper isn't the best. I'll see what I can find.

I would love to help him out, make him a helmet liner and send him goodie boxes and all. Let me know how.

[MichiganVote]

35. Thanks knitter, I will pm you when I know more