Deployments.
How many of you have experienced these?
I'm on my second deployment- Josh has been deployed again. He and Caleb were deployed last fall, but Caleb returned home, wounded.
They are always deployed together.
As I'm sure you can assume, the photos are of my brothers. The first one, is Josh, shortly after they returned from Fallujah in 2008.
The second, is Caleb, with his wife (Taken Early 2010). This was taken the first time they saw each other, after he was WIA (Fall 2009).
So, for those of you that have yet to experience, or on your first deployment, here is some advice:
Keep as busy as you can. Try not to leave yourself much time without having something to do.. If you don't have anything to do, then you tend to think of them alot (not that you don't do that already) and it's harder. I do anything I can.. Cook, clean, work, school, and, now, blogging..
I try to write everyday, let them know what is going on, talk to him about my problems, send photos, tell him things he doesn't know about me- my hopes, goals, etc, and recall old memories. Although I've never recieved a reply from him, it helps, just to talk about it.. Kind of like blogging, in a way, come to think of it.
Another tip? Use http://www.motomail.us/ to send letters, that are usually sent within 24 hours to your Marine. You can send photos through this site, too, although the limit is one photo per letter.. So just write alot!! :)
Some popular requests are:
- Seasonings, for the MRE's, such as Lemon Pepper, and Season-All Salt.
- Games: Card, Board, Video, etc..
- Magazines: Sports, cars, etc.. Whatever he likes to read..
- Cake-in-a-Jar.. This is actually my first time trying this, but I'm hoping it will turn out alright.. I think it will be there in about a week.
- Notepads and pencils/pens
- DVD's
- Candies and snacks..
- Oreo's
- Cookies and crackers
- Instant soup (comes in packets, and you add it to hot water. You can usually find this in Lipton and Campbells.. Usually Chicken Noodle Soup.
- Powdered drink mixes, for water bottles and canteens
- Photos
- Boot socks and gloves.. If possible, get his sizes before he leaves.. You can find things he needs at the local PX or a Military Surplus store.
- Letters and cards
- Etc.
Nights are Never easy. You'll be lonely, and scared for them... Even more so than you are during the day. You may have terrifying dreams- dreams that they are attacked, injured, or, even worse, killed. I know I've had these dreams before. I don't sleep much.. Yeah, I know this is bad for me, but it's difficult to sleep. Something that DOES help, however, is just having pillows lying next to you, it's a comfort, of sorts.. And, your phone right next to you, in case he calls. :D This deployment, I've only recieved phone calls- he doesn't have internet access, so no E-mails, but having E-mail on your phone, or sending alerts via text message, will let you know if anyone has written.. It helps, because if you wake up to this, you may be able to have time talking to your Marine, as opposed to finding out the next day that you missed them. I would gladly give up the little sleep I get, inorder to talk to him & the Marines that I have adopted...
If you're interested in adopting a Marine, or any service member, for that matter, then visit this website: http://www.ryanrust.com/ I'm really glad I found it & it's a great program.. Check it out!! :)
It never gets easier.. You just get stronger.
I listen to music that he likes; I try and read up as much as I can about what's going on. I've made dozens of friends through Facebook- It's funny, how you meet so many others, and become friends in hope that they may understand what you're going through & be of some help to talk to..
I also have joined dozens of groups and fanpages in the hopes that I'll get some news on them.. Sometimes, I do get information that I would not have had otherwise..
I have a love/hate relation with OPSEC: I love that it's keeping them safe, but I hate not knowing what's going on..
Well, even the little bits of news I get help alot. I think I'd rather be informed, than ignorant to their situations.
That's it for now..
-Jeanne.
