[siskitkat]

We've been waiting for word since before Thanksgiving. DH told me tonight. He will deploy this summer. We were expecting the date to be later in the year. But, with this timeframe, the kids will spend most of his deployment in school. It will be their first, and my first as a "dependent." I deployed as a reservist.
I was expecting it, because he is the only one of his rank in his field not to have deployed. But still, I am already feeling lonely. We will tell our family, but we will not tell the kids until we get a lot closer.

[dawnsmemories]

I know what you are going through and will definitely be thinking about you guys. I almost think that this far advanced notice is almost worse than short notices, you just go with it, this way is too much thinking so I will pray that you take this time to enjoy each other and not let the thinking take over too much!
Hugs,
Dawn

[scrappinchar]

It was just recently that I was thinking about military families and having to spend time apart.
I was feeling a touch of anxiety thinking about my DH working out of state for 3 weeks or so.
Then I thought about military families and realized my situation doesn't even compare.

I'll certainly be thinking about you.

[Reyn]

I am like Charlene. I don't like to have one night without my DH. I can't imagine him being gone for that long. Just know that we are here and are praying for a safe and speedy return. And if you need to talk, we will be here.

[KBT]

Thank you to your family for the sacrifices you are making for our country. I whole heartedly appreciate them. I will be praying for you and your family for a safe and speedy return home!

[MaryJo]

I have a son who is going to be deployed in April , this is his third tour the first two in Iraq and now this one is in Afghanistan! I thank you for your sacrifices and for your DH's desire to help those who aren't able to have the freedoms that we have here in the US !! I'll be praying for your family !!!!

[debubbie]

I'll be praying for you and your family. My brother is in Iraq and I hate that he isn't around anymore. I miss all of his funny jokes and laughter!!! He is supposed to come home for leave next month and I can't wait!!!

[Scrapin Pat]

I am so thankful for all who serve - your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

[StephRN]

I have gone through a couple deployments as a "dependent". I will be sending much prayers and love to your whole family. We are here if you need to talk, vent, etc.

love & hugs

[bthornton17]

A flood of emotions came at me when I read your post - it took me back to when I found out my DH was going to Afghanistan. I know this time will be a challenge for you but also for your kids. They understand so much more than we think they do sometimes.

My Dh pinned on O-5 this last oct and put us back in the running for another deployment. I just sit back and wait to see if and when it will happen. It can't right now with his current job, but he isn't excempt.

We are all here for you with whatever you need. REMEMBER TO ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP AND TO TAKE THE HELP THAT IS OFFERED. I learned that lesson the hard way for some reason.

Take care and keep us posted. You are my in thoughts as you gear up for this transition.

Oh and check out the book - The Man Who Walked Between Two Towers by Mordecai Gerstein. My DS and I read this book and it actually brought up a conversation about 9-11. It helped him understand a little better why daddy was gone and doing what he was doing.

Wrap your arms and around yourself and squeeze - Big hugs from all of us here!!!

[Bobbi Jo]

We moved to our current community back in '01 right after 911 -- we're right near Offutt AFB. Before that I had no clue what the military life was all about. Most of my friends in the neighborhood, at church, at school now are military and I am in awe of what you do and what you give. Hats off to you my friend for what those sacrifices mean to all of us, and I will be praying for you. And yes, we are here for you!

[SandiC.]

The one nice thing about the military is they take care of their own. I've been on both ends of this, the "deployee" and the dependent. We'll be here to give you support, but its always a hard time. Now that my "military brat" kids are grown, I can see how, even though having parents gone over periods of time was hard, it has made them flexible, adaptable, and very strong. Not easy raising kids alone, and the lonely times are hard, but take some comfort that there are millions who really do appreciate the sacrifice.

[Shelbi]

I can't imagine what that would be like.
It's a wonderful thing that military people do for us.

We'll be here for you if you need us.

[CRS]

I'm so sorry! If you need to talk, please don't hesitate to pm me. My dh is leaving next month for his first deployment. I can't complain; it's his first deployment in 20 years of the military, but it still sucks. I've found that there is a great support group right here on SG for military families. So please, don't hesitate to ask for support!

[Smiles]

Amen to what Carla says - we can have a Virtual Family Support Group right here on the MB.
Altho I never deployed, I worked lots of deployment isses as an IG, and DH deployed more times than I can count between SF and the 82d (all before I met him, I hasten to add).
So we can at least empathize with whatever comes up.
Just remember you're not alone, and keep us posted
hugs,