Threads for parents of SF/non-SF in combat
 

Just a thought here for those of us who have kids (SF or not) in harms way. How about a thread or an area where we can post our frustrations? I know Dennisw mentioned something about this and I think it's a great idea.

I know that today has been a really bad day for me as my son was involved in an IED attack. He was ejected from his Hummer and the three others got hammered by the blast. I ran the gauntlet of emotions from downright fear to being madder than hell. Took it out on paper targets at the range today - about 400 rounds worth. Felt better as I imagined some of my 'favorite' people as targets.

Can't do this too often - 9mm isn't cheap and I don't load my own.

Well, I'm not a parent but I'm sorry to hear about this Hipshot. My thoughts are with you, your son and his unit.

Glad to hear the son is okay Hipshot! I just got the Family Resource Group newsletter forwarded to me by my daughter. Two members of my son's team have been medevaced(sp) state side due to an IED attack. My son never told me. He sure maintains opsec! Daughter didn't catch it and the wife is not going to get a chance to read it!

I for one would like to know about everyone over there. Sons, daughters, QP's and all service members who are members on this board. Each deserves our prayers and thoughts.

Hipshot, I too, am glad your son is well. I think for me I would prefer to be in combat than any of my children.

Wish your son the best and a safe tour and trip home.

Semper Fi,

Hollis

Hipshot,

Hope that your son is OK and will keep him and his unit in my prayers.

COLawman, I'd like to second your idea.........a place where the sons, daughters, the SF youngin's that we have come to 'know' (Surgicalcric comes to mind but that may just be because it has been a couple years for him here now :D ), can be the focus of the thread (within opsec/persec, of course).

I feel like a 'mother hen', even though I don't have a child of my own in harms way but have sent care packages, etc. to quite a few. I would like to hear about our members and members' children.

Hipshot,
I am so sorry that you are going through this and my thoughts and prayers are with your son and the three others with him. I am not an Army parent...I am an Army wife and while my husband isn't over there right now, we've had so many friends hit by IED's this past year. They've all made it through, thank goodness, but sometimes it feels like those IED's are going off in your own heart when your sitting and waiting for news. The anger and frustration is always there, mixed up with the fear and love for your soldier.

I guess it is all part of what it means to be an Army Father like you, or Army Wife like me, or the friend, or relative, or the true patriot that loves this country by loving her soldiers.

And the crowd lept to their feet, the silence ruptured by thunderous applause!

Hipshot-

I hope your son fares well through his ordeal, and you through yours. I am very sorry he was put through that experience.

Your son is fighting for freedom in an honorable and humble profession. I pray he stays safe.

Joe

I am sorry for your ordeal. I do not have children I put my career first, but I have often said that it is easier to go than wait. I was always the one going and now that I am retired it is close friends that are going and I am waiting and worrying everyday that the news will not be good. I do appreciate the technology of today, information is received faster. I can IM friends in the sand box and that way know they are OK, at other times I have to read between the lines to see what they are not telling me, but because of my status as a soldier they tell me more then the wife, girlfriend etc. Bottom line the waiting and worrying is the worse. :( It truly is easier to be the person going to war or deploying than the person waiting for news of what is happening to those we love, care for and are friends. You will be in my thoughts.

Hope that your son is doing well, and best wishes for a safe return, with due honors and recognotion.

TR

Hipshot:

Sorry to hear about your son and am thankful he is well.

Crip

Thankful but worried
 

Glad to hear that the outcome for your family is good.

My son got back to Bragg Last week. Had not heard from him for two weeks and then they showed up CONUS.

He stated that he feels that he has not done enough for his country and is attaching to a team heading to Afghanistan in July. Quick turnaround.

It makes me proud to see how much like me he has turned out, due to the fact that he is "adopted" and not my natural son.

My wife was on pins and needles as he would let me know of IED close calls and such.

As my younger "natural" children say their nightly prayers, I well up as they say each night, "Please bless John and his friend in the Army to be safe."

It really sucks being on the other end of this thing now... Being the parent, so far away from the game.

Ditto to TR's Post
 

Hipshot;

Ditto to TR's post as well as all the others.

Pete

Hipshot,
Hope you son is recovering well. Please keep us posted on his progress.
Best,
Joe

Hipshot, I'm glad to hear your man-cub is alright.;)

I was quietly smiling at what I did to my mother during Desert Storm......I called home a few hours after the war started, also knowing I would be soon leaving Saudi and headed for Kuwait.

Me; Hello, mom?

Mom; Son, where are you?

Me; Still in Saudi mom, how are you?

Mom; I'm fine; how are you?

Me; Doing fine here (Sirens, alarms, people running everywhere in the background)

mom; WHATS THAT I HEAR IN THE BACKGROUND???????

me; Alarms are going off for an inbound scud missile mom, people are moving quickly to bunkers, that's all.

mom; Don't you think you should be going too?

me; no mom, I waited a long time to make this phone call....

true story.....

It cracks me up to this day.....

There are some things soldiers should not tell their parents....;)

TS