marinemomscafe

Deployments for Military Increase

2009-12-01T06:31:00.000-08:00

Tonight the President will give a speech about the increase in troops being deployed to Afghanistan and how this will effect our military. These are very major decisions that will effect the lives of 1000 of service members and their families. Lets pray Obama knows what hes doing and pray for our troops that are actively serving!

Marine Mom-How do you handle deployment?

2009-11-22T16:03:00.000-08:00

Well i cant say i have experienced this first hand YET but I know the day it coming. The day we get the heart wrenching call that says "mom they have deployed me". We had a scare awhile back about September our son called and said they released the deployment list and he was on it. I felt like someone just ripped my heart out my chest and repeated stomped it on the ground. I knew it would be bad, i knew there was a chance but it didn't help me to hear it that first time.

We were fortunate that my sons plans for deployment were changed and hes safe at the base till at least February. After February i guess anything goes he could be deployed right away. I try to tell myself everyday you need to prepare yourself for this its gonna happen. I seriously don't think deployment is something anyone can emotionally prepare themselves for.

I think about families that the husband is gone for months and months and my heart goes out to them. Theres just something about a moms love and being my military son is my oldest i just don't think i will be able to find a good way to deal with it being I'm a natural born worrier.

I would love to hear from others and how you deal with deployment? How do you keep the faith and hope when you know the risks? I think the biggest problem will be the not knowing and going long periods of time not hearing from him. When hes in the states on a base i can talk to him everyday. Really makes you appreciate every minute you are given even by phone because it really is a gift.

Military Support HOLIDAY MAIL FOR HEROES!

2009-11-12T06:14:00.000-08:00

With such huge deployments, tragedy, tough economic times and uncertainty this years Holiday Mail for Heroes is even more important than ever before!

The Red Cross and Pitney Bowes Inc joined together to send a touch of home to those serving in our military this holiday season. With the season of hope and joy this is the perfect time to show heroes they are appreciated and honored for what they have done and continue to do on a daily basis for all of us.

Every card goes threw a heavy screening process to ensure the safety of our military. Cards sent to the PO Box for this special program from November 2th 2009 to December 7th 2009 will arrive in time for the Holidays!

Click our banner on the right to get details and PO Box address to send all your greetings cards for this very important project!

Free Veterans Day Meals for Vets!

2009-11-11T05:27:00.000-08:00

On this Veterans Day its nice to know some restaurant chains are honoring our men and women vets for their service. Many are offering free meal or other free items to our countries most honorable citizens our soldiers and veterans. With the high price these soldiers pay in terms of risk it would be nice if everyday they were treated like kings and queens!

Applebees.....FREE entree on Nov 11th to all Veterans and active duty military 11am to
midnight. Requests some kind of military ID

Outback Steakhouse.....Free Bloomin' Onion Appetizer and Beverage

Krispy Kreme..... Free doughnuts to all vets and active military

Golden Corral.....NOVEMBER 16 5pm to 9pm free meal to US military

Uno Chicage Grill..... Free individual Pizza or Entree need military ID or wear your uniform.
Must have purchase of equal value.

Bob Evans..... Free meal up to $6 Must show military ID or discharge papers

Ponderosa...... Free Meal on Veterans Day and 20% of rest of the year or for Military

HyVee......Veterans Day FREE Breakfast 7am to 11am

County Kitchen..... Free Meal with proof of serving in Military 6am to 11pm

Texas Roadhouse.... Free lunch or Dinner to all military and veterans in uniform or
Military ID

Mr. Pita..... Free choice of one of eight full sized roll-up sandwiches with proof of service

Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que..... FREE Meal 11am to 10pm need to show military ID, dog tags or
photo in uniform

UPDATE: New information on Murder of Marine in Camp Lejeune, NC

2009-11-09T08:49:00.000-08:00

Ever since last Fridays murder in Camp Lejeune NC new details involving the killing have been limited but now new information is coming out from Cincinnati.com and we have a name of the victim.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the Family of Corporal Joshua E. Hartzell.

Reading the new information he sounded like a very great Marine and our country was fortunate enough to have had the honor of having him serve. He had been awarded several medals in his career with the military. He will be greatly missed I'm sure by all that knew him. Our son serves in the same Logistics group in Camp Lejeune. No family should have to face the thought of their loved one being murdered by a fellow soldier.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091109/NEWS0107/311090022/Local+Marine+killed+on+base

Camp Lejeune Homicide North Carolina

2009-11-06T13:20:00.000-08:00

Military authorities are confirming an homicide at Camp Lejeune today. They say the suspect is 21-year-old Private Johnathan Law and is in costody at this time. They are unsure of the weapon used in the homicide. A full investigation is taking place at this time. The victims name is not being released pending family notification. Very scary news for all military families after the heart breaking news out of Ft Hood yesterday in the worst military base massacre leaving 13 dead and 30 injuried. We will update here as we recieve more news out of Camp Lejeune.

Fort Hood Texas Massacre Military

2009-11-06T12:55:00.000-08:00

The massacre in Fort Hood Texas Military base is truly tragic. Involving men and women , many in the area preparing to be deployed or just returning. To know you son or daughter is being deployed is stressful but then to have this turn of events is heart breaking.
Thursday reports say Major Malik Nadal Hasan opened fire on his fellow soldiers in the massacre leaving now a total of 13 dead and 30 injured. Malik is in costudy and is being treated for gun shot wounds.
Today new information is being released about victims and gunman's history's. For more details check these links

Info about Victims
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091106/ap_on_re_us/us_fort_hood_victim_vignettes

Information on Gunman Major Nadal Hasan
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091106/ap_on_re_us/us_fort_hood_shooting

Marine Turned idea into multi million dollar business!

2009-11-02T13:51:00.000-08:00

This is an awesome story of how one Marine turned an idea into a multi million dollar business. Great story about an ordinary guy with the guts to go for something he seen had potential.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/01/AR2009110102261_2.html?g=0

Day 3 Of search for the Coast Guard and Marine Helicopter Survivors- hope deminishes

2009-11-01T06:11:00.000-08:00

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091101/ap_on_re_us/us_midair_collision;_ylt=AvP0mwZwUhGSm33Az6hKh9kGw_IE;_ylu=X3oDMTJtbWNkMzNyBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMDkxMTAxL3VzX21pZGFpcl9jb2xsaXNpb24EY3BvcwM1BHBvcwM1BHNlYwN5bl90b3Bfc3RvcmllcwRzbGsDc2VhcmNoZXJzc2Nh

Coast Guard Marine Military Plane Helicopter Crash 9 Missing!

2009-10-30T06:32:00.000-07:00

As casualties in war are building its tragic to think of 9 more soldiers that maybe perished as a result of an in air crash over home soil near San Diego CA. I cant imagine what maybe going threw the minds of those families involve, just the pure emotions of not knowing and assuming the worst. Our prayers go out to them. Find the latest information on the search for the 9 military soldiers involved with this crash here:http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/10/30/california.midair.collision/index.html

Obama Honors Fallen American Soldiers.. a mothers point of view

2009-10-29T14:05:00.000-07:00

Its a heart breaking scene seeing our President standing at attention honoring a flag draped casket. My heart sank to the pit of my stomach knowing their was a grieving family that soldier is tied to. Knowing that I'm praying that our family never has to go threw that first hand.

It is nice to know that Obama has at least be there for these soldiers return. I think our government needs to do so much more to honor these families that have given and lost so much at the same time!

I hope our President considers what these families have and will be going threw when he makes the decision as to how many more troops to send over in harms way. I'm not here to say I have the answer....send more....send fewer.....pull out of that area...... I just don't know. Since our son is in the middle it just hits to close to home to try to figure out whats right or wrong. I just pray that the right decision is made and to bring protection to our soldiers.

More info on Obamas trip to Doverhttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_obama_fallen_soldiers

Preparing for BootCamp 101

2009-10-27T06:32:00.000-07:00

The days before leaving for boot camp can be pretty emotional for mom's especially if this was not in your plans for your childs future! My best advice is ......you cant do nothing to change it now! The best thing is to show your support to your young adult and make sure they know you will be there every step of the way. Family support is so important for them in the next 13 weeks.

For our son we had a huge going away party for him with about 50 people...relatives ...former teachers...and close friends. I think if I would have to do it over I would have had a smaller gathering with just close relatives. The party was so big our son didnt feel he could spend the right amount of time with each important person. This is mainly a decision you can sit down with your young adult and ask really what they want, something i didnt do.

Spend some one on one time with them. They will be drastically different after 13 weeks! I still to this day try to remember the way my old son was. Not saying the new more grown up son is bad or anything but this definitly was the point of him becoming a man not my child.

Things to go over the night before..............
Make sure they have addresses on a piece of paper for important people they could get moral support from during bootcamp. Purchase a low cost phone card with couple hours of longdistance minutes on it. Make sure they have about $10-$20 spending money to take with them. Most times they have a lay over or two in an airport on their way to bootcamp. They can use a payphone to call home to let you know how things are going. Our son recieved a vouchar from his recuriter for purchasing a meal at the airport but if they want things from a vending machine snacks they will need a couple dollars in their pocket.

I would hold on sending stamps or writing supplies or other important things like pictures. Things can and will be lost durning the check-in process. Make sure he has his state issued ID.
Dont take a cell phone because they wont let him have it anyway. Make sure he is set for travel check rules for airports about his carry on bag....our son had to throw away a bottle of shampoo that he took with him because of government rules reguarding liquids.

Delayed Enter & Boot Camp!

2009-10-27T06:21:00.000-07:00

The time went fast. Could have fooled me , the words delayed enter program are so wrong to a mom that has beat off recruiters with a stick for years. It was only about 6 months before our son was off to MCRD in California. The time flew and I had no idea what we was in for.

The 13weeks of boot camp seemed like years. I ended up getting to know our postman extremely well! Theres alot of truth in saying I was a man stalker for 13 weeks. From the first heart breaking phone call.... "mom i have arrived safe and sound at Marine .....blah blah blah... as he read the note card fast into the phone without emotion.... to eventually the most formal graduation i will ever see in my life. High School graduation was nothing compared to this.

During the 13 wks of boot its is nice if you can have Internet access to connect with other newbie marine parents, search out the best deals on travel for graduation, and learn everything you can about military life for families.

Welcome to Marine Moms Cafe!

2009-10-27T06:14:00.000-07:00

I guess my journey into becoming a Marine Mom really started in or around the year 2000 my son started making hints to the fact that it was his wishes to become a member of the military. Not just any branch but always held to the idea of being a US Marine.

Being a mom to six children I set out to change his mind over the next 4 years. Refusing to think he would ever do anything but the standard ...graduate...go to college...get degree.... and find typical 9-5 job.....get married....raise a family!

HOW WRONG I WAS!

He did go to college and get a job. A good paying job, working his way up until he came home one day and said I did what you said and now I'm following my dreams. He enlisted!