Today is a sad day for us. My youngest GS leaves for his military career, and his mom, my DD, learned that one of her best friends lost her son in Afghanistan

I am hoping my son does not go into the military. My prayers and thanks to your famly and all who have a loved one in the military. God Bless you and have as best holiday as you can! Hugs, christine

1 comment

by dlonnahawkins 15 Nov 2011

I know how you feel, but if it were not for our young men and girls, we would not have the feredoms that we now enjoy. God bless all of our servicemen, and their families.

Beth, I just read this. Bless your heart and your family's. It is heart-wrenching. And, then to hear the news that your daughter heard - makes it that much harder. I will say prayers for your Grandson, your family and you. Write to him often and be strong for him. He is in my prayers. Hugs to you, Laura*

I can feel your and DD's heart ache totally. When my son left for the military I was scared sick. There wasn't a war going on either but he was still my baby and I was worried. Now 17 years later he has been through a lot, some of which he says is not for my ears as it would just worry me more. He has 3 years left to serve and he will be done. When he went to Iraq the first time I thought I was going to never sleep again or go one minute without thinking about him. He was on a supply plane at that time and was based out of the United Arab Emerites so was not permanently in the war area. A year later he was in Iraq proper for a whole year. Don't know what we would have done without Skype to keep in touch. Hopefully your GS can get on it with you and his mother. It saved my sanity. I pray and think of the troops daily and want them all to return home safely to their families. Let us know how your GS is doing often so we can help support you and DD. God's blessing to you all.

I want to thank you all - the last couple days have been very rough. We had the last family dinner with our grandson for several months, last evening, and a few tears were shed. We are all living the grief that my daughter and her friend are sharing. Teddy's body will be returning to Florida today, as we are sending our GS off to his military career. Marc, my GS, is excited, but I think that he now realizes what we have all stressed - we just want him to stay safe. We had some excitment yesterday -Marc received his 3rd degree black belt. His karate instructor for the past 11 years took his belt and hung it over his picture in the school. He told Marc and my DD that this was for his safe return. Thanks to all of you again, and please keep our sevice men in your prayers. Hugs to you all.

1 comment

by shirlener88 14 Nov 2011

Thanks for the update and we will continue to keep Marc and all the service men and woman in our prayers. HUGS!

Will be praying for your grandson on his tour of duty and praying for those who have lost their sons and daughters to the wars. It's going to be anxious moments until your GS is safely back home.

Beth, my dar - I have already been in touch - but wante dyou to know - that I appreciate all that you are going through - the worries - the fear - the excitement that your GS is doing what he has wanted for a long while - his telling the family that he would also extend his service for another tour - before he has embarked on the 1st is hard to swallow - I will be praying for all of you and know that by now you have had another visit with him and your DD - I do hope that she is breathing easier about the situation with her friend losing her son - that is never easy - let along knowing that your own son is leaving to service his country in the same manner. All the prayers being said - is astonishing - I am glad you have a CUTE family to support you during this time. Please tell your GS that we will continue to pray for him and thank him for us - for serviing our country. What a great and hansome young man he has become.

2 comments

by dlonnahawkins 13 Nov 2011

Thank you so much my friend - and for understanding what we are going thorugh right now. Marc - is afterall, my "baby". Or at least the baby boy. I will surely miss his hugs - he gives the best hugs. LOL

by shirlener88 14 Nov 2011

And when you see him again - those hugs will be even better than they were in the past.

Military families hold a special place in my heart.
Best to all.

My thank you to your grandson for his service. My prayers will be with him and your family. Military families are making huge sacrifices and I appreciate it very much. May god be with you every step of the way. Angie

Prayers for you, your daughter and covering your grandson, Beth. I can't imagine how you can take a full breath, but I do appreciate the sacrifice you military families make to insure the freedoms that we enjoy. Thank you and thank your family.

May the Lord grant you and your daughter a special peace about your GS leaving! It is tough on the families, but so brave of these young men. We only enjoy the freedoms we have here in America, because of our brave soldiers. It is their great sacrifices, and those of their families, that "keep" us "free"! Thanks, and my prayers, to all of you!
Angel

Special Prayers for you, your GS, DD and her best friend! God only knows what the world would be if America did not have our men and women doing what they do in the armed services! God bless you and your dear family and friends and God bless America and all our brave soldiers serving their God and country!

He had just told his mom that after this tour was over he was going to volunteer for another tour. We don't know the full details yet, but he had only been in the service for about 5 months....what a thing to learn on Veterans day.