Killed in Action. Although they are three relatively small words, the weight that comes with them is immeasurable. On both the service member and spouse side, this is something it seems we only talk about when we must. I completely understand that there are...
Dear, Field Problems:
My boyfriend and I just received a frantic call from his mother. She was told that a young woman (an Army spouse) from her church asked for thoughts and prayers for her husband and his National Guard unit [deployed to Iraq]. According to the wife, her husband said the commander told them there is a high risk of casualties in an upcoming mission, and everyone should call home prior to rolling out. Mom asked us, “Can’t they just ‘not go’”? I never heard of this happening and I didn’t know what to say. What should we tell her?
Julie; Lansing, MI; National Guard girlfriend
Here in the Crooks household, June is a huge month for celebrations. It isn’t only the month of my husband’s birthday, but it’s also Father’s Day.
This year, Father’s Day will be celebrated with Daddy many, many miles away. We couldn’t let his two special days go by unnoticed, even if we were so far apart.
Dear, Field Problems:
My husband and I were just married. This is our first deployment. I don’t really know what to expect. There is tons of information and a lot that I don’t understand. My biggest question is how are you able to talk to them when they are deployed? How long do you go without hearing from your service member?
Amber; Fort Bragg, NC; Army spouse
My family and I have experienced three separations: one unaccompanied tour to Korea and two deployments to Iraq. We have been lucky to have been on a TRADOC (Training & Doctrine) installation for the last three and a half years, which means that my husband hasn’t deployed in almost four years.
That all changes this month.
Dear, Field Problems:
I am hoping that someone in your organization can help me. My son is part of a Boy Scout pack in San Jose, California. Our next pack meeting is going to be centered on learning about America, patriotism, and supporting the service members who fight for our freedoms. We wanted to do something to help out some of the active duty troops. I looked at some websites, but they are kind of confusing. I can’t find the information that I need. Basically, we want the boys to write letters to the troops and bring donations for care packages that we will send to active duty troops. I was hoping that someone could point me in the right direction. Any guidance you can provide would be so very appreciated.
Arlen, Boy Scout pack parent, non-military
I can’t remember much of anything.
Seriously, it isn’t one of my finer traits.
But, I can remember exactly what I wore, exactly where I was, exactly who I was with, and exactly how I felt every single time my service member has deployed.
Dear, Field Problems:
I attended your seminar at Fort Campbell and loved your ideas for care packages. My husband deployed three weeks ago, so I’m wondering if you have a list of Valentine’s Day care package ideas.
Becky; Fort Campbell, KY; Army spouse
Ah, February.
A whole month of this new year has quickly passed by, and it’s now been two months since my husband returned from Iraq. It seems like just yesterday we were anxiously awaiting his return in that cold airplane hangar. And then there are other days when it feels like he has been home forever and that the long deployment was only a bad dream.
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