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| A-1-8 Chapter of the 4th Infantry Division |
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More Mid Tour Leave Advice from our Readers:
This one seemed like it should be in a separate section from our regular family input. I think this 4ID wife has given some excellent advice here:
My soldier (4ID, 1st Brigade, 299th ENG) came home recently and I just wanted to give a bit of info to those spouses/families waiting for their heros to come home for R&R. Like most wives, I had my vision of how our time would be spent together. Reality never truly measures up to fantasies. After a few days, I was honestly feeling a bit upset. I had to step back and realize that I have had all the luxuries of home thru this deployment, he hasn't. So as us military spouses have to do, I "sucked it up" and calmed down and didn't get upset that he just wanted to spend Sunday afternoon in front of the tv, remote control in hand, flipping from one game to another. As he said to me, just relaxing, no worries, hanging out in our home, listening to the sound of the dish washer and clothes dryer running, the A/C blowing cool air and just watching his family go about our day, bear hugging and tickling anyone of us who walked by him, was heaven to him. We did spend lots of family time and couple time together. It was great!!! Just remember to give them room to relax and have fun, don't get bogged down by how you imagined the time would be, just enjoy!!!! ~A Proven Pioneer wife~
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This is from the wife of a soldier in my old unit - 3rd platoon, B/1-22 Infantry:
He left on February 15th to go out on the ships with all the equipment so that helped bump him up in line to come home. It was so wonderful to see him after 8 months. We were both scared to death and nervous about his return. I felt like I was meeting him again for the first time. I couldn't believe that I had butterflies! He told me that he did too. I almost didn't recognize him from all the weight that he had lost. He still looked good to me. We have been no strangers to being separated. I was prior service and had been "stuck" in Germany for 8 months without him before. We didn't like it but you adapt and overcome.
I decided that since I had paid off almost all of our debt, I would let him "look" at some new trucks and price them for when he got back for good. If you know my husband, that wasn't going to happen. So now we have a new truck and I am scared to death to drive it. He also decided that he wanted to redecorate the entire house. That was a lot of fun and was better then just sitting around the house for 2 weeks. I made no plans and let him call all the shots. Jet lag kicked in on the 2nd day and we finally got his stomach straight after about 4 days. We kept the first week all to ourselves, after that, we started to invite people over. He wanted to have a bar-b-q with all our friends here. That was a lot of fun. His sister flew in from CA. We hadn't seen her in 2 years. We mostly just enjoyed the time that we had together. I think it really helped us both in dealing with the long separation. When it came closer to him going back, we both started to get apprehensive about the return. I took him to Austin on Saturday. The Delta people were so nice and actually gave me a special pass so that I could see him off in the terminal. I managed to make almost all the way home before I cried. Now he is back in Iraq. I am back in "the waiting for him to come home for good" mode. The positive thing is that now we are over halfway there.
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And this note should make us all stop and think about those who are among the ones who, for whatever reason, are not coming home on mid tour leave:
I've been debating whether or not to even say this, and you can include it or not. As always, that's up to you. A couple of weeks ago this happened and this wife probably doesn't even know that it affected me. A word to all of you whose soldier (husband/ son/ brother etc...) comes home on mid-tour leave: not everyone is coming back. I am truly happy for all of you and have not fallen into the "What about me" trap. I have three kids and would love to see my husband, but it is not going to happen. I've accepted that, but some days I get a lump in my throat wishing that he would get to come home, too. On one of those days, a wife bounced up to me and says, "I just wanted you to meet my husband!". Then in the next 10 minutes I had about 5 other people ask me, "When is YOUR husband coming back for his two weeks?" I was cordial and smiley, but I got my kids and just about ran back to my car before I started crying. I don't think anyone saw me. I hope no one did. Please have a little consideration for the rest of us. We are keeping it together, but sometimes just barely.
(Editor's Note: I don't know who sent me this - but bet she's the wife of a 4ID leader (Officer or NCO) who gave up his slot so more of his soldiers could come home. For those making that sacrifice, I salute you - and I also salute those who are fortunate to be able to come home. There is no good answer to who does and who does not come home on mid tour leave, so being sensitive is the name of the game).
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59 Years Ago Today - 4ID in Germany:
6 November 1944 - D+154
The 4th Division made preparations for and initiated movement of some of its elements to assembly areas in the vicinity of Zweifall. The CT 12 crossed the IP at 1810 and was still en route at the end of the day.
Thanks to Philippe Cornil at www.revive-it.com.
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What Are Families Are Hearing From Our Soldiers in Iraq:
1) Our grandson is home now, arrived 10/27. He and his wife spent a couple of day in Okla. City before coming on to Lawton. He is in the 1-17 FA BN out of FT Sill. We were all delighted to see him. He has lost lots of weight. I read the letter from the woman who said the family dominated all her husbands time while he was home so we are trying to give them their space. He seems tired but he never complains about anything. I am sure this is time together they will always remember. I am so sorry for the ones that are not able to come home. We are also so sorry for the families that lost their love ones in the helicopter crash that was coming home. They are all in our prayers. Please keep all our service people the world over in your prayers.
2) I got an e-mail from my husband yesterday. He's A. Co. 2-8 Inf. out of FORT HOOD....It was great getting it as I hadn't heard from him in a while. He said the computers had been down but that they should be up and running again soon , so he should be able to write again soon. I love his e-mails , but , of course pray daily for a phone call. All he asked for was a new watch...Our 6th anniversary is this month , I am praying he gets to call on that day!! GODBLESS AND GODSPEED TO OUR TROOPS!!!!
3) I would just like to thank you for this updates-they keep me going through the day. My husband who is with 1-66 Armor A Co over in Samarra got a break. He has been in Kuwait for over a month now- I guess it is like "R&R"- their tanks are over there for maintenance. It is nice to talk to him everyday and get e-mails and not having to watch the news everyday . Sometimes you have to take a break from watching the news or you would have a nervous breakdown. I still cry everytime someone gets hurt or dies - knowing that - that soldier is someone else's son,daughter, dad, mom or brother or sister. It is not always easy to present a brave front to the world but we have to . God Bless our troops!
4) Is there a way to ship homemade cookies and have them be edible when they
reach Iraq? Also, does anyone have suggestions of what things might be "good" gifts and not just be in our son's way there?
5) I got a call from my son on Tuesday afternoon (4-42FA) we had about 20 minutes and it was just great. It had been 3 weeks since the last one and usually about the 2 week mark I start to get anxious to hear from him, by 3 weeks I start to get nervous for a call. He really sounded so good this time, very upbeat. I haven't heard him like that in a long time. Says he is staying on base more in the medical center and not going out on a lot of patrols which was music to this mother's ears. I think that is my biggest worry is our soldiers going out on patrols with those mines being planted all the time. He said it is getting cold at night but his sleeping bag keeps him warm. That was one thing I made sure to ask if he had winter gear and he said they did. He is getting our packages just fine, in fact he was sure to tell me that he handed out all the Halloween treats I sent... It was a great call...never seems long enough but thats ok, plenty of time to talk when he comes home next year. I would take a 1 minute phone call as long as I could hear his voice and know that he is ok. You just don't know how much it does this mother's heart good to hear my son's voice.
6) Bob the news has slowed down considerably due to the fact that we are not hearing from them much at all right now. They say that they are terribly busy. Have not received a call in a month nor a letter in that time. I keep praying for our soldiers and hope we can get through this somehow. I really do not know how the people living the Army life deal with this stress all of the time. I am just a grandmother caring for a 3 year old baby girl while her Daddy is in Iraq and sometimes I just do not know how to continue with each day.
7) I wanted to tell you how easy you have made this deployment with your updates. Its hard regardless, but it actually gives some us something to look forward to every day. My hubby is due home for midtour sometime at the end of the month. He says its cold there at night but still pretty hot during the day. He wont tell me exactly when he is coming home, he is notorious for surprises.......all is well on the homefront..... counting down the days to have our lives back to normal. (No unit given)
8) Our son (3 BCT - Fort Carson), arrived home late Friday night for his 2-week R&R. His homecoming was extremely special because our family from Oklahoma was able to make the trip to Ohio to see him come off the plane. During the ride home from the airport, he talked about his experiences during the trip home. He told us he has never felt so appreciated as he did when he arrived into BWI. He said many people offered to buy him lunch and many more offered their thanks and appreciation for his serivce. He said it made the sacrifice worth it! However, the subject of conversation quickly changed --- his first big question was "will the OU-OSU game be televised"? Of course, being in Ohio...if the Buckeyes are playing -- forget it! He was very disappointed that he didn't get to see the Sooners play!
Our son has talked some of his experiences but has said there will be many stories he'll never want to talk about. I've heard many people state that he would "leave as a boy and come back as a man" and I truly believe that now. He's not "momma's little boy" anymore. He has seen and experienced things now that most Americans can never imagine.
His departure will be bittersweet (as it will be for all other families) but I know as he leaves again -- he's not only a man now but he's a well-trained soldier in the US Army...a proud soldier with a very proud family. We will continue to mark off the days on our "4th ID" countdown calendar and before we know it -- he'll be back home again. We will continue to pray for all of our military men and women and ask for their safe return. God Bless our Soldiers. (Editor's Note: I agree with your son - there should be a law that when Oklahoma plays football it should be televised nationally - I didn't get to see it either).
9) My husband is in the 401st MP company, 720th MP BN. They are attached to the 4th ID. I received a phone call from him and he said all is well. They were living in the palace but have been moved. He said that morale is good right now, mail is flowing again and he received a dozen letters in one day. An idea for all the soldiers' wives with kids. We bought 3 (I have 3 kids) 18-quart dishpan buckets from WalMart and have kept all of their work and projects from school and of course my sons' 3 casts in them. We also have a box where all of daddy's letters and pictures go. Lastly, we have taken numerous pictures on our digital camera and are making a powerpoint presentation periodically and sending it to him via the internet. God bless!
10) Our son (A/3-67 AR) arrived home yesterday by way of Kuwait to Ireland to Atlanta to Mobile, for his 2 week leave.He got to meet his son for the first time yesterday. The baby was born 2 days after he deployed from Ft. Hood. I’ve never been so proud to be an American, as I was yesterday to see that boy in that desert uniform. His youth, his manners, his love for home, family & country just seemed to radiate from the way he walked through the airport terminal, to meet us. No one could have doubted he was one of Americas finest. The difficulty of war, the loss of friends only a week ago in the M1 tank attack, reflects in his demeanor. There is no longer a child’s heart in my son. But I see now, the bravery of a man who has shouldered the responsibilities of being with and protecting comrades in war. He is a man I’ve never known before, but oh God, I’m so proud of the man he has become.
11) I talked with our son yesterday morning. He is with 4th MP CO 4th ID in Tikrit. They are finally getting 3 meals a day, has a bunk and running water and rats. He told me yesterday that a rat had gotten into his chocolate chip cookie stash and that it took 3 days to get that rat. Says peanutbutter was the winning bait. I have images of him stalking the rat. He did say he took pictures of his trophy, so can't wait to see
them.haha We are from Alaska so pictures of the hunt are important..; ) A few months ago our son had requested new flip flops..So I left that job to my husband..a month later we received a letter from our son saying that when he opened the box he was able to get the ladies label off the flip flops before anyone saw them, they had flowers on them. I laughed so hard to think that my husband would have sent flowery flip flops. That would have been something I would have done but didn't. We all got a chuckle from that one and our son did wear them till we sent some new one's... He requested not to send too much for Christmas since everything thing has to come back. I made some Alaskan Christmas stockings for his squad and put small Alaskan trinkets in them.... I did find some battery powered Christmas lights so am sending in the webpage...."improvementscatalog.com".. We are having friends and family send one ornament for the tree....Since we aren't sending a lot of gifts at least they will have a Christmasy atmosphere and homemade candies...
12) My son is with the A Co 4ID 3/66 in Bayji. Monday night I was able to talk to him on the internet. He said he was fine. They are still going on raids, etc. I asked him what he wanted for Christmas and he said some US dirt! He is a wonderful son. He said he actually got to have a Pepsi with ice in a cup! It's amazing just the small things in life we take for granted because it is right at our finger tips. Living in the US we have a lot to be thankful for. I am very thankful for the military we have. I am so
proud of all of our soldiers overseas and here at home. (Editor's Note: Not a good idea to send US dirt to Iraq - not a legitimate thing to pass through customs because of agricultural and bacteria concerns).
13) My hero, my brother (A/3-29 FA Ft. Carson), left yesterday morning to go back to Iraq after his 2 week R&R. It was so good to see him, even if it was only for a short time. The "Hello" was well worth the (however hard) "goodbye". It was nice to know that for 2 weeks, he was for sure safe. Now he's left us again to go be a soldier. A word of advice to families/friends awaiting the arrival of their soldiers on R&R, just be compassionate to how your soldier is feeling and to whatever mood they may want to be in. It's so emotional & overwhelming for them. It's hard for them to come home and be exactly the way we knew them when they left. It's hard to adjust from war to "normal" in such a short amount of time. Just give them some time or space if need be... Continue to pray for all of our brave soldiers out there in harms way and for those that we've lost. Let's remind their guardian angels to keep up with them and do their duty too! Let's also keep all of our soldiers spirits high this holiday season. They will need it.
14) To the wife whose husband is at Warhorse: My pleasure. I know how you feel, there are days that I cry most of the time, but then there are the days where I make it through with the help of the support group that is in this newsletter. All the people who write in with those tiny unimportant bits and pieces of news that have become SO important to us all. I for one will continue to write as often as I have news. Some people may think that what they have to say no one else wants to hear, but we ALL want to hear, don't we?
15) Just wanted to drop a quick note that my brother (1/66 AR) is coming into LAX today for his R&R and to see his new baby daughter. He called from Germany
yesterday afternoon to tell us. He called this morning from Baltimore about 3am telling us to meet him at 10:15. He was shocked at the cheering and applause that the people in the airport were giving them, and how willing passengers were to give up their flights so the soldiers could get home.
16) We received a CD from our son who is at Camp Hound (3/67 AR). He and his friends got together and decided to do a "day in the life" CD for each of their families. It is amazing what they will do to break the monotony. They found a piece of metal and were using it to slide down the sand. They called it 'Iraqi snowboarding'. They all created signs and had their pictures made with them. One of his buddies made a "Happy Anniversary" sign. Another one made a "Happy Birthday Sign". My son's said "Hello Alabama, Go Tigers!". They all had their pictures made with a busload of Iraqis. The Iraqis seemed very happy to be there and glad to have their pictures made. (Not all of the Iraqis hate us.) It was just so good to see his smiling face and to know that all is not death and destruction, but some good is also happening!
17) Received a much needed phone call from my husband yesterday. He is a Kiowa pilot with E troop, 1-10 CAV. We talked a little about the Chinook tragedy, he was extremely mad about it and could tell that I was very nervous for him. They are flying so many hours, but he feels that what he is doing is preventing more attacks on our ground guys and helping the Iraqi people. He said that every week he sees more and more lights as he flies over... the area he is patrolling was completely blacked out not so long ago. I asked him if the weather was much colder, he explained how they drilled holes in the water tanks and put heating elements in for hot showers! Our soldiers are pretty inventive and can make the best out of practically nothing. I am so proud of my soldier and all the men and women he serves with!
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