<p>My DH is gearing up to deploy again, and yes I’ve known it was coming but he started packing this weekend and that just makes it real and way too soon.</p>
<p>Please thank him for his service. I also thank you, for all the countless, smaller, unnoticed sacrifices you make daily at home because of his work.</p>
<p>My husband is due home at the end of Feb. from a nine month deployment. </p>
<p>Do you have a good support system where you are living? Family? </p>
<p>I’m here to offer any long distance support I can.</p>
<p>Many thanks to your husband and you for your service. You will both be in my prayers and I hope to hear from time to time that you are doing ok.</p>
<p>My darling niece’s wonderful husband just returned from his third deployment. We are so grateful for his safe return.</p>
<p>Eastcoast, I’ve got tons of support, and more than enough to keep me busy. It’s just those final weeks where all you want to do is slow everything down, but it’s all ramping up. His beard is starting to grow back in, I hate facial hair. </p>
<p>So excited you’re so close to being done! It’s only 6 months this time, which is a nice change.</p>
<p>I know how hard this is for you. I’ve been both the deployer and the deployee (if those words actually exist), and I think it’s harder being the one at home waiting. You just have to keep really busy and the time will fly by. Good luck!</p>
<p>Where is he deploying to?</p>
<p>Thank you and your husband for his service! I watch a little one who has a daddy that is on deployment, 14-16 months for us. Third deployment since he was born. It is hard and confusing for him. He says daddy is gone for a long time and misses him. Christmas was difficult and his up coming birthday. When they are little they have a different perspective of time. My little guy has done so much growing and will continue to do so, he’s under five so a time of rapid development. His daddy is sacrificing so very much.</p>
<p>Again, thank your husband and a safe return.</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>Hugs to all of you with loved ones overseas. It is a huge sacrifice, and I am grateful.</p>
<p>Prayers for everyone’s safety, and gratitude for the service of all our military and their families.</p>
<p>Sincere prayers and thanks to all of you who are directly impacted by loved ones deployed. You all are true heroes in my eyes.<br>
And this post is a good reminder to prospective college students and parents that the journey to college should not be filled with such stress and “doom and gloom” if you don’t get in exactly where you wish. Going to college is a gift and a choice…our military and their loved ones don’t have a choice when deployed. You understand real stress and sacrifice. Thanks for reminding all of us to keep things in perspective!
And know that there are many of us that truly appreciate what you do!</p>
<p>While we compile song lists, argue about school rankings and the best sheets for freshman dorms…</p>
<p>I concur with squanmom, thanks for putting this all in perspective, take care and give your husband our thanks and best wishes for a safe deployment and a safe return home.</p>
<p>Forever grateful to you and your family. Truly. You all are in our prayers. Hang in there!</p>
<p>Prayers, hugs and gratitude to you and your family!</p>
<p>Hugs to you Aubs. Hope the weeks/months fly by quickly and your beloved DH returns home safe and sound. </p>
<p>My S1 got back from his first deployment last July and will be headed back on deployment #2 in July of this year. The first time around we were able to talk to him fairly regularly which was great. I don’t expect that for the next one as he’ll be in remote locations. Will your DH be able to call you?
I think the “goodbye” part is the hardest of all. Just gotta keep thinking about happy reunions. Good luck to your DH.</p>
<p>My thoughts and prayers to you and your family, aubs1126. </p>
<p>By the time I finally retired a few years, I had been on these types of “adventures” a bunch. And you know what I realized very early on in my career? That I had it easy compared to the wife and kids I left at home. I had a mission to accomplish and focus on every day to keep me occupied and distracted. They had the reminder everyday that I wasn’t there when they had to deal with all the myriad of issues, great and small, that we normally dealt with together. They had to deal with the lack of communications, and the worries everytime bad news came out of “over there”. I got the awards, medals, and recognition when I returned. They just got back a husband and father, and a little more peaceful sleep at night.</p>
<p>I got a lot of “thank you for your service” when I got back, and still do. But you know how I usually reply? I simply point to my wife and kids and say, “Thank them. They had it harder, and made the greater sacrifices for this country during my service. They are MY heroes…”</p>
<p>Great great post bullet! Thinking of you aubs</p>
<p>Bullet, one of my sons wrote a college application essay about the unsung hero at home. Me.</p>
<p>So this is super late but I’ve just been really busy. He left about a week ago, I really miss him. But we’ve been able to send a few emails back and forth.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone so much for the support. It means a lot.</p>
<p>Aubs, sorry I missed this thread first time around. I hope you are able to continue to correspond with him, that he stays safe and you are able to “hold down the fort” without too much aggravation.</p>