The inevitable news I didn't want to hear....

TheAxeman · Feb 6, 2007

As many of you know from some of my previous postings, my son enlisted in the Marine Corps back in September. On Saturday he called with the news that he will be deploying to Iraq in September. Even though it was expected, it doesn't make it any easier....

He will be deploying out of Camp Lejeune, NC with the 1st Battallion 9th Marines....

It didn't bring alot of comfort to find his Battalion patch.

VMax_03 · Feb 6, 2007

Your son will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Let me know if I can do anything to assist - I had 33 months flying gunships in RVN and can appreciate what you and he are going through.

Regards,

JW

Bounce · Feb 6, 2007

Sorry to hear that. Of course, anyone signing up in the past 2 or 3 years knew this was a sure thing. Rotations in-country are a ********. In the past a tour in a combat zone often meant that the tour was shorter than in non-combat areas. This time, a year's a year and even after coming back home, the odds of being sent back are nearly 100%.

Keep your fingers crossed and jiggle all the beads ya got.

Toecutter · Feb 6, 2007

Bummer to hear this. Please convey our support for him and his mission, and the importance of never letting his guard down while in country. Also, consider putting something out on the PGR website if you wish. A well-attended sendoff ride can be rather therapeutic for all involved.

skyway · Feb 6, 2007

Wish your son the best of luck for me, and let him know that lots of people he has never met are thinking of him.

Warchild · Feb 6, 2007

My bride's cousin is in the Army Reserve. He is 26 years old. Works down in southern California.

Last Friday, he was notified has been called back up to active duty. This summer, he will deploy for a minimum of 12 months to Iraq, but is being told to prepare for an 18-month deployment.

This will be his third combat deployment to Iraq. His third deployment!

To top it of... he works in an Explosive Ordnance Demolition (EOD). When they find roadside IEDs, they call him in to de-fuse them.

Sweet.

Geezer · Feb 6, 2007

As you said, it was expected. My best wishes for his safe return.

git-r-dan · Feb 6, 2007

Axe, sad but you have to be one proud father. That is awesome knowing he is putting his life on the line defending our country. Please send him the kudos from this FJR crowd that we're behind him all the way and will be praying for an umbrella of protection for him during his tour.

Dan

JimLor · Feb 6, 2007

Axeman - I've only been on the deploying side of the equation for the 1st Gulf War and other deployments in a 26 year career in the Marines. I can tell you this - his fellow Marines will take care of him as he will them. Training today is far better than it was for me, so he'll be trained for the job he'll have. Tell him you love him, tell him you're proud of him, and let him know you support him. When he's over there let him hear from you routinely. I'll tell you, having discussed this with Lorie over the years, I think it's much harder on the family left behind than on those deployed! I'll say a prayer for him and for you.

Semper fi.

airboss · Feb 6, 2007

TheAxeman said:
As many of you know from some of my previous postings, my son enlisted in the Marine Corps back in September. On Saturday he called with the news that he will be deploying to Iraq in September. Even though it was expected, it doesn't make it any easier....
He will be deploying out of Camp Lejeune, NC with the 1st Battallion 9th Marines....

It didn't bring alot of comfort to find his Battalion patch.

Old history, but I got to know 1st/9th marines first at Camp Schwab, Okinawa and then later in Vietnam(1967-1968).

Try not to worry to much Axeman, Those boys know how to take care of buisness and each other. Subject to correction, I believe the Battalion patch comes from a little walk they took out of the Cho-sen Reseroir in the dead of a Korean Winter.

wheatonFJR · Feb 6, 2007

Axeman,

Thanks for letting us know. Your obvious concern as a dad...

...means we're all concerned as your FJR buddies.

My two boys are getting close to that age...my heart beats heavy for all the worry the military families bear.

Scythian · Feb 6, 2007

I'll chime in with a weird one:

Take care of yourself!

During Gulf War 1, I was deployed to the DMZ Joint Security Area in Korea. My ol' man was a Korean era vet so it kinda flipped him out and he really started worrying.

He didn't survive my deployment. He was 59. I was 22.

Make sure you're still around and healthy when he gets back!

twowheelnut · Feb 6, 2007

I feel for ya, man. My brother is an SOF Colonel (freshly minted and awaiting Senate approval :good: ), USSOCOM, outta MacDill AFB, doing all sorts of anti-bad guy ****... He's gone for weeks or months at a time and of course, he says nothing to us about departure or return. Very unnerving, to say the least. Wish your boy well for me.

MotorSWATCop · Feb 6, 2007

Axe,

Your son will be in my thoughts.

The next area to look at is Africa. Several guys in my PD are in the 20th SFG. They have deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq and been back home. Some are now being re-deployed to Jibuti (sp?). There is also some heat starting back up in Somalia. It's far from over methinks.

Wish your son the best of luck and tell him to keep 360 SA.

TheAxeman · Feb 6, 2007

Thanks for all the wishes and prayers guys. I'm going to print out your responses and send them off to him. He seems to be taking the news better than me and DEFINTELY better than his mother. They told him because they are green they are going to send them to someplace in Iraq that isn't too "hot" initially.....I'm not really sure if that even exists anymore.

Scab · Feb 6, 2007

Our thoughts and prayes are with you both. And from a "Free American", tell him THANKS!

Blue Laser · Feb 6, 2007

my son enlisted in the Marine Corps back in September. On Saturday he called with the news that he will be deploying to Iraq in September. Even though it was expected, it doesn't make it any easier....

Axeman,

Thoughts and prayers along with a boatload of gratitude for your son

serving this great nation.

My step-son spent a year in Iraq as a Marine (deployed out of Camp

Pendleton).

God bless you and your son, and since I'm specific in my prayers,

what's your son's name? My wife and I kept my wife's son in prayer

and had comfort by reading Psalm 91. Check it out in a modern Bible

translation...on second thought, just go here:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?searc...&version=31

Best regards,

Jim

Fencer · Feb 6, 2007

Just go with "First to Fight" and leave it at that.

PM me his APO and I'll send an LD phoncard so he can "Phone Home"

ALL military persons and efforts are appreciated and my family will be raised with the same thoughts.

Jarmo · Feb 6, 2007

Hey Axeman !

Pass along the word that our thoughts and prayers go with him .

We appreciate what those young people do for our fine country.

I know you are a proud pappa and are verry concerned about .

I wish him the best and a safe tour .

Jarmo

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