My brother is headed to Iraq

**Percy's Mom** · #1 09-06-07, 11:05 am

Yesterday, we got the official date and time that my brother is being deployed to Iraq. I knew it was possible. Heck, the boy went to Parris Island for boot camp 3 years ago. A few months ago, we were told that his unit was definitely going, but they didn't know exactly when. For the last few weeks, the USMC has been waffling back and forth on the date; first it was one date then the other, then back to the original. Now however, they gave us an official date and time. Monday, September 10, 2007 at 19:00, he will get on a bus to go to another MCAS, fly to Germany, refuel, fly to Kuwait for 1-3 weeks, and then finally fly to Iraq for the next 7-8 months.

There are very few things in life that really scare me, but this has me terrified. This is my baby brother. Sure, he's 21 years old and married, but he's STILL my baby brother, and there is a possibility that when I see him this weekend, it will be the last time I see him alive.

Hopefully, he'll have an address for us to send letters and packages to while he is away by the time we get to him on Saturday. If not then, Monday before he leaves at the latest. If any of you have church, synagogue, or other synagogue groups that collect and send things to the troops, please PM me, and I'll be happy to get that address to you. Even if you're just a single person who wants to send notes to some of the guys, that would be great. I'm sure I'll be sending packets of letters to them weekly, if not multiple times a week, so if any of you want to email me something, I would be happy to print your notes and send them along as well. Some of these kids, and yes, I do consider them kids, have no family outside of the Marine Corps, and anything they receive showing that people are thinking about them and appreciate them means the world to these guys. I've met most of the guys in his unit, and they are wonderful young men.

I know that some of you have friends and family members in the same situation. Perhaps you have some that have already done one or more tours and have come back safely. I can only hope that they are home or are coming home safely to you, and all of them and you will remain in my thoughts and prayers. Please feel free to let me know who you are.

**Bear Bear** · #2 09-06-07, 12:24 pm

I can somewhat understand what you are going through...

I have two cousins (father and son) who are in the National Guard and were deployed to Iraq (several times). I can only imagine what the wife/mother of these two are going through, as I myself am terrified and worried about them.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you, your brother, and the rest of your family as well as all the brave men and women who are serving our country.

**Jenni_Feathers** · #3 09-06-07, 03:43 pm

I know how you feel my dad is in the Air Force, he's home now, but a few years ago after all the 9/11 stuff he got sent overseas and I was soooooo scared I prayed for him every night and every time unknown name or out of area or anything like that came up on the called ID on our phone I was afraid to answer thinking it could be someone calling with bad news and every time on the news they srated to tell of a bombing or something I was afraid it'd be his unit but thankfully it never was.

I will keep your brother in my prayers and I hope he will be home again soon.

**PiggieMamaKelly** · #4 09-06-07, 10:28 pm

I appreciate and admire your brother's services. I wish him all the best and pray that he (and his unit) remain safe both mentally and physically.

Try to stay sane PM.

**pignewton** · #5 09-06-07, 10:54 pm

My prayers go out to your brother and all of the other men and women in our armed forces.

I work at a hotel in Central California where the USMC houses its National Guards during their monthly tour of duty and any visiting officials. We have a large box in the lobby that we fill with paperback books, toiletries, etc. When it gets full the marines come and get it and send it off to the troops in Iraq. We are proud of the small contribution we make.

I hope that the end to this awful war is in the very near future.

Please thank your brother for his bravery in defending our freedom.

**Love4Piggers** · #6 09-07-07, 12:22 am

I understand, too, in a way. My father fought in Vietnam, and was a high-ranking official in the Army. He won a medal from the war, for an act of heroism. (He is not in my life now, but he gave me the medal. I will keep it forever.) Also, my cousin Charles has been deployed to several dangerous places. Afghanistan, Korea, and more recently, Iraq. He fought in Iraq for a long time it seemed, but he is back in the U.S. now, and has since gotten married and become step-dad to his wife's 3 children. He has moved up in rank over the few years he served, and he now works for the military here in America. We used to live close, but they moved to a different state, and we haven't spoken for a while. I hope he is happy now.

Any way, having a brother go to war must be tough, I can't even imagine. But I do know that a lot of men/women serve in Iraq, and return safely. My thoughts are with you and your brother and his wife.

**Chaos&Order** · #7 09-07-07, 11:18 am

I can't imagine how worrying this is for you. I will keep your family in my thoughts and hope for your brother's (and his unit's) safe return.

**Percy's Mom** · #8 09-07-07, 03:57 pm

Thank you for all of your well wishes. We were told recently that there hasn't been any major action requiring the fire and rescue teams (My brother is a Marine Corps firefighter) in quite some time where he is going to be. We leave tomorrow to see him for the weekend and see him off on Monday evening.

**jilovecavies** · #9 09-07-07, 08:15 pm

Semper fi!

I'm so thankful and proud of your brother, and I can't even begin to imagine how hard this is for you. You know we're here for you.

I've always felt silly writing things for the soldiers, like I'm wasting their time. The email idea is really great, though. I'm sure many of these men need encouragement from time to time. I'm not half the person they are.

**Percy's Mom** · #10 09-07-07, 10:36 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jilovecavies

I've always felt silly writing things for the soldiers, like I'm wasting their time.

Believe me, you're totally not wasting their time. I started when Matt was in boot camp where I would write a handful of extra notes every time I sent him a letter. I rarely got anything back from any of the guys he gave my notes to, but I can't count the number of times Matt wrote to me saying how thankful these guys were and how sometimes those notes would be the only mail some of them got in a week.

**Percy's Mom** · #11 09-11-07, 07:22 am

For those of you involved with the military either now or in the past, you will understand my frustration with this. Matt still hasn't left. While I'm extremely glad to have these extra couple of days with him, I can tell that he is on edge and wants to get the heck out of here already. Like he told me last night, "The sooner I leave, the sooner I can return (in theory)." Supposedly, they are leaving tomorrow evening now.

**HowietheGreat** · #12 09-11-07, 08:40 am

I got teary eyed just reading your post. Both my grandfathers and my father served, as well as a very good friend of mine. He was in Afganastan (sp?) just before 911. I understand exactly what you are going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family PM.

**Percy's Mom** · #13 09-11-07, 12:52 pm

The latest update.
Now he is leaving Thursday evening.

**blood8815** · #14 09-12-07, 11:02 pm

That kind of sucks, you know? So much unnecessary violence, even though people say that it will stop terrorists from attacking again, violence creates more violence. And since it is not only affecting the people we want to get, we are also affecting the people that live in Iraq and that can create hate. Im very sure he will come back alive and I hope all goes well for him.

**Percy's Mom** · #15 09-14-07, 01:14 pm

Well, Matt and the rest of the boys finally left MCAS New River at 3 o'clock this morning. I'm so completely exhausted. Luckily, I don't have to be back to work until Monday.

**envisionary333** · #16 09-14-07, 01:30 pm

I just read this thread for the first time, and my heart goes out to you. I have a younger brother who is almost 21 years old, and the thought of him being in danger's way causes my heart to jump to my throat. I can't even imagine how hard this must be for the both of you, especially with the war being such a conflicting political and practical issue across the nation. You have to wonder what all those lives have been lost for, what have they accomplished? Is it worth it?

Please keep us updated and let us know of any news. I will have you and your brother in my thoughts and can't wait to hear of his safe return home.

Thank you Percy's Mom for this useful post, says:
jilovecavies (09-08-07)

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