I Feel an Apology is in Order.

[robertglines1]

your friend always.  Bob

[RJ]

Dallas -

I certainly understand your stress.  My son is USAF, just PCS'd back to the States after a five-year tour in Germany.  Got deployed twice to the sandbox, my BP went up each of those four-month deployments, then again when his bride got sent down for a four-month tour.  Fortunately, both have "behind the scenes" jobs, but, just like PapaTony, you never know.

Like your son, mine was also in his 20's when he made the decision to serve.  It was tough on his mother and I at the time, but the both of us were SO proud of him at Basic graduation, and continue to be so.  We realize it's a tough choice on his part, but commend him for doing his part.

Hang in there, my friend.

RJ

[niles500]

I'm with Edvan - nothing much of importance is said or done on this or any BBS without the sacrifice of kids like yours - Here's to his safe return, and all the other BBS sons and daughters known and unknown - FWIW

[skihor]

Our son was attached to the 423rd out of Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs, CO. 3 years ago his company logged over 600,000 miles and experienced 163 IED incidents. They didn't lose a single man. There were a few serious injuries but they all came home. We were beyond worry the whole time. Send positive energies, prayer, or whatever support you can and leave the rest up to fate, god, or whatever eases your own peace of mind. At this point all a parent can do is provide support in any way possible. Know this... this experence can/will change a young man's life forever. Hopefully for the better.

Don & Sheila

[artvonne]

  Having a son-in-law with his lil commie flag and Franken sticker in his car window tell me he would go to Canada before he would defend this country, and that he would teach our Grandson to do the same, this post is bringing tears to my eyes. I do not know how to balance the love some of us still have for this Great Nation, against those who arent worth protecting.

  I pray that God, the same God our forefathers who gave us this Nation's Laws and Constitution freely and outspokenly believed in, the God of Abraham, the God the Washinton Monument worships on its many steps, the God the Liberty Bell was created to honor, the God we speak of in our Pledge of Alligience that people like my son in law hope to extinguish, the God our sons and daughters swear before when they join our Nations military....I pray that THAT God watches over all our honored children, and brings them home. And while we all know that they wont all come home, I pray they do not die in vain.

  You raised a good son my friend, thats something to be proud of. Be VERY proud.

  I know this post will probably put this thread in OT. But I just had to say this. And I will NOT appologize.

[pabusnut]

Dallas,

Please thank your son for his service! 

I have only been deployed once, but I can tell you that the equipment used to detect IEDs is vastly improved in the last several years.  The Armored vehicles are vastly improved also.  Our construction unit convoyed our equipment from site to site, and were both careful and fortunate that they encountered no IED's.  IEDs are the biggest threat.

My son, who is active duty Air Force for 4 years now has yet to go. 

Steve Toomey
pabusnut

[PP]

Fort Lost in the Woods, ahh, such fond memories  Be proud Dallas, a lot of heartfelt thanks and prayers go with him, will & wife