Your Prayers or Thoughts Please

[frankykeno]

We were just informed that good friends of the family have their oldest son now serving with the Marines in Fallujah. It's funny, we knew Ryan was becoming a Marine and are awfully proud of him and for his family, we knew he'd likely end up over there...but hearing it...just stopped my heart for a sec. This family became friends as they have kids all the same ages as my oldest 3...Ryan and my Kate are almost 20, Shawn is best friends with our 15 year old Luke and their daughter Whitley is my 13 year old daughter Beth very good friend. We sort of intertwined for years now as the kids did stuff together through school and sports.

I remember Ryan as a gawky pre-teen, then a good looking young man on the wrestling team, making puppy dog eyes at my Kate. It's just surreal to think as I sit here and type that Ryan, the kid from down the street, is in Fallujah now. A man and a Marine, facing things I can't even begin to imagine. Apparently two of the young Marines he went into training with have already given the ultimate sacrifice.

Please put Ryan in your thoughts and prayers. I know his parents must be worried sick. Please remember all those who stand for us over there and pray they come home soon, safe, whole, to those that love them most.

Right now folks, as I just got off the phone with my eldest Kate and had to break the news to her that Ryan's over there....well a fuss on a forum doesn't mean so very much to me. I'm not dismissing anything here but what a wakeup call this was to remember what really, really matters.

[qiksilver]

that's always rough to hear, my friend since something like the 5th grade is over in Germany getting ready to deploy for either Iraq or Afghanistan, and supposedly they just received threats of a bombing to their base in Germany. I understand how you feel too, because while he's in Germany usually i figure oh, nothing too bad will happen, but once he's deployed it's something totally different. It really is a wake up call to know that someone you care about is going to be through that. Even as someone who at several times in their life went through all the preliminary things to become a marine but didn't due to my family (both motherly disapproval and sicknesses in the family) it's still a shock to think about how the people you've known and grew up with will have to face terrible things, and you just wish you could do something that could keep them from being injured or killed.

[frankykeno]

Thanks hon. It's just strange. I keep seeing Ryan hanging out in my livingroom fighting for Xbox time with his younger brother and my son, Luke. Their kids and ours just basically ran wild between our two homes for years now. We've moved away down to Ohio but all those years of treating their kids like mine....sort of feels like Ryan's mine too at least in my heart. How in the world do military families bear this?

[tigerlily]

He and all of our service men and women have my utmost respect and are always in my prayers. I will have to add Ryan specifically. I'd also love to send a care package as well, if you can get an address.

You and your family are also in my prayers, as you deal with the stress of his leaving. It's a scary feeling to think that you may never see them again, but I know he will return home safely.

[Blu Mongoose]

Heres to his safe return and for the safe return of all the men and women serving overseas.

[JimiSnakes]

I'll speak one out for him.

[Freakie_frog]

I'll tell my little brother to look after him he is a sSaff Sgt. with the corp stationed at the alizade(sp) air base in Fallujah. Whats his name rank and unit number?? I tell Ben to see that he's looked after.

[wolfy-hound]

My son is over there on a 2nd tour in Iraq. Good thoughts sent.

[muddoc]

Jo, I send him the best. But, he is a MARINE. He'll be ok. I just found out that my unit is going to Fallujah in about 6 months. Monica was very happy that she forced me out of the Corps, or I'd be gone again for round three. I wish I could go, but I might get a divorce. I promise he'll be alright, and he probably is excited to go, which is the opposite of all of his family members thoughts. Please make sure to put up his mailing addy once he gets there,so we can send him some phone cards and tons of cookies and candy (and maybe some liquor too because they love that).
Best wishes for a fellow TEUFLE HUNDEN.

[Laooda]

Sending my absolute best wishes.