My brother is headed over seas

[ChicaPiton519]

My adopted Marine brother Jeff is headed off to Okinawa Japan -- he has been at Camp Pendleton in Cali sense last December.

i have honestly just not thought about his deployment for the last month and a half.
i saw him in june, he surprised me and came to visit my family for half of his pre-deployment leave, and the rest of it with his family up in idaho...
and just didnt want to think about him being deployed... so i havnt... till now

well, as of 12am his cell has been shut off...
and he should be on his way soon... if he isnt already

but i would love it if those of you who pray, would just keep him in your prayers.
and if thats not your thing, just keep him in your thoughts or something.

he will be over there for like 7 months - till january
but its possible he might be there for a whole year rather than just 7 months. so that would be well, next july...

i told him that either he comes to my birthday party in january.
or we go see transformers 2 next july... lol

but its been a tough couple of days, mostly because i have been dreading him leaving, because he is always the first person i call/text when i need to talk to some one... or when im bored... or need to vent... and now, with him going to Japan... i cant do that... i can facebook him, and if im really really really lucky catch him on and instant message him...

but yeah, no one really knows what its like to have to say good bye to some one in the military until you have to personally...
even some one who isnt blood... Jeff started hanging out at our house because we had pool parties and stuff for out church... and yeah, from that point on its basically history, and he has always told me "if any guy hurts you, i will be there to stuff him in a very small box and ship him off to a deserted island"
lol
but he is my brother... and he flies helicopters for the US Marines.

OOHRAH
and
Semper Fi


Thanks
-Sara
[sorry for it being so long lol]

[Jae iLL]

Okinawa's definitely better than the sandbox for sure..

Okinawa's actually pretty koo, it's a small island, but it aint too bad. They gettin rid of all the Marines tho cuz of the crazy amounts of stupid stuff they do over there. I'm over here in Korea, and gotta say these 1 year tours aren't too much fun. I'm half Korean, so not so bad, but after being here for 4 months, I'm ready for America again already. Defnitely rather be here than the sandbox tho, prolly goin next year.

good wishes to your bro tho. watchout for them Japanese police, they're brutal.

[Jerhart]

Hey Sara,
Okinawa is an experience to say the least. My dad has been in the corps for 28 years now. He, MGySgt. Erhart (E9), is now head of the national training team out in Quantico VA. He started his career out being deployed to Okinawa also. And trust me, I fully understand the worry that comes along with family members being deployed. But Marines are the best of the best. And my dad said while he was over there, he missed the states and his family, but he knew he a job to do, and he felt he learned so much over there than any other place he has been. Times get long...but be proud!

A Marine's son, Josh.

[littleindiangirl]

If it helps any... I've read Okinawa is a vacation resort to the Japanese, much like Hawaii is to us. Beautiful waters, gorgeous sandy beaches, and lots of babes in bikinis!

[Ironhead]

He will be in my thoughts and prayers. My son is heading to Okinawa July 29th for a two year stay and as said in a different post..much better than the sand box. My son was in Iraq for two tours and going to Okinawa is so much better.

[panthercz]

I when I was in the Air Force and deployed to Okinawa it was fun. Plus having a Burger King and Popeye's a block away from my room was a bonus!

[stangs13]

He'll be in my prayers. I'll agree with everyone else on him going to japan, and not the middle east. One of my friends dad is on the same island.

[ChicaPiton519]

well i believe he is over in japan for more training with the guys that he will be working with.
and doin patrols and junk over that end of the world...
im not so much worried about him as i am going to miss him like alot.
either way i know heli pilots are alot better off than the guys on foot any way... in a general situation, atleast what jeff will be doing..
but its purely the fact that the only contact i have to him now is facebook...

texting is outa the question.
which sucks.
but thanks everyone for your thoughts and prayers..
i just hope that 7 months is all they want him for this tour...
i would much have him at my birthday party in january than go see transformers 2 with him in july lol =]

[STORMS]

If it helps any...

My nephew Dustin (ARMY) was stationed in Okinawa for 8 months. He went there for training and loved it. He kept in touch via Skype & email. His home base is in Hawaii and said he would rather be in Okinawa...so it cant be too bad

He is actually home for pre-deployment leave right now - he is being deployed to Iraq on July 17th. I know how it sucks every time they leave...but this one feels worse IMO. I'd rather have him go to Okinawa again.

I will keep your brother in my thoughts....with the rest of our soldiers

[ChicaPiton519]

yeah, he told me that there is a chance that he could go to afgahnistan.
but he doesnt know yet.
he could just hang out by Asia and like i said earlier, do patrols n crap...
so... yeah...