My son leaves for Japan today -- for two years!

[Longhorn]

He's a Marine and this is his first duty station. Fortunately, he's trained on computer network systems and is attached to an air wing. He said he understands his unit rarely deploys but if it does, he should be relatively safe on an air base.

I'm trying not to think about it too much. He's the youngest of four (20) and the others all still live nearby. We hope we'll get to see him sometime in the next two years but we'll just have to see. The six of us had a brief vacation in Galveston last week and he got to visit a lot of family and friends during his 26-day leave.

If I can just get through the day without too much crying, I'll be okay. I got us a pair of webcams and I understand he'll have DSL at his barracks so I hope we'll get to "see" him very soon! :cry:

[atreides1]

1. I wish him Godspeed and a safe return

But as a friend of mine used to constantly remind me, every Marine is a rifle infantryman, no matter what his MOS.

Being part of an air wing is safer, but just a little.

[Longhorn]

5. You're right.

It's an interesting situation. I don't want to compare his situation at all to those serving in war zones right now -- his best friend is infantry and leaves in a couple of weeks for his second deployment to Iraq and they're already talking about a third!

On the other hand, there is always risk involved in the military. Worrying about him won't make him any safer, of course, so I'm just trying to focus on the fact that it could be worse!

[Jo March]

2. Good luck to your son. Thank him for us, won't ya?

He sounds like he has it all together. I know how it feels. When my sis was in Iraq, it was pretty depressing.

I'll add you and him to my prayer list.

Lots of love and thoughts your way.


On edit - left out a word

[Longhorn]

7. Thanks to your sister for her service!

I know that was hard on your family, too. I hope she is safe now and I thank you for your kind words!

[LDS Jock]

3. My heart goes out to you

even without the military twist its hard to spend two years apart from your little baby, even if he is 20 and a full grown man now. I hope the Internet and webcams make it easier to handle.

:hug:

[Longhorn]

9. You hit it right on the head, of course!

We're very lucky to live in an age when communication is enhanced and instantaneous!

Thanks for the hug and understanding, Neighbor! (I'm in Dripping Springs!) :D

[GOPFighter]

4. Hang in there!

Hundreds of thousands of us have gone into the service and came back safe and sound. I know part of the problem is that you'll miss him badly, but he'll soon be home again. I served for three years in Germany without a chance to get home. It was hard on my family at the time.

BTW, I appreciate his service to our country. Tell him if he keeps our country safe from harm we'll do our best to see that he has a country he can be proud of when he returns!

:headbang:

[Longhorn]

11. I keep telling myself that he may be safer in the Marines

than tooling around in his Mustang (former -- it's now mine!) after a night of drinking or playing poker with his friends!

Thanks for your good wishes! After seeing F9/11, he went to Michael Moore's site and pledged to sign up five others to register to vote! He's with us all the way!

[otohara]

6. Japan is Cool

don't be too sad - he'll be in a wonderful country.

[Longhorn]

12. He got to choose his duty station based on class rank

and he chose Iwakuni. He's always heard it's the place to go if you're a Marine. He may also get to go to Australia and some other places in the "vicinity." I hope we get to go visit him -- it's ONLY 180,000 frequent flyer miles for the two of us to Tokyo! ;)

[UrbScotty]

8. Good luck to him!

Be sure to thank him for his service. :hug:

[Longhorn]

13. Thanks so much!

I appreciate the hug, too! :hug:

[MuseRider]

10. I am so sorry!

Go to
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=1553864&mesg_id=1553864
If you think it might help. My plea for jokes on my first unhappy day of empty nesting. Much less distressing than your situation. Take care, I will think about you.

[Longhorn]

14. Wow, that's great!

I've got it bookmarked and will check it out when I get back from the airport. Thanks!

[MuseRider]

15. Longhorn

you take care. Pm if you need someone to commiserate with. I do not know how I would ever get through what you are going through, my time is coming but for now they are gone but close.

[Longhorn]

16. Well, I just got back from taking him to the airport.

We were allowed to go through security and wait with him at the gate until he left. I fought back the tears. He doesn't need my anguish on top of his anxiety about moving halfway around the world. He's going to try to call often and I gave him money for phone cards until he gets his phone and internet set up in his room. Maybe I can pretend he's just a hundred miles away at college! :shrug:

One day at a time. Thanks for all of your caring, understanding, and good wishes!

[trof]

17. Not a bad spot.

I've spent a lot of time there.
The people I had personal contact with were very hospitable.
The beer ain't bad.
If you like sushi/sashimi, you're in heaven.
If you don't, you can still find a good meal anywhere.
He'll be OK.

[Longhorn]

18. He's really looking forward to it.

Thanks for your positive support! I know he'll be okay -- I'll just miss him a lot but that's my job! :D