I just found out where in Iraq my brother will be going: RAMADI.

[MLFerrell]

Probably THE single most dangerous place in the whole war-torn hellhole. He said that units were losing 20-30 guys over the course of their one year tours in al-Anbar province. And as to his job... He'll be defusing IEDs. I don't think that a worse situation exists.

If in the future you see a Sgt. Ferrell in the list of the dead, that's him.

[youngdem]

1. I hear Vancouver is nice

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

2. Our prayers are with him for a safe return.

:(

[MLFerrell]

3. Thanks.

It really put a damper on Easter dinner, I'll tell you. I hadn't seen him since Christmas, and the whole afternoon, I kept wondering if today was the last holiday meal that we'll get to share... not a good feeling.

[mohinoaklawnillinois]

4. I'll keep him in my prayers. n/t

[RamboLiberal]

23. Same here - prayers for him to return safely

and may you soon be sharing a holiday dinner together with him home for good safe and well.

[arewenotdemo]

6. I'll second that

[sueh]

10. Me, too.

[Maat]

5. May he return safely.

He is in our family's prayers. D**m those warmonger-chickenhawks that sent him there in the first place!

[uppityperson]

7. Damnation. I wish him the best of luck, and peace somehow to you all.

I don't know what else to say except I am sorry and damn damn damn.

[onethatcares]

8. I wish him the best of luck,

my son is in Kirkuk. I find it hard to pray, but both have my best thoughts

[cassiepriam]

9. Defusing IEDs in Ramadi? Dangerous job in a dangerous place.

But you know that, and that is why you are scared and angry.
When is he going?

Prayers going out to you and your brother.

(PS Try not to visualize him on the dead/injured list. See him surrounded by light and protection. Some of the guys in his unit
are going to make it home and it is going to be him.)

Please God. Why won't the Dems bring the troops home? Now.
Why are they dragging their feet?

[MLFerrell]

13. He's going in the beginning of June.

And as far as the visualization thing goes, easier said than done.

I remember it so well... When he was there the first time, every time I heard about an American soldier's death, my heart literally stopped for a second.

Selfish as it may sound, I don't know if I can handle that kind of stress for another year.

INCREDIBLY dangerous job in an INCREDIBLY dangerous place.

Especially with headlines like these: Suicide truck bomber explodes chlorine in Iraqi city of Ramadi, killing 27

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/20070406-1451-iraq.html

[cassiepriam]

16. Yes on the incredibly dangerous. I just didn't want to say it.

I wish there was a way he could switch to another job.

Just do what you can on the visualization. Just keep seeing him bathed in protective white light, a bubble. It may sound strange I know.
But you don't have a lot of options available to you. Except spiritual.
Or Canada, as someone else suggested.

Also there is a prayer thread on the Astro and spirituality forum.
You are more than welcome to post a request for prayers and blessings to you and your brother. The work on that thread has been wonderful.
If you give permission I will be happy to post it for you.

I grew up in the military, was a young teen during Viet Nam and living in southeast Asia during the war. I know how hard it is on the family. We feel so powerless, nothing that we can do. But sit and wait. And hope the commanding officer and chaplain do not drive up to the house.

[MLFerrell]

19. "...hope the commanding officer and chaplain do not drive up to the house."

Indeed.

That is my absolute worst nightmare.

[cassiepriam]

30. It is every military family's worst night mare.

It is awful to feel so powerless.

And Congress just dithers and does nothing.
While so many lives are at stake.

[uppityperson]

18. Your brother sounds like he must be an incredibly competent person.

I posted earlier but have continued to think about you and your brother and realized that I was focused on the seriously awful place and dangerous job, not on him. So I thought more about him. He must be an incredibly competent and capable person, will be sending positive thoughts out to him and you.

[MLFerrell]

20. "He must be an incredibly competent and capable person..."

Yes and no. He's VERY good at his military duties. Before he went over the first time, he was the most responsible young man that I had ever seen. After he returned, he was a slothful, unmotivated, utterly irresponsible fuck (pardon my language).

As I've mentioned in the past, he was a totally different man when he came back. It has taken three years for him to regain his former personality in any semblance. And now, he's going back...

I'll be happy if he comes back at all, regardless of what condition he's in when that day (hopefully) comes.

[uppityperson]

26. Oh dear, sounds like it definetly affected him.

Have an in-law that retired military, went to seed very fast. Figured he didn't have the routine to fall back on or the experience/motivation to figure out how to make and hold to a new routine of his own. Keep us posted please and best wishes to all.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

11. I pray for his safety

I am so sorry for you and the worry you carry.

[MLFerrell]

14. Thank you.

I sincerely hope that you never have to know what it's like...

[stray cat]

12. Best wishes to him and the family

[annabanana]

15. I'll keep him in my prayers

May he come back to you safe.

[Swamp Rat]

17. My cousin was there.

:hug:

[SammyWinstonJack]

21. I hope your brother makes it out safe and sound! nt

[calimary]

22. Oh man... my prayers and thoughts are with you - and with him.

SO sorry to hear that. SO unnecessary. Just so damned unnecessary. I hope he makes it home safely, and in one piece.

[knitter4democracy]

24. I'll pray for him.

I've got a box ready to mail tomorrow for another DUer's loved one serving over there. Should I put one together for your brother?

[MLFerrell]

28. Not until June, thank the Gods...

But do keep it on the back burner. I'll ask him what he wants this time around.

As before, most likely Pasta Anytime, and especially Dinty Moore Beef Stew. How he can tolerate that garbage I'll never know.

As soon as I have his APO address, I'll pass it along. And THANK YOU for your sympathy and sacrifice.

:)

[knitter4democracy]

32. What sacrifice? I just send boxes when I can.

He's doing the real sacrifice, and you all, his family, are sacrificing so much more. I often think the rest of us aren't being asked to do enough.

That's a good idea on the stew. Maybe I'll stick a couple of those in the box before I mail it (couldn't today, but will definitely tomorrow).

[roody]

25. I wish he would say no to illegal war.

[blondeatlast]

27. May they all return in good health. A prayer tonight for all of our daughters, sons,

sisters, brothers--and moms and dads.

To your brother :patriot:

Pardon me, I need to go tell my beautiful son I love him. :cry:

[renate]

29. best wishes and prayers for your brother and his safe return

:hug:

[bdamomma]

31. I just don't know what to say anymore, hope your brother stays safe.

[flyarm]

33. I pray he stays safe and comes home safely!! He will be in my prayers!

and i will pray for your family and their peace of mind...and that your brother comes home safely!!

fly

[theboss]

34. I'm generally not superstitious...but jeez

That last sentence is something I don't think I ever could write.