My friend's stepson is shipping out

I am quite sure that your friend is sad right now, and concerned for her stepson. One thing is that he will be well trained although in the case of landmines etc, this does not always protect the military. I trust and pray that he will have a good tour of duty and return home safely to his family. I am sure that he and his family were aware that being sent overseas was a distinct possibility when he enlisted. My husband is an Australia returned serviceman having served in both Malaysia and Vietnam, so I know just how hard it will be for the family. I too served in the Australian military as did our son, although neither of us saw active service. It is never easy when they are away from home, but as mentioned earlier, they are well trained and know the likelihood of being sent overseas when they join.

I feel for your friend. So young at 18 to be going to Iraq but that's what happens. I hope he will be alright. My heart goes out to him and his family.

Well I have 2 takes on this, as a very proud US Marine's wife, he's joining the elite in serving his country. On the same note in being the spouse, it is a scary place to be, I can only imagine your friend is feeling the same things that I do everytime he has to leave us. Pray for him every night and day until he returns. God Bless and Semper Fi!!

oh it is so sad that a lot of people are joining the war and loosing their lives, anyway all the best.

You and your friend are welcome to join my group! It is for military families and fellow soldier supporters! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OurSoldierPenPals/ Please feel free to invite anyone else you think would enjoy our group!

My husband just recently got out of the military, but up until the end of last year, he was in. He has been over seas on two occations to fight in the war. Both times it was so hard on me and my children. Everyday was a worry of when I would hear from him again. Just trying to think of the best, but the bad thoughts would creep in, and I would wonder if I would ever see him again. Wonder if I would be a young window. But you can't think like that, you have to say positive. Pray for the young men and women that are over there prepared to give their lives. May God watch over them all and bring them home safe!!!

I don't know anyone who has been sent overseas, but I'm like you because I have a 24-year-old son who is such a passivist that I know he'd never survive going to war for emotional reasons. He quit eating meat because he felt sorry for the pigs. The best thing we can do for all of our boys is pray for their safety and the wisdom of our government in deciding what's going to happen next.

It has to be hard to see your child going out to war because you always worry that something may happen to him or her. Most parents do not want to see their child go out there or any other dangerous place. I would feel the same way as you or any other parent who has a child out in the Middle East.

Pray for all the men and women (young and old) in the service. Join a support group for even though you do not know this young man, it is having an impact on your life through his step=mother. All need your support at this time whether you know them or not. God bless you for your concern. As one who had love ones go to war in Vietnam (2 brothers and an ex=fiancee, and lots of friends also) I can feel for your friend and other family members in this situation, I had only a daughter and she didn't serve in the armed forces but I come from a long line of service people. And they need to know we support them. God Bless All.

It must heartbreaking for his parents. I was talking to a lady who works at the chemist, and her son has just gone to Iraq as well. He has had to leave his wife who is expecting her first baby anyday. By the time he comes home the baby will be about 4 months old. Take care everyone!

18 years of age seems so terribly young to go to Iraq. I don't know how anybody can let their sons and daughters go to such a dangerous situation!

I can empathise with how you must feel. My daughter's cousin is currently stationed in Afghanistan. We are Canadian. And yes we are scared for him. This year our volunteer group got together, and sent out cards, games, books and gift certificates (there is a coffee shop on base) to our troops stationed in Afghanistan. The military can be a great life during peace times, but during war ... well they must do the job that they signed on for.

It is very hard to see a soldier go off to war especially with all the deaths we have had lately in Iraq. I cried for hours after I watched my husband get on the plane to leave for Iraq, but I am one of the luck ones you get to talk to him almost every day so I know he's safe.

My husband (age 22 at the time) and my younger brother (age 18 at the time) both deployed to iraq from dec 05 until dec 06. It was a very hard year for us all. My little bro thankfully was an MP and did guard duty at a prison and at the hospital so he was mostly safe the entire time. My hubby on the other hand is a Cav Scout in the army, which is basically front line guys. He was injured over there by an IED (road-side bomb) but thankfully not fatal and only left scars on his head, ear, and arms. My mother-in-law is a nurse in the army reserves and she just deployed back in sept 06 and will be in iraq until sept 07. I guess what makes it so hard is that you miss so much of each other's life in the year that they are gone. My brother came back a man, my husband came back broken, and now i wonder every day how this war is going to change my MIL when she comes home!

It's a proud and beautiful thing when our children value life enough to stand up for our country as well as others. It's just so darned heartbreaking to see them go. Prayers for all of our sons & daughters who serve and have served, and the families that remain to wait for them.

it is amazing how close the internet has made the world..the friends we have online...no matter how far away, are entwined into our lives and hearts as we share ups and downs... i wish the best for your friend's stepson and wish him a safe return...i was talking to an army guy for a while who got shipped to iraq so i know how emotional the idea of it can be...even when ive not known someone online for long it hurts to imagine them not around to talk to yanno... and to any others here who have lost or know people who have lost, my heart goes out to you

It is really very sad. But please dont say like he may not come back. Please speak positive always. We all will pray for him

I am in the Military and I know what it is like to leave home. I will be hard for them but when he knows he is cared about by his parents and so many other people a serving our military is so much less of a hardship!

its allrite

i can understand ur feelings