War....

[squee!! disney!!]

It definitely has to do with the individul. one of my best friend's is in the national guard and was deployed to kuwait a little over two years ago. I believe her job was to repair military vehicles. When she came home She brought hundreds and hundreds of photos of her and her friends having a blast! movies by the pool, golfing, going to museums, playing games...etc etc. she loved it there. she was seriously thinking about returning as a civilian. When she returned though, she got pregnant by a guy who already has 3 other children with different girls. So she's practically raising her son on her own. She stayed in the military so she could have insurance for her baby and she could go to school and not really have to get a job that required too many hours outside the home.

However, now she has just left her 2 year old son in the care of one of our friends while she goes to iraq for a year. Another friend of mine said she was trying everything to get out of going, even went as far as offering to be a surrogate to our friend who was finding it hard to get pregnant. I don't really think she's quite prepared for going to iraq as now they are putting them on security duty as opposed to just sitting poolside and fixing humvees.

I think it is sad that she felt the only way she could provide for her son was to stay in the military. she wanted all the benefits (healthcare, paycheck, schooling) but then didn't want to actually perform her duty. i just don't think she understands why that is both inappropriate and disrespectful to the thousands and thousands of people who do it without question and don't try to find a way out of it. i believe there is a difference between complaining/worrying/being angry and really thinking you SHOULDN'T have to be there.

besides..from what i've seen/heard of her entire company, they all got into the national guard to party/hook up with each other... because that's all they do. its a disappointment because i know lots of military families to take it seriously.

 

[shirleyb]

I am a proud Navy Mom and Army Aunt. My nephew leaves Afghanistan today with 2 Purple Hearts. We are so anxious to have him back home.

Both these boys are from middle class families who could easily have chosen another path in life, but they have chosen to serve their country. I am so proud of them you can't imagine.

Each time I see my son, I see a little more maturity and self confidence that I know comes from serving in the military. At 20 years old, he's been to Bahrain, the Seychelle Islands, Spain, Portugal, Crete, Dijibouti. Not bad for a kid who used to get lost in his hometown!

 

[Stephanie218]

Stephanie, I love your wedding pic! Beautiful!

Thank you