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Radio Show – Parents Zone going to be interviewed
We are going to be on Army Wife Talk Radio! Tammy and LAW are going to talk about ParentsZone, why we started it and the needs of the Parents of Service Members who are presently serving. Please call in, listen and ask questions. We are being interviewed on MONDAY, June 1. The show starts at 8 pm Eastern time.
Army Wife Talk Radio is a great interview show, and you can chat online at the same time. Army Wife Network is a fun and informative site for Army Spouses – so if your family members don’t already know about it, send them the link.
Talk to you there.
LAW
Thanks for coming back to visit! If you would like to write for Parents Zone - please let LAW or TechMama know!
Deployment – Parent’s style
I was asked to post this – and it sure would be great to get OUR voices and experiences heard. Dr. Crow has gone through deployments of her son to Iraq and her daughter in law to Afghanistan, so she understands. But to help her tell our story, get the information about what deployments are like for the parents of these men and women – she needs our help.
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Parents of Service Members who have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan….
Your input is needed to understand the experience of a parent who has had (or currently has) a son or daughter deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Parents are very much a part of the military family and yet very little is known about their experiences and how they support their deployed adult children. Dr. Janet Crow, an assistant professor of Child and Family Studies at Baylor University, is conducting a survey of parents of service members to add your perceptions to what we know about how military families cope with deployment. If you are interested in participating simply go to: https://www1.baylor.edu/surveys/crow/deployed_child.htm. You will find a complete explanation of the study and will be able to add your experiences by completing the anonymous online survey.
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Please – go over and give her your input. Thanks!
LAW
Poll participation-research
I am conducting a 1 question poll [about the Veterans History Project] requiring only a yes or no answer. This is for research purposes only (not to drive traffic to my blog). Link-click here. [http://blog.militaryhealthmatters.org/home.html/] Poll is at the very top-side bar] Results will be by numerical count tally only (not by participant). If you have a moment to answer … I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you!
Karen
Proud Army Airborne Mom
The Bracelet
My son wears no jewelry, nor has he ever liked to wear it. He wears his wedding band, removed only during training or while deployed. He carries in his inner pocket a piece of jewelry, a personal reminder of his wife’s love and devotion. He wore an obligatory bracelet as a baby and remove at every opportunity. My son, never removes his bracelet.
Two years have come and gone since 05 March 2007 but the memory of seven brave paratroopers is never gone. For the parents left behind … memories of their sons remain as fresh as they day their flag draped coffins arrived at Dover on a spring day. Nor, memories of their visits, home cooked meals, laughter, and tears when their time home was up. Voices heard through the hollowed sound of a poor phone connection, memories never gone. For the paratroopers with whom they served, the memories of their fallen brothers, never gone. Through the darkest days of the unit’s deployment, through losses, each of the men who served with them came away with memories that will never be gone. Times spent together with very few moments of peace and quiet, days and nights of patrols, rushes of adrenalin, precious few hours of sleep. Each, is regarded as a hero although they themselves would be the last to consider themselves as such.
This year, the day brings a much heavier heart, more than usual. The 3rd BCT, 82nd ABN is deployed to Iraq. I am certain they all paused during their duties to remember. Perhaps, they were able to have a memorial service honoring all the fallen. My feelings about the price paid by generations of men and women with their lives and the family and friends left behind are right at the surface. I do not have to go down very deep into my heart to remember them: faces of sacrifice and courage.
RESPECT | HONOR SELFLESSNESS | DIGNITY
With great honor and deepest respect, we remember seven brave, vibrant young men whom are missed by their mothers and fathers, wives, children, families, loved ones, and their paratrooper brothers in C co., 2-505 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT-82nd ABN.
They left our world too soon but their spirit lives on forever in the hearts of those who remain behind.
God Bless our troops, veterans and their families.
May God continue to embrace the families and loved ones of all our brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Each did so with respect, honor, selflessness, courage, and dignity.
Honor their memory.
Articles and Information: On the Road in Samarra Return from Samarra
Staff Sgt. Justin M. Estes, 25
05 March 2007
2nd Bn, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, TF Lightning
Died as a result of injuries sustained following an explosion near vehicles while conducting combat operations in Salah ad Din province / DoD Release: Died Mar. 5 in Samarra, Iraq, when an IED detonated near their unit during combat operations Iraq-Afghanistan War Heroes
Staff Sgt. Robert M. Stanley, 27
05 March 2007
2nd Bn, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, TF Lightning
Died as a result of injuries sustained following an explosion near vehicles while conducting combat operations in Salah ad Din province / DoD Release: Died Mar. 5 in Samarra, Iraq, when an IED detonated near their unit during combat operations Iraq-Afghanistan War Heroes
Sgt. Andrew C. Perkins, 27
05 March 2007
2nd Bn, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, TF Lightning
Died as a result of injuries sustained following an explosion near vehicles while conducting combat operations in Salah ad Din province / DoD Release: Died Mar. 5 in Samarra, Iraq, when an IED detonated near their unit during combat operations Iraq-Afghanistan War Heroes
Spc. Ryan M. Bell, 21
05 March 2007
2nd Bn, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, TF Lightning
Died as a result of injuries sustained following an explosion near vehicles while conducting combat operations in Salah ad Din province / DoD Release: Died Mar. 5 in Samarra, Iraq, when an IED detonated near their unit during combat operations Iraq-Afghanistan War Heroes
Spc. Justin A. Rollins, 22
05 March 2007
2nd Bn, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, TF Lightning
Died as a result of injuries sustained following an explosion near vehicles while conducting combat operations in Salah ad Din province / DoD Release: Died Mar. 5 in Samarra, Iraq, when an IED detonated near their unit during combat operations Iraq-Afghanistan War Heroes
Pfc. Cory C. Kosters, 19
05 March 2007
2nd Bn, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, TF Lightning
Died as a result of injuries sustained following an explosion near vehicles while conducting combat operations in Salah ad Din province / DoD Release: Died Mar. 5 in Samarra, Iraq, when an IED detonated near their unit during combat operations Iraq-Afghanistan Heroes
Spc. Joshua M. Boyd, 30
14 March 2007
2nd Bn, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division
DoD Release: Died Mar. 14 at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, of wounds sustained when an improvised explosive device exploded near his unit Mar. 5 in Samarra, Iraq Iraq-Afghanistan War Heroes
Beyond Tribute – Memorial Day
I went to the launch for Beyond Tribute yesterday, and with the Memorial Day weekend coming up, wanted to make sure all our readers (those loyal few) get the word!
Beyond Tribute is – to quote one of the founders – not a charity, not an organization, it’s an idea! The idea is to make the holidays that should be devoted to veterans and those who gave their lives, mean more again. To those in America who don’t know anyone in the military - and we all know how many that description fits – right now Memorial Day is the day for a good sale – and none of us will turn down a good sale! But wouldn’t it be even better if the business doing that great sale on purses (that’s for Pam Eggleston the purse maven, the milspouse who spoke at the launch about her life with Charles, her husband and wounded warrior) was going to contribute part of the profits from that sale to programs for vets? General Wesley Clark said at the launch that we need to transform Memorial Day and Veterans Day back into a holiday of more meaning. The President of Gold Star Mothers spoke very movingly at the launch as well. We cannot allow this day to be only the day the pool opens, the day for a great bargain on a dress.. We must remember, we must make everyone else remember too!
So – if you haven’t taken the pledge yet – go over and do it. Then send the link to the businesses you use – big and small. Send the link to your family, send the link to your friends and co-workers. Let’s put the memories back into Memorial Day, and by Veteran’s Day – make the rest of the country remember the veterans.
LAW
Cell phones in Paradise – but don’t sit down!
It can be so stressful being the mother of a Soldier as so many of us know. Whether he is in the sand or in paradise, it doesn’t matter. When he left a few weeks ago, he had to tell me “it’s okay mom, you can let go now” as he pulled away. What can I say? He’s my oldest, and I miss him. We moms worry no matter what and our kids think they are invincible. My son, Heaven love him! is in a place close to Paradise now, no longer fighting sand storms, dodging bullets or being out who knows where for weeks on end. Not standing guard over his buddies for 26 hours at a time while they fix the roadways. Instead palm trees and ocean breezes tempt him instead of the unknown slow driving vehicle. For this I am thankful, however, he is not at home and I still worry.
This morning I received a phone call, no one on the line but from his phone number. I could hear muffled sounds and the phone being moved back and forth. What worried me was that I kept saying his name over and over and could hear myself becoming stressed and screechy sounding. The buttons being pushed on his phone as if he wasn’t sure the connection was going through. Of course, I panicked. Worried all the way to work, heartburn beginning in the bottom of my stomach working it’s way up to my throat. My heart pounding, I drove the 7 miles to work calling my Mother on the way. Did he call her this morning? Yes!?! What happened, what did he say? Nothing….All she could hear were bells ringing in the background. What the hell? So when I arrived at work I immediately started searching for tsunami warnings, maybe there was an earthquake we hadn’t heard about. Checking CNN and any other news with the latest world updates. Why can’t I find out what I want to know? What to do! Who to call!?! Am I on the FRG list, did he remember to put me down for emergencies now that he is going to be single again?
I text messaged him…. no answer. I called long distance from work….still no answer. My brother called and left him a message. My niece called and left a message. Should I call his Dad? Three cups of coffee later, I had to take a Pepcid because I felt the heat building and the twisting knot that was now my stomach, not a good sign. Tried to calm myself down by working on the accounts payable. Yeah right, who am I kidding, that didn’t work out very well either. Why didn’t he call me back? What was happening!!
He finally called….He is fine. He was sent on a retreat. He was made to go because his wife, who can’t stand being separated and can’t cope without him around (read between the lines) is divorcing him. It takes a strong woman. They thought it would help him to cope a little better if he was able to go and relax for a few days. So when he called, he asked why I sounded so worried on the message I left him. Why was everyone calling him?
He told me where he was and what he was doing. He said the bells and the sound of the phone moving around, the muffled sounds all made sense to him after I explained to him what we heard on our end. The damned cell phone was in his pocket! He had been sitting down talking to someone when the phone called me. My response to him? “You mean, I got all worked up because your butt called me?” I’m calmed down but boy oh boy is he gonna get it when I see him next time! That is after I’ve hugged him and made sure he’s really okay.
This morning reminded me of the Mother whose son was in the sandbox and his phone was activated when he accidently leaned on it, and called her, all she could hear were spurts of gunfire. Ended up that he was fine too. Major oops! on that one, eh eh eh, sorry mom.
Note to all of our sons and daughters serving: please activate your key guard when you aren’t using your phone. It will be a tremendous help out all of us already worried and nervous parents in keeping our sanity!
Mamaw
Armed Forces Day
So – do you think ANYONE else knows/remembers it’s Armed Forces Day? Anyone?
The CinC did, so did the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs.
President Issues Armed Forces Day Proclamation
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 15, 2009 – President Barack Obama signed and issued a proclamation yesterday designating tomorrow as Armed Forces Day.
Here is the presidential proclamation:
On Armed Forces Day, 1961, President Kennedy connected civic engagement and our Nation’s security. He stated, “The strength of our armed forces rests not alone upon their active and reserve members, our industrial productivity, and our human resources, but also upon the understanding and support of an informed American people.” Based on this perspective, I call upon all Americans to learn more about, and express gratitude for, the heroic efforts of our men and women in uniform.
Today, the United States military serves across the world to keep us safe. They are working here at home to protect America from threats foreign and domestic; they are risking their lives in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan; and they are also serving bravely in many other parts of the world to ensure our security and provide humanitarian assistance. Members of the Armed Forces are forging a better future for our Nation and the world.
As they carry out their missions, military families endure the sacrifice of their absence. Worrying about their safety, moving to new duty stations, and managing a home without a loved one, these families shoulder great burdens as they help sustain our men and women in uniform. I thank military families for their vital contributions.
The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coastguardsmen who have answered the call to service deserve recognition and gratitude. They have endured the most difficult of conditions to protect America and her highest ideals. Today, I ask all Americans to know their sacrifice and join me in humble thanks.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, continuing the precedent of my predecessors in office, do hereby proclaim the third Saturday of each May as Armed Forces Day.
I direct the Secretary of Defense on behalf of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and the Secretary of Homeland Security on behalf of the Coast Guard, to plan for appropriate observances each year, with the Secretary of Defense responsible for soliciting the participation and cooperation of civil authorities and private citizens.
I invite the Governors of the States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and other areas subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, to provide for the observance of Armed Forces Day within their jurisdiction each year in an appropriate manner designed to increase public understanding and appreciation of the Armed Forces of the United States.
I also invite national and local veterans, civic and other organizations to join in the observance of Armed Forces Day each year.
Finally, I call upon all Americans to display the flag of the United States at their homes on Armed Forces Day and urge citizens to learn more about military service by attending and participating in the local observances of the day. I also encourage Americans to volunteer at organizations that provide support to our troops.
Proclamation 7562 of May 16, 2002, is hereby superseded.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
BARACK OBAMA
Chairman Issues Statement in Support of Armed Forces Day
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, May 15, 2009 – Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said in a statement released in support of Armed Forces Day that today’s military is “as united in common purpose, spirit and understanding” as he has ever seen.
Here is the entirety of Mullen’s statement:
On Saturday, May 16th, we pause to commemorate Armed Forces Day and pay tribute to all active duty Service members, National Guardsmen and Reservists, who, through the thickest of wars and greatest of crises, have raised their hands high to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.
The theme of this year’s Armed Forces Day, “United in Strength” – seems especially fitting to me, personally – for in my nearly 45 years of wearing the uniform, I have rarely seen our Nation and our military as united in common purpose, spirit, and understanding as I do, right now.
For that commitment and that unity, I am grateful to our civilian leadership, as well as our hometowns and local communities. The virtue of serving a cause greater than self is a public virtue, one which is still just as revolutionary as it was during our Nation’s founding.
In now our eighth year of war, our Armed Forces stand as one of the most combat-hardened forces in our history. Yet their uplifting enthusiasm and resilience never cease to inspire. I know – we all know – that this spirit has everything to do with your support. It is a sea of goodwill which lifts the spirits of every military Service member and family, in times difficult and good. It is that same support and encouragement we cannot do without.
To the more than two million Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and their families, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and I extend our heartfelt thanks for your service. And to the Nation we serve – we humbly thank you for your unstinting devotion – and for the opportunity to represent the spirit you share so generously, all across the globe.
Sincerely,
M.G. MULLEN
Admiral, U.S. Navy
ARMY PATERNITY LEAVE
I know a bunch of “will-be-daddy” guys and some soon-to-be-moms who will welcome this news!!
Paternity LeaveWhat is it?
The Army’s new paternity leave policy gives fathers additional time to be with their families when a new child is born. The policy, which was signed into law under President George W. Bush on Oct. 14, grants married Soldiers up to 10 consecutive days of non-chargeable administrative leave after the birth of a child. Paternity leave must be taken within 45 days of the child’s birth; deployed Soldiers must take the leave within 60 days after returning from deployment. Leave not taken within the established time frame will be lost.
Single Soldiers who father a child out-of-wedlock are not eligible for paternity leave.
What has the Army done?
The Army recognizes the importance of families being together during significant events such as the birth of a child. It has developed a flexible paternity leave policy that allows male Soldiers to support their spouses during the joyous, but possibly stressful, time of adjustment following the arrival of a new family member. It also provides Soldiers returning from deployments uninterrupted time with their child to begin building bonds that will last a lifetime.
The policy allows Soldiers who have taken annual leave in connection with the birth of a child since October 2008 to request up to 10 days of leave be restored/re-credited to their leave account. Soldiers must provide documentation to support their claim (e.g., DA Form 31 or LES) and submit it through the unit S1 or Personnel Administrative Center.
My question is, “Does this apply to adoptions as well?? (It should!)
Happy Mother’s Day
That’s what everyone is saying today, right? and for those whose son or daughter is in uniform – it’s a day you hope that the phone call from the Sand or the Stan will come. The day when you remember all those Mother’s Days in the past – when the hand made card from 2nd grade, or that tilted clay “whatchamacallit” from art class, meant more than anything, and that’s probably still in your “special box”
From the mothers of Parents Zone – to all of you – have a peaceful, and happy mothers day. To those of “us” who wear a Gold Star, and for whom today is painful, we send you our love and support. To those of “us” wearing a Blue Star, we hope that call comes, that voice says “I love you, mom”. For those of “us” who have our child safely back, enjoy them to the fullest.
LAW
Turn around look at me-military spouse appreciation
Twenty minutes each way, driving back and forth just to be able to use a computer because yours ‘died’ and you don’t want to spend the money to buy a new one, nor even ask for one. Only to sit and hope your husband can get on-line for a minute or two, jumping for joy at hearing the little AIM buddy noise/alert, completely dejected when this was just not the night. Returning home to a very lonely bed.
Marlin, Jessica and all the military wives (and husbands) I know or have had the privilege of knowing, I truly am grateful for your service and sacrifice that many times goes unrecognized or is not appreciated enough. Without your love and support, our men and women in uniform would not be able to serve as they do. Without your love and devotion, my sons wouldn’t be able to ‘be’ and ‘do’ all they are. God bless you all, you are truly America’s treasure.
For more info: Karen Estrada, MS Follow me on twitter twitter.com/milhealth
