DEPLOYMENT: Iraq bound....

[kdx200chick]

It's official. My husband Mark will be leaving for Iraq on Feb 17th. He is a Marine Corps helicopter pilot serving a ground billet with the staff of 1MEF out of Camp Pendleton. It will be a one year deployment. I am fortunate to have wonderful neighbors who will help me to keep my bike maintained so that I don't have to take the year off :cool: , unfortunately for Mark, not a lick of riding awaits him in Iraq :ahhh:

Pros:
No sea sickness (his previous deployments have all been on ships.)
No two year un-accompanied deployment a few years down the road. (YES, two years without family!!!)
We have email!!!!
Occasional phonecalls!

Cons:
he'll miss our son getting his drivers license at the age of 16 and teaching him to drive.
my 40th birthday!!!!
no trip to Hawaii this summer.
All of the hollidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.)

I'm so proud of him but am going to miss him terribly...

 

[Simulcaster]

Please thank your husband for his service to our country. They are all in my prayers.

 

[Okiewan]

Please thank your husband for his service to our country. They are all in my prayers.

Ditto...
along with thanks to YOU for YOUR sacrafice. Here's to hoping the time goes by fast!

 

[FruDaddy]

Unfortunately, this is the sacrifice that is made for our country. My wife has been in the Marine Corps Reserve since 1997. Her unit was called to IRAQ about 9 months ago, but she was sent to New River instead. Just before she came home the was accepted to OCS, so she was only home for a month, she graduated that just in time for Christmas, but now she has gone to TBS until July, then she goes back to Lejeune for a couple months of school, after that we get to find out where she get sent for duty. I don't know right now when I will get to see her again. And she will most likely still get to play in the big sandbox within the next 4 years.
Also, while I was in, I was sent to Gitmo twice in the same year, with two different units.
Anyway, it'll be over before you know it, and I hope he stays safe over there.

 

[KiwiBird]

Thanks to you both.

 

[bleeds]

Make sure that they both know that regardless as to what to TV says, America is proud to call them Sons and Daughters.
Bleeds

 

[squeaky]

Thank you to you and your husband for the sacrifices you are making to help defend our country and keep our country safe.

You've got a great support group here at DRN, if you ever need someone to talk to about it, you know you can do it here.

 

[dales298]

Good luck, Godspeed, and Thank You!

Dale

 

[wanaride]

It is people like you, your husband, and everyone else who serves that allow others to live their lives as they choose. Please know that you and your family's sacrifice is respected and appreciated by many, many people! You and your family will be in my prayers...God Bless You All!!!

 

[kdx200chick]

Thanks everyone. This morning when I wrote my story, I have to admit I was feeling a bit sorry for myself, but reading these wonderful responses definately lifts my spirits. THANKYOU!!

Petra

 

[GETMETOCA]

Petra, don't hesitate to call on me if you need anything or if you want to get together for a ride! Kathy and I will help you celebrate your 40th birthday if you want!! I just had mine this past August so I know how important it is!!!

Thanks to you and your husband!

 

[kdx200chick]

Petra, don't hesitate to call on me if you need anything or if you want to get together for a ride! Kathy and I will help you celebrate your 40th birthday if you want!! I just had mine this past August so I know how important it is!!!

Thanks to you and your husband!

Natalie,

I just might take you up on that! I am still planning on coming up the week before Easter so I hope to see you out at Hollister.

Petra

 

[motodawg]

God Bless and Keep your family and especially your husband and his unit. They are the best of the best and deserve our Heartfelt Thanks!

 

[kmccune]

Thanks, for your service. Its people like you guys that make and keep this nation great.

 

[rickyd]

Hang in there Petra, it will go by fast :)
Thoughts n prayers,
Rick

 

[BSWIFT]

I am fortunate to have wonderful neighbors who will help me to keep my bike maintained so that I don't have to take the year off :cool: , unfortunately for Mark, not a lick of riding awaits him in Iraq :ahhh:
...

You have plenty of internet neighbors here on DRN. Thanks to both of you!
Brian

 

[yo its matt!]

OHHH RAHH!!! TELL YOUR HUSBAND TO BE STRONG AND BE SAFE! ALL OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH HIM! we should all try to get them home as soon as possible!

SEMPER FI!!!

 

[CaNaDiAn,Eh?]

Good luck to your husband, and to you. Hopefully the time will go fast.

 

[JPIVEY]

A "BIG" Thank you from the Ivey family and were just across town if you need anything

 

[kdx200chick]

A "BIG" Thank you from the Ivey family and were just across town if you need anything

THANKYOU!!!!

 

[bsmith]

Like everyone else, I'd like to say Thank you!!!
It's families like yours that will help garuntee the freedom for my family and more importantly my Children!