Say your prayers please.......

[GoOwls]

As I'm sure some of your know, I have 2 sons who are serving in the military. One is Mr. Gung Ho and had 6 years in the Army and just re-upped for 6 more. He was in the 4th ID who was among the 1st into Iraq. He was there for 1 year and 3 months and as an infantryman, saw much action. He has been a recruiter for the last 2 years, but has applied for re-deployment and is presently awaiting his orders. He has asked for redeployment to Iraq. He actually likes the rush, I think.

The probelm is with the other one. He joined the Texas National Guard to get training so he could further his wishes to be in law enforcement. He got a surprise when he was activated and deployed to Afghanistan in March 2005. He spent a year there in a support platoon for a Special Forces unit. HE also saw quite a bit of action, but mostly from quite long distances, except for the IED's, which he escaped injury by, one vehicles distance, on two occasions.

He got back home last March, and he thought it was over. Yesterday, he got the news he must quit his job at a local County Jail and be re-trained, beginning in March, for a deployment to Iraq. His two month training and deployment will total 1 year. He was told that his group will either be in the Baghdad security force or will go to the An-Bar (?) province up near the Syrian border to kick in doors and roust out around an estimated 600 insurgents from Syria who have been reaking havoc up there.

He spent the day crying and worrying about his two girls, whom he is raising by himself. He seems to be somewhat at ease with it now, but it wasn't in his plans....for sure.

I know that Kid #1, the lifer, is a hard-core fighting man. He's savy to what's around him....always has been. If he goes back over there, which appears to be a likelyhood, at least in the next year or so, I won't worry so much about him. I know if something happens to him, it'll be because he was taking the precautions, he was doing what he wants to do, and it was just his time.

Kid #2, is a different story. He's the smartest of the two and will make good decisions, but he has distractions. The kids, and the fact he never counted on this.......it's not in his heart like it is for Kid #1.

The way things are going over there, I just feel really bad about this one. The stars are not lining up. I just feel really bad about it this time.

I would appreciate your prayers for the two of them, Kid #2 especially. He's gonna need them.

Thanks to you guys and gals. This is truly a family and I appreciate those of you who bother to read this for allowing myself to let some tension go. It feels a bit better to get it out.

[gtowndrumma]

we'll be here for you... right now my cousin has been back and forth for the last 3 or so years going over there and i think the most i have seen of her since then was like one week ever year. its tough having someone close be gone like that not knowing whats going on but as you know theres nothing else that they would rather be doing and it makes them proud and happy.


good luck to both of them and tell them that we are praying for them and their safe return

[Dds115]

Very touching story. I wish them both the best, you obviously raised two VERY BRAVE, men. They are in my thoughts and prayers. Best of luck to the two of them!

[DrEdward]

I understand how both of them feel; went through both sets of emotions in a different time and place - personally and with friends, in uniform and out. Your sons will definitely be in my prayers along with all our soldiers, sailors and Marines. God keep them safe.

[ThEgReAtOnE]

As I'm sure some of your know, I have 2 sons who are serving in the military. One is Mr. Gung Ho and had 6 years in the Army and just re-upped for 6 more. He was in the 4th ID who was among the 1st into Iraq. He was there for 1 year and 3 months and as an infantryman, saw much action. He has been a recruiter for the last 2 years, but has applied for re-deployment and is presently awaiting his orders. He has asked for redeployment to Iraq. He actually likes the rush, I think.

The probelm is with the other one. He joined the Texas National Guard to get training so he could further his wishes to be in law enforcement. He got a surprise when he was activated and deployed to Afghanistan in March 2005. He spent a year there in a support platoon for a Special Forces unit. HE also saw quite a bit of action, but mostly from quite long distances, except for the IED's, which he escaped injury by, one vehicles distance, on two occasions.

He got back home last March, and he thought it was over. Yesterday, he got the news he must quit his job at a local County Jail and be re-trained, beginning in March, for a deployment to Iraq. His two month training and deployment will total 1 year. He was told that his group will either be in the Baghdad security force or will go to the An-Bar (?) province up near the Syrian border to kick in doors and roust out around an estimated 600 insurgents from Syria who have been reaking havoc up there.

He spent the day crying and worrying about his two girls, whom he is raising by himself. He seems to be somewhat at ease with it now, but it wasn't in his plans....for sure.

I know that Kid #1, the lifer, is a hard-core fighting man. He's savy to what's around him....always has been. If he goes back over there, which appears to be a likelyhood, at least in the next year or so, I won't worry so much about him. I know if something happens to him, it'll be because he was taking the precautions, he was doing what he wants to do, and it was just his time.

Kid #2, is a different story. He's the smartest of the two and will make good decisions, but he has distractions. The kids, and the fact he never counted on this.......it's not in his heart like it is for Kid #1.

The way things are going over there, I just feel really bad about this one. The stars are not lining up. I just feel really bad about it this time.

I would appreciate your prayers for the two of them, Kid #2 especially. He's gonna need them.

Thanks to you guys and gals. This is truly a family and I appreciate those of you who bother to read this for allowing myself to let some tension go. It feels a bit better to get it out.

Sounds like two special sons, to me. I hope all the best for you and your family. Those kids - over in the thick of things - will be remembered as heroes, regardless of the outcome. I hope no harm comes to them. And, it seems you're doing the best you can in being there for the both of them, respectively. The world needs more parents/fathers like you.

A future "cheers" to their safe return,
OnE

[Miss Kitty]

You and your family will have the prayers of my household. My heart goes out to you. I have nothing but the highest respect for the men and women fighting for me and my freedoms. Thank you for raising such brave sons. Those girls have a father and uncle they can be proud of.

[J-Rock Mom]

You and your family will be in my prayers also. Tell your sons thank you for everything they are doing for us. We are very proud of them. I can't say it enough on how they (military men and women) are the bravest. And like Miss Kitty said, your granddaughters have hero's as a father and uncle.
I wish them the best of luck and return home safetly.

[GoOwls]

I just want to say thank you to those who have shared your kind words or are thinking about our family. I really appreciate it. I'll try to keep you up on what's going on with them.

[Bobcat81]

Thank you for sharing with us G-Owls,

Going into harms way is never an easy thing, especially for the parents and those family and friends left behind while they are gone. Trust that your sons will be in the best of hands with the units they are serving in and know they will do all that is in their power to do the mission and return safely back home.

May God be with your sons (as well as all of our troops), and keep them safe from any harm. We all look forward to their safe return to you and your family.

Please keep us informed on how they are doing.

...as for those terrorist, I pitty the poor b*stards. "Owls" are expert predators!!

[GoOwls]

Thank you for sharing with us G-Owls,

Going into harms way is never an easy thing, especially for the parents and those family and friends left behind while they are gone. Trust that your sons will be in the best of hands with the units they are serving in and know they will do all that is in their power to do the mission and return safely back home.

May God be with your sons (as well as all of our troops), and keep them safe from any harm. We all look forward to their safe return to you and your family.

Please keep us informed on how they are doing.

...as for those terrorist, I pitty the poor b*stards. "Owls" are expert predators!!

True, but they aren't Owls, by birth maybe, but they graduated from South Garland. Hey they're Colonels, right, at leat that's a military thing. :D

[farmerfan]

my prayers are with you and your family buddy.

[lonny23]

As I'm sure some of your know, I have 2 sons who are serving in the military. One is Mr. Gung Ho and had 6 years in the Army and just re-upped for 6 more. He was in the 4th ID who was among the 1st into Iraq. He was there for 1 year and 3 months and as an infantryman, saw much action. He has been a recruiter for the last 2 years, but has applied for re-deployment and is presently awaiting his orders. He has asked for redeployment to Iraq. He actually likes the rush, I think.

The probelm is with the other one. He joined the Texas National Guard to get training so he could further his wishes to be in law enforcement. He got a surprise when he was activated and deployed to Afghanistan in March 2005. He spent a year there in a support platoon for a Special Forces unit. HE also saw quite a bit of action, but mostly from quite long distances, except for the IED's, which he escaped injury by, one vehicles distance, on two occasions.

He got back home last March, and he thought it was over. Yesterday, he got the news he must quit his job at a local County Jail and be re-trained, beginning in March, for a deployment to Iraq. His two month training and deployment will total 1 year. He was told that his group will either be in the Baghdad security force or will go to the An-Bar (?) province up near the Syrian border to kick in doors and roust out around an estimated 600 insurgents from Syria who have been reaking havoc up there.

He spent the day crying and worrying about his two girls, whom he is raising by himself. He seems to be somewhat at ease with it now, but it wasn't in his plans....for sure.

I know that Kid #1, the lifer, is a hard-core fighting man. He's savy to what's around him....always has been. If he goes back over there, which appears to be a likelyhood, at least in the next year or so, I won't worry so much about him. I know if something happens to him, it'll be because he was taking the precautions, he was doing what he wants to do, and it was just his time.

Kid #2, is a different story. He's the smartest of the two and will make good decisions, but he has distractions. The kids, and the fact he never counted on this.......it's not in his heart like it is for Kid #1.

The way things are going over there, I just feel really bad about this one. The stars are not lining up. I just feel really bad about it this time.

I would appreciate your prayers for the two of them, Kid #2 especially. He's gonna need them.

Thanks to you guys and gals. This is truly a family and I appreciate those of you who bother to read this for allowing myself to let some tension go. It feels a bit better to get it out.GoOwls,

I'll pray for your son. I'm done with my training now and will leave for Kuwait in 6 days (Who knows if I'll end up staying there?) , but I've played Army for the last month. #2 HAS GOT to keep his head in the game. The minute you let your mind wander is when something bad happens. The very last thing we did from Tuesday to Thursday this week was Urban Operations and this stuff isn't a joke. It's one thing to fight people on an open battlefield, but it's totally different to drive through towns with people shooting at you and having to go into buildings kicking down doors. That's not to mention all the Improvised Explosive Devices you find on roads, which are the #1 killer in this war. Both me and some people have said to me that you don't want to have to use the training we get, but you sure will aqppreciate it when everything goes wrong.

Your son's daughters will be fine and like the instructors said to us all along, his main goal is to get back home to his family in one piece. He can't take his eye off of the ball. He won't just get himself hurt or injured; he'll jeopardize his whole squad and platoon.

[lonny23]

I understand how both of them feel; went through both sets of emotions in a different time and place - personally and with friends, in uniform and out. Your sons will definitely be in my prayers along with all our soldiers, sailors and Marines. God keep them safe.
Does that mean the Air Force is so good that we don't need your prayers?:D

[gtowndrumma]

ive been wondering, after watching that future weapons show on the discovery channel, how many of these new devices are being used currently in urban combat. Ive seen two things that come to mind that were really interesting, one being an anti i.e.d. device which was a shape charge that is placed underneath the trunk of the vehicle and pretty much blows the explosive out of the car and away from the detonator. The other is called the gate crasher and it is another shape charge that is used primarily for hostage recovery. It is placed on a wall of the building and blows a new door in the wall for a surprise entrance..



anyone have any experience or even seen either of these in use yet?

[ktCarl]

Tell your son's and your whole family 'THANK YOU' for the sacrifice for all of us in 5A land, Texas and the USA. My prayers are for your son's safety and hope their is a wonderful reunion for your family in the future.

[Redhoss]

You have my prayers.

I have relatives going in March as well. I don't know where this time. The last time was Ramadi. Many of us are in the same boat.

[CoppellCowboy57]

GoOwls,

I also maybe going to Al Anbar Provience this summer. Either there or Ramadi. It is something that we all sorta half expect when we sign that contract. But it somthing we dont really like to think about or talk about.

My Prayers are out there for my brothers over seas and my brothers in the Army/Navy and my sisters in the Air Force... ;)

[lonny23]

GoOwls,

I also maybe going to Al Anbar Provience this summer. Either there or Ramadi. It is something that we all sorta half expect when we sign that contract. But it somthing we dont really like to think about or talk about.

My Prayers are out there for my brothers over seas and my brothers in the Army/Navy and my sisters in the Air Force... ;)
I've got news for you, good buddy. I watched a bunch of IED videos today and the Army was getting roasted (I know most don't hit IED's and the Army does their damage), but it took the Air Force to have footage of the good guys winning. The Air Force is the offensive line opening up holes for the RB's (Army and Marines).

[garlandowl08]

Prayers sent, and will continue to be sent

[DrEdward]

Does that mean the Air Force is so good that we don't need your prayers?:D

Okay, I've included the air force in my prayers as well.