Going to Iraq...

[Bushmaster78FS]

Well we found out this about 3 days ago and I didn't know what to say, I had been expecting it, though like every rumor, I didn't believe it was going to happen, me and the wifey though now it is definite, in late April, rather than as projected in June. Early deployment also means longer stay. 18 months.

Gotta get in the right mindset quick, trying not to worry too much. Trying to relax and do things but now it is rush rush rush at work.

Arrival date in Theater is 1 MAY and it is the heart of BAGHDAD, not the green zone either.

There will be a few forums I will keep a thread going about my experiences, this is one.

I thought about blogging, nah, this is easier.

I am aware CF has blog option too, but keeping a thread makes people aware of stuff quicker.

Planning a confession soon and hopefully I will get the holy week off, which I requested but not guaranteed due to their laziness until the last minute. Pray for that. I am sometimes troubled that I had so much to do but never done anything. Spiritually I mean. Yea yea, we didn't go out see Savannah, I spent all my time on the compuyter (<- intentional), I heard that enough :) (Now that wifey is watching) It feels like I ruined the life God gave me as a gift. I haven't even read the whole Bible. It was always me me me. Gotta go have supper which Nichole already ate, will drop by in this thread here and there in the course of next 18+ months.

[MariaRegina]

My prayers for you and your wife.

Don't give up hope.

Ask St. Nicholas to safely guide you home to your wife.
He is a great saint.

p.s. I hope you can also post at Orthopraxis.

[Dust and Ashes]

I'll be praying for you every day, man. I'm proud of you and feel safer knowing there are people like you out there protecting us.

:crosseo:

[InnerPhyre]

Be safe, my friend. I will keep you in my prayers. Go do what you need to do and come home safe.

[NyssaTheHobbit]

Lord have mercy! I pray that God will keep you safe, mentally and physically. :( :crosseo:

[Orthosdoxa]

I'm proud of you and feel safer knowing there are people like you out there protecting us.

Couldn't have said it better myself. I salute you.

Please ask your wife to check in often here, not only so we can get to know her better, but to give us every update possible.

I'm scared for you, but my prayers will be with you every single day.

All our love from Moses and I.

LK

[skoi]

We'll be praying for you, as well.

I have a family member there now, and it looks like husband will be heading over at some point this year. If you'd like, I could try to get you in touch with my nephew- who's AD Army in Baghdad.

[isshinwhat]

Ecce ego quia vocasti me. God be with you during the work to which you have been called. My family will be praying for you.

[cassc]

I will start praying for you now, for your safety and your happiness. You are an amazing AMERICAN, no matter what the documents say! May God give you the time that you need. :crosseo:

[Khaleas]

May God keep you safe! You'll be in my prayers... and if all else fails you can always call in them Navy boys. ;) JK, we have a friend who is doing an IA in Bagdad right now with an Army unit (for a year). He has the craziest laugh ever so you'd probably notice him if you ran into him. And the biggest bushiest eye brows too.
(((HUGS)))

[choirfiend]

we'll be praying, John.

[Philothei]

Praying that God will bring you back safe. You will be in our prayers here too. My brother was in the navy and I know how it is. May St. Nicholas be with you in your journey. Also the Archangels are they are the protectors of the air forces (maybe take a small laminated icon with you of the Archangels).

God bless,
Philothei

[EmperorConstantine]

You're 100% American as far as I'm concerned. Just may take a while for Uncle Sam to realize it.

I'll be praying for ya. Take a prayer rope along. :crosseo:

[Theophorus]

:crosseo:

[repentant]

Holy martyrs George and Demetrios, we send you our petitions that you pray on behalf of our brother Bushmaster. Watch over him and protect him. Amin :crosseo:

[ConanTheLibrarian]

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

That prayer says it better than I ever could. Trust in God, no matter what, and be faithful in whatever situation He places you in (1 Cor 7:17-24). Never lose sight of your dream. Its fulfillment does await you. May God keep you safe, my brother, physically, mentally, and especially spiritually.

[kamikat]

You'll be in my prayers!

[Mary of Bethany]

Prayers for your safety, John!

I will add you to our parish list, and let Father know that you are serving in Iraq. He already is praying for one parishioner's son serving in Iraq, during the Litany. I'm sure he'll add your name.

:crosseo:

Mary

[Orthosdoxa]

good idea, Mary. I'll let our priest know too.

LK

[Shubunkin]

I will be praying for you too, and checking on your thread regularly! :crosseo:

Praying for your family too. :crosseo:

[Knowledge3]

Bushmaster, you are in my devoted prayers.. :crosseo:

[Bushmaster78FS]

Well, another briefing today... Trying to calm down the nervous ones in the unit, telling them we will doing the same maintenance routine in wherever we are going to be located. Be prepared to NOT have any facilities. Security of the location is NOT 100% known, it is highly assumed to have a security perimeter assembled around our work base about the time we arrive.

Stress is definitely being felt at home. Wife is sometimes UNBEARABLE!!! Heh, I got a speeding ticket today. FIRST in my 7.5 years in the US of A. I got chewed out not by my superiors but my other half. Fasting is not going that good I am assuming, too much yelling and screaming at home, no peace, we fight over stupid pop-corn because the new microwave didn't pop them like the old one. Before I deploy, I will die of a heart attack. I just want peace!

[Orthosdoxa]

Stress can be rough in a marriage.

Try the Jesus prayer, maybe together.

[Khaleas]

Well, another briefing today... Trying to calm down the nervous ones in the unit, telling them we will doing the same maintenance routine in wherever we are going to be located. Be prepared to NOT have any facilities. Security of the location is NOT 100% known, it is highly assumed to have a security perimeter assembled around our work base about the time we arrive.

Stress is definitely being felt at home. Wife is sometimes UNBEARABLE!!! Heh, I got a speeding ticket today. FIRST in my 7.5 years in the US of A. I got chewed out not by my superiors but my other half. Fasting is not going that good I am assuming, too much yelling and screaming at home, no peace, we fight over stupid pop-corn because the new microwave didn't pop them like the old one. Before I deploy, I will die of a heart attack. I just want peace!
It's normal to fight unfortunately. It's part of the separation process... you push eachother away and the easiest way is to fight. Show your wife you love her even if she's cranky or upset. We have the mindset that we can't show you that we worry because we're supposed to be strong at home... but we do and the whole deployment thing sucks big time. But to you we're supposed to be supportive and help out with packing you up for something that is the last place we want you to go.
So while it feels like the oddest thing to do, make sure you have closeness and show love. You don't want to leave feeling like you didn't get enough hugs and kisses.
And make sure you figure out how to get the court date for the ticket pushed up to when you come back (don't know how long it takes for the court date to come up in your area but in MD is at least 3 months). You being on active duty gives you an automatic delay for the court date but there is some paperwork that needs to be sent in. Your wife might be able to do it with a Power of Attorney. Don't pay that ticket because if you go to court and the cop doesn't show up it gets thrown out and even if he does show up and you are there and it's your first they usually give you PBJ (probation before judgement) for whatever time deemed ok, mine was a total of 20 mins, aka until I had paid the lowered fine (if you pay it's automatically seen as admitting guilt). I'm guessing you have USAA and they usually forgive a ticket every two years (unless it's a severe speed).
Hang in there and hug that wife of yours even if she argues about the popcorn. :)

[DivineFiliation]

God bless you and keep you safe.

Thank you for protecting our country, although I wish you didn't have to.

A friend of mine's brother is going back next month as well. He was supposed to stay home for a year, but they gave him 6 months. This will be his second tour and will have to stay for a year.

God bless all of our soldiers and keep them safe. I wish this war would end soon.

[Bushmaster78FS]

Is it possible that this thread made sticky?

[MariaRegina]

Please say the evening prayers together and ask each other for forgiveness. This has really help my marriage.

[skoi]

From one (sort of) military family to another: if your wife needs anything- let us know. But we might soon be in the same boat- IA orders to Iraq come out in April and May for my husband's unit and he's probably going.

We'll be praying for both of you.

[TrueHope]

Bushmaster, You are in my thoughts and prayers!!!!

I came here before 911, and have watched on the news and satellite what's going on. We have a show called reporters without borders which I think is great, because we see a more realistic view, vs. the pentagon's news for the day. So I am praying for you, because it seems more than not, do not want to be there, nor feel they should be there in general.

Be patient with your wife, she is hurting as much as you are. I know when my husband had to do army duty here and now, he works abroad....in the beginning, I hurt so much I couldn't look at him without feeling a burning rage. Why? Because I love him soooooo much, the thought of him being away from his family was killing me. And the same for him. Now, we are like brother and sister...we grunt, we groan, but we know that this is God's plan for us now, so we better buck it up and close our lids! :)

I will pray the prayer to Archangel Michael for you as well as a few others!

Love in Christ!

[MariaRegina]

My prayers for you Bushmaster.

Keep us posted.

[DonVA]

My prayers, also. We look forward to your posts, and to your safe return.

:crosseo:

[Bushmaster78FS]

Departure date is May 5th now. All I want is to get my citizenship before I leave.

[ConanTheLibrarian]

AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

[Annoula]

May God protect you and guide you.
May every experience you get to live be for the best of your soul.

[jbg9]

God Bless...

[gloryseven]

Hope you were able to get your confession thought out and hopefully received the sacrament. May God richly bless and keep you and your wife during your 18mosin Iraq. Amen.:groupray: :crossrc: Keep us posted.Jesus, watch over them both and bring them home safe. Give them strength and faith and hope for their journey. amen.:amen: :thumbsup:

[Anatole]

All the blessings you've accumulated here on TAW, and many more blessings in real life, may you and your wife receive for a blessed and safe journey. We will all miss you. May God grant you both many, many years!

[MariaRegina]

May 5 is only a week away. May God protect you, Bushmaster.

[Philothei]

May God be with you.

Philothei

[MishaM]

My friend,

I know that I am a bit late with this post but please know that you are in my prayers. I jhave been through the military and been where you are and am thankful to God that He protected me from all harm and was gracious even to me, a sinner.

You and our family are in my prayers.

In Christ,
Misha
--
Hebrews 13:8

[Ioan cel Nou]

Departure date is May 5th now. All I want is to get my citizenship before I leave.
You and your wife will be in my prayers. I'm glad to see that you are getting your citizenship - when I left you were still fighting for it.

Doamne ajuta

James

[Christiangal01]

Stay strong in the faith hun...

[StephanStrategy]

Bushmaster,

I do not know where in Baghdad you are. I am praying that you will be safe. Our tour is coming to an end so yes, people do eventually redeploy from here.

I pray that you have a good Chaplain for your unit. If you are on BIAP, finding one should not be a problem; FOB Washington is a large base in the city also.

I am currently on LSA Anaconda, north of Baghadad. You take care and stay safe. "Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Josh. 1:9

Pro Deo et Patria,
Mike

[Bushmaster78FS]

Hey sir, thanks for dropping by... Thank you for your prayers, so far so good, a little more than a month in theater, we are safe and sound, no losses. Affirmative on BIAP, chaplain is pentacostal, with an interest in church history, meaning we click together! However, there is no time to turn a page in the bible, that has been my problem lately, long shifts are really getting to me. I wish there was a way I could know if we would get an Orthodox Chaplain visiting here in this area. Location wise, mortars have been a big threat, so we are not allowed to go anywhere, hooch to work, work to hooch pretty much. 2 days off a month. Let me know if you drop by here...

john(dot)yasar(at)comcast(dot)net

[StephanStrategy]

Since you are on BIAP and the MNC-I chaplain is there (along with the DIV CHs) they should be able to put out information when an Orthodox Chaplain will be coming throuhg your area.

There are not very many EO/GO Chaplains in the Army. My BC is Orthodox and getting a visit here to Balad has been frustrating to say the least.

I hear you regarding the mortars. We have near daily SIGACTs here. The natives (or non-natives actually) are getting restless.

I am glad that you and your Chaplain are clicking. See if he can get ahold of a daily devotional for you. The one I have been giving my Soldiers is called Daily Light. It is a morning and evening devotional. It is Scripture only based around a common theme. It takes about 2 minutes (morning and evening) and the Scriptures in each reading are cited at the bottom of each page.

It is a nice quick way to spend some time in the word while on 24/7 ops.

I will PM/email you to get your address. I have a couple left if you are interested.

Mike

[TrueHope]

I just want to say.....
Thank God for soldiers such as yourselves out there! Which give those of us hope, knowing there are so many unlike yourselves.

GOD BLESS YOU GUYS! MAY YOU STAY SURROUNDED BY HIS ARMS AND CONTINUE TO THRIVE IN HIS LOVE FOR YOU!

[DonVA]

Hey sir, thanks for dropping by... Thank you for your prayers, so far so good, a little more than a month in theater, we are safe and sound, no losses. Affirmative on BIAP, chaplain is pentacostal, with an interest in church history, meaning we click together! However, there is no time to turn a page in the bible, that has been my problem lately, long shifts are really getting to me. I wish there was a way I could know if we would get an Orthodox Chaplain visiting here in this area. Location wise, mortars have been a big threat, so we are not allowed to go anywhere, hooch to work, work to hooch pretty much. 2 days off a month. Let me know if you drop by here...

john(dot)yasar(at)comcast(dot)net
John,

I will see when one of our priests at my parish (who is a Navy Chaplain) will be headed that way again. He goes a few times a year to minister. I'll see if he's coming anywhere near you, and have him contact you if he does.

[Bushmaster78FS]

Thanks Don, sounds great...

[ClementofRome]

I just want to say.....
Thank God for soldiers such as yourselves out there! Which give those of us hope, knowing there are so many unlike yourselves.

GOD BLESS YOU GUYS! MAY YOU STAY SURROUNDED BY HIS ARMS AND CONTINUE TO THRIVE IN HIS LOVE FOR YOU!


I just want to second TrueHope's sentiment. Please know that those of you who are serving are loved, appreciated and prayed for!!!!!
:crosseo:

[Bushmaster78FS]

Thank you, thank you...

[ReneeUSMarine]

I have yet to go to the "big sandbox" yet but I know that I will be going there at some point, I hope that'll i'll have the same courage that ya'll have.

PFC Renee Wells, USMC

[Dorothea]

God keep you safe, John. I'm glad you got there all right. I pray for you and all our troops in harm's way. My husband just left this past Sunday morning for the last half (6 months left) of his tour to Guang Ju, South Korea. He'll be back in early to mid January 2008. God bless.

[Bushmaster78FS]

God keep you safe, John. I'm glad you got there all right. I pray for you and all our troops in harm's way. My husband just left this past Sunday morning for the last half (6 months left) of his tour to Guang Ju, South Korea. He'll be back in early to mid January 2008. God bless.

Gwang-Ju? That is where I was stationed in 2005, I miss it, we might go there again... That is the province though, it is a big one... What town?

[Dorothea]

Gwang-Ju? That is where I was stationed in 2005, I miss it, we might go there again... That is the province though, it is a big one... What town?
Well he's at the Guang Ju Air Base there. I guess it's minutes from the actual city of Guang Ju? I really know very little about the area. Sorry. :blush:

[Bushmaster78FS]

Does he go to the Orthodox Cathedral in Seoul? That is where I was baptized!

[Orthosdoxa]

Looks like my husband's brother Paul will be joining you in Iraq. Pray for the servant of God, Paul.

[Dorothea]

Does he go to the Orthodox Cathedral in Seoul? That is where I was baptized!
Naw, he doesn't get to go to church much if any in Gwang Ju. It's too far from the areas where the churches are, although he does go up to Osan and Kunsan for work reasons at least a few times a month.

The last time he was in Korea was the first year of our marriage, and he was newly Orthodox at the time, and he was stationed at Kunsan at the time, but he made it up to Seoul for Holy Week at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church there in Seoul that has the seminary there, and he was blown away. His first Pascha was spent at a beautiful Orthodox Church in Seoul, S. Korea. That is too awesome that you were baptized there!

[Dorothea]

Looks like my husband's brother Paul will be joining you in Iraq. Pray for the servant of God, Paul.

Praying for Paul, Orthosdoxa. :crosseo: God keep him safe and bring him back to his family soon.

[Shubunkin]

Just checking in... and praying for your safety, and those of your team! :crosseo:

[StephanStrategy]

Looks like my husband's brother Paul will be joining you in Iraq. Pray for the servant of God, Paul.


Watch the OPSEC. ;)

[in2Nas]

Watch the OPSEC. ;)


Good call.

I'm at the Wolfpack, which I volunteered for to take break from deploying.

Good luck on your deployment. God bless. :crossrc:

[StephanStrategy]

Thank you. We just got back. Now I am praying that my Soldiers don't do anything stupid. No emergency calls so far this weekend, that's good.

We'll see what's what at formation tomorrow.

Mike

[Orthosdoxa]

Watch the OPSEC. ;)
I would if I knew what an OPSEC was. :scratch: ;)

[StephanStrategy]

OPerational SECurity. Basically, watch mentioning dates of travel and things of that nature.

[Bushmaster78FS]

I am glad you made it home sir, that is so far away for now, it is not even funny... :)

[Khaleas]

OPerational SECurity. Basically, watch mentioning dates of travel and things of that nature.
Like us Navy folks say: Loose lips sinks ships.

Geesh the codes we come up with LOL... basenumber plus 4, we'll be in Jane and then in Mary.
Glad that is over for this time....

[StephanStrategy]

Bushmaster, hang in there. The time will go by faster (much faster) than you think.

Then it will be time to think about reuniting with family and reintegrating into society. That is what I am trying to do now. That is an interesting process.

[Bushmaster78FS]

reintegrating into society

We have to do that?