Great news to share.....

[Miss Mary]

.....my niece's husband, serving in Iraq with the 101st, since last February will qualify for a 15 day leave in late November. My family is so excited tonight knowing how brutal the conditions have been for Kris and his unit over there. His wife has told us in several emails many soldiers are now getting Dear John letters from back home. They know of 3 couples getting divorced. I think that's awful! I've been so touched by their commitment to their marriage and their love for one another. Well, thanks my Storm2K family for allowing me to share my happy news. I'm actually tearing up writing this. I've worried about Kris so many nights since he got there but now tonight I'm so happy, for a change. BTW, Kris is the "nephew" I refer to when asking for soldier prayers in the past......I told him after all this, he is most certainly my nephew now, no in-law part about it. He is family!!!

Mary

[azsnowman]

GREAT news Mary! It's a sad state of affairs isn't it when our Boys in Green get shipped out, defending our beliefs only to come home or be told via snail mail that their marriage is over?? I saw this many, many times while stationed aboard ship, what are these woman THINKING? GOD that makes me FUME!

Dennis

[azskyman]

Great Mary...so glad to hear of the break. I remember just how important it was to look forward to something like that. Hope all works out well.

Military lives are stressful on families...especially young couples and families. Sad to see a commitment to country cause a break in the commitment to each other.

Steve

[ColdFront77]

Mary, thank you for sharing this wondering news. A break is better than nothing.

[wx247]

Miss Mary... I am glad to hear that he is getting a well deserved break. If the opportunity arises, tell him how much we appreciate what he (and the rest of the soldiers) have done for us.

[Miss Mary]

Thanks Dennis, Steve, Tom and wx247 for your kind words and support! Dennis - agree with you on the Dear John thing. I'm in shock it's happening too. Irks me no end. His wife has maintained their apartment near the Army Base so she hears all this news. I think it's making her and Kris all the more detemined to make this work! He has his own family, and now her family behind him, 150%. If you'll recall I started a thread a while back, asking folks to still support our troops - letters, cards, packages. I know this to be waning, that's a fact my niece said. It sure isn't in our family! But sadly it is with other soldiers. That's an entirely different subject but one that greatly saddens me. Thanks again for all of your kind words!!! I was so happy last night sharing this happy news and even more happy today!

Mary

[Miss Mary]

Dennis/Steve, et all - I'll share a story with you. We frequent our local Blockbuster from time to time. Over the summer there was a young new male clerk. With buzzed hair. We're used to their greetings as you enter......that's a nice touch. I wasn't prepared for his greeting - HELLO MA'AM!!!! WELCOME TO BLOCKBUSTER!!! Had Laura with me, we both smiled and looked at eachother. Then as we were checking out movies, etc. (and candy, she always talks me into that stuff), he's waiting on a customer in front of us. To best describe his behavior, it was if he had just consumed a pot of coffee. So enthusiastic, so engaging, hyper, running all over the place. Laura asked for a quarter, gum, naturally.....he's says real loud - QUICK, CHOOSE A COLOR!!!! We're like, huh? Too late. Gumball is coming down that spiral thing. He then had to explain to me if we say a color, it's the one that comes out, we get a free movie - but he was saying this schpeel at warp speed! Took a few explanations for that to sink in! Alright that visit was over. We both said walking to the car he must have just gotten out of the service. He waited on us a few more times, waking up all the customers, honest to God! It was like being at a church revival....in a movie rental store! Finally we asked him once....were you in the service - YES, MA'AM I CERTAINLY WAS!!!! And then proceeded to tell us his regiment #, etc. (sorry, but I'm clueless with this stuff). He's now in the Reserves, was so proud to tell us that. We then said our nephew was in Iraq, with the 101st. He got very serious, very quiet. Looked at us as if to say - pray for him, please pray. Line's backing up behind us.....we didn't notice. Another time I had a late movie.....Laura said ought oh Mom, he's going to yell at you!!! And sure enough he was there. Didn't yell, he said actually I had another day, if I left he wouldn't tell!!! LOL I said oh no, this forgetful mom will have 2 late payments if I do that!!! Best to just pay up now....

To wrap this all up, last time he waited on us he was the total opposite - very quiet, very subdued, almost depressed. I wondered if his boss said to calm down or something. I just wanted to hug this kid Dennis. Laura was very concerned about him too. I smiled and thanked him as we left. I've worried so much about Kris returning to civilian life - this young Blockbuster clerk is evidence it isn't easy to return to our way of "normalcy".

Sorry for that tangent but this young man still tugs at my heart! The Mom in me just comes out when I see him.

Mary

[bfez1]

Great news, Mary
Very happy for you and your family!

[JCT777]

Mary - that is great news! I too am happy for you.

[Stephanie]

I'm glad to hear of your niece's husband and thank you also for sharing your story about the soldier that worked at Blockbuster. I hope that the next time you see him that he's in a better mood.

I can only imagine how tough being in the service it is on a relationship. Reading about those Dear John letters is so sad!

[David]

Only 15 days though?? Oh well... every day is a gift. Good news.

[sunnyday]

for his chance to come home. Unfortunately, hundreds of young men will not ever get the chance. When will this "war" be over?

[Lindaloo]

FINALLY!! huh Miss Mary?!! That is excellent news for a change.

[ColdFront77]

I heard on the news that several soldiers are returning home for 15 days of "rest and relaxation" before heading back to Iraq.

[Miss Mary]

Thanks everyone - you know secretly I've wondered what some soldiers must feel once returning after such a short break. 15 days is a gift, no doubt about it. But it's hardly long enough (read my Blockbuster story) to really relax and feel at home over here. There was one local man (Jeremy you might have seen it on the news) featured on the news, coming home on one of these 15 day leaves. His family met him at the airport, with banners and posters. He was interviewed but he just couldn't keep his eyes on the interviewer or camera for that matter. He just kept looking around the Cincy airport, as if to wonder - is this a dream or am I really here? Kris has described such horrid conditions over in Iraq that I do still very much worry about them all being aclimated to living over here again. Wow, that was one long sentence......and yes I do wish they ALL could come home. We'll take 15 days though.

Another story I heard recently was one soldier's leave was denied, even though plane tix had been arranged and his family was making all sorts of plans. I sure hope that story worked itself out - that wasn't a local story. To learn you're going home one minute and the next, no you're not, that's just terrible IMHO.

Mary

PS - thanks to those that understood my Blockbuster story! Now I always look for that young man and so do my daughters. We make it a point to say hello and be extra courteous to him while choosing movies (not that we're rude people you know....LOL). He seems like he's had a hard time adjusting to civilian life.

[GulfBreezer]

Mary, your stories are heartwarming and very special. The kid from Blockbuster has just been added to my prayer list!! When your nephew gets home, give him a big HUG from me and my family and tell him "THANK YOU" He is the reason I am safe today and that is a debt I could never even begin to repay so all I have to give is my un-ending gratitude!! He is one of many Heroes!!

[cycloneye]

That is great news and I am happy that you are happy Miss Mary and also I am happy for your family.

[JQ Public]

Congrats!