Now that TB is back with his men I can talk about his trip home for Emergency Leave. It goes without saying that the trip was an emotional one. It may have appeared to the casual observer that TB was thoroughly enjoying himself. He is from the Virgin Islands, St Croix, specifically. When he was in high school, TB’s mother decided to move to North Carolina. He had not been back to St Croix since that time, although his mother and a few siblings moved back several years ago.
It was good for TB to reconnect with childhood friends and family members he hadn’t seen in years, mostly cousins. On the other hand going home forced him to face demons he had buried long ago. For a man who has been through a grueling experience in Iraq and now in Afghanistan, this was a difficult process. To see how he has risen above the difficulties of his childhood to become the man he is now makes me very proud to know him.
I’ve written before about the connection TB has with the children in Afghanistan. I noticed it when he was in Iraq, also. Although he has painful memories that run very deep, he also has good memories that have helped shape him. In September of 1989 category 5 hurricane Hugo destroyed the tiny island of St. Croix. President George H.W. Bush sent troops to St. Croix in Operation Hawkeye to give humanitarian aid, provide security, and rebuild infrastructure. TB was eight years old and that was his first glimpse of American Soldiers. Two decades ago TB and his brothers and sisters were the kids in the pictures we now see of soldiers reaching out to children. They went without running water or electricity for an entire year. He recalls eating MRE's for a year and loving them. The soldiers would stop by and play with them before it got dark and curfew was mandated. That was 20+ years ago but every day when he puts on his uniform, he has a daily reminder of the kindness of those soldiers. TB feels strongly that the children in Iraq and Afghanistan also won’t forget and will "Pay it Forward" someday.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Almost Home
I can’t say enough about the way the Red Cross responded to TB’s family emergency. The people who worked with me to get the message to TB and his command were compassionate, thorough, and dedicated. TB is not one to sit on his hands and do nothing. He notified his command prior to receipt of the message and he was sent on to a larger FOB to wait. I have no doubt that this move saved at least a day, and perhaps two, of wait time.
TB reached the States today. He called me during a long layover, halfway to his destination. He sounded extremely tired. I’m so happy that a mutual friend was able to meet him at the airport. Another brother (who cannot attend the funeral) and his family were also able to see him. This meant so much to TB. I was told he is at the point of exhaustion and although he claimed he was not hungry, when pressed to eat, devoured two sandwiches. Thank goodness for our good friend who was there to look out for him. I’m so grateful for that kindness.
As he faces this emotional experience, I pray that spending time with his family and friends will bring TB comfort. I pray for closure and peace of mind. His family will draw strength from him and I know he will be strengthened by their love.
TB reached the States today. He called me during a long layover, halfway to his destination. He sounded extremely tired. I’m so happy that a mutual friend was able to meet him at the airport. Another brother (who cannot attend the funeral) and his family were also able to see him. This meant so much to TB. I was told he is at the point of exhaustion and although he claimed he was not hungry, when pressed to eat, devoured two sandwiches. Thank goodness for our good friend who was there to look out for him. I’m so grateful for that kindness.
As he faces this emotional experience, I pray that spending time with his family and friends will bring TB comfort. I pray for closure and peace of mind. His family will draw strength from him and I know he will be strengthened by their love.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
A Soldier’s Heartache
I’ve mentioned before the difficulties at home that our Troops have to deal with when they are deployed. When I wrote that piece I never imagined that my own TB would face tragedy at home. Today he received a message that one of his brothers died. Complete details are not available, but that isn’t important here. The lack of details does make it that much harder for TB, though. He’s hurting so much, feels isolated, and helpless. My heart hurts for him. I’ve made several phone calls for him and we are trying to get the necessary information so that a Red Cross emergency message can be sent to his Command.
Of all the sons his mother thought she would bury, I expect TB was the one. He is in constant danger and has had a few close calls. My heart goes out to her. There is no greater tragedy than the loss of a child, no matter the circumstances.
What will TB do tomorrow? He will get up and do his job; go on a mission, keep his soldiers safe, and carry on. His heart will be heavy, but he will focus. His men know they can depend on him to lead the way. I've learned that pain, emotional and mental, does not interfere with TB's role as a leader or his mission to bring all of his men safely home to their famillies.
Of all the sons his mother thought she would bury, I expect TB was the one. He is in constant danger and has had a few close calls. My heart goes out to her. There is no greater tragedy than the loss of a child, no matter the circumstances.
What will TB do tomorrow? He will get up and do his job; go on a mission, keep his soldiers safe, and carry on. His heart will be heavy, but he will focus. His men know they can depend on him to lead the way. I've learned that pain, emotional and mental, does not interfere with TB's role as a leader or his mission to bring all of his men safely home to their famillies.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
I Am a Blue Star Parent by Frederick J Seitz III
I am a Blue Star Parent...
by Frederick J Seitz III on February 26, 2011
On my way home from work the other day, I stopped in at our Stop and Shop in East Islip to pick up a few things for dinner. Milk, eggs the usual stuff. We run out of these things on a regular basis, having two of our older kids living home. As I waited for my turn to step up and pay for my groceries, I noticed a young woman, maybe thirty years old, standing next to me and looking squarely at the " Blue Star Service" pin I wear proudly over my left breast pocket.
I guess it got the better of her, because she finally asked me, "What does that pin stand for?" I am kind of amazed, that with the war in Iraq and Afghanistan going on, and reports on the news every night, that anyone would not know what this pin symbolizes. However, that's just me, and for whatever the reason, unless the war has effected people directly, with either a family member or friend being involved, it seems Americans do not even know there IS a war being fought.
"What this is" I explained, "Is a Blue Star Service Pin, and it stands for a family member, my oldest son, serving on active duty in the United States Military." "Oh" she says. "I see those around but never knew what that was. God Bless him and thank him for us." I told her I would, and I thanked her for thinking of my son as well. I left the store and on the short hop home, decided to write this "Note", because not to many people really do know what this pin, or banner, or flag really mean. So I decided to start spreading the word.
The Blue Star Banner is simply that. A simple blue star, on a white background bordered in red. It is displayed by a family, to honor a family member serving in the military. It is a symbol of a families sacrifice. You will see it displayed in the window of the home, on the back of cars or as a pin worn on clothing. There is one blue star displayed on the banner for each family member currently serving.
To me, being a Blue Star Parent is many things. It is the pride and the honor of having our son serve our country during a time of war. It is sacrifice. Not just the sacrifice of our son and the thousands of other brave men and women serving in uniform, but of the sacrifice of their families as well. Holidays, birthdays and other special family occasions missed. An empty chair in the corner that SHOULD have our son sitting in it. It is a yellow ribbon on the lamp post in front of our home. The American flag posted displayed openly and proudly to honor ALL our military, past, present and future. It is family pictures with my wife holding a picture of our son to make the family "Complete" at Christmas. It's not being able to watch the news one second, and then not being able to tear yourself away the next, because of what is happening overseas. It's holding my wife as I try to be "The strong one", while the whole time I want just fall apart myself. And it is also a curse. On one hand I have the pride of my son's service, and on the other hand is the fear. A nameless and faceless fear that can not be readily identified specifically, but it is fear none the less and it is powerful, stressful and numbing.
"How do you deal with that?" That's a question I hear over and over. The answer is simple, and I think any Blue Star parent will pretty much say the same thing. You just do it. We do it for our son Rick, proudly serving in the United States Air Force. We do it for ourselves to mutually support each other, so we can support our son. We do it for our beloved country. To help us cope, we volunteer and help other military families deal with the same stresses we deal with. We are members of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Soldiers' Angels and the Patriot Guard. All three are service organizations devoted to the support of our military and their families. This is how we deal with it, how we ALL deal with it as Blue Star Parents and families.
Another thing I have to remember is, no matter how tough it is being a Blue Star Parent, there are parents who display a star of different color, a Star of Gold. When you see this star, you need to know, that that family has lost their loved one serving. They, like their beloved son or daughter, HAVE made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our country, and their family member who is serving will not EVER be coming home. As tough, or as stressful as I think being a Blue Star Parent can be, I can not even begin to imagine what our Gold Star brothers and sisters go through every day.
If I could, I would ask each of you one simple favor. Keep our Soldiers, our Sailors, our Marines, our Airmen and our Coastguard in your thoughts and prayers. It is because of them and the sacrifices they make daily, that you are free to enjoy the freedoms you have as Americans. The American soldier fights, not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him....
HooAH!
by Frederick J Seitz III on February 26, 2011
On my way home from work the other day, I stopped in at our Stop and Shop in East Islip to pick up a few things for dinner. Milk, eggs the usual stuff. We run out of these things on a regular basis, having two of our older kids living home. As I waited for my turn to step up and pay for my groceries, I noticed a young woman, maybe thirty years old, standing next to me and looking squarely at the " Blue Star Service" pin I wear proudly over my left breast pocket.
I guess it got the better of her, because she finally asked me, "What does that pin stand for?" I am kind of amazed, that with the war in Iraq and Afghanistan going on, and reports on the news every night, that anyone would not know what this pin symbolizes. However, that's just me, and for whatever the reason, unless the war has effected people directly, with either a family member or friend being involved, it seems Americans do not even know there IS a war being fought.
"What this is" I explained, "Is a Blue Star Service Pin, and it stands for a family member, my oldest son, serving on active duty in the United States Military." "Oh" she says. "I see those around but never knew what that was. God Bless him and thank him for us." I told her I would, and I thanked her for thinking of my son as well. I left the store and on the short hop home, decided to write this "Note", because not to many people really do know what this pin, or banner, or flag really mean. So I decided to start spreading the word.
The Blue Star Banner is simply that. A simple blue star, on a white background bordered in red. It is displayed by a family, to honor a family member serving in the military. It is a symbol of a families sacrifice. You will see it displayed in the window of the home, on the back of cars or as a pin worn on clothing. There is one blue star displayed on the banner for each family member currently serving.
To me, being a Blue Star Parent is many things. It is the pride and the honor of having our son serve our country during a time of war. It is sacrifice. Not just the sacrifice of our son and the thousands of other brave men and women serving in uniform, but of the sacrifice of their families as well. Holidays, birthdays and other special family occasions missed. An empty chair in the corner that SHOULD have our son sitting in it. It is a yellow ribbon on the lamp post in front of our home. The American flag posted displayed openly and proudly to honor ALL our military, past, present and future. It is family pictures with my wife holding a picture of our son to make the family "Complete" at Christmas. It's not being able to watch the news one second, and then not being able to tear yourself away the next, because of what is happening overseas. It's holding my wife as I try to be "The strong one", while the whole time I want just fall apart myself. And it is also a curse. On one hand I have the pride of my son's service, and on the other hand is the fear. A nameless and faceless fear that can not be readily identified specifically, but it is fear none the less and it is powerful, stressful and numbing.
"How do you deal with that?" That's a question I hear over and over. The answer is simple, and I think any Blue Star parent will pretty much say the same thing. You just do it. We do it for our son Rick, proudly serving in the United States Air Force. We do it for ourselves to mutually support each other, so we can support our son. We do it for our beloved country. To help us cope, we volunteer and help other military families deal with the same stresses we deal with. We are members of the Blue Star Mothers of America, Soldiers' Angels and the Patriot Guard. All three are service organizations devoted to the support of our military and their families. This is how we deal with it, how we ALL deal with it as Blue Star Parents and families.
Another thing I have to remember is, no matter how tough it is being a Blue Star Parent, there are parents who display a star of different color, a Star of Gold. When you see this star, you need to know, that that family has lost their loved one serving. They, like their beloved son or daughter, HAVE made the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of our country, and their family member who is serving will not EVER be coming home. As tough, or as stressful as I think being a Blue Star Parent can be, I can not even begin to imagine what our Gold Star brothers and sisters go through every day.
If I could, I would ask each of you one simple favor. Keep our Soldiers, our Sailors, our Marines, our Airmen and our Coastguard in your thoughts and prayers. It is because of them and the sacrifices they make daily, that you are free to enjoy the freedoms you have as Americans. The American soldier fights, not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him....
HooAH!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Video Fun
Anyone who follows deployed Troops soon realizes they come up with all sorts of humorous ways to entertain each other. YouTube has plenty of videos with pranks, songs, and dances. TB and a few buddies have been filming short newscast videos. They call it I.E.D. News - International Entertainment Daily. TB ordered wigs, a moustache, and some fake microphones to add to the effect. He has been excited about posting the videos to his Facebook page. Due to the slow Internet, it takes a long time to upload each one, so he has only added a few.
I don’t understand “friends” who send him emails with comments such as “Don’t you have anything better to do?”, “How come you guys aren’t working?”, “I guess you don’t have it so bad over there if you have time to play around.” Seriously??? These guys have no days off. They miss holidays and birthdays. I won’t go into the hardships they’ve endured since I’ve addressed them here many times. They can’t have a few minutes of fun to keep morale up? The videos are less than two minutes each. If they spend 10 or 15 minutes a day goofing off they’re branded as slackers. This is one of those “shaking my head” moments.
I don’t understand “friends” who send him emails with comments such as “Don’t you have anything better to do?”, “How come you guys aren’t working?”, “I guess you don’t have it so bad over there if you have time to play around.” Seriously??? These guys have no days off. They miss holidays and birthdays. I won’t go into the hardships they’ve endured since I’ve addressed them here many times. They can’t have a few minutes of fun to keep morale up? The videos are less than two minutes each. If they spend 10 or 15 minutes a day goofing off they’re branded as slackers. This is one of those “shaking my head” moments.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Food
TB’s unit is based with soldiers from a European country. I won’t say what country it is, but it’s important to know that it isn’t one most people would think of. Most Americans probably wouldn’t even be able to list it as a country in Europe. I’ve heard complaints from our soldiers about these guys from the beginning of the deployment….the way they hog everything…the computers, the showers, the food. TB never mentioned it, so I asked him about it one day. He said, “Yea, it’s pretty bad.”
I noticed similar postings on Facebook pages from half a dozen guys mentioning how hungry they were because these other soldiers were taking all the food. Rather than just eat their meal and leave, apparently they stuff food in their pockets, pretty much clearing out everything. So, when our guys get back from missions, there’s no food left. Wow! That is very upsetting! Our soldiers have dealt with the extreme heat of summer, no heat in winter, living out of vehicles, and receiving mail every 4 to 6 weeks. They shouldn’t have to go hungry because soldiers who are supposed to be fighting side-by-side with them are hoarding food!
I noticed similar postings on Facebook pages from half a dozen guys mentioning how hungry they were because these other soldiers were taking all the food. Rather than just eat their meal and leave, apparently they stuff food in their pockets, pretty much clearing out everything. So, when our guys get back from missions, there’s no food left. Wow! That is very upsetting! Our soldiers have dealt with the extreme heat of summer, no heat in winter, living out of vehicles, and receiving mail every 4 to 6 weeks. They shouldn’t have to go hungry because soldiers who are supposed to be fighting side-by-side with them are hoarding food!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Weather Again
Last Monday I tripped and fell just as I was leaving for work. I landed hard on my right knee. It still hurts like the dickens. I must have tried to brace myself with my left arm as I fell because that shoulder is very painful. I mentioned it to a few people, but didn’t say anything to TB. No need to concern him. Besides, he was leaving the next day for an extended mission. As it turned out the mission was postponed due to bad weather. Someone must have snitched, because I received a 3 AM call from the remote mountain outpost this morning. The first thing TB wanted to know was if I was okay. He also wanted to let me know he was at the outpost since he hadn’t been able to update me before leaving. Due to the weather, they couldn’t take the vehicles which means they couldn’t take as many supplies. Again, because of the weather, this may be their longest mission yet, so I hope he has enough. The snow is knee-deep and TB said getting their clothes and feet dried out was going to be a real problem.
It’s times like this that I get a knot in my stomach. Is he warm? Is he dry? Does he have enough food? There’s nothing I can do about any of it. I’m frustrated by that! All I can do is pray and trust him. He’s tough and strong and smart, so I know he will get through it. I just wish he didn’t have to.
It’s times like this that I get a knot in my stomach. Is he warm? Is he dry? Does he have enough food? There’s nothing I can do about any of it. I’m frustrated by that! All I can do is pray and trust him. He’s tough and strong and smart, so I know he will get through it. I just wish he didn’t have to.
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