give him hugs from me.

and Thank him for Standing the Watch.

deniserows
Semper Paratus

Is he back for good? My son is also stationed out of Ft. Drum

Please thank your son for serving from me :-)

It looks like my son will be at Drum for a while. The infantry unit he is in is being deployed in December so if he re-enlists, he'll deploy. It's really what he wants to do so I wouldn't be surprised if he signs on for a tour. In the meantime, he's snowplowing a path to some stranded soldiers on base :-)

My son also told me one of the first things he saw posted on a wall in the DFAC was a notice about Geocaching AND Letterboxing. I thought that was pretty neat!

Maybe our sons will meet up some day. Small world! Go 10th!

There has been another Coast Guard helicopter crash. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/29/coast-guard-helicopter-crash-alabama_n_1308500.html
The Coast Guard is such a small community so everyone knows everyone, and the aviation community is even smaller. Please keep the crew and their families in your thoughts tonight.

I had heard about that, how sad, these are brave men & women who stand ready to do service for others and their country every day. Thank-you to all in the service.

Thanx for the prayers.

deniserows
aka Capt. and Mrs. Lachowsky (USCG ret)

Good news, my son and his Brigade have arrived save and sound from a year deployment in Afghanistan. GBSB how is your son doing?

YIPPPEE!!!!

deniserows
while thanking him for standing the watch

My husband currently serves in the National Guard, but lately we have been thinking about going active. We thought this might be a way for him to gain more experience in the military as well as move up the ranks. I was wondering if anyone would be able to share their experience about what it is like to live on post and if you think this would be something worthwhile to do. I want to have all the facts straight before we make a major decision. Any information would help, thanks!

Thank you for serving. Yes i understand its your husband but you as the spouse also serve. Really.
You even get a letter from the President thanking you for your service upon retirement. It sounds odd but the family of the active duty personnel does a lot. Living on a post or on base as its sometimes called is not for everyone. Its a very small community and that can be good or bad. Its all in how you react. i personally loved it. When your kids are young you have other mothers to help/talk to/complain/advice with. If you don't have kids you have the support of those around you who understand the trails and tribulations of deployment. Usually the spouses clubs have things going on all the times. Bunco, raffles, charity work, baking lots of things.
Again if you like a small town feel and can hang with all that goes in a small town ie everyone knows you and helps out/everyone knows you and talks about you, sense of security/no privacy, friendly neighbors/nosy neighbors etc etc etc. than do it.
i also know military wifes who would never ever set foot on base. Feel free to AQ mail me if you have any questions.

deniserows
for the USCG

Thank you for all the information, I appreciate it very much!

i have been asked to pick out gifts for some AF key spouses (called ombudsman in the navy.) these women have been the backbone in taking care of the families at home during two deployments and during the many, many trips the active duty take when "home." i would like to get them something as a keepsake, sentimental, and useful. any suggestions?

My favorite gift i received and gifts that we gave to transferring spouses and Ombuds were photo albums. The 4 x 6" ones you just plop a photo in. The photos were on the right hand side and a description of what the photos was on the left hand side. All the photos were of the base/town we were stationed at. The flowers, the trees, the views, the statues. etc. Photos of what made that place. City sign, unique store front etc etc etc.
i find i always get it out when someone asks, " How did you like being stationed there?"

deniserows
a picture is worth a thousand words

I have two major momentos from being in the military. Oddly enough both are from the same deployment. One I got from the Army, it was a beautifully framed flag that flew over our station in Kuwait with a nice plate on the front that said Warrior Citizen. The second was a photo album of all the folks in my unit (there were only 24 of us) and each picture told of some silly story that happened while we were over there. My page was decorated in a sea theme with fishes and car keys ( I dropped the keys to the Generals car in the ocean ). I cherrish both of these things.

Thank you for sharing & serving AB.

Don't let the Vet in your life forget. There's a long list of participating restaurants.

Thanks. I forwarded info to my son.

Just happened upon this board--today, of all days, seems quite appropriate (Veterans Day).

My husband and I are both Army Veterans. He served 11 years; I served 3. We both worked on helicopters.

Now our future son in law, is currently in basic training in San Diego for the marines. We won't hold it against him. ;-)

Thank you to ALL who have served--including their families. This message board is a great way to support those soldiers past and present. Blessings to all,

Renea/HHostess
Michigan

To all my friends and family in the military:
You have my utmost appreciation for serving your country.
Oh and i am so proud my son who made Chief this week. woot woot (bragging? yep!)

CAPT. and Mrs. Lachowsky USCG (ret)
aka deniserows

His three years is over. He accumulated many extra weeks when he never took leave in 2011 to come home from So. Korea.

I cannot believe 3 years has gone by. It seems like just yesterday, that I was here freaking out and made this group.

He doesn't look any older, but I know I do :)

I cannot believe 3 years has gone by. It seems like just yesterday, that I was here freaking out and made this group.

He doesn't look any older, but I know I do :)

Boy do I hear that!, Congratulations on getting him back I am extremely happy for you. Time for a GreatBigSabres sigh of relief!

After three years in the Military, he returned with some anger issues & aggression. I don't really want to get into details right now. Is their something I should be doing as his Mom? He doesn't live with us upon return (his step Dad and half brother), but my ex. Which is fine.

I'm torn because of an issue since his return involving my youngest son (11) - his half brother. While the two of them seem to have mended issues, my husband (step-Dad) has not.

I feel like I'm having to chose sides. This is not good. Any advice?

I was deployed for 18 months a few years ago. I was a sergeant in the Army. I'm also a single mom. Upon my return to life as a single mother I could make my son cry with a single look. He was a first grader when I came home. I missed all of kindergarten and most of first grade. He stayed with my parents while I was overseas. There were several transition issues I had. As a reservist I returned to my full time civilian job in healthcare. Not only was I able to make my son cry, but I was know for making fellow employees cry.

My mother called it "my sergeants voice" that often frightened my son and coworkers. I wasn't a yeller, but apparently have a tone that will make privates and small children quake in their boots. Logan learned to tell me to stop using my sergeants voice when he thought I was yelling at him. It was very hard for me to turn off the sergeant and embrace the civilian.

I still to this day have anxiety over trash in the roadway, helicopters, and range day at the air force base I live next to. It takes time to settle in. I'm six years post deployment and was in a relatively safe place while overseas and still have issues that my family is completely unaware of.

One recent incident was last summer. I was driving down a deserted country road in farm country. Hadn't passed another car in quite a while. I was happily day dreaming and singing along to the radio. Out of nowhere a guy on a crotch rocket passed me. I didn't see or hear him until he was passing me and was just into the corner of my peripheral vision. He and his bike were in all black and going at least 100mph. He passed me like I was going backwards. My brain instantly perceived an attack and imminent danger and all I could hear and feel was an explosion. I had to stop my car while I cried and shook for a full 20 minutes.

There are support groups and TONS of help offered through your local VA hospital should you feel he needs psych help. He is not alone in his adjustment and neither are you. He will likely never be the same, but with love and support he will adjust to his new normal in a more acceptable fashion. Your son may feel that it is a sign of weakness to ask for help. If you know any of his battle buddies you may be able to reach out to them as well to bring support and something familiar to your son.

Do some reading, learn if he has any specific triggers, and talk to your younger son to help him understand what his big brother is going through. http://www.mirecc.va.gov/Coaching/PostDeploymentStress_Families.pdf http://www.afterdeployment.org/
http://www.redcross.org/find-help/military-families/deployment-services/postdeployment-preparedness-homecoming

Good luck. Move forward with patience and love.
AB

I fully agree with American Boxer. My war was Vietnam and I still see a VA counsler on a reglar basis. Please ask your son to go the VA and let them know of his issues. They will help him. Sometimes the VA system can be cumberson but just be persistent. As a 30 year vet I know that if we don't seek professional help when we need it, we just get worse. My prayers are with you and your family.

Hugs to your son and thank you for his service and the others who have already chimed in.

The one extra bit of info I will add is that if your son is still in the military he may be hesitant to go to the VA because of the military culture--or even if he has now processed out. One alternative is to get up to 12 FREE and 100% CONFIDENTIAL therapy sessions right where he is living through http://www.militaryonesource.com. He can choose the area (perhaps he wants to go 30 minutes away for example for fear of having someone see him to go the office) and/or he can choose if he wants a female or male therapist. BTW--free sessions are available for family members now, too!!!

I know many who have used this benefit--some getting immediate help and resolution and for others it may be a bridge to finally find the courage to go to the VA. If he has PTSD or TBI he can then get evaluated and receive those benefits. It IS getting better so please stay strong and keep fighting the good fight here on American soil.

HUGS

deniserows
more hugs

It's been several months now and have wondered how your son is doing??? I pray he has gone for help as suggested, for all your sakes. He will remain in my prayers. Thank you and your family for your sons service to our country.

I sent an AQmail a while back to check in and haven't heard. I do hope things have improved. This family has been on my mind. Hugs and prayers all the way around.

Its my understanding that googley eyes is living in Alaska now.

deniserows
with another boxer in AK

Meineke in my area is giving out free oil changes to all military. Not sure it's nation-wide but might wanna check that out!

Sorry the sound is so bad. I had to turn up my speakers to 100%
Lisa's testimony begins at the 3:03 minute mark.

https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Ds1WG7gpPbbA&data=02%7C01%7CLouise.Potter%40uvmhealth.org%7Ccb255aa25f904f2e075608d601727dac%7C5fc09f37dc5a489395c0ae3bb5ef18df%7C0%7C0%7C636697988584295309&sdata=e3e2vTI9VODWFFfwMDXOIw%2FvC8gg3g7XUVGXAg7SWbk%3D&reserved=0