feedback for "The Home Front"

1. Thank you for taking time away from your family to share with all of us one of the things this war means. Your article was incredibly well written and honest. I pray for your husband's quick return and can only hope that after so long, his transition back into civilian (and family) life is smooth.  To the readers out there who are more knowledgeable about such things than me: are there any groups who offer assistance to army families? I would gladly volunteer my time to help out moms like Korinthia in my area.

   posted by : nancyt on 4/2/2007 at 8:28 AM Flag For Abuse

2. I can't even imagine what it is like to have one's spouse away in such a dangerous place for such a long time.  But your very clear essay gave me a better idea.  NancyT (above) has a great idea - how can those of us who are not making this sacrifice assist families who are?  I would be there in a heartbeat.  I read recently that one aspect of this war that is unique is that some of the people are making all of the sacrifices unlike past wars in which all U.S. residents had to change their lives in some way - rations, the stress of being drafted, et cetera.  My family has not had to foresake any comforts or routines and I am incredibly grateful, yet genuinely concerned for those families who in the thick of it.  This essay and the many media reports of how horrible conditions are for soldiers and their anxious families are critical for all of us.  We need to keep our eyes open and not forget what is going on.  Thank you.  Blessings to you, your husband and your beautiful children.

   posted by : BBBGMOM on 4/2/2007 at 11:40 AM Flag For Abuse

3. 
   Thank you for this. Poignant, maddening and difficult essay. You and the other military families who are sacrificing the lives they thought they chose are in my thoughts daily. I echo the above concerns, for families like this one and for all of us who will be a part of the returning soldiers' lives as they struggle to re-integrate into stateside living. Those in power would like us to forget there is a war on--thank you to this writer for reminding us. I for one will try to remember that the military families are going through such hardships and seek ways to make it a little better.
   
   
   

   posted by : unionmaidn on 4/2/2007 at 7:52 PM Flag For Abuse

4. As an AirForce spouse I could relate to every word of this essay. I, too, try to keep in mind that my husband has the worst end of it--I know I could never leave him and our children for months at a time and go off to a dangerous part of the world. And what's more, do it again and again. In the 5 years we've(yes he's the active duty member but as she says in the article-the whole family is drafted into the life) been in the Air Force he has been deployed numerous times with the last being early 2006. We're now trying to psyche ourselves up for the next one which will be in September. This one will be more difficult as he'll miss all the holidays as well as both kids bdays(our son is 7 and daughter is 1). I try to be grateful that he has to go for only 4 months as those in the Army and Marine Corps usually are deployed 12-18 months. I can't fathom that. I struggle with our 3-4 month separations. And I'll say this: they do not get any easier the more you go through. I think because you know what's coming--the struggles, the lonliness and isolation, the responsibility of handling everything back here, the constant worry of what he's going through. Yes, we are fortunate to be active duty and live on base and therefore there are more programs etc that are much more readily available than there are to the reservists families. I really believe our reservists and their families have really been let down by the military and have had too much asked of them. I am not sure what this writer could do except to contact her husband's regular unit and see what they have to offer. They are in a difficult position as he has been attached to a different unit while deployed. But ultimately- even with the programs, it all comes down to us. Even when you have some family or friends to help out-it's still on our shoulders to take care of everybody. It moved me to tears when she described the effects of the deployment on her children as that is one of the hardest things I've had to deal with. The deployments seem to get harder on our son the older he gets and yes, I worry too about our 1 year old remembering her dad(and all those milestones he misses too). I'm so thankful this writer decided to post this essay as so many outside the military community really don't think about what it is like to be in a military family in time of war. So thanks for affirming for me that what I'm doing is important and thanks to all of you for supporting the troops and their families.

   posted by : jacksjill on 4/5/2007 at 2:14 PM Flag For Abuse