Helping Deb with the Site

Hi, my name is Karen, I'm from a small town in central Massachusetts.  My husband was in the Army 22 years & just retired last July 2006 & now our son has joined the Army.  So i'm an army wife & now an Army mom.  I'm going to be assisting Deb with this site.  My son is 19 & he is also at FOB Summerall in Bayji Iraq.  He arrived there about 4 months ago & will be there until this summer.  He is with the 82nd ABN 1-505 & is doing well.  I was glad to hear that they had a nice Thanksgiving spread there with lots of good food to eat.  He  said he even got to drink some of his favorite "egg nog".  I was happy to hear that.  Well I will be helping Deb continue this site on & we will be working together to get some things updated, hopefully post some new info & pictures & run the site so friends & families that have loved ones at Camp Summerall can stay in touch.  I hope everyone has all their Christmas pkgs sent to their soldiers.  My son called this am & said he got the xmas tree i sent him & they loved it.  It sure was a tiny one though lol.  But its the little things from home that cheer them & help them get thru.  Don't forget them after Christmas though during the down months of Jan & Feb - might be nice to send a "pick them up" afterthought pkg during those months so its not like they get bombarded with gifts during December then almost none in Jan & Feb.  Just a thought.  :)    Please keep our soldiers & their families in your prayers during the holidays & always.  I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Safe & Happy New Year.  Karen :)

Comments

[Denise]

Karen,

Thank you for helping Deb with this website. This is great. My son is also 19 and is at FOB Summerall,82nd ABN, 1-505 Div. I really appreciate all the time and effort you ladies will be putting into this. Thank you.

[TroopersMom]

I am writing from a small town in Maine and my son, also 19, is at Summerall. He is the youngest of my three children. Needless to say his two sisters and I live these days to hear his voice on the phone. Our connection with other families that have troopers overseas has helped tremendously. Not having prior experience with any of this could have been much more overwhelming without these exchanges. I just wanted to write and offer sincere thanks to Deb and Karen for the work they are undertaking on behalf of all of us that have troopers at Summerall and especially the Troopers themselves. I will be looking forward to reading the posts and possibly writing in a few myself.

[Mary]

I want to say thank you to Karen and Deb for taking on this website. My husband is at Summerall also. He just arrived a few weeks ago. He is with the 303rd MP CO out of MI. I also live for the days to hear his voice. Its tough to be away from our
soldiers, especially at Christmas time.
I look forward to reading the updates on this website as they are available. Merry Christmas to all.

[Mark's Mom]

I came upon this site trying to find anything to help me see what kind of "neighborhood" my son is living in! Thanks for the photos and info on life at a FOB. My son arrived a few weeks ago with the Michigan 303rd MP unit. We are counting the days until he comes home and praying unceasingly for all of our brave soldiers - our heroes.

[Janie]

My son is also with the Michigan 303rd. MP Co. I am so glad to have found this site and be able to connect with others that have loved ones at Summerall. This will be a tough holiday for our soldiers and those of us back home. Praying that they all come home safe & soon.

[Karen Sheridan]

Hi Denise, You are most welcome for my help with the site. Its nice to be able to chat with others going thru the same especially during the holidays, etc. Our son's are in the same unit. What Company is your son in? Mine is in Alpha Company. He ended up calling me again tonight but didn't sound as good as Friday. He was really tired. Have a good night. Karen :)

[Karen Sheridan]

Hi Troopersmom (I love your user name), My sister has a house in Portland Maine. We use to go there often. Maine is so beautiful. We don't live too far from you. Lots of 19 yr olds at Summerall together it seems & him being the youngest of your children must make it a bit more difficult. Hang in there. I have been an Army wife many years but this is also my first experience of being an Army mom. I miss my son so darn much especially this time of year cuz he loves Christmas. I find myself being very moody & i think its cuz i miss him so much. I feel very unorganized & frustrated. I hope i can snap out of it. Thanks for posting & hope to see more from you. Have a great week. Karen :)

[Karen]

Hi Mary, Have you heard from your husband yet? I will say some prayers that you hear from him soon. There seems to be a quite a few from that MP unit finding this site. It should be nice for you to have others to chat with. My son is deployed now but previously my husband was deployed for a year from 2003-2004 and I know how tough it is being without them for so long. Hang in there & many prayers going out to you & to all our troops as well. Hugs, Karen

[Mary]

Hi Karen,
Yes, I have heard from my husband. All seems to be well at FOB Summerall. He's the 1SG from the 303rd so he keeps pretty busy. I see that there are a few others from the 303rd on this site. That really is nice. I'm passing the word on to others.
Thanks for your prayers and mine go out to all our soldiers over there. My husband was deployed 2004-2005 to GTMO, This one is so much more stressful but know we all can get through it with all the love and support we get from this site. Thank you again.
Mary H.

[Jesse]

Karen and Deb, My son Aaron is at Camp Summerall with the 82nd airborne, 1-505, PIR, 3rd Brigade, arrived in August and should be back this summer, Many thanks for the web site, its comforting to know we are not alone in the concern for our sons overseas, my prayers go out to each and every one of your family members, sons and daughters, may they be safe and return home soon.

[Patrice]

Thanks to both of you for keeping this website updated. My son, Jon, 21, just arrived at Camp Summerall earlier this month ... also with the 303rd MP from Michigan. He's one of our first-borns (he has a twin brother) and he has a sister, 19, a brother, 13, and a fiance who miss him a LOT. Not to mention all the aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends! Looks like there are quite a few from the 303rd checking in. That's great! We miss Jon like crazy and with the holidays coming up it is getting tougher... but we'll have his fiance and her dad with us on Christmas Eve and some of his buds as well. Hope we'll be blessed with a phone call that day! We've sent all kinds of "stuff" to Jon but it will unfortunately be after Christmas before any of it arrives. But he knows it's coming. Merry Christmas to you all. Never lose faith.

[Karen]

Mary, My husband was deployed to GTMO 2003-2004, your husband must have gone in right before mine came home for the switch over. Mine came home in July 2004. Even though GTMO was less stressful its still hard to have a loved one so far away for such a long time. My son actually called again last night from Summerall - twice in one weekend - shocked us. But this time of year they miss home even more. Tell your husband thanks for his service. Being the 1SG isn't always an easy job. My husband was same. And its great to meet you. Karen :)

[Karen]

Hi Marks Mom - how long is the 303 MP's over there for? My son is over there with the 1-505 until next summer. He's been there for about 5 mos now. It does go by very fast though. But yes, it is hard during the holidays. I find myself crying alot more at songs, expressions others say that my son also says like "Sweet", and being very moody. I don't worry so much cuz i just push the worry out & keep positive thinking - but its cuz i miss him so much. I hope your holidays' are still good ones & you hear from your son often. Hugs, Karen :)

[Karen]

Hi Janie, wow lots of the 303rd MP unit found this site easy. Did you do searches for FOB Summerall? How long has your son been an MP? Is this his first deployment? I think its also great to have a site like this to keep each other company & also informed on things we can share. Karen :)

[Karen]

Hi Jessie, My son is also in the 3rd brigade - what company is your son in? Mine is in Alpha Co. Today I received a flag in the mail from him that was flown at Camp Summerall on Veteran's day. The soldiers could buy them for $40 & have them flown at the camp to keep or to send to their families. We asked Scott to get one for us & i was surprised he remember & he did. It had a certificate with it & my husband noticed the signatures. Well one was of his commander but the other was of his Sgt Maj Watts who was killed just before Thanksgiving. He signed the certificate for the flag right around Veteran's day. It brought tears to my eyes. More reason to cherish the flag & the certificate. May he rest in Peace. Lots of prayers going out to Camp Summerall & to all the other troops. Karen :)

[Karen]

Hi Patrice, Wow a twin. Is his twin also in the military? Its great so many of the 303rd MP unit have found the site so you can chat. My son is with the 1-505 but they are all at the same camp. It seems to be an ok camp from pictures i've seen & what i've heard. My son was home on leave right before Thanksgiving so we got to chat about things there. Priority packages are actually getting to Summerall quite fast. At least from Massachusetts they are. Its only taking about a week from when i mail them until he has them. I have shipped a few things direct from company's too him too like his tv & a chair & table. He also got them without any trouble. I'm sure it will be lonely for them being so far away during the holidays but they'll stick together there & we can stick together here & all get thru it together. Hugs, Karen

[Jesse]

Hi Karen, Spec4 Navarro, 1-505, 82nd Airborne, 3rd brigade, Charlie Co. Infantry of course, many prayers to all of our deployed troops.

[Denise]

Greetings Karen,
My son in the same as your son Alpha company, We IM on yahoo on Saturday. Yes he was tired too because of the 3 day ops they just got back from. We IM weekly, he doesnt like waiting for the phones so IM emails are just as good. He hopes to get his R&R in March. Our family is really looking forward to March to arrive quick. Nice chatting with you. I have some really interesting pictures from my son if anyone is interested.

[Mary]

Wow, I love that there is such a response from the 303rd.
Karen, sounds like our husbands crossed paths at GTMO. He arrived Apr 04. Small world. Maybe your son and my husband will cross paths. If he knows him, tell him to mention his dad being at GTMO. He may remember him. Great to meet you.
The boxes that I have sent to my husband seem to have arrived within 10-12 days without any problems. I was really surprised with it being the holiday and all. And thats from MI.
Thanks again for keeping this site going. I look forward to reading everyones respones and hearing about their soldier.
Merry Christmas all

[Jesse]

Hi Denise, I would very interested in the pictures your son has sent, and also hope and pray he gets his r&r in March, God Bless your Son. thanks much, Jesse in Bakersfield Calif.

[Patrice]

Hi Karen.... no, Jon's twin is not in the military. He's finishing up his studies to be a paramedic... It's good to hear that packages are getting over there fairly quickly. We've sent four now and hope the contents will bring some comfort to the guys. Hugs back atcha!

[elaine bosher]

i hope when i post this it wont go on 3 times . i was sidetracked writing this with family questions.are 14 year old is writing a letter to her brother who is also with the 303rd he is part of the unit from ohio. and she is having a hard time.she misses him. he is a great older brother.my question is about the phone cards, what works, where can we get them.our son called collect sat. morning and sounded good ,much better then the last call.but he needs phone cards so he can call his girlfriend when he gets a minute. i was told the international cards at walmart and other stores do not work.does anyone know if that is the case? can i buy them on line ?thank you for being on this sight so we can feel some sense of peace . it will be a long hard year but connecting with others who love their soldiers and pray for their safe return makes it better. thank you elaine

[Karen]

Hi Elaine, my son just used an AT&T card that was bought at Walmart & then some he bought when at Ft. Bragg NC - but you only get like 10 minutes for $40 or something crazy like that. There is a phone card there that they can use called spawner or something like that - ill get the correct info for you tomorrow. Its ALOT cheaper for them to call using that system. Calling collect - ouch that's gotta hurt. But better to hear from them. You could buy a phone card & just give him the #'s to use it when u talk to him but again like an $40 phone card will only give them a few minutes to talk. Ok well its after midnight now so i'm off to sleep. I will get that info for you tomorrow. Night, Karen :)

[Karen]

Hi Denise, I would love to see the pics of your son. You can see some of my son on my myspace page if anyone would like. Not too many of Iraq but he's suppose to be sending me more of those. Here's the link to my pictures http://www.myspace.com/zayness
Wow so our son's i'm sure must know each other then. The internet is an amazing thing getting people in touch & staying close. And by the way I LOVE pictures!!!! Our son im's us on aim when he can but he usually calls 1x per week but last time it was 2 weeks but then he called 2x's last weekend. LOL I'll take what we can get. As long as he's safe & knows how proud of him we are. Scott came home for R&R early in Oct. - one of the first leaves so now we have the long time til he comes back. But it was awesome having him home. The pics on my myspace are many from when he was home on leave. Ok i really have to get some sleep. Night all!!! Karen :)

[Kathy B]

Karen - Just finished reading all the latest posts and responses. What enthusiam and it's very motivating and seemingly contagious. We all need inspiration and encouragement from one another. It's tough being on this side of the world and not being able to physically comfort your loved one, especailly when the trials of the day or night have been "ugly". My son is in A co and has been at Summerall since Aug. 06. The last several weeks have been extremly grueling and challenging for Kevin and his company. I know I speak for many when I say we appreciate all the professionalism, courage, and resolve that goes into the work these wonderful soldiers do every single day! My wish is to reach out and touch each and every soldier at Summerall with a smile of Cheer and hug of comfort. Let us continue to pray for their courage, strength, victory and a safe return home!