What a thoughtfull post Jeanne.

Yes, Lynn, please be sure to let your son know that he is in our thoughts and prayers and has our full support and gratitude for serving and protecting. I'm sure you are alternating between feelings of pride and worry--it's very hard for the families of the troops too. Please keep us posted on how he is doing.

Luvs

Oh Jeanne, how thoughtful of you to think of our son! His unit was deployed to Afghanistan last weekend and it's been very tough for me. Just yesterday we heard that four more brave soldiers had been killed over there and instantly we've leap-frogged into an entirely new kind of life, along with every other parent, family and friend of a service person over there ~ waiting now to find out if our own loved one is ok.
If you haven't seen my thread over on the Decorating forum, I'm adding the link below.

Last week DH & I won first prize in a local raffle. It was a sports car. We needed to be at a big presentation in the park on Sunday to receive it. This was part of the Blue Star Mothers & Gold Star Mothers event to honor service men and women, and veterans. We ended up donating the car to the Gold Star Mother's building fund, which is an incredibly worthy and much needed thing. You might want to check out the info on it in my (below) thread.
Anyhoo, thanks for your kind thoughts and prayers.
Lynn
"Lynn's Thread on Decorating forum"

What a generous thing for you and your DH to do, Lynn. And what a worthy cause as well. Reading that whole post with everyone's experiences made me tear up. You've got some difficult emotional times ahead of you. My niece says she is so thankful for computers because it allows her to hear from her DH more often when his Air National Guard unit goes over there. Not hearing from them is the hardest part sometimes. Hugs, Luvs

I have added your son to my prayer list. My cousin is in Afghan, as well as our friend's son, Marine Maj. Meyers. I mentioned him in my Stars and Stripes post for Memorial Day. It is his 3rd deployment.
My cousin is only 20. I know it is such a worry!
Very generous of you, Lynn!

Lynn, I will be praying for your son and all the other precious service people. My son went to Iraq twice. I know my strength and peace of mind came from Him.

How exciting to win a new vehicle. It seems you found a worthy cause for it.

Thank you, Jeanne, for this post! Susan

I too thank you Jeanne, for this post.
Lynn...I thank you, your family and your son for your sacrifices to our country...
and, what a generous donation as well.
There's not a day that goes by that I'm not thinking of or praying for a family member or friend who's been deployed.
I agree, it's so important to keep them in our thoughts and prayers and not forget that - W/o their sacrifices, we would not be able to go about our daily lives as we do.
Just today, I got good news that my close friend's son, (who was also my student...waaaay back) has arrived home safe for good! He finished up his third tour in Iraq, and can now get on with His Life!!

jane

This is the best post and I too want to thank you Jeanne for this wonderful reminder. Can't send to many thanks and prayers to those who keep us safe.

Lynn, I am so touched that you won the car and donated it for the building fund. I enjoyed reading all about these organizations and will keep your son and all of you in my prayers.

I've grown up with a military family and it's alot of stress for loved ones. We owe those who serve more than most know.

Punk

Lynn...thank you for that link to that heartwarming thread of responses to your post. What an extraordinary person you are (& DH) to donate to the Gold Star Mothers organization...such a blessing for this group...and thank you for sharing these organizations with us ...Gold Star & Blue Star Mothers, of which I was not aware.

Like Jane, "not a day goes by that I'm not thinking of or praying for a family member or a friend who's been deployed." May all of our good thoughts & prayers bring your special son back home when his tour is over...& to all the other great "Holiday-er" friends here who have loved ones or friends or know someone, sending prayers to you all. Reaching out to you with a hug, Jeanne S.

Lynn (and Jeanne), there's not much I can add to what's been. Our troops are always in my heart and prayers. I want them ALL home, NOW.

I understand what a 'different world' it is when a loved one is there. My grandson spent a year in Iraq, sent ON his 21st birthday. He had quite a few close calls, but thankfully returned home safe and sound. But it was one of the worst years in my Life!

I thank not only the brave young men and women who serve,
but their families for raising such fine children. And my heart goes out to all of you during this 'war'. Its heart-wrenching to say the least.

love and hugs,
Karen