Military Deployment

The war in Iraq has reached across the ocean, into my idyllic little island life, and touched my family. My husband discovered, the day before Thanksgiving (which coincidentally was also our 10th wedding anniversary), that his Army Reserves unit is being deployed to Iraq. It makes me wonder how many others in the HawaiiStories ohana have been affected by this war. Do you have family or friends in Iraq? If so, how are you coping? I'm even thinking of creating some kind of online support network for Hawaii families who have loved ones overseas.

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I have a cousin deployed to an "undisclosed location," and he's finally coming home for a visit this month. Most of my uncles are reservists (my father retired a Colonel). Given the size of the force needed to support operations in Iraq, people everywhere are moving about more than they have in ages. No doubt everyone knows someone affected.

A Hawaii resource for 'homefront' families would be a neat idea. I know there are already large, often very web-savvy support groups for military families on the mainland, but as with most things, I know Hawaii people are just a little different.

I can see it now. HawaiiHomefront.com! You could probably model the local site after one of the national ones, with appropriately tweaked bells and whistles... even run a swiss-army-knife modular portal system like PHP-Nuke.

As more deployments here make the front page, something like this might be a great resource.

Some Googled-up examples include the National Military Family Association, the Sgt. Moms site, the (somewhat garish) Military Front for Families, 4MilitaryFamilies.com, The Homefront...

There must be more. From this bunch, though, it seems there's lots of room left for new ideas and community building in the military family support area.

Sorry to hear that Donna. How long is your husband going to be gone? I read in the newspaper that reserves are serving way longer stints overseas because of the war nowadays, way longer than they expected to when they signed up. So I'm sure they'd appreciate some sort of network to keep up with things at home.

Hey Donna, I understand the anxiety you must feel. I saw a news item today on KHON about reservists being deployed to Iraq. The woman they interviewed said being notified was like being pulled over by the police. Getting the orders to go to Iraq was like the sudden shock of seeing the blue light in the rear view mirror. It was heart thumping. She said she is getting used to the idea. She is 50 years old and has years of experience to draw upon to deal with her feelings. It was interesting that she mentioned she was going to keep a journal and perhaps write a book. I immediately though about a weblog that would allow us to stay connected with individuals deployed to Iraq. I hope it happens so we can show our support.

Yes, anxiety is my constant companion these days...

Hubby is leaving with the group that you saw on the news last night. (His tour of duty will be 18 months, although he's only supposed to spend 12 months of that time in Iraq.)

I saw that feature on KHON last night as well and, like Burt, immediately thought that it would be nice if there was a way for that woman to keep a blog from Iraq. It makes me wonder what their environment will be like there... will they have access to the Internet? If so, it would be great to have a site (like the HawaiiHomefront.com that Ryan suggested) to keep soldiers in Iraq abreast of what's going on back home -- and vice versa.

You know, if the media here were smart (and had the funds) they'd send a reporter to stay the whole length of their deployment. I mean, these are local people with local families. Not to demean the 3000 some soldiers from Schofield that have already gone but this has a bit more direct impact on the community. Anyway, just a thought.

It's funny that you mention that, because I only half-jokingly told my husband last week, "I should go to Iraq with you. I can take pictures and write articles about the experience." Needless to say, Hubby didn't think it was such a great idea.

I wonder if any of the news agencies would like to fund me...?

Blogs from Iraq ... Where is Raed? is the pioneer and a classic.

Sorry you'll have such a personal reason to read it.

I currently live in the mainland, but I was born and raised in Hawaii. I have friends here that are "in waiting" I guess you could call it, to see if they are going, but I also have friends that I have recently found out from Hawaii that are going. It's a hard thing to stomach that someone I grew up w/ is going up to such a dangerous place. I love my friends dearly, but I can only imagine what you are going through Donna, being that it is your husband. The only thing that I can say is that Faith in him and your personal strength will bring him home.
Let him know that we are all very greatful that we have men and women in this world who are willing to do what they do.

I was so happy getting ready to start a new life in Hawaii with my husband to be, when we found out that he was going to be deploy to iraq, this hit me with so much shock, I really thought that it was a joke at first when everything came to reality, this has been so hard on me, to deal with, not being able to know when I will get hug or kiss, I have to wait for a whole year. I can see within my baby's eyes that he is sad and he dosen't want to leave me and be in that place, I wish this silly war was over with, so everyone all over the world and nation can be with ther Mothers, Daddies, Aunties, Uncles and so on again, I send a warm blessing to everyone, that is going through what I'm about go through, "The unknown, of What is next" god bless Mel x

Melissa, believe me, I know exactly what you're going through. I was hoping that 2004 was the year that we could start a family. After all, we've been married for 10 years. I thought it was about time. I guess there were other plans for us, so we're just trying to make the best of it. Is your husband with a Reserves unit or was he active duty to begin with?

Are you still considering forming an online support group? I have a neighbor whose husband is leaving next week for Iraq. I would like to pass on the information if you are. She could use some support from women who are in the same boat--so to speak. Though she lives in military housing, I think she is feeling pretty isolated. She has two kids, one an infant and she looks like the walking wounded right now. Though I am a military wife, my husband is in the Navy, I am not facing the same upheaval she is. I don't think she feels the connection with us. Email me if the support group is a go and I will pass on the information.

Aloha Donna!I'm new at Hawaii Stories and checked out the other sites.I came upon yours and wanted to ask if you did create a support group.What's the web address?Also, if you know of any Hawaii Military Mom's who wants to join a support group, I have created one this past week.The Web Address is: HawaiiMilitaryMomsSupportGroup@moneycentral.communities.msn.com Currently I am the only member,(smile).With the continuing deployment of our men & women from the islands...i want to give support and a place to vent for Hawaii's moms who have and will be having a child/children in Iraq or Afganistan.My son and daughter were there at the same time.My son recieved two purple hearts and like his sister re-enlisted another four(2nd for him,1st for my girl).Please tell your husband I said thank you for his service and dedication in the fight against terrorism. Donna, keep strong,focused and never fear...fear is not of GOD!GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY,GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Lynn V.,1stwahine

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