How to encourage troops deployed

armyinfmom63 · 02-03-2006, 09:00 PM

My son has been deployed to Iraq now since early Sept. of '05, not due home until Aug of '06. From talking to him & his e-mails, he has now seen all and done all, had his humvee blew up, while in it, and survived Thank God. He, and I am sure the rest of them, was really gun-ho, when they left, but now after this long and doing and seeing what they have, they just want to come home.

What is a good way to encourage them, knowing they have 6 mos. to go?? I do encourage my son every chance I get. Tell him how proud I am of him for what he is doing ect., but that doesn't seem to do alot.
Any suggestions would be helpful

**Covertness** · 02-04-2006, 06:59 AM

Tell him about all the strangers you meet on-line that support him. Tell him that we are eternally grateful for his service, wish he and his men come home safe, and hope that they put as many of those islamic terrorist mother fuckers in the ground as possible.

**Batgirl** · 02-04-2006, 08:19 AM

I echo what Covert is saying. Let him know there are millions of people around the world who applaud the courage of our coalition troops and their efforts in transforming Iraq into a stable democracy. His service is making a difference. You could also send him the positive news stories coming out of Iraq that confirm the progress being made so that he can see that the coalition's contribution is being recognised. On a more personal level you can remind him again of his loved ones at home and how much they're looking forward to him coming home and all the great things he has to look forward to. Give him our best Pam next time you speak to him and let him know he's in our thoughts and prayers.

**RR691983** · 02-04-2006, 12:44 PM

Tell you ya love 'em, send lotsa mail. You wouldnt believe how much mail raises morale.

**AngelBear** · 02-04-2006, 03:06 PM

Collect cards that show encouragement... or thinking of you... or thank you... just as long as they are positive

Family, friends, strangers... get some while butcher paper and have the kids from school write messages to him and his guys and mail it to him...

Field_Sailor · 02-05-2006, 05:26 PM

To piggy back RR, mail, mail, mail. Getting things in the mail, is a big encouragement. That and little things he likes, Sweetarts, or a certain kind of coffee. The little things work the best.

Grimmy · 02-05-2006, 05:36 PM

Also, let him know that what he's going through, the tiredness, fatigue, home sickness, fear, frustration and all that is normal and does not mean he or his buddies are weak, unfaithful or any of that nonsense. It simply means that they are human.

armyinfmom63 · 02-07-2006, 09:33 PM

You have all given me great ideas. And I appreciate them very much. I do have some poster board, and I am going to ask my principal (boss) at work it I can hang them and let students and teachers write well wishes on them and then send them. He will not know most of the students there now, but will know most of the teachers.

RetArmyMedic · 02-08-2006, 11:43 AM

I agree with all the things posted already, but in addition to the mail...send him some everyday mundane stuff...You wouldn't believe how badly we wished we could watch commercials! See if you can find a way to burn the super bowl commercials (for example) to dvd and send it to him. My sister (the eternal smarta$$) would send me hardware store ads with all the toilets circled!! Little things like that....everyday things that we don't really think of here...mean sooooo much over there. Not to mention it gives a really good laugh! Send him silly family pictures of everyone eating a pizza and drinking a beer with a caption "wish you were here" (assuming he will find that comical and not tormenting lol). Its the everyday little stuff that I missed the most. Try to find ways to send some of that to your son (especially if its something he can share with his buddies) and it will probably help more than you will ever know.