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April 03, 2005
Post-deployment homecoming
The Marine is my son, LCpl Shane Conrad who arrived in Oregon yesterday afternoon for his post-deployment leave. The first thing he did was smell the air - it had been raining and "smelled like home". Next, we stopped at a shopping mall to buy a new snowboard and all the gear to go with it. He missed last season and is looking forward to hitting the slopes with his dad next week. And the bars at night - he is making up for 7 months of life in the wild, wild west of Iraq.
He was afraid his dog wouldn't remember him. When he walked into the kitchen and stood in front of her crate, all she could see was his feet. Suddenly, we heard a thumpthumpthump from her tail on the sides of the crate and when I opened the door, she launched herself straight into his arms. Good thing she only weighs 12 pounds.
We stopped by his grandparents home for a brief hug and hello, then he dropped me at home and was off with his friends to test out being 21 and of legal drinking age. There will be more of that - Jarhead Dad has warned me and I am learning to be the mom of an adult who has seen much, done more than most, and returned to be my hero for all time. So far, I've mostly kept my mouth shut except for frequent "Be careful" comments. I'm a mom, it's still my job.
Three weeks will go by all too fast. I'm savoring every moment.
Posted by Deb at April 3, 2005 08:48 PM
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Comments
Debbie,
Thank you for letting us know that Shane has made it home. I have been watching his progress through your notes and I know what you are going through. This is a difficult job we have of being Moms of Marines and of trying to keep them safe. I also had to struggle with which friends were of age and and which friends were not and trying to find establishments that were suitable for both. I bit my tongue a lot while Matt was home because of what he had been through. You are never sure how much you can say or how much you should say.
Mary Proud Marine Mom of 2
Posted by: Mary Vetor at April 4, 2005 10:45 AM
I support the Marines, too. I want them to come home & not fight in bad wars.
What is the point of a war that is supposed to fight Islamic fundamentalism but which results in the creation of an Islamic fundamentalist government?
This is tactically and strategically insane.
Posted by: Jay at April 4, 2005 11:23 AM
Jay, we have a dedicated staff of hard-working officers and civilian DOD to handle tactics and strategy. If you want to criticize the incredible fruits of our soldiers' efforts, you might try starting your own blog. Let Debbie be proud of her son, like many of he rest of us
Posted by: Max at April 4, 2005 02:37 PM
Deb,
Thanks for your comments and thoughts about homecoming. You have a way of putting us right in the moment. Enjoy your time with Shane and know in your heart that you have been the best mom and Marine supporter any son could ever ask for. As I bite my nails for son now in the wild,wild west ... it's a comfort to know that he is taking the place of someone who has put in their time and earned the right to come home. Hugs and thanks for the great job you do here.
Posted by: tammie at April 4, 2005 03:49 PM
Max,
What are these fruits? Name one.
Jay
Posted by: jay at April 4, 2005 05:18 PM
OK,
People in Iraq have chosen their own government through a democratic process. They no longer have to worry about an unelected, unaccountable government killing them and their families. They have seen what will happen if it tries.
Terrorists no longer have sanctuary, trianin facilities, and an intelligence source in Iraq. They are too busy trying to pop a grenade at the odd transport, then getting killed.
When Syria, Libya, and others saw what was in store for them, they suddenly became much more cooperative.
There's several reasons. Would you like more, or are you going to start your own blog yet? You can call it www.leftovertalkingpointsfromRalphNader'sfailedpresidentialbid.com
Posted by: Max at April 5, 2005 07:39 AM
And this is what they elected:
http://www.sciri.org/
Read it, if you can read that is.
Posted by: Jay at April 6, 2005 07:18 AM
Jay,
I really have a policy of not feeding trolls but in your case, I'm going to make an exception.
This is Deb and Shane's time to be happy and you, like many of your ilk, think it's all about you...that you are more important. It is not only incredibly ignorant, it is also incredibly selfish.
There are many boards and blogs on which you can spout your opinions. To do so here and on this specific post shows that you have a bad case of
"I was always on my mind".
Take it somewhere else.
Carrie
Marine wife and Marine mom
Posted by: Carrie at April 7, 2005 10:05 AM
Thanks for the Post, thanks for the useful Post. I will come back later .. Great tips also : stop biting nails
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