Just wanted you guys to know that my nephew, who I also consider my best buddy, is leaving for a one year tour in Iraq today. I can't help but be somewhat choked up about it. I'm proud of him and worried for him at the same time. Keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he goes over there in service of our great country. I can't remember the place that he is going, but it's considered the most volatile region in Iraq right now. Again, keep him in your thoughts and prayers and thanks in advance to all of you.
My thoughts and prayers are with him and your family. May the Lord bless, strengthen and protect him from all harm. Tell him I thank him for his service to our country.
I just hung up with my nephew. They are boarding the plane and I read him all the of your posts and he wanted me to tell you guys and gals thanks for the nice words - he really appreciated them. It made him feel a sense of pride for what you guys are saying. I told him that ya'll wished him luck and that ya'll would have him in you're thoughts and prayers and he wanted me to let you know that it meant a lot to him. It means a lot to me as well. Thanks again.
He will be in my familys thoughts and prayers. My nephew just returned from his second tour last month.
Damn shame he or any of our boys have to go over there. IMO that entire region isn't worth one of ours. Prayers with him for a safe return.
Best thoughts and prayers are blessed on him. Can I have his name so I can give a note to Father Padlow at Church this morning, so prayers can be said during Divine Liturgy today ?
God Bless your Nephew, and as many have stated, please lend a Thank You from me and my family. Nothing short of a hero IMO.
Many thanks to him and all the rest of our deployed troops. Hits home a little for me because its starting to look like my brother and one of my very close friends will be going into the Marines in the next 6-8 month..... Or sooner. May God bring him home safe and give him wisdom.
God bless him and get him back home safe. Like others have said in this thread already he is a true hero.
I sure will. I have a nephew in the 101 that has spent 3 tours, maybe even 4 in Iraq and currently in Afghantistan. he is due back home in early April and this time, he is not to be deployed to a war zone for at least 2 yrs. There's not much for him stateside except to be a DI, which is what i think he'll do.
My brother's in the Navy and went over for 6 months a couple years ago, I know how you feel. Drop him a line or send him a package now and then, staying in contact as best you can helps a lot. Best of luck to him and no worries man, he'll be back before you know it.