He's Leaving for Iraq March 25th

My boyfriend is at drill this weekend and I got a voicemail from him while I was working today. He said that things are moving much quicker than he expected and his unit will be leaving for Iraq on March 25th. But they have to actually leave a week before that to do all their preparations and stuff. So I only have about 3 weeks left with him before he'll be gone for a year.

I felt as if someone punched me in the stomach when I heard his message. It scares me so bad to think of him going into the middle of all the crap that is going on over there right now. Every single day, you hear on the news about more American soldiers getting killed in Iraq. God I hope that he'll come home safe.....and that the next three weeks won't be the last I ever have with him.

I think I could handle him being gone for a year much better if I knew for sure that he would be safe and that he would come home. But there are no guarantees. He may not come home. I can't even describe how scared I am at the thought of never seeing him again.

Here's a picture of us a little over a month ago.



I have one of his dogtags that he gave me last year on the day that we said "I love you" to each other. It was such a sweet gesture when he did it...and I've always kept it right on my dresser. I think that now I'm going to get a chain for it and wear it until he comes home. That way, he'll always be close to my heart.

Anyway...he's supposed to call me later and give me more details. I'm really anxious to talk to him right now.

Wow I am so sorry to hear this. Have as much fun and spend as much time you can with him until he leaves and I'm sure he'll be fine. I've had a bunch of friends over there and in Kuait and theyre all home safe.

Robin, which service is he in? And I am sorry you are receiving this news, but at the same time, I feel a sense of honor and admiration for you both. I guess that's the way everyone feels! I am nervous that they're getting close to recalling Eric's number (USMC) and sometimes I dread everytime the phone rings. I am looking at your beautiful photo and he should carry that one with him at all times, you are so very beautiful. Undoubtedly, you will bring him much peace, tons of pride, and happiness in the middle of all that dust and dispair, and your spirit will be with him. We are thinking nothing but the best,
Peace and Love, ~~
Elizabeth

Originally Posted by sashacat421

Robin, which service is he in? And I am sorry you are receiving this news, but at the same time, I feel a sense of honor and admiration for you both. I guess that's the way everyone feels! I am nervous that they're getting close to recalling Eric's number (USMC) and sometimes I dread everytime the phone rings. I am looking at your beautiful photo and he should carry that one with him at all times, you are so very beautiful. Undoubtedly, you will bring him much peace, tons of pride, and happiness in the middle of all that dust and dispair, and your spirit will be with him. We are thinking nothing but the best,

Peace and Love, ~~
Elizabeth

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Thanks Elizabeth. It's actually a horrible picture of me. We had been kissing which is why my hair is such a mess and my face looks red. I told him that I wanted a picture of us and held the camera up in front of us and snapped the picture right then.

This will be his second tour. The first time he went to Bosnia which wasn't as dangerous as Iraq is now. He's in the Army National Guard in the infantry.

I actually put together a small photo album about a month ago when he first got word that they might be going again. It has all the pictures of us and several of just me....and also some poems I've written over the past year for him. I'm going to give it to him to take with him. I thought I'd also write him some letters ahead of time and stick them in between the photos so he can find them while he's over there.

Robin,

I'm sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers are with your boyfriend and all of our other service members serving there.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your boyfriend. I'm sure he will cherish the picture album you've made for him and all the letters you can send. My brother always talked about how letters were like gold to him and his friends. My future sister-in-law is leaving Germany and heading to Iraq at around that same time. Her and her husband have been back and forth from those two places and Afghanistan several times and so far so good, but never really at the same time. I hope he makes it back quickly and safely.

Oh........... I feel SO badly for you and just want you to know you both will be in ALL my thoughts and prayers, as are the many, many others who are in the same shoes as you. I want to thank you and them, for the sacrifices made for the freedoms we have here today.

awww, your post brought tears to my eyes! May God watch over him while he is gone, and just know we are all here when you are feeling lonely.....I couldn't imagine it...((Hugs)))

Originally Posted by KittyKook

I have one of his dogtags that he gave me last year on the day that we said "I love you" to each other. It was such a sweet gesture when he did it...and I've always kept it right on my dresser. I think that now I'm going to get a chain for it and wear it until he comes home. That way, he'll always be close to my heart.

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I am sorry, I can only imagine how you are feeling. I met my dh after he'd already served in Iraq (the first war, Desert Storm), and (wore his dogtags until I got my engagement ring) have wondered how I'd handle it if he were somehow called back into service despite being long off reserves.

One of my brother-in-laws who returned from a one year tour last Summer, is going back, so we will be counting the days here as well, until he comes home, and coming up with creative care packages to send him again <S>.

I'm so sorry, Robin, I can't even imagine how difficult this must be for you.

Oh Robin! I am sorry to hear this as well, I'll be keeping both of you in my thoughts!

Thanks everyone. This war has touched all of us in some way and I just hope that it will be over soon. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that it could go on for years and many more lives will be lost.

Every week, CBS news does a tribute to the soldiers who were lost and it always brings tears to my eyes seeing the photos of the young men and women who were killed and hearing their stories. So many people are making huge sacrifices for this war....both here and in the Middle East.

We need to pray for them all.

Many of my friends who were here in Bosnia are now in Iraq, either in the military or in humanitarian organisations. Yes, it is dangerous, but we can be proud of what they are doing, whatever our original feelings about the war. We in the West made this mess (starting long ago when we sold Saddam weapons) and somehow we have to sort it out. I do hope he makes it out safely and you have a long and happy time together.

Oh Robin, how scary for you, but have faith that he will be home safe and sound. I will say a prayer for him and all our soldiers who are over there to come home safely and quickly.

aw robin you two look so nice together and you are beautiful!
Im praying that he will make it back quickly and wont have to stay too long there

You guys look great together! Dun worry so much. I'll keep you guys in my prayers and I'm sure he will come back safe and sound.

Robin - I'm so sorry to hear your news - that must have been an awful phone call to take. Have a wonderful time together between now and 25th March. I'm sure that bf will cherish the album you put together and that photo in your post absolutely must be in it - it's a wonderful photo, you do look beautiful and you both look so happy to be together.

Keeping you in our thoughts and sending lots of positive vibes for a quick and safe return.

im sorry to hear that 'Robin' my thoughts and prayers will be with you and your boy friend Im sure he will be fine and have a safe return home just hang in there we are all here for you at the cat site im so thankful for are troops who take care of us

Godbless you always

Awww, Robin--I'm sooo sorry to hear that he's leaving so soon. Hang in there, though. True love conquers all. Great pic, you two look great together!

Robin,

My husband is there now. So I can relate to what you're going through and feeling. I'll be thinking of you both and praying he comes home safe and sound.

Erin