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Prayers for a Soldier.....

Posted : 8/21/2006 9:44:18 AM

Unfortunately, more prayers are needed. In a few days my stepbrother Jay is headed back over to the Middle East. He is a Special Forces officer in the Army. I believe he is going to Afganistan, but he's not allowed to say exactly where.

Jay came home to see the whole family last week, and asked that we have a BBQ so that we could all get together. Come to find out, a big reason he wasnted the BBQ was that he knows that the place that he is headed is a "hot zone"--in other words very dangorous.

The rest of my stepbrother's team is already over there, but they kept him back because he was recovering from a medical issue. His team leader has already been badly injured during a raid--lost an eye and an arm. My parents got news that other Special Forces officers have been killed in raids in Afganistan recently, yet we don't know if it's the same unit as my step-brother is in.

So that is what he will be headed into. We are very frightened for him. My stepdad is so upset he can't even talk about it. I know that this is his job, and he has chosen this life, but it doesn't make it any less worrisome.

Please, please pray for Jay, and all of the soldiers over there.......

sharismom

Posted : 8/21/2006 12:43:00 PM

I know that this is his job, and he has chosen this life, but it doesn't make it any less worrisome.

You're right, it doesn't.

You & family are in my thoughts.

{{hugs}}for strength and comfort.

marty_ga

Posted : 8/21/2006 2:13:44 PM

Very special prayers coming for Jay, the family, and for all the courageous men and women and their families, who serve our country so faithfully. My DH served in Viet Nam, so I know the feelings well that you are experiencing. Jay, know that we pray for your safety daily.

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 8/21/2006 8:07:50 PM

Very special thoughts and prayers coming your way for Jay's safe return

Joyce

pofi_pasquale

Posted : 8/21/2006 9:10:23 PM

Absolutely -may all go well for him and those around him.

Paula Diffenbaugh

Posted : 8/21/2006 10:48:16 PM

I have a brother in Kuwait so our family can definately sympathise with what you are feeling. I will pray for a hedge of protection around your step-brother and peace from the Holy Spirit for the family. We are able to correspond through e-mail and my brother was able to call my mom on mothers day. I try to only send e-mails that he doesn't have to respnd anything to so that he can use his time to write his wife and kids. He has a time limit. Hopefully you will be able to e-mail as well. Prayers will be said for you all as soon as I hit OK.

willowchow

Posted : 8/22/2006 12:03:20 AM

I'd like to thank Jay and all the others who make these sacrifices for all of us who cannot even imagine what they go thru and see when they are there. The song says, "home of the brave", I think that's so true. God, speed.

sillysally

Posted : 8/24/2006 2:08:43 PM

Thank you guys so much...You have no idea how much support like this means. He is supposed to retire in a few years--he is 35. To top it all off his wife is dealing with thyriod cancer as well......

willowchow

Posted : 8/25/2006 11:02:23 AM

Christina-I will include his wife my my thoughts and prayers.

spiritdogs

Posted : 8/25/2006 4:28:30 PM

We will be at a powwow tomorrow, and will dance the veterans song to pray for and honor your warrior :-)

)

theresamat

Posted : 8/25/2006 4:38:31 PM

Christina, I will pray for Jay and all the soldiers. My son just returned safely from Iraq. Waiting for his return was the longest year of my life. So I understand your worry. You have my prayers every day.

sillysally

Posted : 8/29/2006 11:12:31 AM

Bless and thank you all so very much! And a special thank you to those whose loved ones are or have served overseas. You have no idea how wonderful it is to have prayers and support. I will pass them along to my parents--as gently as I can to my stepdad, as he is having a hard time with this. Everytime they mention Afganistan he goes white.

I'd like to share a story about how meaningful support is for those whose loved ones are in the service. I work part time at a public trail riding barn. We are about an hour and a half outside of Chicago, so we get a lot of customers from the city. On one trail I took out, there was a Chicago law student, her boyfriend, and her parents, who were visiting from Israel. They were the talkative type, and it came up that my stepbrother was in the Middle East serving. They said that he should be careful as it was dangorous, etc. Then, at the end of the ride, after they had dismounted and were leaving, the father pulled me aside and said, "Thank your stepbrother for us--tell him we appreciate what he is doing." He was very serious and sincere. It really left an impact on me. I told my stepdad, so that he could pass it along, and when I told him, he was visibley moved, and went on about how much it meant to hear someone say that.

So again, thank you all--it means a lot!!!

gradyupmybutt

Posted : 8/29/2006 3:36:01 PM

My prayers go out to all our service people & their families.

My brother in law served as a Marine in the first Gulf War. After 15 years out he's decided to re-up but with the Army this time. sigh

tacran

Posted : 8/29/2006 11:50:43 PM

I'm late getting to this thread, but wanted to send my best to your step-brother and his wife (and everyone in your family who's worried about them and affected by his absence). We have an old friend who's a Navy Seal and has been back and forth to Afghanistan more than once. The sacrifices of all those who serve, whether they're friends, family or strangers, are always in the back of my mind when I see the news from the comfort and safety of my home. There's simply no way to put a value on their service. Best wishes and many thanks seem like a meager offer of gratitude, but I'm sending them anyway!