Tag Archives: deployment

A deployed grandmother asked me “When will I stop crying?”

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I attended the 640th Aviation Battalion Predeployment  Yellow Ribbon event on Saturday.There were over 1,000 soldiers and their families totaling 1600 attendees.  I had the opportunity to speak to 1600 attendees and had a table display table to pass out my information. I passed out the must needed items when you have your grandchildren coming to live with you called – Guardian Pre Deployment List.

These family members had grandparents that were working, retired and  even divorced, but joined together to support their son or daughter deploying to Iraq for a year. One grandmother shared with me she couldn’t stop crying. She asked me when will that stop? I told her that I cried when my daughter  left and periodically through out her deployment. I think it’s a grieving process. Knowing you will miss your child,  feeling the pain for your child not being their child, and the separation for your grandchild and their parent.

I have talked to other deployed grandmas and they all said they cried and at times when they did not expect it. I think it’s good to get it out of your system. When you can’t express your emotions it eats you up inside.

And if the grandkids see you cry, tell them you are missing their mom too! Or if they are very young children, just tell them you are sad. I believe if your honest and communicate you will then become strong.  The first month is the most emotional because you are trying to sort out your feelings and  adjusting to your new role. After the second month I started to really gain my own inner strength.

I would  visualize having a happy home life with my grandkids. And over time I cried less often.

Picture your self having fun with your grandkids, an it will be become a reality.

 

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Look for the upcoming National Guard Foundations magazine article-Taking the Reins when grandparents become legal guardians

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I have had the pleaser to be interviewed by Rachel Stone writer for the National Guard Foundation magazine a few months ago. She was not only interested in my side of the story, she interviewed my family. The magazine is sent to 400,000 National Guard soldiers. I shared my story of being a working empty nester and caring for my granddaughters while my daughter deployed.  For those of you receiving the magazine I understand it is in this month’s issue in Above & Beyond section page 41.

Once I  receive  the article  I will post it  for you to read.

President Obama Proclamation Military Family Month

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President Proclaims November as Military Family Month

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2010 –
President Barack Obama has signed a proclamation designating this month as Military Family Month.

Here is the text of the president’s proclamation:

We owe each day of security and freedom that we enjoy to the members of our Armed Forces and their families. Behind our brave service men and women, there are family members and loved ones who share in their sacrifice and provide unending support.

During Military Family Month, we celebrate the exceptional contributions of our military families, and we reaffirm our commitments to these selfless individuals who exemplify the highest principles of our Nation.

Across America, military families inspire us all with their courage, strength, and deep devotion to our country. They endure the challenges of multiple deployments and moves; spend holidays and life milestones apart; juggle everyday tasks while a spouse, parent, son, or daughter is in harm’s way; and honor the service of their loved ones and the memory of those lost.

Just as we hold a sacred trust to the extraordinary Americans willing to lay down their lives to protect us all, we also have a national commitment to support and engage our military families. They are proud to serve our country; yet, they face unique challenges because of that service.

My Administration has taken important steps to help them shoulder their sacrifice, and we are working to ensure they have the resources to care for themselves and the tools to reach their dreams. We are working to improve family resilience, enhance the educational experience of military children, and ensure military spouses have employment and advancement opportunities, despite the relocations and deployment cycles of military life. Our historic investment to build a 21st-century Department of Veterans Affairs is helping to provide our veterans with the benefits and care they have earned.

We are also standing with our service members and their families as they transition back into civilian life, providing counseling as well as job training and placement. And, through the Post-9/11 GI Bill, our veterans and their families can pursue the dream of higher education.

However, Government can only do so much. While only a fraction of Americans are in military families, all of us share in the responsibility of caring for our military families and veterans, and all sectors of our society are better off when we reach out and work together to support these patriots.

By offering job opportunities and workplace flexibility, businesses and companies can benefit from the unparalleled dedication and skills of a service member or military spouse.
Through coordination with local community groups, individuals and organizations can ensure our military families have the help they need and deserve when a loved one is deployed. Even the smallest actions by neighbors and friends send a large message of profound gratitude to the families who risk everything to see us safe and free.

As America asks ever more of military families, they have a right to expect more of us — it is our national challenge and moral obligation to uphold that promise. If we hold ourselves to the same high standard of excellence our military families live by every day, we will realize the vision of an America that supports and engages these heroes now and for decades to come.

Now, therefore, I, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2010 as Military Family Month. I call on all Americans to honor military families through private actions and public service for the tremendous contributions they make in support of our service members and our Nation.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

Barack Obama