Expression

2014-02-14T11:33:14-05:00

How do you tell you love ones that you love them when you can not be there on special events?

Response by CSM Michael Poll made Feb 14 at 2014 11:49 AM

2014-02-14T11:49:41-05:00

This is the most difficult thing for a deployed service member. It is hard being away and missing your loved ones, especially anniversaries, birthdays etc. A simple phone call or Skype if you have the capability. I have also use flowers.com to send my wife flowers. Little things to let them know that even thouh you are away that they are on your mind. Good Luck PO1!! Stay safe!

Response by LCDR Doug Nordman made Feb 14 at 2014 7:50 PM

2014-02-14T19:50:00-05:00

For the kids, I'd recommend recording a United Through Reading DVD (at the USO or a UTR site) and including just that sort of message along with the book.

If you're exceptionally organized you can arrange for flowers, cards, pre-paid gift certificates, and so forth to be delivered on certain dates while you're deployed.

Finally, just send regular e-mails or texts. Let them know if you're going to miss a day or a week, but a routine affirms that you're staying in touch and makes it easier to express your love...

Response by SN Blake Daugherty made Feb 15 at 2014 9:32 PM

2014-02-15T21:32:12-05:00

You send you their love in spirit and in truth. Oh and a card helps.

Response by SSgt George Brown made Feb 15 at 2014 9:40 PM

2014-02-15T21:40:15-05:00

It is a very hard thing to be so far away, skype is such a great app to have. They know you love them, rest in that fact. You are also taking care of them in one of the most self-sacrificing ways there is.
Know that you are important to them, call them, email them and write them and let them know they are on your mind.

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made Feb 15 at 2014 10:04 PM

2014-02-15T22:04:37-05:00

When my husband has missed events (dual mil) sometimes just acknowledging the event in an email first thing in the morning can really set the tone for the day.

FaceTime calls (when possible) and stuff in the mail helps too, but not as much as just knowing he remembered the event.

Response by PO2 Raymond Giamporcaro made Feb 16 at 2014 9:14 AM

2014-02-16T09:14:14-05:00

Our jobs when deployed don't stop our lives. Rather they continue on while we are gone while out of our control. You must know you are deployed to help everyone, including your family. I found this to be the most difficult part of my navy years.

I do not have a solution, your family must have the fortitude to understand your commitment to them. You can tell them you love and miss them, but in the end it is up to them.

Thank you for your service.