Time Adjustment

Hello everyone! I hope this week has been a great one for you!

During the time my brother was in Afghanistan, one of the hardest parts was trying to find the time to talk to him. The problem was that when he was able to talk, we were sleeping. The times that we would be able to talk, he would either be working or sleeping. I was in my senior year of high when he was away, and I found it extremely difficult to find the perfect time to talk to him, due to the time difference. The best way we could deal with this confusion was to set up a time, at least once a week, where we could talk. This meant either I would have to stay up really late, or he would have to wake up really early. Either way, we had to make sacrifices in order to communicate during his deployment. Of course, this was worth it. Talking to him assured me of his safety, and I would trade sleep for a conversation again in a heartbeat. Waking up for school the next morning was not always the best feeling, but that's what happens when you're in a military family!

Furthermore, the best idea for you is to check out a world clock to check the time over there. That way, you and soldier will be able to find the perfect time to talk and catch up!

I hope that things are going well. If you're soldier is away right now, remember that some things take time to figure out, but in the end, it is worth it, and it will work out!

Communicate!

Hi everyone! Today, I'm going to tell you about the number one thing you are probably wondering about - communication! The hardest part about your soldier being away is that you do not know where they are all the time or if they are safe. Well, the good news is that with basic writing supplies and technology, you will be able to get over this fear of unknowing.

Basic training was probably the hardest part of my brother being away. It was the first time he was truly away from home where I could not talk to him on an everyday basis. It was really hard, but we did manage to get through it. In my previous post, I talked about the care packages you can send as a form of communication. Cards, pictures, and letters are all really good ways to communicate. During special events, my friends and I would take pictures of everyone and get the pictures developed. Then, we would write on the back of the pictures what was going on that made us take the picture. He said he really enjoyed stuff like that.

Also, during basic, it was very rare that we would be able to talk to him on the phone. He would call once a week for about a half hour. However, every once in a while, they would revoke his call because of something that happened with his unit. These were the worst days. We would sit by the phone all day, just to find out in his next letter that they could not call. However, once you get through basic, communication does get easier.

During the time he was in Afghanistan, communication was much easier, surprisingly. He would not be able to talk on the phone, but we did talk on Facebook and Oovoo or Skype video chat a lot. Video chat, in my opinion, is the best invention ever for military families. I truly do not know how people survived deployments without it. I would suggest that you download it, if you do not already have it. Even though the connection is not always very good, it always feels good to see your soldier safe on the other side of the camera.

Well, that is all for now. Communication is a really important thing to remember to do when your soldier is away. Although it is really hard for you to watch them leave, it's harder for them to leave everyone. Make sure you keep them informed and updated on everything. That way, when they come home, everything will feel normal!

My brother and his girlfriend on an oovoo message together. They would like to fall asleep together on nights when he was away!

My brother, my mom, and I on a Skype video blowing kisses to each other!

How to Make Care Packages

Hi everyone! I hope you are having a great week so far!

This week, I will be sharing with you about how to make a great care package for your soldier. I asked my brother what his favorite things were that we sent him. Below, you will find the list of things that he sent me! I hope it helps!

1. Letters and Pictures! The number one thing he always looked forward to were letters and pictures! When he received a picture from an event, he said it made him feel like he was part of that event, even though he couldn't be there. He said they always made him smile and feel closer to home.

2. Snacks! Soldiers love getting snacks from home. These snacks are more than likely going to be shared with the other soldiers in the unit, so if it is possible, send a lot! Two of my brother's favorite snacks were beef jerky and nuts. He said they were always good snack food for missions.

3. Sunscreen! One thing that soldiers tend to forget they need is sunscreen. Sunscreen can be very useful, especially when soldiers are out on their missions. Temperatures can get very high overseas or in basic training, and your soldier could go days out in the field. It is important to keep their skin safe so they can stay as healthy as possible!

4. Hygiene Products! In basic training, one thing my brother always insisted on us sending him were baby wipes and mouthwash. When a soldier is in the field, they could go days without showering or brushing their teeth. The baby wipes and mouthwash would help him stay clean during these times.

5. Socks! It may sound like a small thing, but my brother loved getting new socks from us. He said they went through socks so quickly on missions that getting a new pack of socks would always make him happy.

6. Phone Cards and Writing Supplies! In basic training, my brother always asked for writing supplies, such as stamps, paper, and envelopes. This is really the only way we would be able to communicate with him, except the one hour a week phone calls. Phone cards are also very important so they can be sure to communicate with their loved ones at home as much as possible.

7. Anything Home-like! One thing my brother always looked forward to was something that would be either homemade or remind him of home. I am from South Jersey, and the beach has always been a big part of our lives. When my brother was away in Afghanistan, my friends and I sat on the beach and wrote him letters. When he wrote us back, he told us he could smell the beach on the letters, and it reminded him of home. From that moment, we wrote letters in very distinct places. In the fall, we wrote them by the bonfires. This would make him feel home, and he loved it.

8. Books and Games! I always thought that when soldiers were away, they were fighting 24 hours, 7 days a week. I realized, however, that I was wrong. They do have downtime that they need to find something to do. My brother always enjoyed when we would send him new books or a deck of cards. The unit would enjoy playing cards together, and my brother enjoyed reading in his alone time at night.

9. Medicine! Although they do have medics in the military that can prescribe medicine to your soldier, you should be sure to send them over-the-counter medicines, such as headache relievers, allergy medicine, and cold medicines that they could use in case they just need a quick remedy.

10. Anything Homemade! Along with anything that would remind him of home, I know my brother enjoyed when we sent him homemade snacks. His girlfriend would play a big part in doing this. She would find egg-less cookie recipes and send them to him all the time. You must be careful though because some cookies won't stay fresh. You should be sure to find recipes for cookies that can last a long time, without going bad. Also, try to stay away from chocolate. With the heat, chocolate will probably melt and make a mess.


I hope that was helpful! Remember, whatever you send your soldier will be searched by the Sargent.

 
The video listed below has some great tips for sending your soldier the perfect care package! 

When It All Began

I remember when war was just a game that my brother and I played in my backyard. I would play the role of the precious territory he had to defend. He would usually hold a toy gun and shoot the imaginary people coming in to attack from all directions. The game was fun, and the rules would be made up as the game progressed. However, about a year and a half ago, my brother changed the meaning of the word. The game we played as kids was about to become his reality. He sat across the table with the papers in his hands that said he was going to join the Army. I knew my brother was not meant for college, but as he spoke these words, I could not help but to think that he would have made an amazing pediatric dentist. Anything was better than him leaving us.
In May 2011, we sat and watched my brother swear into the Army. It was at that moment, I realized how proud I was of him for taking a stand and doing what he believed in. I did not want him to go, but I knew it was his calling. Although I knew I was going to miss him and be scared for him, I was proud to see the boy I looked up to my whole life become the man he wanted to be. If you are reading this as someone who has someone important to you enlisting in the military, remember that this is something they are feeling called to do. Everyone was meant to do something in this world, and even though it seems really tough at the time, things do get easier.