Individual Augmentees/Global Support Assignments

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Comment by Karen Tewart on October 19, 2009 at 6:49pm

Hi Ruth, Gun's Mom,
Just got my daily newsy Military.com newsletter. Always something interesting. Maybe this story has some help for your sailor before during or after any surgery he might choose?
http://www.military.com/news/article/army-news/thank-you-not-enough-for-veterans.html?ESRC=dod.nl
Fair winds ,
Karen

Comment by Karen Tewart on October 19, 2009 at 6:42pm

Hi Ruth, Gun's Mom!
Yes, my sailor was in Air Force JRROTC too! I think it helped when he joined the NAVY that eh has some experience with the Flight Sims "manuvering" things. At first they wanted him for Fire Control. He wanted to shoot the torpedoes, smile. But he couldn't make up his mind. Then, one day, they sent him over to see the COB ob the sub USS Seawolf. Well that 'ol salt took him around and spent the day with him. Ate lunch with him, the grand tour. By the end of the day he was convinced he wanted to be in Quartermasters. He loves it. He has 6 yrs in .
You know, new knees are great! My Mother's family has wheelchair-type crippling arthritis in old age. My Mom got two new knees at 75 yrs. old. She is 92 now and spry and going strong. We attribute it to good living and knee replacements. Mom had them done 3 mos. apart. Back then, it took 3 months to get back to normal for each one but she was already 75 and that was almost 2 decades ago. Am sure much has improved now.
Smooth sailing and fair seas,
Karen

Comment by Ruth, Gun's Mom on October 19, 2009 at 1:47pm

I've emailed the Wounded Warrior Project to see what they recommend. When the son was home this weekend, I heard him complain about his knees more than I ever have. It's hard to take. The purple heart won't make his knee pain go away, but it will cover his care when he becomes a civilian. While they are bad, they aren't bad enough to make him leave the Navy. At the Navy Ball this weekend, he was asked if he was going to make it a career. His answer--ask me in 14 years and I'll tell you. He's been in almost 6 already.

My son goes through the same thing at home--lots of handshakes. I like your explanation of a sailor's job. I'm going to tell my son that, too.

What's your son's rate? Just wondering what he's doing.

Mine was in jrROTC, too, with the Air Force. We were stunned when he joined the Navy, but it's been a wonderful choice for him.

Comment by Karen Tewart on October 19, 2009 at 1:22pm

Well my son just went back to Poppyland from a 2 week leave. That guy! Surprised me with his arrival. When my sailor called me (supposedly) from Poppyland , I thought I was going to pick up one of his buddies on leave from Poppyland who didn't have a ride home from the local airport, hee, hee. I was stunned speechless, a hard thing to do! We had a wonderful two weeks. Went to the local Fall Festival together. He's turned that corner in his life now at age 24 where he would rather spend time with family than date and do the singles thing when he is home on leave. We spent a lot of time just hanging out. he was so endearing...the first thing he wanted to do when he got home was cook in a US kitchen! Spent 3 days cooking before the thrill wore off. I was really glad i had packed in all sorts and variety of stuff to create meals with.
Loved his US Pizza. The last day here, he wanted pizza for his lunch before leaving! Without knowing why the early order, our small town pizzeria opened an hour early for our order. It was great. Made for a special meal. Then off to the airport and the long trip back. Haven't heard form him yet. Probably still in transit.
The Fall colors are exquisite this year! No prolonged blustery winds we usually have so all the leaves have stayed on the trees to let the colors intermingle. Just stunning. It's snowing a bit east of us, and up on the ridges, but down where we are just the occasional frost. A great Fall!
Oh, I got to share. At the Fall Festival.. I made a point to intro him to vendors and people we met as sailor-home-on-leave-from- Poppyland. Everyone was SO glad to meet him. He was disconcerted and embarrassed. I explained to hm that this was the *other* half of his job. Being there for people to thank. Our part of the country is so supportive of the war but we don't get as many of the guys home on leave in public to thank as bigger cities. Folks were shaking his hand and thanking him. One vendor gave him his purchase for free as a "thank you". I explained to him that the public was also looking for some way to express they gratitude and faith in our military. He was moved.
When he found out the local HS JRROTC unit was going to Hawaii this year, he went down and made presentation to them about what to see and who to talk to to get in the good places. When he graduated this HS, he was Commander of their JRROTC Color Guard .
Smooth Sailing,
Karen

Comment by Ruth, Gun's Mom on October 19, 2009 at 1:05pm

Great idea! I'm on it right now!

Comment by Karen Tewart on October 19, 2009 at 12:57pm

Janne,
Yes, just keep it up. Head for your State Representative. Contact the local news station. How about a local news story on a neglected Wounded Warriorr! Hey, even better, contact the Wounded Warrior project! They are white hot right now when it comes to being favorably precieved by the public! Also there is an organization created especially for the guys and gals returning home. Saw a TV ad on it the other day. Their goal is to smooth the way for their return and transition to civilian life. They could help. But i think your best bet is the Wounded Warrior project.
Smooth sailing and fair running seas,
Karen

Comment by Ruth, Gun's Mom on October 19, 2009 at 9:57am

How's everyone doing? I hope all our sailors are staying safe where ever they are!

Comment by Ruth, Gun's Mom on October 6, 2009 at 3:01pm

Well, Janne, you tell your son to keep asking for whatever it is, too. Thanks for commenting.

Comment by Janne Mac on October 6, 2009 at 2:48pm

I think you are on the right track. His IA detailer might be able to help. My son was also promised something and when he got back, they seemed to forget, but it was the Navy that forgot.

I wish you luck. Keep us posted.

Comment by Ruth, Gun's Mom on October 6, 2009 at 1:18pm

I am furious and have to vent. My son was an IA back in 2008 when he was injured by an IED. Not life threatening, thankfully, but the Navy doctors have determined that he will always be in pain probably until he gets knee replacements someday. He needs the purple heart to insure his care. Too long a story, but we've been to the congressman here with no luck so far. A Navy doc told him he'd shepherd the paperwork through, but he needed a form from the Army out of the location he was at. He called afg- this morning. When the soldier found out he was Navy he refused to help him. I am so disgusted I can hardly type, A recruiter here told me to make this my full time job, so I am. I just contacted the Legion national commander and our congressman's opponent. Any more suggestions?

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