Picture my dh sent me

[Crankin]

Scott is home and currently traveling in Australia, headed for Thailand. How did I get kids with such wanderlust????
The political comments don't upset me at all, even the ones I disagree with!
Not all military families think the same way.
Which is why I stay away from most military related groups...

[uforgot]

My son is going back in February for 6 months, home 6 months then one more tour for another 6 months. At least that is the plan. He's on the USS Eisenhower. The only pics I've gotten from him are ones in the ski resort in the desert in Dubai. Now THAT'S cool to a 24 year old!

[Triskeliongirl]

OK, but then why is it OK to post about the war in Iraq? That's about as political as it gets.

Please don't get me wrong. I feel for all of you, I want your loved ones to return home. It was not my idea to start a thread about the Iraq war, but
if someone is going to bring it up then all of us should be able to voice our opinions whatever they might be.

[gingerale]

Crankin, we have a friend that was home from Iraq for a month and then went on a month long trip across Europe, alone. He'd just meet people along the way and find a place to stay in whichever city he was going to when he got there. I admired him so much because I could never in a million years work up the courage to do that. He sent us tons of pics and had such a great time, though.

Claudia, good luck to your son and many prayers for a speedy and safe deployment.

Oh, and it doesn't bother me when people discuss their opinions on the war. But it wasn't why I posted this picture. Wanted to keep it light and I really was happy to see the photo. I also belong to a military wives board and we ALL have different opinions on everything! But we also have a debate forum to express ourselves.

[gingerale]

OK, but then why is it OK to post about the war in Iraq? That's about as political as it gets.

Please don't get me wrong. I feel for all of you, I want your loved ones to return home. It was not my idea to start a thread about the Iraq war, but
if someone is going to bring it up then all of us should be able to voice our opinions whatever they might be.

Understandable. I guess I see it as posting where our loved ones are but not our opinions on why they're there, if we agree, disagree, etc. My original post included a picture of some Biblical times ruins and a current day palace and how amazing that country is (rich, poor, etc.) and its religious significance. Nothing more. That's the difference to me.

[crazycanuck]

Trisk-I would have to agree with you & support your post. It's hard not to post what you feel sometimes when it comes to current affairs.

Thanks for speaking out.

[Crankin]

I totally agree, too. Since i won't discuss politics, let's just say that not all people serving are totally gung ho about the war. I just don't like the feeling of people judging my son as a "killer." He didn't join for political reasons, though he certainly has political opinions. It's especially hard around here, where being in the military is automatically seen as a bad thing. And it's hard for me, as one who was out marching on the Boston Common, in 1968, as a 14 year old. But, I am still really proud of my son. He did something against the norm and I think he has grown up a lot. He wasn't someone who needed to "grow up," but he has responsibility that most 23 year olds don't have; especially since he became a sergeant, he does a lot of "life counseling' for the younger guys.
Gingerale, my son is doing exactly what your friend did. He made a reservation to Sydney and no other plans. I could NEVER do that. He called this morning and told us that he booked a flight to Thailand, since he's so close and it was pretty reasonably priced. He told us that he wants to travel like this for a few months when he is done, before going back to school.
Hey, I am just happy that he is now saying "when I go back to school."

[gingerale]

That sounds like an amazing time he's having! Good for him! Ah, to be young again...lol!

[Smilie]

That picture was amazing! Can you imagine how big that palace is up close? That's a whole lot of money.

The ruins of Babylon are very cool. Thanks for sharing, and lots of good thoughts and hugs to all of the men serving our country.

[MM_QFC!]

.. Thanks for sharing, and lots of good thoughts and hugs to all of the men serving our country.

and a heartfelt thanks to all of the WOMEN who are serving too!

[Smilie]

Yes of course! How remiss of me! Good thoughts to EVERYONE serving our country!