Thank you for what you've pointed out. I try not to mention the economy or similar bad news when I write letters. In some respects there's just no way around it--I've thrown out letters and started over because I got downright emo over job-hunting. But I do think I need to be realistic, too, or that shock you're talking about will be worse when they start looking for jobs again. It's a tricky little balance.

Also, good point about the harsh reactions. I knew about the emotional aging, but I think that since I'm empathic and sensitive to an embarrassing degree and hang out with mostly the same, I more readily forget that people can be darned stupid.

I was three classes away from graduating as a psych major and going off to learn to be a counselor--I actually considered working with returning soldiers--so I've been taught to be aware of what can go wrong when you put someone under huge amounts of stress for months and then throw some combat in. More personally, I had a great-uncle who went mad at the Battle of the Bulge (he got pulled off the lines for psychological reasons, but then they instead put him on watching prisoners with orders to shoot anyone escaping. Not so good for a guy on the edge.) It's all sort of primed me not to forget the invisible-damage factor. 

Shark, sent you a PM

Hey Rivermom,

I pulled up the original "Roll Call" thread for you.  It was on page 3 of General ChitChat.  Now you can re-post on original thread, and perhaps Marty will move the other one.

Mimi

I am a Cali Girl! I have lived here all my life which is not much. I used to live in Fairfield, CA but not any more due to my mom not liking the wind. I lived there since I was a baby so about 9 years I lived there. I now live in Vacaville, CA and have for about 8 years.

Opps! I meant to post under California. Oh well.

Any Pacific northwesterners on here? :)

I'm in Federal Way, just a bit south of Seattle (and north of Tacoma). Born and raised in Maryland though, and came west via New York, San Francisco, Bozeman Montana, then here. I moved about every 4 years, but I think since I've now got a house I'm staying put! Been in WA since about...97 I think? I'm a graphic designer...work at World Vision. And a junkie for supporting our guys and gals in harms way!

I have contacts all over the place; I support a lot of units with cards. My other shippers have supported beyond what I've sent to myself, but I follow all our contacts' profiles regularly, so it's kinda like they're "mine" even though they haven't gotten anything from me directly. :) And for that matter there are lots that even my other shippers haven't mailed to that I also watch for, and pray for...I guess that really makes me obsessive doesn't it. lol. We just had a big surge going out to the 24th MEU when we heard they were extended, and I have some boxes in transit now to the 2/7. I'd love info on the 2/7 if there's anyone with a contact in that group other than Campos who is my guy.

I'm so glad for this site, and all that everyone at AS does to keep it up! Marty, you're awesome, dude!

<<waving to Martina and Scott too! How ya doin?>>
 

 OK, I'll bite, finally.  Sandy -  I consider myself a part of the Pacific Northwest here in Nevada City, California.  Born and raised in California, I grew up in Novato, which is in Marin County.  We left there in '83 to raise our girls in a more natural setting.

I found Anysoldier.com last year in January, my first contact was a Marine Capt. with 185 to watch over for a year in Iraq, so I supported him and his group for the whole year.   His group was from North Carolina, and I'm still hoping to meet him sometime this year, if he comes out to the West Coast.  

I have had some other contacts that I had a good writing relationship with along with the care packages.  One was out of Sacramento, CA, one was from Texas, another was from Italy (Emerson) , one was from Oklahoma, (the "was's" have gone home), one from Utah but living in Missouri, one from San Diego that is on the carrier my son in law would be on right now , if he hadn't completed a 7 month Individual Assignment that  just ended, and a lot of others who I have heard  from once or not at all.

Well I am bypassing all the "Term" posts:)

I live in Raleigh, NC- I have been in NC for 12 years.. originally from VA

I won't write a lot:) as not much to say.. married and have two great girls: 9 and 5. II love supporting our military .. even have a personalized license plate :)  I didn't see in NC peeps so I figured hey might as well post!

Just bumping this up for the Newbies...Tell us your location!  We all like to find our neighbors...  It is, after all, a small world.

Debbie

Hi, I was born and raised in the Lower Mainland of Vancouver BC.  I moved here when I got married almost 24 years ago. I have two sisters still living in Canada, one in Surrey and the other in Maple Ridge. My mom lives in Twassen (sp); and many, many relatives all over B.C and Alberta.

I have two boys, Chris Age 21 serving right now with the 1-26th in Afghanistan (GO VIPERS), and Andrew Age 19 attending a local college.

When I married my husband he was full time AirForce, we moved around a bit living in Hawaii and California. I also decided to join the military and did a quick 2 1/2 years in the Washington Air National Guard. When the boys came, I got out and attended nursing school. My husband served full time AF for 10 years and AF National Guard for another 10 years then retired; we now own our own Land Surveying business, and I also work as a consultant teaching Electronic Medical Record to doctors and nurses.

Angela

Have I done this correctly? probably not ho hum...anyhoo, here goes... My name is Andrew from Staffordshire England. I joined the army staight from school in the mid 1970's, and left mid 1990's. During Gulf 1 we came under the command of the US 7th Corps, I'm told this was the first time since WW2 that Brit troops came under the command of a US General. After the army civilian life was very routine and the transition from soldier to civilian was a bumpy ride which sadly cost me my first marriage. The only friends I have are also ex army, we meet up once a year (next weekend as it happens) Most of my work colleauges don't know I'm ex military and I'm comfortable with that. My brother (who is also ex military) thinks I'm compromising my security comming on this forum. I have to say, I was a little surprised at the amount of info some people volunteer but hey I'm not being critical, it's your site and I think it's pretty good. These days I have simple pleasures, I like walking in the woods with my dog, and I enjoy a single malt or a Jack Daniels.

I'm originally from Syracuse, New York.  I've lived in Virginia, Maryland, Michigan (Grand Rapids when ex wife was in medical residency) and now West Virginia.  I was married for 8 years and have been divorced for 5 years.  I'm a descendant of Mary Queen of Scots.  I do want a DNA test to prove it though, LOL.  I have British, Irish, French, and Scottish ancestors.  I was a adopted when I was 2 months old.  My biological grandfather was a P47 bomber pilot during WWII.

This is where the Roll Call is    Too cool to read where everyone is from, all over.  I am from Florida "Go Noles"  I do love reading the post on all these forums...yall are great, thanks for the support

 Thank You Sir, for your efforts!

Amy, thanks for the support.  I see you on the forums tonight all over too. 

I was a cook for two years before I went into the medical profession. I'm a receptionist for two doctors who specialize in Allergies and Asthma. I can honestly say I love my job and co-workers.  We all work together as one, at the end of the day no one walks out stressed or over worked. Our office is well known for its cheerfulness and laughter. I enjoy reading, walking, boating, camping, swimming, flower gardening, chatting on the computer, and shopping for the soldiers. I've never tried drugs and only touched alcohol one time at the age of 16 years old, I get high on life