Families Try to Cope as Marines Return to Iraq

[UpInArms]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-troops15feb15,1,4088817.story?coll=la-headlines-world

SAN DIEGO — For the second time in 13 months, Frances Whiteside is saying goodbye to her husband, Marine Gunnery Sgt. Allen Whiteside, who is off for an uncertain and dangerous future in Iraq.

<snip>

And now the ability of spouses and children to be flexible and to tough out a stressful and shifting situation will be sorely tested as 25,000 Marines from Camp Pendleton, Miramar Marine Corps Air Station, Twentynine Palms and Yuma, Ariz., go back to Iraq in the first large-scale return of U.S. military units.

<snip>

"To say there's not stress out there would be a lie," Lt. Col. Tom Collins said at a pre-deployment family night at Camp Pendleton last week for the 1st Force Service Support Group. "The question is, how well can we manage the fear?"

Many of the spouses are only a few years out of high school; many have babies; many will return to their parents during the deployment.

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[Mari333]

1. oh christ they are sending back everyone and sending in anyone

they dont care..just desperate for warm bodies..
when will this end. I am giving up hope that there is an end to this...this national nightmare is becoming too much I dont think I can take this much longer these families are being jacked around so much they will never get over it.
Im so tired of this. Im so tired. when will this end, when will this end. Im ready to give up. is there a light at the end of the tunnel? is there?

[GreyV]

10. Indeed

They are sending everybody. Screening process has disappeared. The new units are practically "Thugs R Us" outfits. They are letting criminals join.

[lovedems]

2. I don't know how they handle it. I think the spouses and children

and parents are going to be suffering from PTS syndrome if this keeps happening. To have your loved one come home alive from a dangerous part of the world and then go back. That would stress me out if I was saying good-bye to my husband or son for the second fucking time! I don't know how in the hell they handle it, if they even handle it at all.

What in the hell has happened to our country that throwing warm bodies at an unjust war is acceptable and if you disagree, you are not a patriot. What in the hell has the chimp done?

[latebloomer]

3. When did they decide to send Marines back in?

I thought Marines were only for "war" and that Iraq is now considered a police action??

[Mari333]

4. pffft its a civil war and getting worse

and all our kids are sitting ducks.

[latebloomer]

5. I know!

I was just wondering if our government is finally admitting that mission was NOT accomplished!

Love and protection to your family, Mari.

[jpgray]

6. Sending the MARINES back in!? Isn't this a peacekeeping op? (nt)

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

7. They just need bodies with rifles and boots.

The "National" Guard was never intended to be used in invasion and occupation of foreign lands either, hence its name...

[JoFerret]

8. Ripples from each

returning service person reach deep into families. Military base divorse lawyers are in for a bonanza of business. Just terrible.

[0007]

9. I believe we're preparing for some nasty action this coming summer