Once again REX from Alberta has sent me a alink to a great perspective of Deployment thank you Rex A proud Canadian and former Green Monster.
This is one of a series of letters from the front lines in Afghanistan written by:
Major Shawn Fortin Bty Commander C Bty 1 RCHA
Home thoughts from Afghanistan: Family support for the deployed
by Maj Shawn Fortin
AFGHANISTAN They say time flies when youre having fun, which is certainly true in most circumstances. For deployed military personnel on operations overseas, Im not as sure about the fun part as I am about the time flies part.
One way a soldiers time flies is by getting support from family, friends and organizations that recognize the difficulties soldiers experience when separated from their families.
Im on my fourth six-month tour. You could say that each tour gets a little easier on my wife and family, but each tours new circumstances add new stress.
Normally, theres enough work to fill the day here and then some. Work days of 14 hours or more are not unheard of. On those days, thoughts about home dont surface, for the most part. On slower daysnot that 10-hour days are any less tiringyou find yourself thinking of the next phone call, the next card or letter, the next Skype, IM, video call or chat. You think of your spouse and your children and the special days that youve missed. It can get a little depressing at times, but you can rely on your fellow soldiers because theyre all going through the same thing.
HLTA Home Leave Travel Assistance is a great benefit to all. Many soldiers go home to their loved ones and friends, while others take special trips to tropical destinations, scenic hideaways and fun parks.
Sometimes these vacations double as the honeymoon they never had or the belated annual Christmas trip. For my wife and me, a much anticipated HLTA will soon roll around. Im not sure which one of us is looking forward to the trip more. See you soon, Michelle.
MFRC Aside from family and friends, many organizations look after deployed soldiers and their families. Both the Military Family Resource Centre and the Deployment Support Group Detachment at CFB/ASU Shilo do an excellent job providing support services to our families back home. This high calibre of support is offered by MFRCs and DSGs across the country.
Here in Charlottetown this is operated by Charlene McInnis for all families and loved ones of our troops deployed.
Community Small businesses and individuals often take an interest in making our lives a little easier while deployed by sending packages full of goodies and practical items. Equally appreciated are the entertainers who come overseas to provide laughter, music and song in a sometimes dreary atmosphere. And, of course, our home units take an interest in our well-being through the Rear Parties and Home Front co-ordinators.
Home fires Keep thinking about us over here, because we will for sure keep thinking about you at home. Every tour comes to an end, but not soon enough. Now that the half-way point of our deployment has passed, its all downhill from here, as they say. Not too late, though, to keep sending those special packages from home, so keep it up.
Keep the home fires burning, because we will be back before you know it. No doubt a well-deserved rest will be waiting until the next challenges appear. Whatever those challenges may be, we count on you at home to help us though it. We love you and we miss you. Take care to all.
My Thanks to Major Fortin for such an insightful letter. May he and his brothers in arms return safely to the arms of their loved ones.
My Father was a serving Gunner in WW2 Royal Artillery and Charlene McInnis's and Sandi Fosters father's were members of the RCHA for many years forever remembered !
Remember Everyone Deployed, don't forget tonights Support your Troops Bingo in Charlottetown. HMCS Queen Charlotte building.
This is rather a lengthy link perhaps copy and paste I feel it is well worth watching.
http://www.wtoc.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=4285612h1=Editorial+-+11/09/09vt1=vat1=Newsd1
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
