My stepson left for Iraq today.

[alteredstate]

He'll go to Kuwait first but should be in Baghdad in a few days. He was supposed to come home for Christmas, but his leave was canceled. He said he is being sent to a Sunni stronghold because of the threat of violence after Saddam Hussein's execution.

I am worried sick about him.

[mzteris]

1. I'm sorry....

:hug:

Hope he comes home safely. SOON.

[oldtime dfl_er]

2. Hugs to you

and prayers that he'll come home safely.

[NMDemDist2]

3. I'll hold him in my heart that he and all his buddies come home soon

and safe

:hug:

[NC_Nurse]

4. I bet you are, I would be too.

I'll keep him in my thoughts.

I wish they could all come home right away! :(

[babylonsister]

5. I'm so sorry, alteredstate. We're here for you and him, whatever we

can do. And lots of prayers are headed to your stepson, you, and your family.
:hug:

[illinoisprogressive]

6. I am sooooooo sorry

I hope he comes home safe and very, very soon.

[JohnnyLib2]

7. prayers and best wishes for him

and all the rest.

[peace13]

8. My thoughts are with you.

I send good thoughts your way that he remains safe. Peace and love, Kim

[brer cat]

9. I'm so sorry, alteredstate!

I will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. So little we can do but pray for the best, and that he comes home safely.

:hug:

[partylessinOhio]

10. God bless you both, may He keep your stepson safe and may He ease

your mind so you won't worry yourself sick. I'm so sorry.

[alteredstate]

11. Thanks for the kind words.

I sure hope the military is better organized in Iraq than they are at home. When Michael called to tell us he'd been deployed and his leave had been canceled at the last minute, he said there was a chance he'd have a day or two off before leaving for Iraq. We hoped to see him before he left, but he didn't call and we couldn't get in touch with him by phone. On Christmas Day, the Army started calling our house --- they were looking for Michael. Of course we panicked. We didn't think he'd go AWOL, so we feared he'd gotten some time off and tried to come home but didn't make it for some reason. We didn't hear from him until a couple of days ago --- he'd been sent on some sort of training mission, and didn't have any way to contact us. And due to an administrative error, the Army thought he was on an eighteen day leave. They were trying to get him to return to the base, but he was there the whole time.

[partylessinOhio]

17. You need and deserve special prayers.

I'm so sorry that the Army administrative error added to your concern.

***DU members, please keep "alteredstate" and her stepson in your thoughts and prayers to keep them safe and give them peace of mind.***

[Blue_In_AK]

12. My prayers are with you and your son, AlteredState. n/t

[stillcool]

13. I have written several...

responses and none seem appropriate. Good thoughts and prayers for his safe return, are yours.

[ChiciB1]

14. OMG! I'm So so Sorry! Here I Am Shaking With Anger By What

I just heard from Keith and you actually are living the NIGHTMARE!

We must stop this INSANITY! Am I the only one who thinks it's time to really fire up and storm the castle???

I can't stand much more of these IMBECILES! They have RUINED America and we do NOTHING to stop them!!

All I can say is Good Luck to you and yours, for my money I'm ready to Storm The Bastille!! I can't even put down in words what I'm thinking because for sure there will be a knock on my door. Mind you, they are only thoughts, but they are seriously bad ones!

[Maat]

15. I prayed he comes home safely.

Positive energy headed your way. Both you and your son are in my family's thoughts and prayers.

This is great motivation for me to be in the next march to end the war!

[Just-plain-Kathy]

16. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Please keep us posted.

[venable]

18. It's hard to know what to say

other than be brave, never stop telling him that you love him, and hope that your stepson and his mates will all be home soon. I'll be thinking of you, alteredstates, and your stepson and your whole family.

[NastyRiffraff]

19. I too will keep him in my prayers

If there is such a thing as Karma, G.W. Bush will suffer the tortures of the damned for what he's done.

[Jack Rabbit]

20. Let's hope he stays safe and comes home soon

[Eurobabe]

21. Sending strong vibes for his safe return

and a :hug: for you during his absence.

[watercolors]

22. Thoughts and prayers with you

Our grandsnon did two tours in Iraq, and is now in Afganistan. It is indeed so very difficult for all family members to deal with. We feel like we have had three years of a constant anxiety dealing with it., We stay in touch as much as possible, send many packages and pray he will come home safe and sound. Best of luck to your family, stay strong and optimistic for him!

[bdamomma]

23. we are here for support and listening ears for you alteredstate

our thoughts are with you.

[alteredstate]

24. I still don't know why in the hell he's being put in harm's way.

Your thoughts and prayers mean so much. Thank you.