Knee Deep in the Hooah!

Two Marines say Target store booted them for recruiting

By JACK DORSEY, The Virginian-Pilot
© April 7, 2007 | Last updated 10:00 PM Apr. 6

LINK to article

EXCERPT:

CHESAPEAKE - Two Marines in their dress uniforms - the ones with white hats, khaki shirts and blue trousers with red stripe - say they were accused of recruiting at a Target department store here and told to leave.

“We weren’t recruiting,” according to Cpl. Carlos Rodriguez, 22, who said he returned in October from his second combat tour in Iraq. “I just popped in to say hi to a guy I went to high school with. He works there.”

But an assistant manager who saw Rodriguez and the other Marine apparently thought otherwise and showed them the door, according to both servicemen.

Oh Che. I wonder if this is something happening in all Targets, or if this one particular manager thinks that Marines in uniform don’t need any items from a store, or any reason to be in a public place at all?

Tags: military by Claire
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Ok, just a TAD on the stressed side today. Let’s see I have 2 clients I am wrapping things up with, and a major grant that is due to be overnighted to Nashville by Friday. I have had to wait an entire week to meet with a major collaborator, so I haven’t even started it yet! I have about 20+ bags and boxes to get out for our churches college aged kids, and 2 doctors appointments for myself this week. I haven’t done any grocery shopping for a long time.

My house is on the market and we have 2 showings this afternoon (of course it’s this afternoon! haha!).
I have past obligations that are bogging me down. The fact of the matter is things just have to change. I have never been one who willingly admits her limitations, but you know what? I am at my limit. I am going to finish all I can and things will change by May 1st. I simply can’t do it all, and to be honest it is keeping me up at night.

I am taking a moment to blog before I blow up. It’s got to get better, right? right?? RIGHT???

BTW: I am reminding myself that stressed spelled backwards is “Desserts!”

Tags: deployment, family life, military by Claire
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When I was practicing social work I remember standing knee deep in the acronyms (and a few other things, but that’s a different blog for a different day!). I thought I was the Queen of all acronyms, abbreviations, and initials. I was the one they always called on to help name new programs since I could find someway to fit it into an acronym, or at the very least a catchy initial representation. I thought this would be the easiest part for me concerning the various things I am reading regarding the military. I know it is a must to speak the language. If you don’t catch on to the formal language and the informal vernacular you will never know when you are the butt end of a joke. I hate that!

So, I am looking at all of these acronyms, and I am lost. I am so lost. If I typed: I need to go to the PX to buy some MREs and I will wear my ACUs. When I am done I will start working on the Alpha, Bravo, Charlie’s with Emma (Emma is a girl not an acronym). Does any of that make sense? It does if you are remotely familiar with military language.

I am making light now, but just wait. This summer I will be knee deep in the acronyms, and waist deep in solo parenting!

Tags: Hollywood, family life, military by Claire
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Today is my son’s birthday. He turned 21 in the field in Infantry Training. One of his DI’s came to him and said “No drinky drinky for you today soldier!” There will be no celebration drink this birthday either. I got a message from him today. He is somewhere between Kuwait and their destination. I am not sure where they are exactly.

Happy Birthday Mike! I love you.

Tags: deployment, family life, military by Claire
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I told my husband this little saying last night while I was sipping wine and feeling the pangs of having someone I love dearly preparing to engage in battle in Iraq. We have had many discussions of late as to the difficult emotions a mother goes through when her adult child is deployed. Of course I am sure that wives go through a very similar emotional roller coaster — I have never had a husband deployed so I can not speak to that experience.

I have learned one thing for certain through all of this — you really do not have a clue about the sacrifices of war, and the sacrifices of the military families around you until you have walked the walk. That doesn’t mean you can not be grateful for what they do, but I have never in my entire life struggled with the feelings of intense pride and fear all wrapped up into one bundle. Actually until Mike deployed I have never really felt those two emotions coincide for one particular instance. Maybe some mother’s feel these two emotions at the birth of their child. I think I was too ignorant when I had Mike to feel the intense fear (the pride was definitely there), and by the time my last one was born I was seasoned and experienced so I wasn’t really afraid — yet again the pride was there as at the birth of all of my children.

Frankly, the fear that I have struggled with the most is wrapped up in the fact that being a mom never ends. I know that we work for autonomy for our children. There is nothing more sad or pathetic than an adult whose wings were clipped by the very people who were to set him free, and who are to give him skills to fly so he won’t be devoured! I don’t rue or lament his independence at all. I am glad that he is his own man, and that he is now living life according to his convictions and conscience as God leads. Still as a mom I worry. Moms worry. Worry is our second nature. When I figure out what our first nature is I will let you know. Maybe it is the guilt nature… or the nurture nature, or the guilt you by nurturing you nature?

Until I figure all of this out I am sure I will have short finger nails!

Tags: deployment, family life, military by Claire
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