Good luck over there! And to all of the families, hang in there! It can be just as hard for the ones waiting at home!

agree with berquis' comment as well....I am extremely proud when Maine soldiers are recognized for serving and God speed to you all!

Agreed; both commenter's above. For myself, the 101st ARW has always performed very well, including the MEDIVAC helicopter wing also stationed on-base and held duty periods overseas, such as in Germany about 1993 or so. Best of luck!

But this deployment is easy; or it should be, for everyone concerned. Insofar as being "away", consider for a moment those troops from many varied services and incorporated civilian working for the Federal Government during the times of the previous world wars and other conflicts, which separated these brave people from home for the "duration"; that is, until the conflicts or wars ended. It could have been up to four or five years away from home.

When I was in Vietnam, I left my house, only to go to a base in Virginia; holding there for a period of two months. Then, off to California, again, holding there for three weeks more. Then, off to the Philippines and holding there for another month, then off to Vietnam, just a short distance away, again holding there for a period of 2 weeks before we actually got into our combat areas. Then, after 1 year and 4 months in the "zone", I was rotated to Germany; never to get back to my home until I completed a 2-year tour of duty in Germany. So, after nearly 4 years away from home, I finally got to sleep in my own bedroom once again. So, if I had a 6-month deployment to Iraq, this would be a cakewalk. The only reprieve here would be if all US troops get pulled out of Iraq sooner than expected, which I doubt will happen.

This picture brings back memories of when my husband got taken away from us...our baby was 2 years old...and he was gone for a year and 1/2!!! Not a good time for him or us :( I pray these men & women all make it back safe like my man did. This sensless war has gone on WAY TOO LONG!!!

"AMO"...100% totally agreed! We, to my mind and thinking, the US has no business being in Iraq in the first place. Why, out of all the other countries in the world, to include the United Nations Agreements (and countries within) ever consider going into Iraq in the first place? It was or should have been the UN's responsibility. No wonder most of the Mid East countries peoples' despise the US.

Iraq joined the United Nations as an ORIGINAL MEMBER on 21st December 1945. Truly, all the while, under the UN Charters and By-Laws, the UN member nations could have well-handled the problems. But no...it had to always be the almighty USA to go in and get things done...and we did not "get things done", and the durned "war" is still going on. Now they are literally kicking the USA out of the country. Mismanagement at its best!

My dad was supposed to be a part of this deployment but couldn't go because of an unforeseen injury. I can't say that I am sorry that he won't be going, but my dad on the other hand wants to be there for "his boys". Being in a higher rank, he feels that it is his duty to not only serve his country but to protect and look after his unit. I know many of these men and women going over with this deployment and I want their families to know that my thoughts and prayers with be with the soldiers and their families until they touch American soil again. Thank you 101st for serving your country!

Cre8RoyalPalm, well put. 6 Months isn't nothing. If you think they are going over there, grab an M 16 and get in there, highly highly doubtful. I will bet they have Billeting all set up, working on a flight line,

provide support for the pullouts.

I believe it's high time all the Guards step in and help out the Active duty forces. I know, I'll get comments, criticism etc. The bottom line is most people join up the guard mostly for benefits which I don't think is right. If you join, you know that you can get called up for AD at the stroke of a pen and should view your enlistment as such.