My brother contacted me today via email that his unit will be coming home sometime in Jan...late Jan...he said that coming home is almost more scary than being in Iraq. He said at least in Iraq they have backup - on the way home it's just them and their unit coming back. He has to stop in Kuwait, he said that their have been attacks on units coming home. He's really worried and asks for prayer. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers as he makes his journey home, he's been gone for over a year! Thank you!

Prayers for all of our brave men and women.

I try to remember to pray with my children every night for our families, our friends, and our guardians. I make a point of taking time to pray for everyone in harms way to protect us, whether they are in Iraq, Afghanistan, or anywhere else.

Amen. May God bless them all.

My brother-in-law just returned to the US a couple days ago from Iraq. He had the same story of how difficult it is to get out. In fact there was about a three week period of no communications from him because of how difficult it was to move his unit out of the country and into Kuwait.

Like many veterans, he's a changed person, I just only hope it's for the better.

Right - they don't want them to be traceable, so my brother will have no contact once he leaves Iraq. He said he'll only be able to contact us once he reaches Germany - ...who knows how many days without contact are between that. Guess one can only pray for safety and hope for the best. But as many have said previously, pray for all in danger not just our soldiers

I know how you feel. My brother-in-law just came back to the states the week before Thanksgiving. I couldn't take time off around Thanksgiving or my husband & I would have driven to see him & his family in Georgia. He was very depressed while away and I think it would have helped to have us close by, but we'll just have to wait to see him. You and your brother are in my thoughts.

And what do they call Pizza Inn?

Now I'm confused. There is a Pizza Inn?
The sign she took a picture of looked exactly like the Pizza Hut logo only it said Pizza Inn instead. Next to it was a Baskin-Robbins.

Hmm - I'll have to tell my brother to look for it I'm sure he'd love some Pizza Inn or Pizza Hut...although I'm sure he could careless what it's called as long as it was pizza ...lol

My boss' husband leaves for Kuwait next week, been training down south for 5 weeks. Perhaps taking the place of your brave brother! My prayers are with you, your brother, and my boss' family.

Good news - My brother finally called and said he was in Kuwait, he's making the journey home. Due to the elections coming up they wanted to get as many marines that have been there for awhile out. My brother has been there a year so he's coming home. We have been worried sick because he was suppose to call last week and let us know he was in Kuwait. The journey from Iraq to Kuwait is almost more dangerous than being in Iraq. At any rate, he said he had been moved somewhere else for a few days due to the attacks going on around them. He's fine and almost home. Thank you for your prayers. It's not over yet, but...almost! I hope everyone's loved ones over there had as good a Christmas as they possibly could.

Glad to hear it...

Let us know when you have your arms around him for your first hug, I am sure you won't be relaxed until then!

Unfortunately that might be longer than I had hoped. I'm in Cali and he'll be coming into the Carolina's.... but hoping to make a trip as soon as possible or he might come out my way. I'm sure he'll have R&R time...I'll keep you posted.

At the moment, it looks like San Jose is your cheapest departure point for flights to Charlotte. (You didn't mention what part of the Carolina's, but CLT is a good choice.) If you're looking at weekends of Jan 7-10 or Jan 14-18, RT fare is $242 on several airlines. That's dirt cheap. Raleigh-Durham is $25 more and Fayetteville is $70 more.

Pack your winter clothes, but don't worry about the weather unless you see a storm headed that way from the southwest.

Ah thanks Richard - my brother lives in Wilmington, NC and my other family lives in Columbia/Bft SC. I usually fly into Charlotte and drive to either place.

Still no word on his whereabouts, spoke with my mom yesterday and she said she's sitting by the phone waiting for his call to say he's in the states. They are picking him up from the airport in Ga. Can't wait - sitting on pins and needles.

Apparently my mom received word that my brother was re-routed to Asia to assis with the clean-up process from the Tsunami's. Looks like his trip home will be delayed just a bit. However, we're proud of him that he's not only serving his country but also the countries around us that need assistance. He wasn't upset in the least that his trip was delayed, he knows what he has to do. That's my brother(beaming with pride and respect)

Very Cool. Beam away and we will join you.

That is my idea of a hero. Spending his time serving our country and on his way home, being given another assignment and being proud to do it. When he gets home tell him how proud we all are as citizens of the country he is serving.

Will do - I can't wait to see him. He IS my hero....

I don't want to hijack your thread, I just thought I would tell my story also. My brother in law joined the USMC last February, and when he finished bootcamp he went to Pensicula, Florida. His training there is for 14 months, but because of the hurricanes the school was ruined so he still has not started. He will be well into his 2nd year before he starts school. We pray everyday that the troops are out of Iraq by the time he finishes school so that he doesn't have to go oversees. He went in, wanting to be stationed there. He feels that he should be there rather then the men with wifes and children. I know it is very selfish of us (his family) to not want him to go, but we can't help it. He is 18, a great kid, and very proud to serve his country... We are so proud of him.

Not a problem MelissaAnn - will keep your brother in my prayers. I have had several family members over there ranging from 17-26...a scary thing.