i love my brother more than anything in this world, he is my best friend and my back bone. and he just left, and i have never gone more than 3 weeks without hearing his voice, and i wont talk to him to his face, or even on the phone, for two years. i know this is going to be hard, i just want to know what i can do to support him and make him feel like he has all the love in the world while he's gone. any suggestions??
2006-09-09 15:41:10 · 21 answers · asked by iirishmitchell 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Send him letters, and care packages, include things that remind him of home and phone cards. Let him know that you are behind him 100% and that your love and support are there for him. Its going to be tough on you and its going to be tougher on him. Just remember what he's doing and to be proud of him no matter what
Thank him for serving from all the supporters (including me) and ask if anyone in his unit needs a letter or someone to write to. Email is a great thing but having a paper letter that sometimes smells like homebaked cookies or a loved ones perfume is even better. And don't pay attention to the downhearted answers you will get. Remember your brother needs you, and your love and support mean alot to him.
Best of luck to him and to you, and if you need any tips and pointers on sending things to him I can help just email me.
2006-09-09 15:47:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
Tell him that you love him. that is the best thing to do.
My little brother had served in the Navy. I know what you are going thourgh.
mail him care packages, the post office will become your best friend. Send him funny cards , write him every day. You will get to talk to him on the phone once in awhile. Send magzines, candy, cd's etc, I had to mail my brother boxers shorts , so i had found some humor in this so i had sent him big ladies panties (5x) as joke, all the guys had a good laugh. Adpot his platoon. Send them cards and letters also. I make it a point to tell everybody that my brother was in the Navy, serving our counrty, if they like or not.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT YOU CAN DO IS TO FLY
OUR NATION'S FLAG.
that will show how much you love your brother.
My best wishes for you and your family.
2006-09-09 22:58:27 · answer #2 · answered by bleacherbrat34 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Find out what every returning solder needs to know. For example, is your brother getting out of the service when he returns from Iraq? If he is, he needs to register with the Veterans Administration Clinic or Hospital and tell them about any problems or injures he has suffered in Iraq.
It would not be uncommon for a young man to hurt his back in a combat zone, but because your brother is young, his body will recover very quickly, but there may be long term problems with his back when he gets older. But, if he, like myself, did not go to medical call and tell the doctor he is hurt, then the injury will not be on the record.
When he is forty years old he may become partially disabled by that injures, but there is no record of it, so no compensation or even maybe medical assistance if the cure is very expensive.
Tell your brother that he needs to report to the medical treatment unit if he is hurt so it can be on his record.
He can then apply when he gets out of the service for medical coverage.
There are a thousand ways to get hurt in the military and being in a combat zone increases the possibility like many times. (Don't be scared) He will breath bad air, be near exploding ordinances which can effect his ears and more. He will see the most terrible things but that comes with the job. He well almost certainly survive because most of the troops do survive, but he could one of the unlucky few who gets seriously hurt or worse.
Then there is PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. PTSD is a mood disorder like depression, but it usually manifests after the solder, marine, airman and sailor gets home. It may even be years before it gets serious. However, someone has to be aware of any changes he goes through. The symptoms are depression, startle effect which is being extremely jumpy around loud noises, alcohol of drug behavior that is an effort to make yourself feel better, nightmares which can play hell on the family life, what they call flashbacks when the person thinks or feels he is back in Iraq, can be even dangerous, paranoia when the persons feels others are out to get him, becoming argumentative and withdrawn like does not wish to talk to anyone.
This is a lot, and I am only trying to answer your question, so If you wish more information, you can contact me or, your liberary of book store should have some, also, there are veteran service organizations which usually are helpful like the DAV, Disabled American Veterans 1-877-426-2838, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and so on. You well find them usually at one of the VA hospitals, or clinics.
Gives you something to do that will help your brother when he needs the help. Check Research answer in Yahoo Search.
2006-09-10 00:25:59 · answer #3 · answered by zclifton2 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lots of letter and packages! Phone cards are great, but keep in mind they only get like half of the actual minutes. Simple things are good too. I have sent about 30 boxes of microwavable popcorn. Send him writing supplies too. Take some pictures of you and your family and mail them to him. Little things from home make the biggest impacts.
2006-09-09 22:53:40 · answer #4 · answered by Beejr 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You can get a shirt that says my brother has got your back or writing him letters and sending him packages. Or you can wear buttons that have a pic of him, or even a yellow Ribbon on your clothing. Just a few ideas:)
2006-09-09 23:21:15 · answer #5 · answered by queenmaeve1979 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Say "Thank You" to your brother from my family and I for his sacrifice and service to the country. It is comforting to know that there are brave young men and women willing to protect us and our way of life. We owe them a huge debt of gratitude for the safety and security we enjoy.
Nothing cheers up a Soldier more than to get a letter from home, so write him often, and don't be discouraged if he dosen't write back as often as you would like, he's occupied doing his job. Ask him for the names of squad members that don't seem to get mail and send them occasional letters too.
Send him AT&T prepaid phone cards (off brands don't always work) so he can call you from time to time.(Hint; they only get about half the minutes listed on the card). Most soldiers have access to computers-20 minutes per session-so you can E-Mail each other. Most PX's (military convience stores) in Iraq have limited supplies and sells out quickly, so send him things he would normally use at home: toiletries, snacks, socks and under clothing, etc. If sending something power by electricity, try to find one that is duel voltage (110/220) Iraq's power grid is 220 volts, but bases using military generaters are 110 volts. (Hint: Any package weighing more than 1 ounce requires a Customs Declaration, USPS Form 2976-A, (you need 2 per package) available at any Post Office. Also send packages Priority Mail & Insured to reduce the chances of the contents being pilfered.) They work long hard hours, but when they do get that rare time off there is little to do so things like games, puzzles, magazines & newspapers, sports equipment, music and movie CD's are like GOLD! There is an organization, (in addition to the one listed by another answerer), that allows other Americans to send "Care packages" to solders. Have him ask around and he'll find out which one and register on its website, and get ready for an outpouring of support from his fellow countrymen.
And most of all, don't worry about him. Although there is some degree of danger by being in Iraq, most Soldiers are in support positions and are not DIRECTLY in harms way. He'll be OKay.
It sounds like you have a great brother, but you know what? It sounds like he also has a really great Sis.
2006-09-10 09:24:53 · answer #6 · answered by Peedlepup 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When he calls, always always always be in a good mood, and really happy to hear from him. Never pick fights while he is over there. Send him lots of letters and carepackages. Send him tons of motomail. :
motomail.us
Just support him, becuase he needs it! My hubby is also in Iraq.
2006-09-10 02:39:37 · answer #7 · answered by Katie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Send him a letter every day, maybe even a picture. My brother was there not too long ago. He said the letters and pictures helped him a lot.
2006-09-09 22:58:42 · answer #8 · answered by MyCuteDog 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I can tell you love him very much. He knows this too. But you can email him, if he can get to a computer. You can send him letters
and food packages. And pray for him and all of the fighting forces
in Iraq.
2006-09-09 22:57:44 · answer #9 · answered by Bethany 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Write letter to him and send him packages if you can. Pray to God every night and ask Him to keep your loved one safe. I don't agree with the war but we have to support our military however we can. I donate money to the PVA. (Paralyzed Veterans of America) Hope the time passes fast for you & your brother is home safe.
2006-09-09 22:49:09 · answer #10 · answered by ? 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋