My husband is serving in Iraq and has been there since March 06. He is coming home in Feb. 07. What kind of things can I do to make it special? Is making signs, tee shirts for me and our kids, and decorating the car too much? I don't want to over do it but I want something to let him know we are so happy he is finally home. And that we are proud of him. Any ideas of small gifts I can give out to the other soldiers in his unit? Or would that be overboard too? I sometimes send extra stuff for the other guys when I send my husband packages. I just really want them to know how much we appreciate them and are glad they are home.
2006-12-27 15:24:09 · 12 answers · asked by honeybear 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
wow, you guys have some really great ideas! thanks everyone!
2006-12-28 08:05:19 · update #1
i did a year in iraq with my guard unit from oct 04 to oct 05. here is my advice: when the guys get off the plane, just you should be there. leave the kidswith the sitter forovernight (at least) as soon as you see him run up and hug him. forget military regulations blah blah blah just run up and jump on him. next be patient. it will be a few hours until he is released for the night. go out to dinner and back to the hotel room. remember that he just had a 17+ hour flight. sex is fun but he may be too tired. be patient with him. say his name before you come into a room, i had a bad startle response. he might be mad. i hated walmart when i got back, americans are spoiled and shameless. it took me 6 months to get over the anger. my wife of 12 years and i separated for about 6 months. we are back together, but i highly recomend couples counseling. he might drink a LOT. i sure did. dont ask him about the war. he will talk when he gets ready. dont expect him to help out with the kids. its hard to remember what to do. his short term memory might be temporarily weakened. if you send him on an errand, make a list. EVERYONE HAS SLIGHT PTSD. most of it will goaway in about a year. some symptoms won't surface for 6 months. love him and be patient. he has just spent a whole year wondering if he would make it back into your arms. love him coming home is hard because it is so different. email me with questions SGT Dale Johnson
2006-12-27 16:07:55 · answer #1 · answered by wilrycar 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
You know, after all that traveling, I bet he'll be too tired to even really notice excessive signs and tee shirts and all that. Maybe a few balloons and one banner that the kids can hold.
Look your best. Sex it up, mama! lol
Find out what HE wants to do immediately when he arrives. It'll probably be SLEEP, so make sure that other family members and friends know what ever that desire is and help make it a reality. Keep people away from the house if that's what he wants.
Arrange for a babysitter within the next day or two, after he's had some time to rest and time with the kids, and then the two of you, um, hang out by yourselves.
Maybe a little family party after that, so he has time to prepare for the onslaught of people who'll want to see him, and rest up first?
2006-12-27 23:37:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Wow after reading all these answers so far I'm impressed with the comments. I'm exactly in the same boat you are in. I am gonna have the hubby relax for about a week. See the kids and family, then we are escaping for a private vacation for two with no cell phones or computers in site.
I have a theory about how this homecoming will be: The first two months will be like a second honeymoon. By the third month we will want to kill eachother and by one year everything will be back to normal.
Good Luck and WOOHOO they come home soon. Safe and Sound!!!!
2006-12-28 00:36:53 · answer #3 · answered by jessiehenn 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When my son came home for mid tour leave, he didn't want me to make a big ta-do. He keeps telling me this is just his job. When he came home I went up out street and ask everyone if I could just put a yellow ribbon on their mail box or trees. When we got home from the airport the whole street was had yellow ribbons and almost everyone had put out their flags. It was a simple quiet gestured but it really meant a lot to him.
There is one lady that goes to the airport all the time and just gives all the soldiers a big hug. I've seen the biggest toughest guys cry. She wears a shirt that says if your moms not here let me hug you for her. Just give everyone of those guys a big hug and tell them thanks for watching your mans back.
I know the kids want to see him to but get a baby sitter for the first night and go to a hotel. Have a mini second honeymoon. You both deserve it.
Thank you both for the sacrifice you have made during his deployment.
2006-12-27 23:48:23 · answer #4 · answered by j.m.glass 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Welcome home signs are great. Make him his favorite meal. IMHO home cooking is the best because you know what he likes and he can relax at home. Also thank him for us (the many ppl in the yahoo community) for serving our country. If he has a good sense of humor, put up a sign in the front yard saying "It's great to have you home, honey. The lawn needs mowing." But make sure he has a good sense of humor.
2006-12-28 01:56:18 · answer #5 · answered by Santa C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that anything is to much for those guys. I'm an Army widow, but i still do all that "silly stuff." Most of the guys are just happy to see there families standing there with open arms. And for those who don't have families there waiting, remind them that they are a part of a much bigger family and that they are loved by many stangers that they don't even know. Myself being one of them.
2006-12-28 08:46:11 · answer #6 · answered by cromswife 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In addition to all of the other good ideas, how about a nice hot bubble bath and massage or even a weekend away during the first month to do nothing but relax.
2006-12-28 00:18:46 · answer #7 · answered by Lake Lover 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My husband is coming home in March, I have thought of some things already...............
SIGNS..yes, I am doing that one too!
When I go to pick him up, I am going to have a neighbor come over and start the bath tub with hot water and I am going to have candles EVERYWHERE, I'll have her light them too.
He is starting a menu of all the favorite foods he wants me to make.
I am going to set up our christmas tree so that we can have christmas together.
I am sure I will think of many more things.........but YAY!!! I am so excited for you!!!! I cant wait for March to be here.....wish I could wake up and it would be here. Good Luck with everything and enjoy enjoy enjoy!!!!!
Also.......get a sitter for the kids when you go to get him.....get a really really "nice" outfit and go home and just.....ya know :)
2006-12-28 10:41:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'll be honest, the first idea that popped into my mind after reading your question was "SEX!" I'll assume that's a given...
You make it special by being there.
Yes, I'd say that overboard. I'd think he'd be overwhelmed by it.
Hug him. Tell him you love him. get someone to take care of the kids and take him out.
I once handed out kool-aid packets and oreos to returning troops. They miss lil american things like that...
2006-12-27 23:33:52 · answer #9 · answered by serious troll 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you and your husband are ever in a restaurant with me, let me know who you are and your dinner is on me. Thank you both!
2006-12-27 23:34:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋