03/03/2003

I have been reading the messages about communication and want to add an email I got from my daughter-in-law who lives on base about that question, see below. Let me also point out, as Nicole does, that each of our loved ones is in a different situation which affects the type and amount of communication we have with them. So don't think your loved one is ignoring you, they probably just don't have access.

Peace, Jeff

From: "Nicole McKenzie"
To: chalkalien@yahoo.com
Date: Sun, 02 Mar 2003 20:32:40 -0500

Communications depend on the specific mission of the individual unit. I have a friend who is married to an Army Ranger, and they usually do not get an address and do not hear from them for the whole first month. However, they are able to send them letters and packages through the unit because they ship their own supplies over every 2-3 weeks or so. There is a good chance that if she was told to send all correspondance to his original unit address that they are sending routine shipments on their own. Also, they may be a very mobile unit that doesn't stay in one place long enough to have their own phone lines established. There should be a family support group for that unit, so she should call the unit and ask to recieve monthly newsletters. Hope this helps.

Love, Nicole

From: Jeffrey McKenzie
To: nicole mckenzie
Subject: Fwd: Please let me know...
Date: Sun, 2 Mar 2003 16:47:34 -0800 (PST)

Hi Nicole,
I trust this finds you doing well. We heard from Jeremy today, it was nice to hear his voice. Did you buy the meter saw? Sorry I wasn't a lot of help. I am including an email below sent to me by one of the mothers from MFSO. She is worried about her son who is a Marine. You might have suggestions for me to pass along to help her. I answered the basic question on sending stuff but found it odd she has no address for her son, I did not tell her that. But I thought that might be because he is sitting on a ship somewhere.
Love, Dad
Subject: Please let me know...
Date: Sun, 02 Mar 2003 23:32:21 +0000

Dear Jeff;
I read your son's mail today holding back tears as if I were hearing from my own son. You have a very fine son and I admire your beautiful relationship with him. As for my son in Kuwait, I have not heard from him since he got deployed a month ago. He was enlisted only last fall, so everything is quite new to us. I need very basic information. How can we get tel. numbers to reach our children? What items are we allowed to send them? Are we allowed to send them food? I was told to write letters to the address of his base in US he stationed before his deployment, so I have been sending him letters as was directed. Is this correct? If yes, how soon do they receive mail from us? How often are they allowed to use Internet? He does not e-mail even to his best friend, so I am very concerned. I'll appreciate for any information from you.

Sincerely,

Suzy

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