Waiting for word from Iraq

[Voodoo Chile]

I am sure there are other members here with relatives in Iraq who know how nerve-wracking it is when you haven't heard from them in a while.
My nephew is stationed at Saddam's palace, but today we received a message from a friend of his over there that didn't know where he is and we were able to find out he went on a mission about 24 hours ago. Then we read about attacks that killed four American MPs and wounded three, and there is a photo on the AP wire of an injured soldier on a gurney being wheeled into a hospital. It sort of resembles him, but it's not a good enough picture to be sure, and the part of my nephew's body where he has tattoos are not visible in the photo, so we're not sure it's him.
He hasn't been online or accessed his My Space page in a couple of days, so we're on edge here waiting for word.

 

[Cadet]

Jesus. Fingers crossed for your nephew.

 

[BYH]

Echoing Cadet's words. Cannot comprehend the stress you must be under.

 

[gingerbread]

Voodoo, the times my brother and now my cousin go back and forth to Iraq, it feels like I can barely breath.
I wrote about it a little for the NYDN, made me feel a little better.
http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/sports/2005/05/29/2005-05-29_tillman_legacy_still_hits_ho.html


And while staying at the military base with my sister that year, everytime one of those dark official cars came strolling down the road, I really felt like I was going to throw up all over the lawn. Because those cars were there for only one thing: to tell someone she was now a widow.

 

[KYSportsWriter]

I've got several friends who are and have been in Iraq. One of them, she's been there for over a year and has had a few close calls during her tour. Another is on his third tour -- voluntarily this time -- and is expecting a baby in a few months, and won't be here for the birth. He is supposed to get here about a month or so later, and may be looking at another trip over there in another year or so.

 

[sportsguydave]

Amen. Fingers crossed here as well, Voodoo.

 

[Rumpleforeskin]

:(

 

[KG]

Prayers are going out for your nephew.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

Maybe your nephew has just been very busy with his mission or was too exhausted afterward to write?

All the best, Voodoo.

 

[Voodoo Chile]

Thanks for the well wishes, and gingerbread, that was an excellent piece.
Still no word today. It's true it's not unusual to not hear from him for several days, but it's disconcerting to get messages from other soldiers in Iraq who say they don't know where he is and haven't heard from him. It's also unusual for him to have no activity at all on his bank account, My Space, etc. I just hope he's out on an extended mission where the plans were changed, because his friends said his team was expected back Tuesday night and didn't return.
What sucks is I know two teams of MPs were attacked, so even if he's ok, then that means somebody else's family isn't, and that makes me sick to my stomach about this whole ordeal.

 

[Sleeper]

Ugh. So sorry to hear about this. I can imagine your anguish -- I went through something like this a few years ago with family member. It turned out okay, and I pray that your situation will too. Keep being patient, and remember that sometimes it's really hard for service members over there to get on the internet or make phone calls.

 

[OTD]

Prayers going out to your nephew, Voodoo.

 

[Killick]

Hang in there, Voodoo. I hope everything turns out fine, and all the worrying proves to be baseless.

 

[Voodoo Chile]

No word yet through official channels, but my nephew's friend in Iraq today messaged my sister that my nephew was in the area where the other MPs were attacked, but doesn't know if he was there when they were attacked or responding to it afterward.

 

[KG]

Still praying, VC.

 

[Voodoo Chile]

My nephew returned yesterday and he's ok, but another soldier from a town 30 miles from us was one of the ones who was killed. It turns out my nephew was sent on a recovery mission after the initial attacks.
I feel guilty for feeling relief when another boy's family has suffered such a terrible loss. My heart goes out to everyone who has a relative or friend over there. It's scary to not know what's going on, especially when you know there have been casualties and nobody can tell you where your loved one is.

 

[waterytart]

No guilt necessary, VC. You're entitled to the relief you feel.

But condolences, of course, to the other boy's family.

 

[Bubbler]

Glad your nephew is OK.

 

[mustangj17]

I've got several friends who are and have been in Iraq. One of them, she's been there for over a year and has had a few close calls during her tour. Another is on his third tour -- voluntarily this time -- and is expecting a baby in a few months, and won't be here for the birth. He is supposed to get here about a month or so later, and may be looking at another trip over there in another year or so.

I have a roommate from college and a XC teammate from high school each on their fourth tours in Iraq. Hang in there Voodoo.