A Mom of a Daughter Soldier

Lets Not Forget Our Veterans - 2011

2011-11-09T20:39:00.005-06:00

Thank You! Freedom is not Free! Thank You!

Husband; Marine Corp. / Vietnam Veteran
Daughter; Airforce / Afghanistan & Iraq Veteran

To the many Veterans all over the word, Thank You!

God Bless America!!!

2011-07-04T12:22:00.003-05:00

Thank you to our servicemen & women for allowing me to eat whatever I want & say whatever I want & live in peace in my home.

Blinded Leader

2011-06-27T18:27:00.007-05:00

Reflection of deceased warriors

"BLINDED LEADER"

written by: Natalie Lopez

I sought out for a potential leader,

So far out, even a seether (potential female),

Over the seas and roughed the sands,

No one in sight, I came back to my home land.

Earned medals upon my chest,

So proud of myself when it comes time to be put to rest.

Selected to accompany my wing commander,

Perhaps there, I’ll find the one they call a leader.

Troops followed me to find this mentor,

Followed me through the dangers,

Without giving me a sarcastic lecture.

Seeking that leader to this day,

Giving up hope, nothing to say.

Where can this leader be,

I look at the mirror and finally see…it is me…

Reflection of deceased warriors said “you finally see”…

Natalie L.

2011-03-02T19:01:00.008-06:00

"In a war without clearly defined "front lines", the enemy is everywhere!"
Security Forces Airman Lopez
I Pray for their families & their love ones.

Happy Holiday's To All Our Military Troops

2010-12-12T22:04:00.005-06:00

Courage Keeps Us United.Happy Holiday's to all those who are serving or have ever served our country. God Bless Our Troops!

2010-11-10T15:08:00.001-06:00

Prayer

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they

protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they

perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our

Lord and Savior. Amen."

Basic Training

2010-07-21T20:38:00.004-05:00

MTI Lopez transform recruits into Airmen, and teaches them the principles and basics to lead and maintain a proper military life.
Military Training Instructors duties and responsibilities for training recruits are extensive and tough, especially when the personality are different in each individual male and female. But, MTIs are dedicated in giving recruits what they need to become successful Air Force warriors.

Motivation

2010-06-13T22:29:00.005-05:00

A person's motivation is a combination of desire and energy directed at achieving a goal. It is the cause of action. Influencing someone's motivation means getting them to want to do what you know must be done.

Thank You!!

2010-05-27T19:21:00.002-05:00

I'm hanging this Memorial Day Wreath on my profile to honor our fallen soldiers.

WOMEN IN CHARGE

2010-03-29T16:41:00.006-05:00

On March 3rd, President Obama signed the 22nd proclamation recognizing the month of MARCH as National Woman's History Month.

During the Lackland Air Force Basic Military Training Graduation parade on March 19th,2010. Master Sgt LaTanya Dinkins (forward), 320th Training Squadon,serves as commander of troops. (center back) Senior Airman Natalie Lopez in position, is Honoring Women's History Month, all staff and flight commander also position during the parade were filled by women from the 737th Training Group.

REDEPLOYMENT

2010-02-24T18:48:00.004-06:00

When the time came for redeployment it felt nothing like the first time. Yes, the same feelings and emotions, being full of joy, I was elated and full of happiness for her. And was again accompanied by those other feelings.
This time I was able to see her off. It must have been 20 degrees that night, very cold. We all stood around as the troops got ready for departure. All the people stood in single file as the troops boarded, we gave all the troops hand shakes, hugs and kisses and said our farewells. I had opened up a banner that I had made my daughter that said “May God Bless you and keep you safe and return you all home safely. We love you!” Then I handed her a bag of all kinds of candies for all.
I was more content and accepted this tour a little more than the first. Maybe it was because I was able to see her off.

Our Soldiers

2010-01-31T18:19:00.004-06:00

The Brave men and women (our children) that sacrifice so much of their lives so that we may enjoy the "Freedom" that we get to enjoy each and every day, and for that,I am proud to call them "Heros."

My Brave Valentine

2010-01-08T14:28:00.000-06:00

Love makes such a part of what you are
More precious are you than that Renoir

You're the Valentine beyond each dream
The glow of your heart's a true sunbeam

Your loving care reaches from afar
When I awake you're my morning star

These words that I use so want to say
What you mean to me each night, each day

As you serve our country with heartfelt pride
I pray that God will stay near your side

Your loyalty brings a smile to me
And I know your love shines constantly

To those who march with you, they are grand
I send each some love from their homeland

There's one more thing that I have to write
To keep in your heart both day and night

Please know that my love is so very true
My Brave Valentine, Oh Yes! That's You!

©2010Roger J. Robicheau
Former SP5 US Army

An American War Dog

2010-01-08T14:23:00.000-06:00

I am an American war dog
I obey orders from my brave handler

My job is to find, save, help and comfort
I try to do the best that I can

Being faithful is everything to me
Staying alert, I must always be

When my name is called out
Proudly I stand to serve with love

I so try to do what is asked of me
If I die on duty, please remember

I am an American war dog
And my brave handler is my best friend

God gave me a life to love and give
And to be there when there is need

The time may come for my duty to end
And I will proudly be a K9 Corp Veteran

It will be hard for me to stop serving
I'll want to continue, but know I cannot

Remember those like me who don't go to war
Many have duties that are so very important

I am an American war dog
And I have the best friend in the world

©2009Roger J. Robicheau
Former SP5 US Army

The Deployment and my Pain as a Mother

2010-01-06T20:19:00.000-06:00

When the time came for my daughters deployment I went through a huge array of feelings and emotions that I was not really ready for. I had envisioned over the past months during her training that the time would come when she would be deployed, and that she was.
I was not able to see her take off that night for Afghanistan, but I still remember her standing at her apartment waving goodbye the day she was to be deploy. That night I stayed awake until the hour of her deployment and prayed to God to guide her and keep her safe. I looked out into the twinkling stars in the darkness of the sky as the tears ran down my face and in a whisper I said “Stay safe Natalie, I love you more than Life itself. Come back to me, alive.”
I knew she was ready and excited to go fight for her country, and I thought that I would be full of joy, I would be elated, relief, and full of happiness for her. Please don’t misunderstand me, I sure felt all those feelings, but, to my surprise they were accompanied by other feelings.
The anxiety, the shortness of breath, the feeling that I was missing apart of myself; the uncontrollable feeling that I couldn’t protect her; it was every mother’s nightmare.
So I prayed, and prayed that god would give them the courage the strength and the wisdom, for her and all her comrade and for each and every soldier deployed. Oh my God, I couldn’t do this alone, I thought. I was overwhelmed with feelings and emotions. I too needed help; I had to be strong for her and the rest of my family also.
I would always tell her, “stay focus, stay alert in all you do”. Remember everything she learned in book camp. Stay with a buddy.
Many months past, and we would communicate on Webcam. I would tell her if she needed to rest for her to just write and tell me. “I’m ok today”. And with that alone, I would be fine.
One night in the early part of Sept, It was about 9:00pm. There was a knock at the door. My husband answered it, I heard lots of commotion I just thought it was my other daughter with her kids, but as I approached the living room, to my surprise my Soldier Daughter stood looking at me. “I’m home mom” she said, I hugged her with full of joy, I was elated, relief, and full of happiness, that she was home.
Most of all I felt peace in my heart again.

Happy New Years / Feliz Ano Nuevo

2010-01-01T00:10:00.008-06:00

My Soldier Daughter
Stay focus and stay safe.
May God guide you, and keep you safe.
I'm proud of you; very Proud!!
New Hopes, New Dreams and New Resolution.
Happy New Years, Natalie
Love you LOTS

HAPPY NEW YEARS 2010

2010-01-01T00:02:00.002-06:00

Happy New Years! from our home to yours.
God Bless America and our Military troops,
deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Or where they are today ,at this moment.
Have a safe and New Years.
Love You all !!!!

Guide and Protect Them

2009-12-17T11:57:00.005-06:00

I ask you,
During these difficult times
Hearts are heavy now, dear God
For WAR is looming there.
Our prayers are calling out to you,
Our thoughts too much to bear.
Be with our loved ones--THEY NEED YOU.
Guide them, lead them, see them through.
Bless our leader, for we know,
He asks Your blessings, and needs them so.
Protect the innocent, shield their lives,
As bombs and missiles streak the skies.
Open our hearts and fill us with grace,
Guard our loved ones in that place of war.
Guard our military soldiers wherever they are,
they need your guidance and your protection.
Bless my daughter that I am so proud of.
grant her the courage,wisdom and strength,
in the career that she has chosen,
This I say, in earnest prayer,
THANK YOU God, Father Almighty,
I know YOU'RE there.
Amen

Mother to Mother

2009-12-09T23:26:00.003-06:00

Honor Their Service

Do you love to knit or crochet, and is your family completely outfitted with everything yarn related? Are you looking for a way to indulge your love of all things yarn and needle craft – and give to those who can really appreciate it? We found a great project for you! Hats, scarves and helmet liners for the Troops in Afghanistan and Iraqi.
Right now, there is a push to send hats, scarves and helmet liners to Afghanistan, and Iraq. It’s getting cold there already, Kabul tonight is in the 20s. In the mountains, it’s going to be colder.
There are some rules you need to follow, and these are not suggestions, these are mandatory. First - NO acrylic or rayon or other artificial yarns. It must be 100% wool. Acrylic melts when it burns. When it gets wet, it gets cold and nasty. Wool, even when wet, keeps the body warmth in. I’m told that the Cascade 220 superwash is warm, soft and washable. There are other washable wools too. Second – muted colours. tans, browns, Army green, black, deep maroon if you must, dark blue if you want to send to Airforce.

Scarves – any pattern you want, plainer the better and long enough to go around the neck once and get tucked in. A Gaiter is great too. You know how miserable it is when your neck gets cold! Make an extra one for another soldier.
So, get the needles smoking – let’s get our love ones something warm, something made with care and gratitude.

While your son or daughter is at Military Basic Training

2009-12-03T21:15:00.003-06:00

At Basic Training your son or daughter will be involved in field drills and classroom training. Recruits learn and practice marksmanship, navigation, and survival skills, as well as leadership training and team building. The pace is fast and personal time is limited.
1. Write often. Encourage other family members and friends to write, too. And keep the tone of your letters upbeat. Your recruit will look forward to receiving mail, especially if he or she is homesick. E-mail will not be available and your son or daughter will not have a cell phone during Basic Training. Recruits spend their free time involved in tasks like uniform preparation, studying, or other types of training. Your son or daughter will need some free time to rest. Don't worry if you do not hear from your son or daughter very frequently. Keep them motivated.
2. Be assured that your young person is safe. Safety is a top priority during Basic Training, and medical care is always available to recruits. In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, the Air Force (or correct Branch) will notify the recruit's next of kin.
3. Don't send care packages or treats. Candy, tobacco products, electronic devices, and pornography are prohibited during training. Any food that arrives by mail will be confiscated.
4. Make an effort to attend graduation. Graduations are important, memorable ceremonies. Completing Basic Training is a significant achievement, and you will want to share in the pride your son or daughter feels.

I write as a parent. This includes Spouses,children, siblings, relatives, Love Ones, and etc.

After graduation of Basic Training

2009-12-03T20:19:00.004-06:00

The daughter or son you sent to Military Basic Training will come home after graduation with some noticeable differences. You're likely to see a more focused, disciplined, and perhaps more serious person than you knew before.
The next phase of your son's or daughter's career will be training in the technical skills needed for his or her job. Ordinarily, technical training (also called specialty training or advanced individual training) begins within a few days of graduation. Your daughter or son will be transferred to the school's location for the duration of the course, which may be from 4 to 52 weeks.

Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil

2009-11-24T23:04:00.005-06:00

Guest Blogger
Lisann Valentin
http://www.herdeepthoughts.com/

Many of us walk around with blinders on. We don’t want to hear about war. We don’t want to see images of war. We don’t want to speak about war. And in doing so we neglect those who fight on our behalf. We take them for granted… just as we take it for granted that as Americans we do not see war on our soil. In fact, 9/11 was the first time many saw a glimpse of the terror that is too common-place on foreign soil. Although we may “never forget,” we are so shaken-up that we don’t want to think about it.

I have no idea what soldiers go through every day to make sure we can live safely in our little bubbles. But I don’t think this “ignorance is bliss” attitude is any reflection of how we feel about our soldiers. It’s just a type of avoidance for those of us who find it too difficult to bear. I am guilty of this type of avoidance, even though my cousin is serving in the Air force, did four tours in Kuwait and is currently on tour in Iraq.

When I was a little girl in the late 80’s, three of my cousins came to live with us from Japan. They lived on a base, travelling around every four years or so, and when my aunt and uncle split, I was introduced to my cousin “Cruz.” Cruz was a little older than me and became the older brother I never had. Cruz taught me how to ride a bike and he also taught me a little rebellion… (a kid-type of rebellion, like telling me I didn’t have to finish my food if I didn’t want to). He taught me the art of torturing my little sister and informed me that it wasn’t the stork that brought her to our life. Growing up, Cruz was quite a riot! He has been a very charming and kind person. Years passed and as we got older we lost touch. I found out Cruz was in the Air force when I was in law school. He called to tell me how proud he was of me. He learned Spanish while living in Texas and met the woman who he would eventually marry, and with whom he has a daughter.

Cruz is my cousin and I love him. Yet, I have never told him how much I appreciate what he is doing for us. I never asked him what it feels like to leave his wife, little girl, sisters and parents behind. I never asked him if he is ever afraid. When I see my cousin I stick to questions about the here and now. I cannot bear to think about what he has gone through or the what-ifs of what he is facing. I don’t know that I will ever have the courage to ask those questions. But it is time to take the blinders off and tell Cruz as well as those fighting on our behalf, “THANK YOU.” Without them, without people like my cousin, we wouldn’t feel safe at home. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

© Emma Lopez 2009 all rights reserved

"Top Honor Graduate"

2009-11-21T19:23:00.004-06:00

Welcome to our Top Honor Graduate for the week of November 19th,2009.
Airman Robert E. Bergendahl from the 320th TRS Flight 746.
Presenting The Top Honor Graduate Award is the Commander of BMT Col Courville, the Airman's Training Instructor Senior Airman Lopez and Superintendent CMSgt Colbert.
Congratulations and Thank You for your Service to our Great Country.
John Hancock, Honorary Commander BMTS.

"Memories in My Heart"

2009-11-20T20:34:00.005-06:00

The children are the ones I won’t forget. The pictures on my walls are proof of living memories in my heart. The kids are brought up a certain way, different from than ours. They didn't see the camera; they looked THROUGH the camera as if they saw "rescue" in our eyes.

They see the way we act and get to know us as the people we are. All the while learning we aren't the bad guys; we’re the "rescuers."

The hardest part was when the kids knew me by name. They asked for their presence to be acknowledged by me. Every time I approached; they ran and hopped on me, asking to take them back to the States.

I saw the same kids every month. I had nicknames for the “hadjias,” and a few gave me kisses on my cheek.

When it was time to leave Iraq, somehow the children knew we were going but not the specific dates. You can see the look in their eyes and see the admiration they had for you, yet how they felt depress because they were going back to their reality.

SrA. N. Lopez
© Emma Lopez 2009 all rights reserved

"I Salute You on Veterans Day"

2009-11-11T00:05:00.001-06:00

In honor of this Veterans Day 2009, Soldiersparent recognizes the women and men who have, and still are bravely serving this country. So by supporting our troops, it should means being there today, tomorrow and forty years from now. It means that our government must make a serious, meaningful, long-term commitment to the women and men it asked to defend our country.
And with this, I say Thank you and God Bless.