The 48th goes to war

By Worried Wife

September 9, 2005 03:13 AM | Link to this

I’m sure this is the incorrect place to post this comment, however I would like to make people aware of the situation in which I find myself, and apparently there are others in the same situation. I read a post recently that belittled someone because of the fact they were having financial difficulties and had to sell their home because of their spouse being mobilized with the 48th. They were being chastised because of the fact they had BAQ and BAH, as well as other resources available to them and were told they should contact their Family Readiness Group for support if necessary to alleviate any financial difficulties they may have. Yes, these resources are there, however they are not always sufficient to help.

My husband is also with the 48th Brigade, we have been self-employed for many years. With his call to active duty our income has declined drastically, however our monthly expenses have not changed significantly. My husband is stationed at a FOB south of Baghdad and is risking his life everyday running missions “outside the wire� while I am struggling to maintain our business and home. Not only am I concerned for his safety and well being I am worried that I will not be able to maintain our lifestyle so that he will be able to return to his life as he knew it. Since January when he left home I have done everything I can to maintain our business income and limit our expenses, however our savings have been completely exhausted and our debt has escalted, I see no other recourse except to sell our home and move in with family and start over when he returns. This is a very difficult decision for me to make, however when your income is reduced by more than 50% there are not many options. And yes, I could borrow the money through a government subsidy program but then the situation would just be that much worse when he returns. More ballast is not the answer for a sinking ship.

I guess I am just very frustrated by the fact that for many years my assumption was that the National Guard was for state emergencies. It really bothers me that my husband a member of the GEORGIA NATIONAL GUARD is in Iraq while members of the regular military are stateside being called to help with hurricane relief. It seems to me the roles should be reversed.

Meanwhile, I find I have to give up my home and possibly my main source of income, something doesn’t seem right with this picture.

By Cammie

September 9, 2005 08:49 AM | Link to this

Congrats Staff Sgt! You deserve that ball. We are proud of you and your efforts!

By Crystal

September 9, 2005 10:34 AM | Link to this

I can definitely relate to what you are feeling. I have turned to my FRG many times and I have gotten help. There are people out there to help you, but the help is limited as far as how much they can help. If you do a lot of digging and searching you will find places that can ease some of your burden and help pay some of your bills. A lot of these places do not require that you pay them back. If you go to USA CARES you can find help as well. Don’t give up! I have had to turn to A LOT of sources and they will help you. Even some of your local church’s will help. I know it probably feels like the Government does not care about military families, and at times I feel they just forget us and they just don’t seem to understand how hard it is when your spouse is gone. Those of us who are going through this understand, but we feel others can not really understand us and how we feel. Just try everything and God will let something happen. Don’t give up.

By John

September 9, 2005 01:15 PM | Link to this

I have no idea what to suggest for financial advice, since I had to start over myself. Though I can suggest this. Keep praying to God and Jesus and being thankful for what you still have and ask for direction.

More ballast is not the answer for a sinking ship.

You are 100% correct and I wish I had been as smart as you a few years ago.

God will not forget your husband’s service and if you do have to start over, I think your new beginning will end up being better then whatever you left. It was for me.

FWIW:We pray for our troops at supper and are thankful for their protection and the difficult mission they are accomplishing. The freedom of 35 million people. Which ends up being freedom and safety for the USA.

By concerned

September 9, 2005 02:52 PM | Link to this

Just to let you all know—- some of the Georgia National Guard that did not go to Iraq are helping with the Hurricane relief in Lousina and Mississippi. So not only is the regular military doing this but the guard is too.. NOW— I am still trying to understand why some of the Georgia National Guard did not have to go to Iraq but yet they are able to go and help with the Hurricane relief.. I wish my husband was here doing this instead of being in Iraq…..

By Joe King

September 9, 2005 04:09 PM | Link to this

This is in response to the comment from “Concerned”. The Georgia Army National Guard has more units that those in the 48th BCT. This shows just how versatile the Guard is. We can answer the call to Iraq and still be able to provide support to our neighboring states during a domestic crisis. God Bless all our troops, no matter where they are serving.

By family

September 9, 2005 06:26 PM | Link to this

My husband is deployed to Iraq, with the 48th. Since he has been away, Our FRG has been more worried about grossiping and hurtung then really helpng.. So, my husband has told me and several of the other men have told their wives to not even go to the meeting or anything anymore.. When he left-he made much more money then me,so we have had to cut back on alot.. But you can do it and yes, there is other places out there to go to for help, other then FRG.. We are right now able to save money and with him being taxfree and with the other little extra money that he gets for being in Iraq, it does help and can work.. Don’t give up…Stand strong for your family and your soldier..

By Marie

September 9, 2005 08:22 PM | Link to this

Concerned…. I do not know why your particular soldier or my particular soldier went to Iraq. I know that they need more troops over there. That is for sure. But I also understand we need some troops back here in case of EXACTLY what did happen. We all wish our husbands were here. That is understandable…still I am happy for those men and women that are home and relatively safe. I will pray for your soldiers safe and speedy return Concerned. God Bless You all. And God protect our brave men and women over there. They are truly the best we have to offer. I for one am darn proud to be an American.

By 48th BCT wife

September 9, 2005 10:58 PM | Link to this

FINANCIAL INFORMATION: Call JAG immediately! You are entitled to debt relief programs specifically a reduction in interest rates. JAG can and will help you all that they can. Also, take the advice of the other poster and seek help from anyone willing to help. You deserve to keep your business, your home, and your standard of living. I am praying for you!

By Tammy

September 9, 2005 11:51 PM | Link to this

Ruth, I am sorry for the son that you lost, but most of all for the bitterness that you insist on carrying. Would he have wanted to see you this way? All I am trying to say is that when you spread dissension-you are helping the enemy. You pit soldier against soldier when you go on about who has it worst or best. You totally ignore the reason why the FOB’s are different. You do not respect that others are proud to be serving there. Reading your comments make me so mad,it’s like you are starting your own little war- isn’t this one enough? I work hard to support our troops, as do the majority of AJC readers. I thought that was what this Blog was about. There are so many things you could be doing to make a positive difference. Just about everyone on this Blog has someone they love over there. We need to be lifting one another up. We need to be lifting our soldiers up. Maybe I just don’t get it. But whatever it is that you’ve “got”, I don’t want it. I won’t be reading this Blog anymore- you upset me too much. I want to put my energies to positive things.
God Bless all our soldiers and bring them home safe. Bless the families of those who won’t. May all our hearts be filled with thankfulness for their sacrifice. Proud wife and mother of soldiers in Iraq

By Fay

September 10, 2005 08:01 AM | Link to this

I for one am not going to encourage my husband to re-enlist in the National Guard. The sacrifices our family has had to make is not worth it to us. He has had to miss out on our children growing up. He should be much further along in his “real” career. Over the last four years so far he has been gone for half of them. We are lucky to have our marriage intact. He was told by the recruiter that the Reserves go overseas not the National Guard. I just like everyone else wants my soldier home.

In regards to the story above. I am so glad to see her co-workers are looking out for her. My husbands co-workers are doing the same. The only thing that keeps me sane is knowing the support and love my husband gets from the people here.

By Ruth

September 10, 2005 05:40 PM | Link to this

To worried wife, I am so sorry for the situation you have found yourself in, I’m sure it is adding so much stress to your life, stress that you shouldn’t have to face at this time. I hope the advice about contacting JAG will help you make arrangements so that you can keep your head above water until your husband comes home. To Tammy, I don’t know why you are posting about me on this article, or why you have directed such hatred toward me. Why didn’t you continue your comments about me below the other article where this discussion about me started? I think you wanted to stir things up some more and get more people to criticize me. This is wrong of you. I am not the only one who is upset over the conditions at Joe and Row. You are wrong in telling anyone who is trying to support their soldier that they are helping the enemy, just plain wrong. I’m glad that your soldier is satisfied, it’s good that things don’t bother him but people are different. Just because your husband or son is content doesn’t mean that everyone is. Other people have also posted that they have been asked by their loved ones to make conditions known. There have been comments by the soldiers themselves about the conditions they are living in. Do you consider them to be helping the enemy? Also Tammy, I have not gone on and on about how good other soldiers have it, only my concerns about the small FOBs I have always said I am glad for what the others have I only want somewhat more equality.

By geechee

September 10, 2005 11:44 PM | Link to this

“Meanwhile, I find I have to give up my home and possibly my main source of income, something doesn’t seem right with this picture.”

Worried you are absolutely right something is wrong with that picture. It does not seem possible that the Defense Department would allow something like this to happen.I can feel the pain in your words.

It seems the world has been turned upside down lately. It sounds insane that you and your husband’s lives are being distroyed because he was on of the few Americans to actually go to war for his country while the rest of us just go merrily along with our lives.

Finance is certianly not my field, but are you positive that your situation is that dire? I can’t understand what kind of American company would put that kind of squeeze on you when they know it is a result of your husband risking his life for the rest of us.

To say good luck to you sounds so shallow. You certainly deserve it though.

By Lynn Smith

September 11, 2005 01:53 AM | Link to this

Tammy, you’re on the wrong comments section. Go back to the September 01 article and it’s comments. Please read the comment I addressed to you there and leave Ruth alone, here and there.

By Just me

September 11, 2005 09:36 AM | Link to this

Tammy.. thanks for conveying what I’m sure alot of us were feeling about Ruth’s posts.

By you voted for bush

September 12, 2005 01:55 AM | Link to this

I understand the anger that the people at home are going thru I am in Iraq and have lost alot from my dogs to my kids and it dont bother us over hear for people to be against the war or to voice how they fell the problem is people need to stop saying that if you are against the war you dont support the troops being from Atlanta and not likeing the Smiths when they owned oned the Falcons I still cheered for them hey we want people to let the President as well as the people who voted for this war to know how we feel this has ruined alot of peoples lives and for what the rich to get richer like Mr Bush said his to favorite people are the haves and the have more my life will never be the same when I get home oh thanks for the paraid what about the the months after oh no tax on my tag what about a JOB

By S.

September 12, 2005 08:00 PM | Link to this

Geechee-I am pretty sure that Worried Wife is right on the money about her situation. I am also leaving my home and moving due to some of the same reasons. My children had to go to a new school and the little one has had a hard time with it all. A lot of companies do not care why you can not pay what you owe. They just want their money. I have tried to explain to a company that there is a law that protects soliders and their families from creditors during deployment. I was told that the company knew the law too and I had better pay the bill-and then the phone went dead. There are a lot of families having a difficult time. Yes, there is help but there may not be enough or it may not pan out. I know it will all work out in the end-God will make sure of it. I am thankful for what I have and I always try to remember that I could always have it so much worse. God speed to our troops.