Hello everyone - Here is as a link to an article written about LTC Meeker.
http://www.examiner.org/news04.05.1.php
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
Embedded Reporter from the New York Times
The Barbarians have had a New York Times reporter spend some time with them, Solomon Moore.
You may want to check the New York Times Section - Iraq, Afghanistan & the Reach of War periodically to see if the Barbarians make the news.
You may want to check the New York Times Section - Iraq, Afghanistan & the Reach of War periodically to see if the Barbarians make the news.
Coping with Deployment
This information was found on Military One Source.
Help for dealing with the deployment of a family member.
Maintaining a family routine and tending to your needs and those of your children can be very difficult when a family member has been deployed for military service. Children and adults may experience strong separation anxiety and fear about the well-being of a family member. It's important to come up with a plan for coping with separation and the strong emotions that may accompany a deployment.
Preparing for deployment
Families who know when a loved one is scheduled to be deployed should begin preparations right away. This process can include talking to children and extended family members about the deployment as well as adjusting routines and reviewing financial and legal details.
If you are preparing for the deployment of a family member you need to:
Review child and elder care arrangements . If you need help covering your child or elder care needs, contact your employee assistance program (EAP), or other services that may be available to you through your employer, for support and resources. If you have a system in place, review it to make sure that the absence of a family member will not be a problem.
Update and check legal and financial documents and details . This should include reviewing all health care procedures, updating wills and medical directives, and ensuring that family members have access to accounts and documents such as power of attorney agreements.
Make sure all emergency contact numbers are posted in the home . Post information about how to reach family members when they are deployed and numbers for contacting appropriate military officials for information and updates.
Discuss household finances and routines . If one person typically takes care of duties like car repairs, paying bills, or grocery shopping, make sure that the other feels comfortable assuming these new responsibilities.
Families should also prepare emotionally for a deployment and the stress it may cause by:
Agreeing on a plan for communicating . Talk about whether you'll communicate by telephone, e-mail, or letters, and how often or at what times you'll communicate.
Making a plan for being alone . Family members who are at home while a loved one is serving in the military may be able to deal with anxiety and fear if they make plans to take classes, pick up new hobbies, or spend time doing things they wouldn't normally do.
Looking into support groups . Many branches of the service offer support in the form of social groups, counseling, or advice. Look into what's available for your family.
Spending special time together . Take the time to be alone with your spouse or partner before they leave. It's also important for children to have individual time with a parent or loved one before deployment occurs.
Staying in touch when a family member has been deployed
It's vital to have a communication plan and stick to it. If someone is expecting letters or phone calls that never come, fear and anxiety could set in. Regular communication is extremely important because it can raise morale and help families cope with separation. Here are some ways to make communication even better:
Be creative . Document a regular day in photos and send them to a loved one with captions. Create care packages with baked goods, silly toys or souvenirs, newspaper articles, children's school or artwork and video or cassette tapes of family members.
Write frequent, short letters. Encourage children and friends to send postcards or brief notes. Constant communication from home can be very uplifting for those who are far away serving in the military.
Don't avoid answering questions or write about rumors or gossip . Avoiding questions or passing along misinformation that may cause worry or fear. Try to keep communications full of news about friends, family, local events, and expressions of love.
Helping children cope with the deployment of a loved one
Children may find it very difficult to prepare for, and then adjust to the absence of a loved one who is called to duty. Some children may not understand why a parent or loved one has to leave, while others may be afraid for their safety. Some children may even be angry with a parent for leaving. It's important to keep talking to your child and monitoring how he is handling a separation. Many children may also benefit from consistent routines throughout the separation.
When talking to a child about the deployment of a loved one you can:
Help children understand they have not done anything wrong . Young children may think a parent is leaving because of something they've done. Try to explain that serving in the military is the loved one's job, just as going to the factory every day is what other parents may do for work.
Talk about where their loved one will be and what they will be doing . Post a map where your child can see it. Talking about a loved one's daily routines may help children cope with separation.
Be as honest and give as much information as possible . Children may have many questions about the military, and why their loved one has to leave. It's important to give them as much information as possible in words that they will understand.
Make sure they don't feel like they have been abandoned . Telling a child that a loved one is "on assignment" or "at work" may help children understand why a loved one has left home.
Limit television coverage related to your loved one's duty . Watching repeated media coverage of conflicts or wars that a family member is involved in could be emotionally draining. If your child is interested in watching television coverage try to do it together so you can answer questions and offer reassurance.
Ways children can communicate with loved ones
It's important for children to feel like they are keeping in touch with loved ones instead of hearing news or greetings second hand. Encourage your child to send artwork or write letters, and make sure that the family member who has been deployed sends e-mail or letters addressed and mailed directly to your child. This may help a child understand that her loved one is thinking about her.
Here are some other ways to help children cope with the deployment of a family member:
Have a parent or loved one read books or tell stories into a tape recorder that your child can listen to when they are gone . Some children may feel comforted by hearing the voice of a loved one reading or talking to them.
Encourage even young children to add their notes to the end of your letters or write their own. Providing children with a stack of pre-addressed and stamped envelopes and paper may stimulate spontaneous letter writing.
Keep track of the time for which a loved one will be gone . It may be helpful for children to keep track of their loved one's absence with a calendar or other visual aid. Be sure to tell children exactly when their loved one will be returning.
Create a special photo album or scrapbook for children . Consider taking photos of your child and his family member doing ordinary activities and then gathering them in a small album. Children can take out their album whenever they feel lonely.
Coping with stress and anxiety when a loved one has been deployed
There are several stages of emotion you may go through when a loved one has been deployed. When they first are informed about a deployment, many people begin anticipating the extended absence of a loved one, which may cause feelings of confusion, anger, resentment, or depression.
If you experience any of these emotions you can:
talk to your loved one about your feelings
work to create opportunities for lasting memories during the separation
involve your entire family in preparing for the deployment
When the time of departure draws near, some people may begin to feel detached or withdrawn. Feelings of hopelessness, impatience, and decreased emotional or physical intimacy are common reactions to an impending deployment. When a loved one leaves, family members may go through a difficult adjustment period. An increased sense of independence and freedom may be countered by periods of sadness and loneliness.
If you have trouble adjusting to the absence of a spouse or loved one you can:
Cultivate new skills or hobbies .
Take a class or start a project you've always wanted to do.
It's important to continue personal growth when a loved one has been deployed.
Open yourself to new experiences and friendships.
Keep a journal . Many people find that writing down their thoughts and feelings is comforting when they are separated from a loved one.
Offer empathy and support to others .
Remember that you aren't alone.
Find a support group or plan events with other families who are experiencing the same thing.
Seek support from your faith community. Many people find comfort and solace from their faith communities during difficult times.
Do something special for yourself and your family.
Rent a movie or cook a meal that your loved one wouldn't necessarily enjoy.
Plan fun outings with children during free time.
Seek professional counseling . If you feel like you can't cope with the absence of a loved one, contact your health care provider or employee assistance program (EAP) to find a counselor.
Ignore rumors . Many people have trouble dealing with limited information about the whereabouts and activities of a loved one during deployment. It may be difficult to ignore rumors or gossip, but it's important to rely on official sources of information when a family member has been deployed.
Help for dealing with the deployment of a family member.
Maintaining a family routine and tending to your needs and those of your children can be very difficult when a family member has been deployed for military service. Children and adults may experience strong separation anxiety and fear about the well-being of a family member. It's important to come up with a plan for coping with separation and the strong emotions that may accompany a deployment.
Preparing for deployment
Families who know when a loved one is scheduled to be deployed should begin preparations right away. This process can include talking to children and extended family members about the deployment as well as adjusting routines and reviewing financial and legal details.
If you are preparing for the deployment of a family member you need to:
Review child and elder care arrangements . If you need help covering your child or elder care needs, contact your employee assistance program (EAP), or other services that may be available to you through your employer, for support and resources. If you have a system in place, review it to make sure that the absence of a family member will not be a problem.
Update and check legal and financial documents and details . This should include reviewing all health care procedures, updating wills and medical directives, and ensuring that family members have access to accounts and documents such as power of attorney agreements.
Make sure all emergency contact numbers are posted in the home . Post information about how to reach family members when they are deployed and numbers for contacting appropriate military officials for information and updates.
Discuss household finances and routines . If one person typically takes care of duties like car repairs, paying bills, or grocery shopping, make sure that the other feels comfortable assuming these new responsibilities.
Families should also prepare emotionally for a deployment and the stress it may cause by:
Agreeing on a plan for communicating . Talk about whether you'll communicate by telephone, e-mail, or letters, and how often or at what times you'll communicate.
Making a plan for being alone . Family members who are at home while a loved one is serving in the military may be able to deal with anxiety and fear if they make plans to take classes, pick up new hobbies, or spend time doing things they wouldn't normally do.
Looking into support groups . Many branches of the service offer support in the form of social groups, counseling, or advice. Look into what's available for your family.
Spending special time together . Take the time to be alone with your spouse or partner before they leave. It's also important for children to have individual time with a parent or loved one before deployment occurs.
Staying in touch when a family member has been deployed
It's vital to have a communication plan and stick to it. If someone is expecting letters or phone calls that never come, fear and anxiety could set in. Regular communication is extremely important because it can raise morale and help families cope with separation. Here are some ways to make communication even better:
Be creative . Document a regular day in photos and send them to a loved one with captions. Create care packages with baked goods, silly toys or souvenirs, newspaper articles, children's school or artwork and video or cassette tapes of family members.
Write frequent, short letters. Encourage children and friends to send postcards or brief notes. Constant communication from home can be very uplifting for those who are far away serving in the military.
Don't avoid answering questions or write about rumors or gossip . Avoiding questions or passing along misinformation that may cause worry or fear. Try to keep communications full of news about friends, family, local events, and expressions of love.
Helping children cope with the deployment of a loved one
Children may find it very difficult to prepare for, and then adjust to the absence of a loved one who is called to duty. Some children may not understand why a parent or loved one has to leave, while others may be afraid for their safety. Some children may even be angry with a parent for leaving. It's important to keep talking to your child and monitoring how he is handling a separation. Many children may also benefit from consistent routines throughout the separation.
When talking to a child about the deployment of a loved one you can:
Help children understand they have not done anything wrong . Young children may think a parent is leaving because of something they've done. Try to explain that serving in the military is the loved one's job, just as going to the factory every day is what other parents may do for work.
Talk about where their loved one will be and what they will be doing . Post a map where your child can see it. Talking about a loved one's daily routines may help children cope with separation.
Be as honest and give as much information as possible . Children may have many questions about the military, and why their loved one has to leave. It's important to give them as much information as possible in words that they will understand.
Make sure they don't feel like they have been abandoned . Telling a child that a loved one is "on assignment" or "at work" may help children understand why a loved one has left home.
Limit television coverage related to your loved one's duty . Watching repeated media coverage of conflicts or wars that a family member is involved in could be emotionally draining. If your child is interested in watching television coverage try to do it together so you can answer questions and offer reassurance.
Ways children can communicate with loved ones
It's important for children to feel like they are keeping in touch with loved ones instead of hearing news or greetings second hand. Encourage your child to send artwork or write letters, and make sure that the family member who has been deployed sends e-mail or letters addressed and mailed directly to your child. This may help a child understand that her loved one is thinking about her.
Here are some other ways to help children cope with the deployment of a family member:
Have a parent or loved one read books or tell stories into a tape recorder that your child can listen to when they are gone . Some children may feel comforted by hearing the voice of a loved one reading or talking to them.
Encourage even young children to add their notes to the end of your letters or write their own. Providing children with a stack of pre-addressed and stamped envelopes and paper may stimulate spontaneous letter writing.
Keep track of the time for which a loved one will be gone . It may be helpful for children to keep track of their loved one's absence with a calendar or other visual aid. Be sure to tell children exactly when their loved one will be returning.
Create a special photo album or scrapbook for children . Consider taking photos of your child and his family member doing ordinary activities and then gathering them in a small album. Children can take out their album whenever they feel lonely.
Coping with stress and anxiety when a loved one has been deployed
There are several stages of emotion you may go through when a loved one has been deployed. When they first are informed about a deployment, many people begin anticipating the extended absence of a loved one, which may cause feelings of confusion, anger, resentment, or depression.
If you experience any of these emotions you can:
talk to your loved one about your feelings
work to create opportunities for lasting memories during the separation
involve your entire family in preparing for the deployment
When the time of departure draws near, some people may begin to feel detached or withdrawn. Feelings of hopelessness, impatience, and decreased emotional or physical intimacy are common reactions to an impending deployment. When a loved one leaves, family members may go through a difficult adjustment period. An increased sense of independence and freedom may be countered by periods of sadness and loneliness.
If you have trouble adjusting to the absence of a spouse or loved one you can:
Cultivate new skills or hobbies .
Take a class or start a project you've always wanted to do.
It's important to continue personal growth when a loved one has been deployed.
Open yourself to new experiences and friendships.
Keep a journal . Many people find that writing down their thoughts and feelings is comforting when they are separated from a loved one.
Offer empathy and support to others .
Remember that you aren't alone.
Find a support group or plan events with other families who are experiencing the same thing.
Seek support from your faith community. Many people find comfort and solace from their faith communities during difficult times.
Do something special for yourself and your family.
Rent a movie or cook a meal that your loved one wouldn't necessarily enjoy.
Plan fun outings with children during free time.
Seek professional counseling . If you feel like you can't cope with the absence of a loved one, contact your health care provider or employee assistance program (EAP) to find a counselor.
Ignore rumors . Many people have trouble dealing with limited information about the whereabouts and activities of a loved one during deployment. It may be difficult to ignore rumors or gossip, but it's important to rely on official sources of information when a family member has been deployed.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
More Care Package Ideas -
More suggestions for Gift Boxes:
Visine - Eye Drops
Ear Plugs
Music/Movies
Magazines/Books
Toiletries - to include nice toilet paper.
Wet wipes.
Snacks of any sort - if you don't want to make things - Little Debbie snacks travel well.
Pictures
Items to make their rooms more comfortable:
Collapsible Laundry totes.
Collapsible Storage Containers (you can find them at Target or the Container Store)
Cedar Scented Drawer bags for collapsible containers.
Memory Foam Pillows
Foam Mattress pads.
Please don't forget!
If you are sending goodies to the whole group that their Iraqi colleagues are very much appreciative when they receive items and treats from the US, too.
Thanks! Catie Dupont
Visine - Eye Drops
Ear Plugs
Music/Movies
Magazines/Books
Toiletries - to include nice toilet paper.
Wet wipes.
Snacks of any sort - if you don't want to make things - Little Debbie snacks travel well.
Pictures
Items to make their rooms more comfortable:
Collapsible Laundry totes.
Collapsible Storage Containers (you can find them at Target or the Container Store)
Cedar Scented Drawer bags for collapsible containers.
Memory Foam Pillows
Foam Mattress pads.
Please don't forget!
If you are sending goodies to the whole group that their Iraqi colleagues are very much appreciative when they receive items and treats from the US, too.
Thanks! Catie Dupont
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
More Care Package Ideas!
Dear Friends and Family Members of the Barbarians:
I trust by this time everyone has heard from their "Barbarian".
We are working on coordinating care packages for the entire team - there are 18 men on their team including their Iraqi colleagues.
The Barbarians have a fire pit in their compound and barbecue accoutrement's have been requested including s'more ingredients.
They also have an X-Box in their recreation room and a ping pong table and dart boards.
Ping pong balls were requested, and have already been sent.
If you think of something great to send or for us as a group to work on, please share your idea with the group. Or, if you know of a favorite "care package" please let us know.
A group in the D.C. area will be sending soccer themed products in March.
Let us know what you are doing!
Thanks,
Catie Dupont
I trust by this time everyone has heard from their "Barbarian".
We are working on coordinating care packages for the entire team - there are 18 men on their team including their Iraqi colleagues.
The Barbarians have a fire pit in their compound and barbecue accoutrement's have been requested including s'more ingredients.
They also have an X-Box in their recreation room and a ping pong table and dart boards.
Ping pong balls were requested, and have already been sent.
If you think of something great to send or for us as a group to work on, please share your idea with the group. Or, if you know of a favorite "care package" please let us know.
A group in the D.C. area will be sending soccer themed products in March.
Let us know what you are doing!
Thanks,
Catie Dupont
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Ideas for Care Packages!
WhoopiePies.com
This company is owned by a Veteran and in the past they have been super about supporting deployed soldiers. They individually package all of their bakery items and we know from experience that they arrive in Iraq and Afghanistan ready to be devoured.
If you want to send a care package without doing your own baking - try Labadies Bakery at www.whoopiepies.com.
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