Stryker Brigade News

this is FABULOUS news!!!! thank you for sharing!! our men will be home *soon*!!!!!

~ a soldierz fiance ~

I am trying to be strong through all this but the bottom line is I want to have my kid back for a little while ,at least. I want to put my arm's around him and tell him I am proud of him amd how much I Love him.I don't care about Iraq or it's people for now. I want My Son who has been in harm's way for over 14 months to have HIS FREEDOM to come home and be with his Family. I have had absolutely enough.For those families that their kids were supposed to come home and never will,I feel your pain so deeply>they gave so much for so many. I know I am being selfish but I am tired of not breathing and I am tired of hurting,for mine and all these kids who are Heroes.

Well said Tex. To have my son back in Alaska, even though he will be 4000 miles from his Florida home, will bring such a relief. To no longer be terrified of a knock on the door..... Eight more weeks - please God, just eight more weeks.

All the best wishes to the 4th Brigade, the 3/2 and all the other units and their families. I will continue to hope and pray for the well being of each and everyone of our troops until all of them are safely home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

A special thanks to Senator Lisa Murkowski for her strong support of the 172nd SBCT.

I pray for all the soldiers everyday for the safe return home,I pray for all the families that has lost LOVED ONE and feel their pain also. .I'm really excited about our soldiers going back to Alaska, but I can't get my hopes up again until they are back home. I just want to have my son out of harms way. We are all proud of all these soldiers. There is a song by John Michael " Montgomery. " Letters From Home'Everyone need to listen to.

I am glad there is some sort of time frame for my brother to come home, but my heart goes out to the folks who will take his place. My cycle of anguish will come to an ebb but another family member out there will begin with his/her tears, worry, and sleeplessness in my stead. The cycle needs to stop. It is time for the U.S. to get out of Iraq.

I have taken a tempororay job in Oncology at the Houston VA, which is quite a fine hospital. I feel a little bit like "family" here, and was able to find a lapel button for the 172nd which i wear proudly. I have taken care of WWII, Korea and VN veterans here. Last week i saw a WWII pow. It breaks my heart when i see someone permanently disabled from hostile fire here, but has given me MORE pride in my son's courage and committment. They are all heros.

I have taken a tempororay job in Oncology at the Houston VA, which is quite a fine hospital. I feel a little bit like "family" here, and was able to find a lapel button for the 172nd which i wear proudly. I have taken care of WWII, Korea and VN veterans here. Last week i saw a WWII pow. It breaks my heart when i see someone permanently disabled from hostile fire here, but has given me MORE pride in my son's courage and committment. They are all heros.

to doc3558, where did you get a pin with the 172nd on it?

I feel the same way as the rest of you. My son was told one day before he was to board his plane. I had just talked to him on-line and told him of the rumors I heard about their extension. He told me, again, don't believe anything you see or hear, not until I or one of the guys, tell you. I'm coming home tomorrow. Most of my stuff is on the plane. Don't worry. 5 hours later, he called me, it was 1:58am my time. He was sorry, but he was just told, they are staying. I was heart broken. But, of course I didn't tell him that, I just gave him my support and asked what he needed me to send from home. He had already sent 4 boxes of his stuff home to me. Cold weather clothes, gloves. Personal stuff, pictures that got him though. Then I had to send the pictures back. I thought I was done spending time at the post office. I pray with the rest of you, this new rumor is true. and they will all be with us very soon. Just to know he is on US soil will be enough for me, for the time. I can't wait to hug him, I may never let go. Thats when I'll breath again.

To all who awaiting for their loved ones return, I feel your pain and anguish but this is my son's second time around out in Iraq. He was maybe home about 1 1/2 years before having to go back. The first time around I had both my son's out in harm's way. There maybe a good chance my second son heads out. We all know that things are constantly changing and yes we want to make plans for when they come home but we have to remember that we too have to make sacrifices back here at home and support our Soldiers even though there are times we may not agree with our government. Our lives revolve around our Soldiers, they are our hero's. My prayers are with all of you awaiting your loved ones safe return and to those that have lost their loved ones, I send my utmost praise for the sacrifices that they have made for all of us. They will always be in our hearts even though we do not know them personally.
Always,
Proud Militarymom,
Diana

I know we all want I kids home. Believe me I want my home. But we must remember they did not replace anybody. So nobody will be replacing them. So until I heard it from my sons mouth I will not believe anything. My prayers going out to everyone. I prayer that this ends soon.

I will believe it when I see it; I am not having my hopes crushed again. When he is on American soil, then we will be happy.

My husband is in 172nd and I pray that he will be home soon!!! I keep my fingers crossed...since ya never know. Just thinking when I get to see him again, brings tears of joy to my eyes. I might not be able to let go! My heart and prayers go out to all the family members of 172nd and lets hope this rumor comes true and they will be home for X-Masssss!!!! The sooner the better, then we all will breath and smile.
Bless it be,
Proud Army Wife,
Brittany

This would be the most awesome news if it were true. Unfortunatley you read one thing and hear another on the news. Soem GEneral just said troop numbers would not be reduced until Spring and the unit from Texas is not a Styrker Unit. Until my husband and the very last plane with our men have landed I won't believe it. Fool me once shame on you fool me twice well you know......

I agree the news is promising...But there is never sure thing in the Armed Forces when it comes down to Orders. It ain't Over Till It's Over!

yes, its good news about the guys being replaced. but you fool me once and thats it. like they say dont believe the hype. so it will be tru when my husband is safe in my arms in alaska

This is great news. My son is in the 172nd and like the others have mentioned this has been a long difficult time. I can't wait for our soldiers to be safe in the USA again. I'm thankful for their service but it's time to come home.

I am really happy and glad that they will, well maybe coming home. You all know how the Army is. Dont believe it unless its set in stone, or should I say writing. I will believe it when hes standing in front of me, in the snow and getting that great big hug we have been waiting for. Till then its just some rumor. I will keep all familys and soldiers in my prayers at night for their safe return to all.

This is incredible and we hope comes to pass, I spoke with our son today, but did not say a word to him about it. I guess he will tell us when he is told for sure, But our hearts go out to the replacement families, and we will pray for them. The 172nd is doing their job well and each and every one of them are hero's in our eyes. May God bless each and every one of them and all the families. Hey FRG group thanks for keeping us in the loop. Should I purchase our flight tickets again. Even though we are in the "lower 48" our hearts have been with the 172nd and in Alaska. We look forward to meeting you all at the homecoming. Godspeed

I think this is a good thing that the Army is considering sending replacement Stryker Brigades to Iraq early the guys that had to stay later are tired and exhausted trying to fight a war that will never end. My brother is in the 172nd 2-1 Stryker Brigade out of Alaska, amd i know for sure his wife and his new born baby that he hasnt got to see yet is more then ready for him to come home to. Well Dan "my bro" I hope to see you soon and we all miss you. Chris

Yes this is really good news, but we can't hold our breath. i do pray they get out soon and safe. we just want them home they r tired and need to come home!!! so please keep your word and send them home soon!!!! GOD BLESS

Yeah it all sounds good, our men and women back in our lives. Unfortunately, every time we think they are almost home something happens. Me and my two kids (who have been unable to get housing) spent all of our savings to fly to Alaska. Only to wake up after an eighteen hour trip to read on the front page that our Hero wouldn't be coming home. Now, the airlines won't refund our tickets and there is a team working on it, but it could be a while. So, with no money to travel to Alaska and a waiting list for housing that seems to be moving at a turtle's pace, I doubt that we will get to experience a glorious homecoming. My husband, who I've only seen three times for no more than two weeks at a time since he joined Oct 2004, has been told several times that they would be returning. So, like all of you, I will not get my hopes up, I will not believe it until I see it, and I will not "hang my hat" (Lt. Parrish) on 120 days. God bless our soldiers and may He grant them a safe and speedy return.

Everyone is being hurt by this war. All of us at home really can't imagine just what our loved ones in Iraq are going through right now or how it will effect them once they return. If they return. All we can do is keep praying for their safety and peace in their hearts. It's heart wrenching to think that once our loved ones come home, there will still be so many more there going through even harder times. I pray that someday all of this will make sence. Until then we can hope for the best and try to believe that our troops are really making a difference. I'm so proud of all of them; their great courage and streghth. Especially my son,Matt the driver of the stryker. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH MATT!!!! And can't wait to put my arms around you again!!!!!!

well to burst the bubble as usual. the date of them returning in NOV is not happening, so we are hopeful for DEC. they just need to get their act together and get them out cause the longer they are there the worse it is for them. they are tired and need a break. too long for them to be out over there. get our guys home now!!!! my husband was supposed to be retiring in DEC and of course ripped that away from us which they are good for. well hope they are out soon. keep praying for their quick and safe return. GOD BLESS

I don't quite understand. My son joined the 172nd in August, out of BCT from Ft. Benning, GA. He is now at Wainright in Alaska. He goes to Ft. Bliss on 10/14, then to Iraq. Is he joining up with with 172nd, or relieving them?

Can someone help me understand?

Today my Fiance called me and said that they sent the wives an email telling them Dec. (it sucks being stuck in Fiancee Army Limbo and having to wait to hear it from him instead of the army because i am not married yet.) But the way I look at it is that they can not keep them any longer than 18 months total, he said. So instead of getting my hopes up about Dec. I am just going to plan on march. If he makes it home before that, it will be great, but I am not going to let the army break my heart again. I would advise you all to do the same. March at latest but Dec would be better!

FINALLY WE GET OUR MEN HOME YAY!!!

I'd like to say that after being in the Military myself and being Married to a Soldier for 18 years. You learn to be disappointed in time. I my self have leaned towards Mar 07 for a return timefor the Bde returning. I'd rather play it safe than sorry. If he comes home earlier than enticipated, that's great! If not, then I thought outside the box.All our soldiers need to come home safe after they finish their missions out there.GODSPEED