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AL ASAD, Iraq (Nov. 24, 2005) -- For many Marines deployed to Iraq, one of the greatest hardships endured is the feeling of separation from their family and loved ones thousands of miles away in the United States. Master Sgt. Claude Ready, the ordnance chief with Marine Light/Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, and his son Lance Cpl. Adam Ready, an avionics technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26, are able to endure the hardships together while stationed at Al Asad, Iraq. Adam Ready was serving with MALS-16 in San Diego, Calif. When he learnt his father was going to Iraq, he...

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2005 – Families of deployed National Guard and Reserve members face challenges beyond those of active-duty families, and a strong family support network stands behind them to help through those difficult days, the National Guard Bureau chief said. "The challenges are considerable," Army Lt. Gen. Steven Blum said during a joint interview here with The Pentagon Channel and the American Forces Press Service. For one thing, Guard and Reserve call-ups extend considerably beyond the Army's standard one-year deployment cycles, Blum pointed out. "One year of boots on the ground is not one year for a National Guard...

“The suffering you sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your principles.” King David Psalm 119.71 How many of you have prayed … believed … desired … hoped and worked for something, and then, in one fell swoop, all your efforts seemingly get crossed up and don’t pay off? And there you sit, gobsmacked, as you watch all your best work and dreams go straight down the crapper. Am I the only one who has stood next to life’s toilet and had this unfortunate point of view? You see other people’s lives, and everything...