My fiance is being deployed to Iraq. What is the cheapest way to keep in touch with each other?
367838
Wow, first I'm sorry. Try and let the pride for what he is doing feel the space left in your heart when he leaves.  There are a lot of ways to keep in touch, but you are right it can be expensive. \n\nMy husband and I use the yahoo calling feature.  We bought webcams, and headsets for the computer and we can call for free.\n\nTherer is also IM, and ofcourse the mail.  Calling cards are ok but they get really expensive.  You can get free ones sent to him from places like the VFW website. They are not for much but they add up over the six months.\n\nMake sure he hooks you up with the support center on post.  They will have dedicated phone lines for "Morale Calls"\n\nThe mail is great.  Send him packages as often as you can. Check out http://www.anysoldier.com/ for tips on the way you pack them because it really does make a differance.\n\nCircuit City, and target both offer free shipping to APO's so you can send him movies, music etc.\n\nWrite everyday.  It's going to take about a month for your letters to to start getting to him, and they will come in a bunch at a time so number the outside of the envelopes so he knows what order to read them in.\n\nThe Army has Family readiness groups training online, which can really help at a time like this.  They also have videos online for Operation Ready which can answer a lot of your questions and help to keep your expectations real.\n\nBe strong, and keep the faith.  All this is part of being in love with a Hero.  These guys do a tough job because they a courageous and noble men.  Be proud, show your support at home, and love him like crazy. There are also a million other Army wives (like me) you can talk to.  Feel free to write me.\n\nGood Luck :)
1149224
The others are right, keep communicating is the key, and it takes two committed persons to do it. It won't be easy, but if you love each other, a few months is nothing. I was in long distance with my fiancee for over a year before we were together. Now we'll be getting married next month!\n\nMake sure you keep an interest on what's happening to each other while you're apart (who you're hanging out with, what's stressing you out, etc). And try to cultivate some common interest so you don't run out of things (sports, movies, tv shows, etc) to talk about. If you both like to write, I found writing long emails a great way to keep in touch. It takes a little more effort but it can be well appreciated.\n\nBest of luck to you both!
1109461
Enjoy the trip! Stop focusing on what CAN go wrong, believe me if you continue to worry about it, it will. Take it as it comes, if the two of you love each other and are willing to honestly try, there is no reason it can't work out. My husband and I were both in the Navy on constant back to back deployments when we were dating and made it through, though it was a struggle sometimes. Now, he's in Iraq and I only see him ever 4 months for 2 weeks per visit. It's still hard, but our faith in each other and our love for each other hasn't and won't change. You simply have to be willing to trust each other and let the small things slide. Be grateful for the time you have together and when you do see each other, focus on that.
665346
my husband is over there. been over there for 9 1/2 months. and it really depends on where you are, but for the most part i get to hear from him every day, although where he is the phone conversations are allowed 20 min each to allow other people to get on, so then he has to sign back on, and so on. sometimes a soldier or marine will die where they are so they have to shut down the phone lines until the family's notified, and when they're really busy he can't call. when he first left they were really busy setting everything up, so if you don't hear from him in a while, try not to worry! I know it's hard not to! :) stay strong!
706146
Well honey,\nNothing good comes easy. However, nothing feels better than support from home, meaning pictures, writing, care packages, and emails (as a former soldier myself) I know how despairing it can be for the both of you to be displaced (as my ex and I were both in the military together and I would have to go different places for long periods of time). If you really love him remain loyal to him and enjoy loving him from a distance as I know it makes the heart grow fonder and men really appreciate that because it sort of solidifies your commitment to them. On the other hand though I would suggest that you work on your financial well being, your spiritual, and even the physical, pick up a hobby and enjoy your girl friends. Good luck! Don't allow yourself to become and remain depressed (I know it's comforting and a coping mechanism however, it can become a downward spiral and that's not healthy either)
1055336
First off...be there for him.  If he needs someone to talk to, or someone to write letters of support...be there.  \nGo to www.anysoldier.com    you can send care packages to soldiers who don't get mail.  They're relatively cheap, i do it all the time.  \nAlso...don't forget the people left at home.  If you know family of deployed soldiers....spouses, children, mothers, etc...let them know how much u appreciate their loved one, and help them in any way you can.  Whether it's babysitting for a night, or helping with chores at home, it IS a way of supporting your troops.  It makes sure they have a happy household to come home to.  \nGood luck in whatever you do, and from a military spouse, thank you for your support!
887186
talk to him a month isn't that long. the worst thing to do is sweep it under a rug. enjoy the time you will spend with him until then and then you will really enjoy when he comes home. look on the bright side, at least he is not being deployed into war. that would be even worse. take what you can.
936414
The best web site that tells you what the troops want is AnySoldier.  There, the troops themselves leave messages and wish lists.  Some want penpals, some need care packages for themselves or for their units.  I highly recommend it because you know exactly what they want and who it's going to.  It will give you their address and the items will go directly to them, not some agency to spread them around.  This site is dedicated to men and women in all branches of the military.\n\nThanks for your willingness to support our troops!!\n\n--Army wife of 18 years and 3 deployments
723536
I say keep in touch as much as you can, try both buying webcams to chat and see each other over the internet, that way you can at least see each other, and if it is meant to be, then a year should be no biggie, but definitely keep in touch with him and let him know you exist and are around to be there for him, even though miles apart!
550325
I am in IRAQ right now and getting ready to leave next month.To the best of my knowledge all bases have phones (pay and DSN(digital sattelite network)internet access and most of all mail).DSN phones are free but usually have a certain time limit due to many soldiers wanting to use them.The base I am on is considered a " green" zone.For the most part we are very safe here.The military takes very good care of the troops over here.Of course there are troops that do not have it as good as we do here.Some of the smaller FOB`s(forward operating base)are not fully equipped as the base i`m on.You should have no trouble communicating with your uncle.Tell him i said to be safe.
371853
email, or ask his mom or wife or family. one of them has to have it, or know who they can ask for it. When my ex was deployed, I got his address as well as a contact person in case anything happened.
820319
Here is a website that contains addresses of soldiers in Iraq and Afganistan. Not all soldiers have internet access. Many of them are out in the middle of no-where. But they deeply appreciate receiving packages. And with Christmas approaching what better way to support our troops than by sending them a box filled with homemade cookies, candy, and small gifts? Here is the website where you can contact our troops.\n\nhttp://anysoldier.com/WhereToSend/
1103281
I check the list from time to time - but I know I'll hear about the people I'm looking for from friends before I see them on the net.\n\nBest way to support? Be strong, send care packages, letters, take advantage of video conferencing if your base has a program. My dad and I went in and bought my uncle a spare bullet proof vest, in case he misplaced his - crazy I know, but you never know.\n\nLean like hell on your family and troop support groups. Stay busy, don't read to much news. Alot of it is bad news that looks alot worse then it is.\n\nKeep the faith.
519841
pictures lots of pictures lol thats what im doing.. my fiance is in the army and in iraq.. another one is i rented a dvd recorder thing like a video recorder and i made videos of all of us home and sent them to him.. phone cards.. and like comedian tapes or dvd depends which they have.. good luck...
811600
My husband has been to Iraq twice, the first time for 15 months and the second for 10. He leaves again next summer for another year. The thing that helps me the most is being around other military spouses and families, because they know what I am going through (and don't ask annoying questions like "how do you do it" or "what would you do if he died" or say things like "I could never do that, it must be so hard waiting on him.") I know that being around military families may not be an option since you may not live in the town with him. The first deployment we weren't married yet and I lived in a non-military area. It was different but I was able to find a couple of people (reservists wives, etc) that were going through the same thing. If you can't find someone to hang out with, try an online support group, Yahoo Groups has a lot of them for military girlfriends/fiancees.I also do my best to stay busy, which for me has meant going to school full time. I am graduating soon, and I am planning on doing a lot of volunteer work and staying home with our baby on this next deployment. Anything that will keep you busy and keep your mind off of it as much as possible is a good thing. I also recommend writing to him as much as you can, every day if possible. I like to tell him about my day and "talk" about the kind of stuff we'd talk about if he were home for dinner. That way I don't feel like he's missed out on a whole year of my life. Mail - letters, pictures, packages - are always appreciated when they are deployed. \n\nI know it sucks, but after he has been gone for a little bit you will get into a routine. You will also learn what works for you and what doesn't. I found that the second deployment was easier because it wasn't such a new experience and it was easier for me to get into my "deployment routine." I have also found that if you wake up and tell yourself that it's going to be a good day, and don't allow yourself to do otherwise, you will feel a lot better. Good luck with his deployment and know that everything will be ok because you love each other. When he gets home all the pain and sadness will be worth it, I promise!
556544
My nephew in law is already there.  Sweetie?  Take your camera if you have one and make sure to see him off.  Let him know how much you love him and that your thoughts and prayers will always be with him.  Let him know now how much you need him to come home and why.  Sometimes, your words will be enough to carry him through the fire. Spend as much time with him as possible before he goes and create some lasting memories with him just in case...know what I mean?\n\nI talk to my Creator every day about all the young men and women who are in Iraq, and for the ones whose lives ended there also.  You have to accept the fact that there are going to be casualties and prepare your own self for the worse.  I pray it doesn't happen to your Dad. Pray to whomever it is you pray to and be confident about his safe return.  And write him lots of letters and send moto-mail. I cannot stress enough to you how important it is to spend every minute you can with him before his deployment.  Okay?  I hope this helps.  ((((((Sheri)))))\n\np.s.  Try to put together packages of stuff for him like, believe it or not?  Baby wipes, beef jerky, lotion, soap, foil packages of single servings of tuna for sandwiches, easy to open/preparation type foods that require no cooking., candy bars, vienna sausage, etc.
494070
Some people just can't talk on the phone.  My husband and I love each other very much and have a wonderful relationship but when he was in Iraq, our phone conversations last about ten minutes on average.  We just aren't phone people.  When he came home, we had alot to catch up on that we just never brought up over the phone.  Don't worry about it so much.