CKCOWL,
Your SIL has really had his share of service--over and beyond the call. What unit is he with. My SIL has had 2 so far and now is training Nat'l Guard and Reserves in NJ to go over. They are an incredible group of people that deserves our highest respect. MY SIL is E-8 so has some rank and a very level headed military brat for a wife, but the younger ones are the ones that have such a hard time. They leave their new wives/husbands and get plopped in the middle of nowhere and are expected to "make it". Guess what--most do but some don't. The ones left at home have as hard a time. Anyone that never has been in the Military has no idea how close knit a Military family is. Especially the younger ones. They find "pals" and eat,sleep and play together, take care of each others kids, help each other get thru blue days, etc. It's amazing how God has worked that out. Keep them ALL in our prayers many times a day.
Peg-TX