# Mr. Ruby Goes to Afghanistan **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 28, 2004, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450 "2004-04-28T06:55:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/1 "2004-04-28T06:55:55Z")
Well, folks. The day is finally here. My husband was deployed with the Army Reserves in February and was shipped out to Afghanistan today. I’m depressed. He’ll be gone approx. 18 months. I’m absolutely depressed. He’s the most loving, caring, wonderful husband on the planet. We do everything together and enjoy each other’s company very much. We treasure our life together and this is a huge loss. In many ways, the grief is similar to a death. I’m absolutely, totally depressed. Not only will he be gone, but he and his fellow soldiers will also be in harms way. Afghanistan is clearly not as dangerous as Iraq…today. However, they’ve been told that they may be diverted into Iraq should the need arise. I’m absolutely, totally, utterly depressed. I can’t concentrate at work and I’ve eaten everything that isn’t nailed down. Aaaaarrrrrrrgggghhhh. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Necro\_Romancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/50afbb/32.png) [@Necro\_Romancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necro_Romancer)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/2 "2004-04-28T07:08:58Z")
((((((( **Ruby** ))))))) Sending good thoughts and prayers to you and your husband. Here’s hoping the fighting ends soon and everyone returns home safely. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 7:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/3 "2004-04-28T07:21:09Z")
I can’t even begin to fathom how sad and frightened you must be. I hope you’ll find some comfort in knowing that there are many of us out here doing everything in our power to see that your husband, and all the other men and women like him, are brought home to their families as soon as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/4 "2004-04-28T07:39:55Z")
My thoughts are with you, and I hope he comes back safely and soon. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/5 "2004-04-28T11:52:46Z")
Hear hear! Good luck to you both, **Ruby**. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/6 "2004-04-28T11:57:37Z")
Hope he comes back to you safe and sound **Ruby** All the best and may the time fly by. ---
**Author:** ![Aries28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Aries28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aries28)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/7 "2004-04-28T12:47:30Z")
Hang in there. I hope this time flies by for both of you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/8 "2004-04-28T14:05:14Z")
It is my deepest wish that your husband and all other soldiers come home safe. I do believe in what we are trying to do in Afghanistan. Your husband is taking part in something very important. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/9 "2004-04-28T14:19:27Z")
I’m so sorry, Ruby. Where in Indiana are you? It’s been a while since our last Dopefest in Indy - maybe some company can help you get your mind off of it for an afternoon? ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/10 "2004-04-28T14:22:27Z")
My prayers and extreme good thoughts are with you and your husband. He sounds like an extraordinary person. All I can do is repeat that my heartfelt prayers and good thoughts are with both of you. ---
**Author:** ![DaToad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@DaToad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaToad)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/11 "2004-04-28T15:41:26Z")
All the best to you while your husband is gone. My prayers for his protection and safe return are with you. My thanks to Mr. Ruby for serving our country. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/12 "2004-04-28T15:55:57Z")
Get busy. Stay busy. Don’t be alone. And we’ll pray for his safe return. And thank him for us. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/13 "2004-04-28T17:30:10Z")
It would be hard to imagine Afghanistan in better hands. Please tell him that a bunch of people he doesn’t know are thanking and praying for him. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/14 "2004-04-28T18:05:38Z")
Good vibes from Brooklyn headed over his direction. Hopefully the worst is behind and he’ll be safe. ---
**Author:** ![MrTuffPaws](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f475e1/32.png) [@MrTuffPaws](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrTuffPaws)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/15 "2004-04-28T18:22:14Z")
Sorry to hear that. ---
**Author:** ![sperfur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9adbd/32.png) [@sperfur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sperfur)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/16 "2004-04-28T19:06:47Z")
**withaK** is going to Afganistan at the end of May. I’m feeling and doing exactly what your are (except for the eating part - my itty-bitty tummy would explode - but I _want_ to eat all the time…). If you need someone to talk to (I assure you, I’m about as far from gung-ho as you can get about this situation, which is why I’m not clicking with the family readiness group), email me. Also, I’m going to the ChiDope, so if you can come, we can hang out and talk there. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2004, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/17 "2004-04-29T00:58:03Z")
Thanks to your husband for serving our country, and thanks to you for your sacrifice. May the time pass quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2004, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/18 "2004-04-29T03:31:21Z")
Thanks, everyone. I’m pretty sure he’s arrived at his destination in Afghanistan but I haven’t heard from him yet. Damn. I know, I know. Must. Be. Patient. > [@Munch](#): > > I’m so sorry, Ruby. Where in Indiana are you? It’s been a while since our last Dopefest in Indy - maybe some company can help you get your mind off of it for an afternoon? Munch, I’m in Fort Wayne so with a little notice, Indy is certainly doable. Do we have any plans for an INDope in the near future? I’d love to finally meet some fellow dopers! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2004, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/19 "2004-04-29T14:06:27Z")
There aren’t any plans in the works, but I imagine they could. One more week, and I’ll be all finished with school - and by then I should have heard back about my job interview (cross your fingers). I imagine we can round up the usual suspects in pretty short notice. ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2004, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450/20 "2004-05-01T08:19:07Z")
Mini update. Mr. Ruby called to let me know that they have safely arrived at their destination in Afghanistan. He can’t tell me exactly where he is. He sounded absolutely exhausted. I would imagine the 48 hour plane trip(s) had something to do with it. 🙂 It’ll take a few days to get his body clock in rhythm. It’s an 11 hour time difference. Ack. I’ll be more settled when he gets settled. Progress on the home front…I’m not eating everything, just most things. 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mr-ruby-goes-to-afghanistan/242450.md?page=2)