Just a bit sad for the family of a friend and also to solicit
ideas what souvenirs I could give him when he is deployed to
Afghanistan.
His wife and kids are really nervous as it is his first "combat"
deployment, although he had been on overseas exercises.
My family is throwing a party for him this weekend. I thought of
presenting him with a book which may help his long air journey over
there. They have to transit through a few places , on what
commercially would only be a 10 hour flight, but ends up almost 36
hours for the british troops being deployed there.
I have no items from my kit to give him, as many are already
disintegrating ( I was "old" army) ! 
Also, it kind of makes me think that if we were ever being
deployed, our families would be the ones most affected. I observe
that my friend is too busy participating in warm-up exercises and
preparing his stuff to feel anything ( or perhaps he is hiding his
feelings). Seems quite upbeat, almost excited to go !