To the Parents with Kids in the Military-Iraq, Iran, Afganistan

Cathryn - posted on 02/08/2010

as a mother of two active duty soldiers (my son and my daughter) and the mother in law of another (daughter's hubby)... i have to say, that i respect your right to your opinion, but i resent your attempt to shove it down people's throats, as if it's the only valid one around. 'get over it'???? RIGHT!!!!! 'degrading' our children??? the only thing i can say, charitably, is that your socialization has been on the cruel side!!!! i fail to comprehend how you can come up with your opinons (though you have the right to them), and now that you've browbeaten and bullied some people, it's my turn to stand up and say "you're wrong". when we had our children, when we raised them, loved them, cherished them and nurtured them, so that they could grow up, and become the sort of people with courage and integrity, who would join the military, during a time of war, we didn't disconnect and say 'oh well.. if they die, then it was their time!!!" i have to wonder what kind of monsters raised you? how could anyone cause another human being to have the sort of attitudes that you've expressed? and, your attacks on grieving mothers, in particular?? how about when you're grieving, we see how you do??? are you willing to put your money where your mouth is??? or are you just so full of so much hot air?? and as far as their (dead) children being proud, or embarrassed, or whatever... they're dead. first, last, always, .... they're dead. they're beyond pride, or embarrassment, and their grieving mothers are left with all their hurt. when our kids enlist, THEY enlist.. we get to go along for the ride! we don't get to have a say in the process... however, we've raised them, and loved them, cherished them, and spent countless hours, dollars, and energy on them since they were conceived....
i died a thousand deaths, each time there was an attack, or casualty report... i didn't leave my house for months on end, in case there was a call, or heaven forbid, an official visit. i sent letters and care packages, and kept most of my worries to myself... though i have to admit that i did tell them that they were, and are, the most important things in my life.
my suggestion to you.... blindfold yourself, and then go bungeejumping, with a loooong rope.. if it's your time, it's your time!!!! (and i, for one, won't whine or cry if you leave us!!!)
i support our military, however, that doesn't mean that i blindly follow the bandwagon! i have an open mind, however, it's not so open that my brains fall out!

Jackie - posted on 02/07/2010

I am 100% with you, my son is a MARINE and I am proud. If he is going to go by a bullet it will any where here at home by a stray bullet in any senerio. I pray for all our kids in the military that God keeps them out of harms way and bring them home safe.
But if the time comes for thier calling then MY HEREO MY HAT TO THEM a candle in thier honor, a moment of silence.

Jennifer - posted on 02/07/2010

I have a son just returned from Iraq second tour a Marine! Yes Im very proud ,Im a strong mother But even us strong get WORRIED when the children we love or in a war zone and have no word from them months at a time because a helicopter went down and the base is on blackout ! I ve experienced this over and again and when he is safe in usa again back till the next time I can Breath and let go my emotions that we keep held together inside so not to upset him ! So I might be strong I have simular Moms that are not ! When you loose a child anger is a strong emotion we tend to loose it ! So to the women that have went to the airfield to greet their son or daughter in a box comming home ! I RESENT YOUR POST!!!!!!!! They will never get over it !!!!