BLB_Oregon:
The drama of burying a child that you have known within you is not a false drama, whether the child is short of birth or eighty years old. I think that if your mother really did lose you, you would look down on her from Heaven in all compassion. We cannot possibly imagine what she is going through.
There is a difference, in my opinion, between the true grief of losing a child and the unhealthy practice of not letting go with “drama” (for lack of a better word) that only really serves to bring attention to yourself. I realize that everybody grieves differently (and for the record I have “buried” one of my own children) but I think Mrs Sheehan’s actions are misguided. She is free to do as she pleases but at this point is it really about Specialist Sheehan’s death and his honorable service or is it about her?
If I were killed in action, of course I would have compassion for the grief of my mother and all of my loved ones. That doesn’t mean I would approve of their actions. I have actually had this converstation with my mother before going into combat reminding her that serving was/is my choice and if I am to fall, I would want her and the rest of my family to respect that choice by letting my death be about serving our country and not part of some anti-war drama. My wife I don’t have to worry about. She’d probably pick up a gun and go finish the job that I didn’t. (I love that woman.
)
Bottom line is this. I think most understand Mrs Sheehan’s grief even if they can’t totally relate. In watching her on TV she is trully in pain to the point that I would submit she needs some further help in dealing with grief vice being exploited by those against the war. I wonder if she knows that she has Christ? At least for me, that made the grief bearable.
ShroudMan:
For you pro armchair warriors for Bush from the ages of 18 - 34…if you just love whats going on, then GO AND JOIN RIGHT NOW! Better yet…CONVINCE your KIDS to go RIGHT NOW! You support the war right? Then GO AND JOIN.
First and foremost, “kids” aren’t fighting the war. Everyone over their is an adult that volunteered to serve and God Bless them for it. Even so, you what do I tell my kids about the war and military service? Truthfully I tell my girls that the military is a man’s world (contrary to how it is portrayed) and that they can better serve their country in other ways. For my boys, I tell them that service in the military is expected and part of giving back for living in the greatest country in the world (may God please continue to bless us). But in my opinion, that “giving back” doesn’t stop at our borders as is the belief for the isolationist neo-liberal camp. Much has been given to this country. And as the old saying goes, much then is expected of this country. As one of our President’s once said, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
Now as for myself. Since you asked, I had left the Navy in February 2001 in order to settle down with my family. Following 9/11 and with the support of my wife and mother, I resigned from my civilian employment and returned to the Navy lobbying hard to get into a unit where I could be involved in combat operations. I didn’t do this because I am seeking adventure or anything like that. I chose to do this because I believe we are in a war unlike any other that we have fought and one that truly does threaten the world. I also chose to do this to set an example for my children of what a man does. Call me old-fashioned I guess.
As an Aviator, I got my opportunity to serve both in Afghanistan and Iraq doing some “good” for the forces of good. This has included being stationed for extended periods deep “in country” where I am pleased to say I got to see how my Marine Corps and Army brethren live. God bless and protect them. Now I don’t say this because I want any special accolades or such. I did what I had to do and what I think is expected. I just caution you in throwing around your wild “al franken-like” accusations as you did. There are more like me out there than you think.
So what did you personally do for the anti-war effort?
