"We regret to inform you...."

[Obamarama]

I just read an article in another thread about the family of a Marine from Ohio killed in action, and they were describing receiving the news from the military.

Can you even imagine what it must be like to have to be one of the soldiers informing a family that their loved one has been killed in this immoral farce of a war?

If I were in this position, I would like to think that my proessionalism would override my urge to say "I regret to inform you that your son/daughter, (NAME HERE) was murdered by George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld...", but I don't think it would.

I can't imagine what it must be like to walk a day in their shoes. I have to imagine it couldn't be easy for military personnel who believe in this sham of a war, but can you imagine believing it's an immoral, unfounded war and having to deliver this news and not just crack and go apeshit?

There's a special place in heaven/paradise/nirvana/wherever for the men and women who must bear the news that, 24/7, all military families dread receiving.

[bertha katzenengel]

1. Can't imagine what it's like whether the war is justified or not.

Dead is dead. I don't believe that I would grieve for my loved one any more if s/he were killed in a war like this one rather than in a war like WWII.

[greenbriar]

2. My grandma had it happen 3 times during WWII

she had a nervous breakdown after the 3rd one and the army got her fourth son home

[Javaman]

5. Sounds like Private Ryan

[teenagebambam]

3. My brother died in the military...

....in 1977 (Navy). The officer that came to deliver the news ended up, at my parents' insistence, staying at the house with us until after the funeral. He was actually able to get a lot off his chest, very therapeutic for him as well as for us. (Though it wasn't wartime, there WERE odd circumstances surrounding the death, and the Navy's account differed mightily from what this officer believed REALLY happened.)

[beam me up scottie]

4. I don't want to imagine it.

The people with a conscience are the ones who suffer the most.
One of my brothers doesn't believe the lies, he knows it's immoral and illegal but yet he's over there, having to participate in it.
He didn't complain or rant or try to get out of it.
He's with the state militia and never thought he would have to help invade and occupy a foreign country.
But he believes it's his duty and he signed a contract, so he went.

I'm not that noble.

[TimeChaser]

6. My grandfather

was stationed in Italy durring WWII. He was the one who had to verify any deaths and send the letters to their families.