My Son Ben Is Leaving For Iraq Right Now

[Binka]

He is flying from CA and should be in the ME in 30 to 35 hours. They have a few stops along the way but I will most likely not speak with him again until he gets to Iraq. We talked for 2 hours he called me last "because you save the best for last." I was doing really good until I put Peyton on the phone and she told her big brother "I love you and I will hold you in my heart." Then I couldn't stop my tears. Ben and I sat in silence for a minute or two before the goodbye.

That is it my heart is officially broken. Come home safe Benjamin Elliot. I :loveya: so much.

edit for typo oops my hands are shaking.

[NJCher]

1. awwww Blinka

:hug:

You need a hug.




Cher

[laruemtt]

2. godspeed, binka,

to him and you. you are both in my prayers. may this whole stupid war be over soon and bring him home safely to you.

[babylonsister]

3. Binka, Benjamin will be in my

thoughts and prayers. Stay strong, Mom, til Ben gets home. :hug:

[chelsea0011]

4. Thoughts are with you and your family. May Ben return safe, and

hopefully soon.

[Divernan]

5. I'm sorry for what all of your family is going through.

nt

[Giant Robot]

6. I know it won't take away that helpless, scary feeling

but I will keep you all in my prayers. It's something I can do at least.

[cmd]

7. Oh, Blinka

Words fail me. :hug:

Stay safe, Ben. Come home soon.

[Don Claybrook]

8. Hello, Binka

Thinking of you, and wishing the best for both him and you. The country is tired of this madness. He'll be back home safe. And I really do hope that in the meantime you're able to find some solace. You deserve all the best.

[Binka]

24. I Love You (REALLY!!!)

Your words mean so much to me. We have been fighting this fight for so long. Hey FalconAir if you are back as a sock puppet FUCK YOU!

[DistressedAmerican]

9. Love You Binka! Hang In There! Wear Working Hard To Bring Him Home!

Nothing but the best to you and your family. We will not stop working to bring him and rest back from Iraq. Bush has never been more crippled. We may make some real progress fast.

As always feel free to PM me if you need a digital hug!
:pals:

[Binka]

89. Hey DA I Didn't See Your Post Yesterday

:pals: Always!

[pippin]

10. May He be Safe

May he be unharmed, may he return to you as soon as possible.

Take care of yourself too Binka because Benjamin will want to know that you are o.k. while he is there.

:hug: :hug: :hug:

[democrank]

11. Binka....

Here`s a hug from Vermont. Try to hang in there. You`re in my thoughts.

[NewJeffCT]

12. best of luck to both of you

you'll be in my thoughts until then. I'm sorry he has to go.

[Maraya1969]

13. I just said a prayer for Ben, you and your daughter.

:grouphug: I don't know what your religion is or is not but I have found this Buhdist Meditation very helpful. You start with yourself and then go on to other people.

http://www.contemplativemind.org/practices/subnav/kindness.htm

May I be free from inner and outer harm and danger. May I be safe and protected.
May I be free of mental suffering or distress.
May I be happy.
May I be free of physical pain and suffering.
May I be healthy and strong.
May I be able to live in this world happily,
peacefully, joyfully, with ease.


Next, move to person who most invites the feeling of pure unconditional loving kindness, the love that does not depend on getting anything back. The first person is usually someone we consider a mentor, a benefactor, an elder. It might be a parent, grandparent, teacher, someone toward whom it takes no effort to feel respect and reverence, someone who immediately elicits the feeling of care. Repeat the phrases for this person: "May she be safe and protected...."

[nonconformist]

14. I'm so sorry. I'm sure he'll come home fine. (((Binka))) nt

[H2O Man]

15. This is a hard time.

I hope that people on DU are abled to play a role in helping you to stay strong. And I look forward to the day that your son comes home, healthy and safe.

[Binka]

45. Your Words And Wisdom Have Been Much Comfort To Me

Thank you for your kind thoughts.

[Lefta Dissenter]

16. Oh Binka

I have my own Benjamin, who is currently going to school in Egypt. I know how worried I am about HIM. I simply can't imagine what you are going through. I wish you and Benjamin and your entire family the very best, and I hope the time passes quickly and you'll have him back home again safely.

Be sure to post whenever you need a shoulder to cry on. :hug:

[DemExpat]

17. Having a 21 year old son myself I can only imagine your pain....

:hug: :cry:

All of my good thoughts and support are with you all.

DemEx

[Missy M]

18. My thoughts are with you and your family....

for Benjamin's safe return. Also a big thanks to him for his service to our country.

[symbolman]

19. Binka

You've done so much for the anti war movement that I think a karmic payoff may be in order, seriously.. the timing is just about right for americans to show up in droves and Congress to force the halfwit to BRING THEM HOME..

I won't stop working on antiwar issues (as my son nears 19) until I drop, and I'm just about ready to be the first guy to climb the wall at the White House and lead the charge to physically remove that MONSTER should a shitload of people show up there.

THIS HAS GOT TO END. I don't want my 8 month old growing up in a fascist state.

Remember that Bush CO has ROYALLY shit the bed by killing with malice all those poor blacks, and they will hound him to the earth's end, as BushCo seems to have forgotten that the poor have NOTHING TO LOSE.

There is nothing more dangerous than a man of conviction who has nothing to lose.

I expect the troops to be brought back soon, BushCo are getting cornered.

The media has actually been telling the TRUTH of late, and if they realise that the same horrors are being visited in Iraq they saw in LA then we may be on the road to recovery and safety for your boy.

I saw a pic of your handsome son, and just by looking at him and knowing that he's imbued with YOUR spirit and strength I'm pretty damned sure that kid is going to come back, and in one piece.

We send our love, and don't hesitate to share any info or feelings with us, we are here for YOU.

So many people have never felt such rage against Bush in this country and they don't believe in the media, but the sincerity of Geraldo holding a starving baby and crying and demanding they WALK OUT is not lost on the public.

The wave will swell, and WE THE PEOPLE will become the embodiment of Katrina and Justice, moving upon Washington in Swells, and BUSH WILL GO, and CHENEY WILL GO, and HASTERT WILL GO, then President Byrd will begin the troop withdrawal.

Hold those precious moments with him in your mind as he will, and remember he's looking at the same moon as you are.. a few full moons and he'll be walking into your home unannounced and you will melt into each others arms and hold him as only a mother can.

God bless you and him and which God don't matter.

[Binka]

22. Thank You So Much My Dear Friend

:loveya:

[MadeinOhio]

20. I wonder if Fitzgerald reads these posts sometimes?

I wonder if he comes around places, reads the comments and it gives him fuel to know the millions of patriotic americans out there will never give up their country.

I wonder if he gets inspiration from it, and goes back to the court with new methods and conviction to destroy the traitors.

I've always wondered too. Hmm. :)

[Lindsay]

21. Love to you both

and to all you hold dear. May he come home safely and soon.

[blondeatlast]

23. God bless your family. I pray that he will return home safely and soon.

My heart is aching for you, Binka. I'm so very sorry.

[arwalden]

25. Take Care Of Yourself, Ben! -- Come Home Safe And Soon!

[Solly Mack]

26. I could not have made it through my husband's deployment without DU

(((((Binka)))))

Warm wishes and good thoughts coming your way and Ben's way.

[MrScorpio]

27. I'm hoping and praying for his safety and return home

Godspeed, Benjamin Elliot

[Democrat 4 Ever]

31. Be sure and let him know there are 75,000 people at DU who

are working like hell to get him home as fast as possible. We appreciate his service and for him to stay safe. We've got his back.

March on Washington, write letters, scream to newspaper and don't sit down, don't shut up, don't take no and don't stop until this nightmare is over and every military person is home with the love ones.

[cally]

28. Here's a hug from me

I'll pray for his speedy, safe return. :hug:

[anarchy1999]

29. Binka, Your family are in my thoughts and prayers!

Much love coming your way from Crawford!

I'm sitting in Kay's office at her house, getting ready to head for Crawford.

From Kay:
"we'll be praying for your son and all the others, much love!"

[patdem]

30. Words escape me now...hope he returns home safe and soon.

:hug: I am very sad to hear this news :hug:

[coeur_de_lion]

32. I'll keep you and Benjamin in my prayers

til he comes home safe. God Bless both of you.

[im10ashus]

33. Our thoughts and hearts are with you and yours.

:hug:

[philosophie_en_rose]

34. Hug!

I'm so sorry for you.


:grouphug:

[Stockholm]

35. Keeping my fingers crossed for "Binkas" safe return n/t

[Sapphire Blue]

36. (((((hugs)))))

:hug: :grouphug:

[auntAgonist]

37. May your son

be safe and return home as soon as possible.


"Come home safe Benjamin Elliot"

:hug: for you all!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

38. Be safe Benjamin...

:hug::hug::hug:
For all of you...

[Obamanaut]

39. My family's thoughts will be with you. Today we are going to a

"going away" party for a nephew (Army) on his way to Iraq, left Japan earlier this week, 10 days home. Be safe Tony and Benjamin Elliot.

[Ripley]

40. Breathe deeply Bink.

Little Lord Pissypants will be forced to bring the troops home SOON. So, hopefully Ben will get to turn around in mid flight and return safe and sound!

[etherealtruth]

41. Wishes for a safe and speedy return home!

[Bullwinkle925]

42. I honestly cannot imagine how you are feeling right now.

My love and thoughts are with you and your family. I wish Ben 'Godspeed'. I wish you strength to get through this until he is rejoined with his beloved family.

[LSK]

43. I hope and pray that he remains ok

And I believe that this hurricane will put great pressure on everyone to get out of Iraq soon.

[LWolf]

44. I am holding him in my thoughts

along with my son's best friend, who has been in Mosul for the last year. He's due to rotate back to the states next month. He's an extended part of our family, and the "mom" part of me has been "on alert" without rest the last year, praying that he would see this term out whole and healthy. I will do the same for your Benjamin.

:hug:

[Tsiyu]

46. My heart goes out to you

There is no more fearful time in a mother's life. :hug:

May the Force be with you, Ben. :patriot:

[txindy]

47. I hope Benjamin comes home safe and unhurt very, very soon.

:hug:

[madmax]

48. We love you Binka

You and Ben are in my thoughts and prayers. :hug:

[Nictuku]

50. My heart goes out to you

and your family, may he return home whole and safe.

[gauguin57]

49. Prayers prayers

prayers

[Bumblebee]

51. my thoughts and vehemently best wishes are with you and your son!

[jbnow]

52. Benjamin Elliot, stay safe

I wish he wasn't going, that no one was.
But may Benjamin Elliot come back to you whole and well
May all his buddies
May all our kids.
May the citizens there stay safe
May the fear end
May the peace come

So much distress. massive, in so many places
When we can, where we can, we need to turn to our center, find our calm and balance, our peace
and act from there.

Peace be with you...and I mean that
Peace be with us all

[G_j]

53. ((((Binka))))) ((((Ben)))))

here is my pledge to continue to work to bring them home!

[wryter2000]

54. I'm crying with you

:cry:

I can't begin to imagine how you're feeling now. Here's hoping he'll be fine and come home to you soon. Please keep us updated on how he's doing.

:hug:

[demobabe]

55. I had been holding up pretty good all week

...until I read this.

After a week of watching the genocide happening in New Orleans while Bush is eating cake, playing guitar, then making mealy-mouthed speeches about the hurricane that are intentionally incorrect while people continue to die and while aid is intentionally turned away... then this from poor Binka - who has continually given, hand over foot to help antiwar and progressive causes.

I just sobbed.

This is a bad dream - a nightmare, and somehow we have to find a way to WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP

All of what we've been doing to this point, we need to do more of or find a way to do things different - see if something different works. We have to repair the fundamental disconnect in this country; it's clear the folks in charge would eat us all given half a chance.

I'll be sending prayers of safety and protection for your son, and will step up efforts to protest and get our troops back home.

Think to the day when we can have a virtual "Welcome Home Ben!" party on the DU - that is what I am envisioning... :)

[xultar]

56. I'll be keeping Ben in my thoughts and prayers.

[meganmonkey]

57. He'll come home safe

He has thousands of people thinking of him.

:patriot:

:hug:

[mzmolly]

58. I am so sorry.

Come home safe Ben.

[leftchick]

59. be safe Ben!

He is in our hearts as well Binka!

peace,
lc

:hug:

[Binka]

62. Thanks LC

You're a gem.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

60. Binka, I'm so sorry for what you must be feeling right now.

You're family, especially your beloved Ben, are in my thoughts. :grouphug:

[ET Awful]

61. I'm sending all the positive vibes I can muster to Ben and to you Binka

:hug:

I can't even imagine what you're going through. :cry:

[Binka]

63. Love Hugs And THANKS

For everyone who has replied to this thread. You are giving me the hope and strength I need to give to Ben. :loveya:

[linazelle]

64. Stay strong and prayerful, for him and your family. God Bless You. nt

[earth mom]

65. I'm sorry to hear this-Sending prayers & good vibes your families way...

:grouphug:

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

66. I will keep him in my thoughts and prayers

We will support you here at DU.

[mongo]

67. Our thoughts and prayers for him and you

May he return safe and sound.

I for one will be here doing what I can do get him home ASAP.

Hang in there.

[ninkasi]

68. Binka, may Benjamin be home safe, and soon

I am so sorry that you are going through the pain of knowing your beloved son is leaving for Iraq. Words fail me, and as a mother myself, I know that you will never have a moment's peace, or true happiness until he is home, safe and unharmed, with you and Peyton.

I have a feeling that your little angel Peyton will keep you going til he's home for both of you. To all the other mothers with children serving in Iraq or Afghanistan, I think of you and your children, and pray for all of you.

[bear425]

69. Binka

You and your family are in my thoughts. Take strength in knowing that we're here for you anytime you need to talk. :hug:

[annabanana]

70. I'm praying for him, and you and your family.

I know this will be very difficult for you, and I hope you check in here with us when you need some comfort. :grouphug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

71. *hugs and prayers* May you all be together again soon.

[Gelliebeans]

72. Awww honey,

I am here for you and don't you forget that. He will be ok. You just keep thinking good thoughts. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[Binka]

92. Peyton Needs Him To Come Home

She loves her big brother. Pray for Callie and Ian they are much bigger than Peyton but they love their brother too.

[Gelliebeans]

104. What a little sweetie

You are very good with the camera and I am sure Ben will enjoy updates on Peyton. They just grow so fast at this age. Your children are in my thoughts (all of them) :hug:

[KT2000]

73. my thoughts are with you

we will all work to bring him and the others home.

[2bfree]

74. Oh my...................

I have two sons, 19 and 23, I can't imagine telling them good-bye as they leave for Iraq. I wish your son the best of luck, take care.

[StellaBlue]

75. We are all with you

[serryjw]

76. My floodgates just opened

God Speed. I will keep Benjamin in my heart

[onecent]

77. Benjamin Elliot - stay safe! What a cool nate.

[katinmn]

78. I will work every day to bring Ben home as soon as possible.

:hug:

Kat

[leesa]

79. May he come home safe and healthy.

[hippywife]

80. We're here and

we're out there working for an end to this sorrowful situation. May your son come home safe and sound in all manner. May all the children of this country and those we are causing to suffer be held up in our thoughts and prayers.

Wishing you all the best and a joyous homecoming for your Ben.

[spuddonna]

81. Oh Binka, we're praying for Ben and for you....

My heart is breaking for you... I hope he's home soon...

[ClayZ]

82. Lighting a candle for your family

GOD SPEED

[roguevalley]

83. We love you, Binka. We love your son and family. Please know

you are loved and not alone.

[deadparrot]

84. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Binka...

especially your son. :hug:

[Obamarama]

85. My sign in DC on the 24th will read: BRING BEN ELLIOT HOME NOW!

That is, it that's okay with you.

[Binka]

87. Oh YES! Thank you I would love that.

I am so far away in Italy and just can't make it back to the States. Thank you for the offer Kzoo!

[laylah]

86. Oh Binka!

:hug: My heart hurts for you. May he stay safe and return home swiftly.

Jenn

[NightOwwl]

88. You and your family are in my thoughts and my prayers...

:hug:

[Swamp Rat]

90. .

:hug:

[Binka]

93. Thinking Of You Swamp

And all your family has endured. :hug:

[Emit]

91. I have a son named Ben, too. My prayers will be with yours. n/t

[Window]

94. Sending love, prayers and good thoughts

to you and yours.

Peace

[Justice]

95. My heart goes out to you and your family

Please let us know how we might help you and him through this time.

[Midlodemocrat]

96. God Bless You, BInka

and keep Benjamin and everyone around him safe from harm.

[Binka]

98. Peyton And Friends Dressing Up For Me Today

Madison, Sarah ,and Peyton put a show on for me to help with my heavy heart. Since Ben has gone to "Irat." Out of the mouths of babes!

[Midlodemocrat]

99. What a beautiful child!

Irat is a good name for that place. God please keep Ben safe.

[flordehinojos]

97. i can only imagine the pain that is in your heart--and that of your son's.

[SweetLeftFoot]

100. As an Aussie

I feel compelled to ask - why did your son join the armed forces.

I am not having a go at you or him. It must be a horrible time for you. But I am curious. The USv seems to have much more of martial culture than we do.

[Binka]

101. His Father Is A Former Naval F14 Pilot

Some big daddy issues. But it is more complicated than just that. Why does a 24 year old do anything?

[SweetLeftFoot]

102. No idea

I can see the military link.

Then again, when I was 24 I went travelling and ended up living in anarchist squat in Montreal ...

[dogday]

103. I share your pain Binka, you know I do

My 22 year son is leaving for Ft. Polk this week and within a month he will be taking the trip to Baghdad. I feel so helpless with him for the first time in my life, I cannot tell him what to do. I do say grow eyes in the back of your head and watch everyone and everything. Keep you buddy close to you as well.

You and I will get through this Binka, I am here if you need to talk... Stay strong for your son, he needs the strength from you cause he is scared whether he wants to admit it or not.

[Gelliebeans]

106. Oh dogday

We will continue to work hard so that we bring them ALL home soon. It's not much, but your son is in my thoughts. I can't imagine what you and binka and so many other parents are going through. (((HUG))) for you and your family

peace
gb

[SeattleGirl]

105. My prayers for you and your family

and may your beautiful son come home safe to you.

:hug:

[ngGale]

107. Ouch, Binka....

(((Hugs))):grouphug:

[nadinbrzezinski]

108. hugs and hold on