Saying Goodbye to a Soldier son

[Mari333]

My husband and I sat in the living room last night, as I watched my stepson, and he watched his son, gather his bags and belongings. He we were unusually quiet, but stayed strong, in hopes that he wouldnt worry about us while he was in Iraq. He's really young. 21, Not a whole lot of world experience. He's been living here in my town for the last few years, trying hard to become a police officer, which was his dream, but with all the state cutbacks, and Bush in office, he couldnt find a job that paid decently in Michigan...
So he opted for joining the Army Reserves...we hoped he wouldnt...my husband and I are peace activists, and we marched against Bush in DC twice...
But you cant tell a 21 year old whats good for them.You have to let them decide for themselves. So, this young man decided to join the Reserves to gain some experience in hopes it might land him a better job and add to his credentials and resume..
One weekend a month.
Now he has left. We sat and cried quietly, as he was gathering his things. Trying not to look distressed, but crying , nonetheless. He was also quiet, surveying the goodbyes to all the pets he loves in the house, patting the dog on the head, patting the cats, saying goodbye, goodbye, goodbye to my dinners and his dads laughter and the sounds of our parrot in the front room..sounds he wont hear in Iraq..quiet, peace, the trees he climbed in with his stepbrother when they get together, even at 21. The goofing around with his stepbrothers, my sons, the laughter of watching the Simpsons together, or making jokes .
My oldest son told him keep your helmet on. Use your flak jacket. Dont goof around.
I told him..dont vote for Bush, and we will try to get all of you home faster. Remember that.
We stood by his car and he looked at us. His eyes filled with tears.
He said I love you.
I said to him as I hugged him..I love you like you were my own son.
His dad hugged him, his baby, in his arms.
And he left.
My husband and I clung to each other, and we said "we will see him again."
But under it all, we know we might not.
And to see your loved one drive away to something like this, this LIE, this Lousy stinking LIE of a trumped up War for Nothing..
and pray you will see them again
well, thats more then any human being should be made to bear.
I now dedicate my time and life and devote myself to getting the bastards who created this trumped up war out of MY White House, and lets never ever forget the dead, the wounded, on all sides, who are suffering daily to keep wealthy bastards in power.
Thank you.
www.mfso.org
www.bringthemhomenow.com

[Racenut20]

1. You ARE a true American Patriot. Thanks for the post.

[Divernan]

2. My heart breaks for you all.

Keep us all informed of how he 's doing.

[Mari333]

3. I will I have his email

I asked him to please let us know where he is sent, and please, tell us the truth about whats going on. Dont try to protect us. I also told him, if he needs to get out, and cant bear it, let us know.
I will keep the board appraised of his status and emails. Thank you.

[blondeatlast]

47. Tough stuff, but maybe you could start a blog about what is REALLY going o

over there.

[rvgwinn]

4. Soldier Son

Our hearts and prayers are with you and your Family. Hoping that the new year 2004, will bring peace to the world and with it a New Democrat in the White House that will restore the peaceful relations of the world.

[nostamj]

5. well, that's a kick in the gut

puts one's problems in perspective.

multiply this anguish by 100,000 and multiply it again by the numbers already dead or wounded.

this is bush's america. fear and pain. an endless vision of fear and pain...

[Malva Zebrina]

19. and Bush keeps it up, and keeps it up--these young people are nothing

to him. He most likely veiws them as "hired help" and he is going off shooting quail, and staying at the super ranch in Texas of a Brown and Root "friend" -- he is travelling around on our money--raising millions and millions of dollars so he can do more to send the "hired help" out to snatch another country on his lies.

He is the most despicably coward of a man, having gone AWOL himself, and now claiming to be a "commander in chief" of these vulnerable young people, Bush's "hired help"

They all have "hired help" in Kennebunkport and on those ranches in Texas.

[blondeatlast]

48. Multiply again by the family members affected . . .

[joefree1]

6. Wow, thanks for bringing it home

Some of my conservative relatives that aren't so supportive of the war anymore now that their children are reaching draft age. I'm going to send them a copy of your letter. They might join us in marching after reading it.

Thank you so much.

[kalian]

7. Geez...I'm sorry Marri....

We can only hope that he comes back OK. We can only hope that Bush
will be removed from the WH.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. You are not alone.

[Minstrel Boy]

8. Not for the first time, Mari,

you've brought tears to my eyes. You remind me just how personal this fight can be.

Thank you. God bless you and your family, and God damn Bush.

[lostnfound]

24. Ditto. n/t

[Maeve]

9. Prayers and thought with you

I have a friend who rejoiced to see a son come home from Iraq for furlough only to watch another leave the same weekend. And in two weeks, the first will head back. Makes me hug my own boys that much tighter.

[OldEurope]

10. How I wish I could help you.

:grouphug:

[G_j]

11. I am taking a moment

to light a candle for him and yourselves and to offer a prayer for all who are suffering at the hands of the criminals.

we will not forget, we will not abandon

[sventvkg]

12. My Heart goes out to you...I will never forget My Mom's tears

as I left on the Bus to join the Army and it was in peace time...I will also never forget her crying on the phone and telling me to "come home" when the first Gulf war started and she knew I would probably have to go. God, I was so niave.......That was a heartbreaking letter and I wish that boy a safe tour and the family to have strength and faith...

[SheepyMcSheepster]

13. wishing your family the best.

n/t

[never cry wolf]

14. My eyes are welling up Mari

and my thoughts are with you and your family.

[maxanne]

15. oh Mari333

I'm so sorry - and I send you the biggest hug possible. Last week at my UU church I lit a candle for all our sons and daughters in Iraq.
My best friend's sister leaves this week.

I am with you in prayer - and in working to get them home, and get rid of those who put them there - as well as holding them accountable.

[rasputin1952]

16. This scene is being played out in thousands of American households...

the vast majority of them silently sending their sons and daughters off to fight in a foreign land, that was never a threat to us. My heart breaks. As a vet, I can understand your anguish, and may you rest peacefully at night, knowing that the hopes and prayers; the good energy of the nation is moving to remove this monster from the WH, and the safe return of all of our brothers and sisters.

I saw that bastard bush this morning saying 2004 was going to be a good year; yes, it will, we'll get this black souled cretin out of office!

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your Soldier Son. He will be fine.

O8)

[Hogarth]

17. That was beautiful, Honey.

I'm going to copy it into the first letter I send Michael--once he's allowed to give us a mailing address.

I'd challenge his own mother (my ex-wife) to be so loving and empathetic, but we know she's neither inclined nor capable

I don't have to wait for the address, either, before writing the letter. There's much to say in the meantime.

Thanks, and all my love,
Scott

[Mari333]

26. My love to you too sweetheart

we will make it.

[watercolors]

18. Said goodbye to grandson also

He was home for Christmas and will deployed soon, he is in the air force. Enlisted in Aug., he feels he is not ready to be sent into a war. Saying bye was so difficult to all of the family. WE also have cried many tears, my heart is heavy as he is our first grandson and so special to me. I have watched him grow into a young man (20).

I too am on a mission to help rid this country of this evil *, I will work even harder at it now. My prayers are with you also.

[rasputin1952]

20. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours...

your G'son will come home soon, safe and sound.

O8)

[Mari333]

29. and mine with you

May 2004 bring the destruction of GW Bush and all the cretins in the White House . Lets work hard.

[DemExpat]

21. My heart aches for the 2 posters here saying goodbye to young men...

My son is also 20.
I said goodbye to him this morning as he and his girlfriend left for the airport for a 2 week holiday in the Maldive Islands in the Indian Ocean......
A little apprehension about the distance and isolation of the destination, but this totally pales in the light of the stories of those here watching their loved young men leaving for IRAQ!!!!!

It simply boggles this mother's mind and heart. :cry: :grouphug: :cry:

Barb

[prolesunited]

22. This brought tears to my eyes

especially thinking about it multiplied by the thousands. If you have a chance, I urge you to put a little polish on this (I would be happy to help) and get this published. People need to feel the truth.

:hug: to you entire family. Your words will remain in my heart.

[Mari333]

25. Go ahead.

Im mad, Im angry, I'm tired but my husband (Hogarth) and I wont stop fighting.
We cant let these blackhearted bastards destroy everything we love.

[phillybri]

23. Your son is a hero....

Never forget this...He'll be home again.

:hug:

[proud patriot]

27. hugs

:loveya:

[takebackthewh]

28. How many dead now?

500? God this war is such a waste.

Prayers for your son.

[Mari333]

30. war dead and wounded

http://lunaville.org/warcasualties/Summary.aspx
IMO there are a lot more. we are not seeing anything.
Amerikkka is a fascist state with no free press.

[Valerie5555]

31. War protest sign ideas

"SUPPORT THE TROOPS, BRING THEM BACK ALIVE"


"BRING 'EM BACK ALIVE, NOT BRING 'EM ON"


"SUPPORT THE TROOPS, GET THEM A BETTER COMMANDER IN CHIEF"


Pardon my use of ALL CAPS, I just used that for emphasis.

[Mari333]

32. Bush said Bring Them On and Mothers of Soldiers Wept Til Dawn

thats what mine say on my car
and many more.

[Valerie5555]

33. How about SUPPORT THE TROOPS, GET THEM A COMMANDER IN CHIEF

NOT A COWARDLY CHICKENPOOP IN CHIEF.


For it is a KNOWN FACT that Bush FLEW OUT OF HARM'S WAY on September 11 2001 when the terror incidents happened.

[superbug]

49. DUH!

Clinton would have done the same thing, Bush 41 would have done the same, ect...... It is their job to stay alive to run the Nation.

[Lorien]

53. No they would not

have run from port to port, dodging invisable persuers. They would have taken charge, followed protocol, and ordered the hijacked planes shot down. Bush* sat in a schoolroom for half an hour after the first attack and read a story about a girl and her goat, then flew around the country wetting himself over a threat that was NOT aimed at either Sarasota or Air Force one (the CIA and FBI admitted as much). You're new around here, but if you manage to stay long enough, you'll soon understand how completely inappropriate Bush's actions (and inaction) was that day.

[tinanator]

40. support the truth

Bring 'em on home now.

[DS1]

34. Where's he going? Iraq or bootcamp?

If bootcamp, he probably won't be deployed anywhere for a good 5 - 6 months.

[Columbia]

36. Or perhaps not all depending on his specialty

[tnlefty]

35. I can't even begin to imagine...

I'm in tears reading this. Saying that I'm sorry seems so hollow.

I have 3 sons and I just can't begin to imagine this scenario. I just don't think that my brain can wrap around it. I'll keep you and yours in my thoughts. Along with others who are suffering, too.

[Individualist]

37. My heart goes out to you, Mari

You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers in the days and months to come.

[rasputin1952]

38. I keep coming back to this thread because of the humanity here...

I have already voiced some of my thoughts, and those of you who have read my posts and threads previously, about war; know that I am not in favor of this particular action.

There are reasons to go to war. Some may say we were attacked on 9/11.
To them, I say we were attacked, yes; but not by a completely non-threatening regime in Iraq.

Some say the world is a better place without Saddam. To them I say, fine, it would be a better place without bush as PoUS as well.

Years ago, MG Smedley Butler, USMC, twice awarded the MoH, was asked why he was retiring from the Marine Corps. In a speech, he outlined why he was leaving the Corps. He made it a point to mention that he would never again go to war, or lead others to war, for less than national security. He was adamant in his belief that the the nation had taken a turn for the worse, and going to war for corporate profit was not the role of the military.

Butler was asked to run for president, but told people he had seen enough mud in his time, and didn't need any more. Here is a bona fide National hero, with a brilliant military carreer behind him telling corporate America that they are far from the ideology of what this country was founded upon. This was in 1931! (He did run for the Senate in 1932, but did not make it).

Young men and women fight wars created by old men who have quite often avoided military service in the first place. The current war is
a prime example of why we learn so little from history.

We must all do whatever we can to remove bush from office in Nov. If there is a chance, we must turn the Congress around as well. The way we can do this is to get every Dem out there to vote for whichever candidate comes out of the fray. Get those who are not registered to register. Inform people of how we feel about this administration in decisive discussions that get the mental juices flowing.

WE are the United States of America. This is OUR country. WE are the True Patriots of this nation. This is our chance to prove how strong we truly are. There is no room for apathy, we must get OUR country back on track. We will defeat the current administration; it will take work, but we will get these black-hearted bastards OUT OF OUR WHITE HOUSE!

O8)

[Mari333]

39. amen

amen

[BiggJawn]

41. We said "Be Careful!" to a family friend last week...

Young guy like your grandson.Pretty somber, nobody saying "Yee-hah! go kick some Eye-racky ass!" nothing. My GF's usually wing-nut sister and Bro-in-law weren't happy, either. After Jerr left, Bro says "He wouldn't have to go if that bastard in DC hadn't cooked-up this fake war! He oughta be IMPEACHED!"

All we can do is hope. Hope and work to unhorse that usurper in OUR house!

[latebloomer]

42. Keep that white light around him!

My heart hurts for you and your family. Keep visualizing him being protected and safe, and this horror ending SOON!!

[bleedingheart]

I am so sorry

this war is just so wrong...

[bleedingheart]

43. I am so sorry

this war is just so wrong...

[seventhson]

44. Tears here

for you and all of those who are in that sad and unnecessary situation.

Please try to lend your support if you can muster it to John Buchanan's campaign as a Repub in the primaries against Bush.

He is the Truth candidate.

I posted a story about it in the Primary forum.

Your voice is being heard.

I also weep for Democracy.

I am so sorry that America has made you have to endure this.

Keep the Faith, though. You are hardly alone.

And our prayers are with all of you.

[RebelOne]

45. I am so totally choked up after reading your post.

And I'm hoping for the safe return of your stepson.

[blondeatlast]

46. Blessings to you and your family. I pray ever day for peace to

come and the killing and maiming to stop.

[seventhson]

50. This is too important to let go by...

without some more folks reading it.

[Mikimouse]

51. Keep the home fires burning...

I hope that he will be home, safe and sound as soon as possible. My thoughts and prayers go to all of you.

[rasputin1952]

52. kick...

Once more through the mill for the weekend crew.

O8)

[Hippo_Tron]

54. If it's any comfort...

Chances are that he will come home alive and well.