A Fathers Vigil (Please read this article, it breaks my heart)

[xray s]

This is tearing up all of us.

http://www.dailyherald.com/news_story.asp?intid=38030382

A father's vigil
By Joseph Ryan Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted February 13, 2004

For Paul Vogel, seven months of worrying about his son in Iraq was enough. So during one of the Iraq war's deadliest periods, he caught a plane from O'Hare to Jordan, and then hopped on a prop jet that rumbled right into the heart of Baghdad.

"It came to the point, you know, you start thinking -- I'd just as soon not see him when he comes home in a casket. I'd rather go there and see him while he's alive," he said. Vogel's simplistic plan was uncharted. No military families were known to have traveled to Iraq, but several did follow Vogel's lead and make the trip later. Vogel's love for his son and passionate objection to the war not only compelled him to take such a risk, they've also driven him to create a sea of red, white and blue at his office in Barrington.

Since the war began in March, Vogel has placed a small American flag in front of his temp service on Main Street to solemnly honor the death of each soldier in Iraq. The number has swelled to 536. On Wednesday, he added two more flags for the soldiers who were killed in a roadside bombing in western Baghdad.

Despite knowing his trip to Iraq could cost him his life, Vogel felt himself helplessly drawn to the country. As he entered Iraq in October, he felt the danger right in his stomach. "When the planes enter Baghdad airport, they have to do these maneuvers to avoid missile attacks. They start above the airport and spiral straight down before flaring out at the last second to land," Vogel said. "You feel helpless and terrified, yet the g-forces are pinning you back in your seat."

snip

Paul Vogel plans to continue his anti-war advocacy. He has a sign ready to put up on his temp service business when his son returns.
It reads: "Proud of our son! Ashamed of our president!" Vogel said he has had few complaints about his silent demonstrations. And his business, which relies on other businesses for contracts, has not suffered. Though if it does, he won't stop. "If a military family can't oppose the war who can?" he said.

[For PaisAn]

1. It breaks my heart too

thanks for posting it. I honor Mr. Vogel and will pray for his son.
He should put that sign up now. "Proud of our son! Ashamed of our president!"

[david_vincent]

2. What bothers me is the impression

that "Americans" feel it's OK to protest the war if
you have a loved one over there, but you had damn well
better shut up and toe the line if you don't.