Speaking of Afghanistan, I spoke with my son last night - he will probably be there later this year

[The Straight Story]

He did well at boot camp and is finishing up his training in Oklahoma, graduates Monday and flies back here on Tuesday.

He and his wife and kids will be moving down to Ft Hood where he will get more training and most likely head off to Afghanistan shortly thereafter (you never know, he could end up somewhere else but he did request infantry and wanted to go to either there or Iraq).

His main reason for going in was money and a chance to get an education later on. He has done well and is graduating with honors.

He is a good kid really, has his problems like the rest of us, and I guess I just keep pushing it to the back of my mind that he may well soon be in a war.

We spent years apart and I looking forward to spending more time with him as I did about two years ago when he lived with me for a spell.

He is a father, a husband, a son and he may soon be fighting in one of bush's wars.

He may die in one.

Which makes me ask myself as I have from time to time - what would he be dying for?

[Arctic Dave]

1. I think you have acknowledged the elephant in the room.

Parents with kids in the military have to acknowledge this very question at one point or another.

I don't have this question you have, but for anyone fighting in these "wars", I can't see any reason for them except to make some people very wealthy.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

2. Don't ask yourself that now.

Don't.

It'll take you somewhere that is not good for you. Not now.

If he doesn't go there, then ask the questions.

If he goes, ask yourself the question when he returns safely - as he will, you know he will.

But, for now, no. I can ask the question, others can ask the question, but you cannot afford, not should you, to ask the question.

It doesn't matter now. His safety matters. That's all.

I'll do double-time agonizing about our policy for you, how about that? When he's back, let me know, and I'll cut back.

OK?

[The Straight Story]

4. Hadn't really thought about it till he called last night

It all seemed so normal and surreal. "Oh, probably going there, huh?", "Yeah", "Cool, what did you think of your plane flight down to Oklahoma" and so on.

After the last 4 years, splitting up with the wife, not seeing my daughter as much as I would like, and so on loss seems to be imprinted on my mind.

I have a new job I start in the morning, should take my mind off things for a spell.

That and beer. :) And smokes! (the currently legal smokes)

[Tangerine LaBamba]

9. Man, you've been through some stuff lately!

I'd say you probably are kind of numb from all the life-changing events you just quoted. And they do seem to be ongoing.

Good luck with the new job, and good luck with everything else.

I just re-discovered my old friend, beer with a shot of Rose's Lime Juice stirred in. Man, I love that combination!

Anyway, vaya con dios, amigo.................

:toast:

[liberalmuse]

3. I can't imagine how hard this must be for you.

I admire those moms and dads whose kids are in harms way. I don't think I could handle it. It takes a strong person, but it also could take a person who doesn't have a choice. As a parent, it was so hard to let go, but I have, and now my child's life is up to her. I wish the best for your son. I've no doubt you love him more than life itself.

I'm one of those who had a strong preference for President Clinton's plan. Bring the perpetrators to trial. Don't get the innocents involved in this shit. Take it directly to the ones who committed the atrocities.

[The Straight Story]

5. My youngest son Zach heads to boot camp in June, wants to follow his big brother

My middle son was going to enlist then changed his mind (although I have not talked to him in 10 years, Zach told me about it all).

[bigtree]

6. A lot of what he'll be doing is supporting his fellow troops

That's enough to take pride in, outside of the pride he should feel in committing his life and livelihood to our nation's defense. His legacy in the military will have everything to do with his own conduct in service. I'm sure he'll make you proud, as well.

[The Straight Story]

7. Has made me proud so far, has turned his life around a lot

Still scary, but if it all works out ok I can see him coming out ahead in life and doing well for himself and his family.

[BamaGirl]

8. Good luck to him

:hug: My husband may deploy out of Hood in June. (Hard to guess accurately at this point as he got shot last year and his doctors are really reluctant to release him to full status for the Guard. Messes up the worker's comp for his pain meds.) As for why? Wish I could tell you. My hubby was active duty for about 8 years and has been Guard for the last 8 years. He's been activated 3.5 of those Guard years and he's pissed about maybe not going to Iraq. Not because he has a jones for war or he thinks it's right, but because he's a senior NCO and he just doesn't trust anyone else to take care of his soldiers. You can imagine, the whole house is very conflicted about this. On one hand, we know how he feels. Otoh, he got shot in the head on duty at home last spring. It's hard all the way around, for everyone involved. The military, especially the enlisted and NCO ranks, are being seriously abused and disserviced now. I hope an end is put this soon.