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Offline rich_t

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Burden?
« on: February 02, 2009, 11:02:47 PM »
I was on another board this evening chatting with an old friend that I haven't 'seen' in a while.

I was telling her about my son in Iraq and about how his convey came under small arms and RPG attack a week or so ago.

She posted what a burden him being over there must be to me.

I responded:

Quote
It's not a burden xxx, it is a gift. My son is willing to sacrifice and die (if needed) in service of his country.

Those that founded this country gave us a gift of freedom and liberty at great personal cost; many have served and died in the name of freedom and libery since.

I am proud of him and those that currently serve with him, that they too are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice if called upon to do so.

I thank him and those that serve with him for their gift of their service to our nation. I am thankful for the fact that they know they might die, yet still answer the call to service anyway.

People like my son founded this country and have defended it for over 200 years.

It's not a burden.

I really do feel that way even though I know it will tear my heart out if he dies over there.

Do any of you have loved ones in harms way in Iraq or Afghanistan?  Is their being there a burden to you?
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"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas, 1944

Offline Thor

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Re: Burden?
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2009, 11:24:56 PM »
Is she a Bleeding heart liberal ?? Kind of sounds like it.
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Offline terry

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Re: Burden?
« Reply #2 on: February 02, 2009, 11:30:08 PM »
Not yet.  I have a nephew, Chris,  in the Air force and I believe he will be going before too long.  He is still in training right now.

His father is in marketing and makes a very good living with a large company.  When my nephew said he wanted to join the military, his father expressed some concern.  His father had hopes that Chris would go to college and go on to get an MBA.  

Chris said to his dad "You would think that would be the safer route, but that's the route many of the folks in the twin towers took".    He said "at least if they come after me, I will be shooting back".  Chris tried to join the marines as soon as he graduated from HS, but he had a hernia.  They wouldn't take him until it was repaired.   He ended up going to college and going into the Air Force through an ROTC program.

A nephew is not the same as a son, I know, but I do love the kid.  I don't see it as a burden.  I don't think my sister does either.  

We are military brats though.   When we were little, we knew our dad could be in harms way.  We had friends who lost their fathers.  It wasn't a burden.  It just was.

It can't help but be a worry though.  

I salute you for successfully raising a wonderful human being, who is willing to sacrifice so much for the benefit of others.

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Offline Rick

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Re: Burden?
« Reply #3 on: February 02, 2009, 11:59:13 PM »
This is my son in laws third trip, to Iraq. He is one of the southern cities doing shipping container inspections/security. My daughter would be heart broken if something were to happen to him.
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Offline DumbAss Tanker

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Re: Burden?
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2009, 06:44:39 AM »
My oldest son went to Iraq and came back in one piece, more or less at the time the insurgents and militias were working up to their peak.  I sweated it all the way, but knew he went voluntarily and had to see his duty through, so indeed it is an emotional burden, but also a fulfillment to see him undertake the call of duty and see it through.  He completed his 4-year active duty obligation last month and is now just kind of bumming it until college starts in the Fall.
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Offline Crazy Horse

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Re: Burden?
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2009, 04:46:53 PM »
God bless you all that have family in harm's way and God bless them

I'm in awe of their call to service..................damn allergies
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Offline rich_t

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Re: Burden?
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2009, 05:04:14 PM »
Quote from: Thor on February 02, 2009, 11:24:56 PM
Is she a Bleeding heart liberal ?? Kind of sounds like it.

Actually no.  She is quite conservative.  I think she was just trying to relay compassion, and is wishing my son the best.  She fully supports the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Offline Thor

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Re: Burden?
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2009, 09:57:41 PM »
Quote from: rich_t on February 03, 2009, 05:04:14 PM
Actually no.  She is quite conservative.  I think she was just trying to relay compassion, and is wishing my son the best.  She fully supports the war in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Sorry, but I seem to envision people that would say that serving one's country in a war zone is a "burden" to their parents would fall towards the liberal side.  Perhaps a little frightening, but never a burden.
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"The state must declare the child to be the most precious treasure of the people. As long as the government is perceived as working for the benefit of the children, the people will happily endure almost any curtailment of liberty and almost any deprivation."- IBID

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Offline rich_t

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Re: Burden?
« Reply #8 on: February 03, 2009, 10:33:24 PM »
Quote from: Thor on February 03, 2009, 09:57:41 PM
Sorry, but I seem to envision people that would say that serving one's country in a war zone is a "burden" to their parents would fall towards the liberal side.  Perhaps a little frightening, but never a burden.

My service in 90-91 in the 1st Gulf War was an emotional burden to my parents.

My mom kept a diary the whole time I was gone.  She gave it to me not long after I came home alive and well.

I cryed when I read it.  I had no idea how hard my service in a war zone was for her and my dad.  It didn't have jack shit to due with their political views.  They had a son in harms way that they might never see alive again.

I too have a son in harms way that I may never see alive again.  His service isn't the burden for me.

Attending his funeral would be.




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"The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of 'liberalism,' they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened." --Norman Thomas, 1944
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