It Just Got Very Personal

[PornoDoggy]

My girlfriend just got "the" phonecall from her son tonight ... he's leaving at 4:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. Since he is a Captain in the USMC, I guess I don't need to explain where he's going, or why we are worried.

I'm not going to go off on what I think about the war ... or what I think about the people who are sending him. I'll argue my positions on that some other time. See, this isn't about whether I agree with the war (I do, but the timing is suspect at best) or like Bush (I don't) - this is about what it feels like in your gut when you know someone you love is going, you can't take their place, and there ain't a damn thing you can do about it. It's too bad his place couldn't be taken by some of the folks who seem so excited at the prospect of the war, so convinced of the righteousness of this cause - or by an overweight 50 year old arthritic athsmatic ex-sailor who'd go in a minute if the kid could stay home.

I didn't feel like this when he was in Afghanistan - and since he'd sailed off on a WestPac in August, 2001, he was one of the first in. Sure - we were scared shitless, but why he was there was crystal clear. I don't think I'd feel this way if he was going off to look for Osama, either. This shit ... this shit leaves a very foul taste in my mouth and a very tense spot in my gut that I don't like.

Please don't hand me any patriotic happy-crappy. I spent too many years in uniform myself to buy that stuff. He's doing what he wants to do, and I am as proud of him as I can be. I know he and his men will do everything that's asked of them or die trying - problem is, that "die trying" ain't just hollow rhetoric now. I just wish a whole lot more of the sorry sons of bitches in D.C. - male and female, black and white, Democrats and Republicans - had to hold a Marine's mother in their arms as they made this decision. Not just think about a Marine's mother, but be there when she get the world.

So ... say a prayer, think a positive thought, sacrifice a virgin for him, whatevery your beliefs allow you to do, would you?



Last edited by PornoDoggy at Feb 10 2003, 12:25 AM

[TheEnforcer]

Here's to hoping he'll remain safe and secure in everything he does.

[Peaches]

Originally posted by PornoDoggy@Feb 10 2003, 01:24 AM
So ... say a prayer, think a positive thought, sacrifice a virgin for him, whatevery your beliefs allow you to do, would you?
Most certainly. Our best wishes and hope go with him. Please keep us posted.

[cj]

>>and I am as proud of him as I can be

PD, i'm sure you will tell him this personally many times before he goes

my thoughts are with you and your girlfriend and her son for his safe return.

[dantheman]

He's one of many brothers who are there or in route to do thier job.
I wish him and his men the best!

Semper Fi

[Mutt]

Best wishes to your step-son Pornodoggy. You are right that war to people who do not have family involved doesn't mean as much, it can't. But I also believe that Bush is doing this for the right reason. So your son and 10's of thousands like him are putting their necks on the line for the rest of us, it's what a soldier does.

If we left decisions concerning the military to Moms and Dads of servicemen there would never be any military action taken unless enemy tanks rolled down our streets. But everybody totally understands a Mom or Dad's concern for their kid and I would expect you to be more demanding when it comes to being convinced an attack on Iraq is necessary.

I think it is...............but if it was my ass or my kid's, who knows, I'd be hoping Bush would find another strategy.

[Brad Mitchell]

Originally posted by TheEnforcer@Feb 9 2003, 09:55 PM
Here's to hoping he'll remain safe and secure in everything he does.
I'll second that. Best wishes for a safe and speedy return for him.

Brad

[Mike AI]

PD I wish your gf's son God's speed on his return home.

Not having children is hard for me to conceptualize the issue. I do have a handful of friends, and relatives who are in the Persian Gulf area.... and my prayers go out for all of them.

Hopefully the war will be over fast, since we will be adhereing to the Powell Doctrine of overwhelming force.

I recently read an article that interviewed some Iraqi soliders, regular guys not Rep. Guard. They are terrified, if the stay and fight they will be killed by the US, if they try to flee they will be killed by their commanders. Most expressed that they and their buddies would give up minute combat started.... which is good news. Most seemed opimistic that if they do survive they will have a chance to experience freedom....

Anyway I will be saying prayers for all of the fine people in out armed forces....

[Anthony]

PD,

Thoughtful reading.

My best to you and yours.

[VooMan]

Originally posted by SinEmpire+Feb 10 2003, 10:43 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (SinEmpire @ Feb 10 2003, 10:43 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteBegin--TheEnforcer@Feb 9 2003, 09:55 PM
Here's to hoping he'll remain safe and secure in everything he does.
I'll second that. Best wishes for a safe and speedy return for him.

Brad[/b][/quote]
I third that... I will keep him in my prayers.

Andrew

[sextoyking]

PD,

please let the Mrs. know that my prayers are with you, her and her son.

At least he is an officer, not that it makes alot of diff. :(

[Torone]

Pd,
On this we can agree...I hope he comes back safe and sound.

[Raven]

I have a son. He is 19.

My prayers are with him.

And, if there were virgins anywhere around, I'd surely sacrifice one for you.

[LadyLaw]

Dear PD:

Your post reflects the gravity and uncertainty of an impending war, the sobering reality saying goodbye to loved ones, not knowing the outcome.

My prayers and best wishes join those of all of us here at Oprano for a safe and speedy return of your step-son, for all sons and daughters, fathers, wives....God bless.

[Carrie]

PD -
{{{HUGS}}}

[sarettah]

Pd.... my thoughts are with you....

My son is 21 and has been in the Navy just over 2 years.. He is currently home on leave and after a way too short of visit, he will have to head back to Japan on Sunday.... His ship carrys about 1000 or so Marines, so I am very afraid that he will be seeing action either in the persian gulf or off of Korea in the foreseeable future....

It is different when it is personal... I often do not sleep well while he is away at sea and out of contact with the world.... When he is in Japan, his too seldom phone calls are at 3 or 4 in the morning my time and because of the nature of the job, they are often cryptic with my son hoping that I can interpret the message using my Navy experience, although often I cannot... But each call does assure me he is alive and well....

I have canceled basically everything this week in order to spend more time with him... Even just sitting and watching the tube is a treat.... After he goes back Sunday, I don't know when I will see him again so I want as much of him as I can right now...

It might have to last me the rest of my life......


May God Bless those that go and fight our battles for us.........

and May God Damn those that are so willing to send them........

The only people who actively hope to go to war are those that have not experienced it first hand.....

[dantheman]

nice post sare:)

My sister and her husband is in okinawa now, he's a jarhead and has been gone for 4 weeks and can only let her know that hes ok right now. She has no idea where he is or what he's doing. Her and the 2 kids are stuck in limbo waiting:( At least if everything goes well they'll be back in the states this summer.

SemperFi to them all :rokk:

[originalheather]

And, if there were virgins anywhere around, I'd surely sacrifice one for you

Well, there's always KK...oh wait, wrong thread :P

PD...I have friends in the service, it's a scary thing to think about. I hope your gf's boy comes back safe and sound.

I have nothing but admiriation for the men and women that choose to make jackshit wages in order to protect our country or sometimes have to just go off and do the dirty work for politicians, but their motives are most honorable.

I have a friend who's a copter pilot stationed toooo close to N. Korea that keeps telling me that he's going to be taken out by a 12 year old with a shoulder missle. That sort of shit is what keeps me up nights.

I can't say I either agree or disagree with the reasons why we seem to be about to go to war, I've been too wrapped up trying to live to read enough to give an informed opinion, but the thought of the young people that are going to die if there is one is enough to make me shudder.

[KC]

PD,

Please thank him for helping us all sleep better at night. The boys and girls in the armed forces are huge part of what makes America so great.

I hope this conflict is resolved quickly. :(

-KC

[The Other Steve]

PD & Sare - Marie and I have you guys in our thoughts - we know where you're coming from and you know where to find us if you need to talk.