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April 27, 2004

A Mother's View

Here is an e-mail from Becky, future Mom of LCPL Travis of the 3/7 Marine:

Dear friends,

I hope you don?t mind affording me the opportunity to share what?s been on my heart all morning. I have had the privilege of getting a glimpse into the lives of our young Marines serving in Iraq and elsewhere throughout the world through their letters, emails and calls to their loved ones. The average age of these young men is 19; some are as young as 17. Many will celebrate their birthdays for the second time in Iraq.

They have seen more death than most of us will see in a lifetime. They have watched many ?brothers? die, but have had little time to grieve. They must remain focused and are expected to perform their job amidst hatred, taunts, and jeers on a daily basis. Many have left home for the first time ever. Some have left young wives, some pregnant with their first child Many have received the news of a birth or news of a pregnancy while in Iraq. At times, they may go close to 2 weeks or sometimes even longer before they are able to get a shower. Their patrols can last anywhere from 36 to 40 hours without sleep, and then, when they finally do get to sleep, it is only for a few hours and sometimes in foxholes made of sand.

When they do get mail, they all sit around and watch each other open their packages to see what each one has received and they share freely. They compare it to opening birthday or Christmas presents. When I was mailing my packages this morning, the postal worker struck up a conversation with me regarding the troops overseas. He had formerly been in the Army and was telling me just how special these packages are to the guys over there and went on to say ?you would not believe how many guys receive no mail at all!? That just breaks my heart to think about it!

There are many, many mothers at home missing their babies. I hear these mothers talk of calling their son?s cell phone just to hear his voice on his voice mail? wearing their son?s shirt around the house because it smells like him? not being able to reach through the phone line to wrap them in their arms when they tell their mothers they have just lost their best friend? and then having to hear this country berate them for being there, doing their job. It makes me weep! I know that these Marines often feel that they have been forgotten and are unappreciated by us, with the exception of their proud family and a few friends. They believe in what they are doing. They have chosen to serve this country, to fight for our freedom and many will never come home again alive. I have such high respect and regard for each and every one of them. My heart breaks when each one falls.

I know my eyes have been opened. Why have I written this? I?m not really sure except to say, please remember? in some way, each day? remember them for their great sacrifice. They are all, every one of them, TRUE HEROS

Posted by Deb at April 27, 2004 07:04 AM