My son is a Marine currently deployed and not allowed to tell me where he is. Another son was a soldier and served in Iraq. My brother is Air Force. He has served a couple of times in Iraq and is currently serving in Afghanistan. My cousin was a soldier and served in the Gulf War. My dad was a Green Beret during the Viet Nam war. I have earned the right to denounce you for your lack of service. When it comes to patriotism and the right to condemn yours, I am entitled to do that. Really?
I have never served in the armed forces, government, or even at the local food pantry. Even if I had, just the idea that I would have that right is a complete slam to freedom, democracy, and patriotism.
I have been struggling with some of what I have been reading from other Marine mothers. I just learned that we are MoMs. I haven't asked but reasoned out that a MoM is a Mom of a Marine. Smart girl, huh? There is a comraderie and unity among them that I feel like I'm on the outside of and looking in. I can identify with their fears, concerns, and pride for their children. I can't identify with the idea there is something special about us simply because our children serve. I didn't raise my children to believe they had a patriotic obligation to serve this great country. I am proud that they do but their decisions were strictly their own. I supported one with his decision on the outside while secretly praying on the inside that he would change his mind. The other one, I kicked and drug my feet all the way to the recruiters office.
How many of us had our children come to us and say, "I am joining the military because it's my honor and duty to serve my country?" There may be a few exceptions out there but, for the most part, that isn't how it works. My soldier made his decision to join the Army when he was a freshman in high school. What does a 14 year old know about politics or even his own mortality? The truth is, he liked guns. My Marine was 26 with a wife and daughter when he decided to enlist. His reasons may have had more maturity behind them but they still weren't purely alturistic. Through the military they learn honor and duty to country with a much higher conviction than most of us but that is rarely the initial motivation to enlist.
I am watching as anyone with a contrary opinion to MoMs are turned on like heathens and verbally stoned to death. The common theme as these people are assaulted for their opinions seems to be, "I am the mother of a Marine so my position is untouchable. Our boys have fought for your freedom to say what you are saying." That is very disturbing to me.
I chose to honor my sons, my brother, my cousin, my dad, and the centuries of men that have fought for that freedom by sharing my disagreement with dignity and respect.
I have never said OOOH RAH! I don't feel I have earned that right. Maybe I'm just not cut out to be a MoM.
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I think you are one of the strongest, most honest women I have ever met! You have amazing children due to that, the fact that you feel this way I believe makes you even better because you don't realize what a huge impact you have on you children and others around you!!! I love you much! Thank you for the blog!
ReplyDeletethank you Sandy, i am glad that you see it somewhat from my perspective. yes i am getting verbally stoned to death because these MoMs think that they are better than me just because their sons are fighting for my freedom. As i have said in posts i have made i have wanted to be a marine since i was in 6th grade right after 9-11 i knew then, as i watched the tv in school that i was supposed to help fight for our countries freedom, but that was not possible due to medical circumstances. I can only pray that theses MoMs see what other people go through every day and kno that they are not the only ones going thru tough times. i mean no disrespect with that comment but i can see how it might come off that way, especially with the way others have been acting to the smallest of comments lately...have a great day!
ReplyDeleteAllie