Marine Mom, Toughest Job in the Corp by Tina Richards

[proud2BlibKansan]

Marine Mom,
Toughest Job in the Corp

by Tina Richards


Just before my son’s first deployment in January 2003, he gave me a key chain, “Marine Mom, Toughest Job In The Corp.” I had no idea how true this slogan was to become.

“Mom, I’ve never seen you cry, “ my son told me before his first deployment in 2003, “now is not the time to start.”

Seeing your first-born and only son off to war is one of the most difficult experiences a mother goes through. As a Marine Mom, it must be done bravely. I did not look upon him as a man, but as my baby I held in my arms 18 years before. Yet I entrusted the United States Marines Corp would take care of my son and ensure he would have everything he needed to go to war. Unfortunately, I already knew when I had to purchase his combat boots for Christmas, this was a forewarning of what was to come.

For two tours of duties, I waited for news that my son was alive. When I received the news, I would react with tears and joy. As I would hang up the phone or finish reading the email, I would be overwhelmed with guilt knowing another mother was receiving the news her son was returning in a flagged draped coffin.

When he returned, I was faced with a military ready to discard him. A man torn from the horrors of war. A person I did not recognize except fleetingly from a glimmer in his eyes. His cries were desperate; a call in the middle of the night as he held the gun in his mouth. “Mom, I’ve killed too many innocent Iraqi women and children,” he pleaded, “I don’t deserve to live.” As an artillery man, he trusted his Commanding Officers to give orders to kill insurgents, not women and children.

But I did not cry. At least not in front of anyone.

For almost two years, I watched my son struggle to regain his life. The injuries, physically and mentally, from this war seemed insurmountable. The VA sent him letters, “Don’t call us, we’ll call you,” combined with substandard care. As we fought for what he deserved, I fought to keep him alive. I was not going to lose him to this war after he made it home alive from two tours.

He found fighting for peace and poetry as a means to live.

I walked the halls of congress with my sons poem to find justice for our veterans and an end to the war. His report date back to service was March 24. How could they send him after he honorably served and was honorably discharged? He was offered special treatment from congressman and senators, but he refused. How could he accept any help with his brothers and sisters dying in Iraq? At every turn I was told the impossible cannot happen. I knew a miracle must.

On March 24 as I was driving to New York City, my son was personally handed his combat related disability papers. At 80% disabled, he will not have to return.
Ever.

I cried. I rejoiced. Never tell a Marine Mom something cannot be done.

Then the overwhelming feeling of guilt hit me again. Someone else’s child would go in his place. As long as this occupation rages on, I cannot sleep soundly. Each day my son struggles as this war tears at him. I cannot enjoy this miracle until I know everyone of our sons and daughters are home.

So as I walk the halls of congress alone, I notice something missing. Where were the people in the people’s house?

The citizen lobbyist is out-numbered a thousand to one, though, in these halls. I see lobbyist from all the defense contractors by the hundreds. I have always wondered why we have a war department but not a department of peace. It is no wonder when our representatives are talking with the profiteers of war a thousand more times then they talk with those who see diplomacy as a means and our military as the final and last resort.

. I was recently at a dinner with Garrett Reppenhagen of Iraq Vets Against the War, where he related his meeting with Senator Kerry. "Senator Kerry told me, 'I have met with five hundreds people this week, and you are the only one here talking of peace,'" said Garrett. Until those numbers change, each generation will see war enter their lives. No matter how hard we work to protect our children, parents will suffer as we send our children off to war.

So Join me in DC.......Let's reclaim our Democracy

posted in its entirety with permission from the author

[annabanana]

1. Tina Richards is a remarkable woman.

There are so many in her shoes right now.

She is 100% right. Not one American citizen who cares should come within 100 miles of Washington and NOT lobby their congressperson. The emails, faxes, phone calls and letters matter, but they could never take the place of looking your rep in the eye and asking for the end to this war.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. And many of them are home now

I am meeting with mine this week. :)

[annabanana]

3. Give 'em hell, proud2Blib!. . . . . n/t

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. You know I will

:)