HomeMom on the Run
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Soldiers' Angels
Back in October, I read the Bee article about the soldier from Stockton who had committed suicide over in Iraq. He was 21 years old. I repeat, 21 years old. His story struck me in such a way. I cried for him, for his too short life, for the loneliness he must have felt for so long, exacerbated by being so far from home. But the part that upset me most was that this soldier had family - a mom and sister, maybe more, but they are the only ones I can recall - that did not support him while he was in Iraq. No letters, no packages. Nothing. Why? Why????
Regardless of your feelings on the war, there are men and women over there. Some older, most younger. They are doing what is expected of them. And they deserve our support. We want them all to come back safe, right? It's tragic if they die in combat or friendly fire. It's devastating if they die by their own hand. I can write and pontificate all I want on the subject, but it's much more effective for me to do something proactive. So the same day I finished reading the article (it was a 2-parter, I believe), I signed up for Soldiers' Angels. I was assigned a soldier within two days. They encouraged me to "adopt" more; there are so many waiting. But I felt I could only commit to one at first - I didn't want to short-change her. I send her a letter or email once a week, a package once a month. She's an artist, she loves to read. She doesn't talk about what she's doing over there - I don't ask. She likes to hear about the kids, and what they're up to. She sends beautiful letters that make me weep, because she is so appreciative of my support. I should be thanking her - the sacrifices she has made and continues to make. It seems so backwards, but it's a pretty common sentiment, I've learned. They are over there, and we are here in our comfy homes, complaining about how cold it is, how we can't wait until it's the weekend. Does she even get a weekend? I see my family every day - she has to wait over a year, and even then it's just a short two weeks or whatever until she's deployed again. And she's young. Too young to be over there, in my opinion. But she is. And she has seen things that I hope I will never see. Things I don't think anyone should have to see. Does she complain? No. She's happy to get my letter. So if you have any time, please go to Soldier's Angels and support a soldier. Or two. I'm waiting for my second assignment - should be any day now. Solders' Angels site: http://www.soldiersangels.c... A link to the story (I couldn't find it on SacBee): http://www.modbee.com/local... (Part One) http://www.modbee.com/local... (Part Two) 5 comments from 4 users
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posted by
creatress
on Jan 17, 2008 at 01:16 PM
posted by
ToscaSac
on Jan 17, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Thanks for this, I am the product of the Vietnam war if you will. When my father was drafted his mother held the copy of his pic the army took of him in his uniform and held it. Months later she sent it to his sister and told her to send letters over. She lived in a dorm with my mom at the time and when my mom mentioned she thought the guy in the pic was cute my now aunt roped my mother into writing those letters. Through which they fell in love and married when he returned home. Her a girl from the Bahamas and him a war veteran from OK. Later he joined the Air Force and I experienced a bit of life through that perspective. I am humbled by the sacrifices being made by our armed forces and have been wanting to do more but feeling so removed from it all not having much in the way of finances or knowing anyone personally who was serving. But I hit the web site and can start with that. So just what I needed. posted by
creatress
on Jan 17, 2008 at 03:12 PM
What a great romantic story. Thanks for sharing!
posted by
girl4agreenerworld
on Jan 17, 2008 at 07:46 PM
Blah, blah, blah...I do remember hearing about that young man. How sad his life was, especially not feeling like he had the love of family. Soldier's Angels sounds like such an awesome organization. How great that you and Creatress are participating in that effort of kindness. I want to show this site to my son and get him involved with me.Â
ToscaSac...I loved your parents love story. I, too, am humbled by the sacrifices that our troops make and also all that their families have to give up by not having their loved ones home.  We are so blessed with the relative ease of our daily lives in comparison to theirs. God bless them all. I'm hoping for this war to end soon, as I'm sure you all wish the same. posted by
lenadawkins
on Jan 18, 2008 at 12:24 AM
I have some sort of expirence in Iraq. My ex husband was working in Iraq not as a soldiier though but as independent contractor. I was pregnant my second one and had 1.5y girl and we stayed in Turkey to be close to him. 2 partners were killed and 1 went missing( both had families). i stopped watching news or listening for a radio. and just lived in the vacuum and believing in good fortune.But I saw people coming from there as they stayed at my house for a months including native Iraqies, who were the nicest and educated people.War is changing and twisting people's mind and its not for 21 year old soldiers . Real people dont need it but government. Thank for sharing I will look into writing to those soldiers as I can relate to it....
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Last year my family and I joined the Adopt a Soldier program. We were assigned a PFC (18 years old) stationed in Iraq. He was part of the team that would sweep an area first before the rest of the team would proceed. VERY dangerous work. We exchanged e-mails at first, then later a few care packages (once I knew him better and what he needed/would like). It's surprisingly cheap and they get it FAST! I was a little anxious, especially when the postmaster told me to add on the box that if he isn't alive when the box arrives, to say to give it to the Chaplin for distribution. That really brings it all home. Simple things like enough socks to wear, deodorant, toothpaste, are not being provided. There are too many soldiers and not enough to go around. Having your clothes washed is a treat (even if you don't get everything back). Taking a shower is a luxury! He told me they have to use port-o-potties in the middle of the desert. Can you even imagine how hot that would get (to say nothing of the smell). So hey, if my box of goodies made his life a little better, I'm thrilled.
On a happy note, he's actually home now, back in Maine with his family. He made it through hell safe and sound. Yay!
Thanks for bringing this up blahblahblah. You're great!