Morale of our soldiers

I have many friends in the military. Some state side and some in Iraq. I'm very thankful for email and Yahoo Messenger because I get messages from my son, who has been in Iraq since late Februrary, every day. Some days he's down, his wife wants to separate when he gets home, and some days, like today, he's up and very animated and cheerful. The stress and the things they face daily are so much more than just fire fights with the Iraqis. He's been shot at, has had to kill to defend himself and his company, stung by scorpions and even bitten by a cobra. But I'm learning that even when little things go wrong, pains in the side or anything minor, they are so down that they think it's something critical. Well, Jimmy does. He had a pain in the side this morning and went to see the medic who wanted to do a sonogram of his kidneys and liver. Jimmy, normally mister healthy and level headed, has decided he has cancer. The doctor disagrees. He mentioned something about rickets too but never expounded on that conversation. Most of this has to do with the stress, possibility of losing his wife but primarily, my son being the most kind and caring person to people and animals, having to take the life of another human being. He says it's his job, what he's paid to do - which I understand but the long term effects on Jimmy psyche concern me.

I'm very thankful and proud of our troops and pray every night that they come home safely. I'm excited that Jimmy comes home September 15th and can't wait to see him. I wish they all could come home September 15th. But in knowing that he is coming home soon, his morale has picked up and he's more like the humorous Jimmy he was while growing up and the wonderful man he turned out to be. I'm thankful that I got to see a side of the "old" or pre-Iraq Jimmy today and would not trade that for the world.

I'm thankful to the Army and his CO who learned of his marital problems and worked to get Jimmy home to try to save his marriage. Jimmy has missed a lot in the time he's been gone, his daughter's first birthday, first steps and first teeth. I get pictures often and she looks just like him as a child.

I apologize if this is in appropriate for this site but I had to sit back, reflect and let the world know that I am so proud not only of my son but of the US military in Iraq and around the world defending our freedom and working towards world peace. I can't wait for Jimmy to arrive back in the states, just as I wish every soldier, every member of our military could come home and enjoy life again.

I pray for each soldier. firefighter, police officer and teacher every night. They each play such an important role in the life we have today. Thank you all. Without you who knows what our future would be like.

Inappropriate? Never! Your thread touched my heart...got a little teary eyed towards the end. I hope all works out for him, you, his child and mostly his wife. I hope their marriage can be saved. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I don't think we sit and think about our troops as much as we should, thank you!

EM

kileyangel,

I have to agree totally with EM, This is not Inappropriate at all! You and your son have our prayers here.

Keep us posted.

Don

I have not heard from him yet today - but I know it's still work time for him. He IMs me every day between noon and 4pm. I can literally remember the feelings from the night they declared war on Iraq....and the true fighting actually began. His friends called and emailed me, knowing I would be in tears. This is something I wish no parent, child, sibling or spouse ever had to go through. Knowing you loved one is out there, being shot at and knowing no matter how loving, compassionate and soft-hearted they are, you worry about them taking someone else's life and the effects it will have on them forever.

I know I will never totally get my Jimmy back. But I count down the days until he steps off that plane in North Carolina, hugs his wife and daughter and makes that first call home to Mom.

Keep us posted, our hearts go out to you, your son and his family!