I was just e-mailed by my eldest son's wife that Ken just arrived in Kuwait. He is a truck driver.

I am against this war. My prayers have been for an end to it and for the safety of those involved. They will continue to be, obviously.

A few months ago, I was told by an Army veteran who was working with me in the same retail store that Ken would not go overseas. Yeah, right.

I respect my son's choice to be in military service as I respect others who serve. I have no respect for his Commander-in-Chief who played at defending our country during Vietnam while others laid their lives on the line.

One of the threads here asked if the capture of Saddam Hussein was worth the money and lives spent on it. I say, just ask a mother whose child didn't return or came back with a disability. Saddam Hussein is not worth the loss of any one soldier involved in the conflict, let alone so many.

God willing, my son will not end up as one of the casualties of Mr. Bush's war. I ask for your prayers on his behalf.

Thank you.

(Edited to say: Ken is from Ft. Campbell, not Ft. Kentucky. I will ask Mike to change it.)
Changed topic title

I don't pray, Paladin Elspeth, but I do hope. And I hope your son, and the countless soldiers embroiled in this conflict, will come home safely.

Thanks, Corvus. I do appreciate hope, too.

I sincerely hope for the best for your son PE. Like Corvus, I am not one who prays, but I do have hope, and if it counts for anything, then I hope your son comes home soon, safe and well.

I can't possibly understand what you are going through, but I think I can begin to. My cousin is in Afghanistan and has been there since before Christmas. It was very stressful for my aunt.

I hope that your son is ok, and that he will return safely.

Thank you, moif. Prayers, hope, and good wishes--all are positive energy.

I have had a couple of hours to think this over. My eldest son and I are not close; the breakup of my first marriage was very acrimonious and I did not get a chance to raise him or his brother. I love him, but we have had little contact with each other over the years. I've never met his wife. They married a couple of years ago and I heard about it a year ago. This e-mail was the first communication I've gotten from his wife Bev. While the news was startling, I was glad to hear from her.

He has three stepchildren in their teens.

Ken is doing what he wanted to do. He told me just before the Iraq war started that he wanted to go over because combat pay is better (they need the money) and it would be his last chance to be in the fighting during his enlistment.

It's ironic because Ken was already a "Gulf War veteran." He was a sailor (yes--he prefers being in the army) aboard an assault carrier in the Persian Gulf under Bush the First.

He's a good young man who is patriotic and has a lot more faith than I do in the stated reasons why we are in this conflict, which probably means he is a good soldier.

Edited to say: Thank you, Robin Scotland. You sneaked your post in while I was typing this response. I appreciate your good wishes.

You've got my prayers too.

Closest I come to the feelings is when my oldest brother was in Vietnam. Wrote to him each week.

It's one thing to be patriotic. It's another to be a mother.

Oh, Paladin Elspeth, I am so sorry to hear that your son had to go to that horrible place.

Perhaps this will be a time of healing for you family, and something positive will come out of even this. I will pray for you and your son. I cannot imagine what it must be like to see your son go off to combat...I know it must be infinitely worse than even seeing your husband off to war.

Thank you, AuthorMusican and Mrs. Pigpen. The support I have seen here is very encouraging.

I'm going to get some sleep now. Misgivings yes, forebodings no. It's time for faith and hope. Thanks again, you guys. What you have all said means a lot to me, and I will pass on your good wishes to my daughter-in-law.

Paladin Elspeth please include me in the ones praying and hoping that your son will be kept safe. I was in Vietnam back in the late 1960's and I have a feeling for what he may be going through.

I know that you are a very compassion person in my debates with you, and I will be thinking of you and your son every day. Take care and God bless.

Popeye47

PE, you have my sympathies with your son deploying. I was stationed at Ft. Campbell, and they are some of the best trained soldiers in the Army, so take comfort in his abilities, and as you said he's a good soldier....he should be just fine.
I actually know just how you feel, my wife is deploying to Iraq in just a few weeks. If you ever have any questions or want to vent, feel free to PM me anytime.

I too will wish for your sons safe return from the battlefield. I know what your going through, probably more so then most on this board. My identical twin is going to Iraq in May/June after he finishes his tour in Korea. I fear for him everyday. Just the thought of losing someone you known all you life (and 9 months) can really shake you up.

Paladin Elspeth, DTOM,
I wish for the safe return of both of your loved ones. It must be very difficult for you both to have your family members overseas, and more difficult for your family members themselves. You all deserve a great amount of respect.

Paladin,

My thoughts and prayers will definitely be with your son.
And, I agree, ask any mother who has lost her son,
if the "war" was worth it. All of us mothers know the
answer to that question...

Thank you all. I feel Ken is going to be okay over there. At least it's not Iraq.
Together we'll see what transpires.

Best of luck to your son. I hope it goes by safely and quickly.

I would agree with what others have said PE I hope for his safe return as soon as possible.

Paladin,

As long as hes in Kuwait you have notheing to worry about. I go there evry 8th week or so on business and it is safe, secure and welcoming to westerners (if a little dull).

Honestly dont fret too much

Got an e-mail last night from my daughter-in-law. She got to speak with Ken for the first time last night since he was deployed to Kuwait.

Ken is a sergeant in a transportation company. They go on missions into Iraq providing equipment for the troops there.

Apparently it was a "balmy 65 degrees" where he is and he's doing okay. Once again, many thanks to all of you who have expressed concern and support, most recently Looms, Cadman and Weegie. What you write does matter.

Ah then I wouldn't worry. Take it from an ex-driver the only trouble truck drivers get into is drinking way too much coffe before starting a trip and telling too many stories and bad jokes. Inno time at all he'll be home with some of the silliest stories you ever did hear.
"Hey Ma, did I ever tell you the the one about....."
My wife always say you get back what you put out into the universe, so Smile

Thanks for that, Chris.

One thing that helped me worry less was learning that he is equipped with body armor. That should protect him some from sniper attack. Now if he can avoid the potholes and mines...


And now I have an address to write to him!

I too have a Son in Kuwait. Although I disagree with you on your politics I do pray for you and your Son's safe return home.

One kittle sidenote. Send your son a bunch of handwarmers for his gloves. It is bitterly cold over there at night. We also sent our Son an electric griddle and some pancake mix (the kind that only needs water) so he can get a break from the Army chow. He loves it!!!!!

Best to you and your Family.

My best wishes for your son, I'm sure he will come back safe and well.

Its good to hear your son is doing well PE. I gave my brother a portable/rechargeable DVD player for Xmas and when he comes home in May, before taking off to Iraq, I'm going to load him up with gear. There are these little hand warmer packs at Home Depot that generate heat when you shake them, and the pancake griddle doesn't sound like a bad idea either. I looked at the list from Any Soldier but I think some of there info is from the beginning of the war.

Please know that my thoughts, prayers and support are
always with you and your family throughout your son's
deployment. May he come home safely and quickly.

I'm sure he will be fine. We all appreciate his sacrifice.

Thanks, you guys. I appreciate the goodwill from all of you.

Redliner1989 and Rev_DelFuego: Thank you for the recommendations on the hand warmers, pancake griddle and pancake mix. I'll see what I can send. And thank you especially for the Any Soldier link.

Redliner1989, Our love for our kids surpasses any political differences in the scheme of things. I wish the very best for your son, and for you.

And please remember Dontreadonme. His wife is being sent over there very soon.

No problem, we may disagree, but we are now part of the same family. My Son is also a Truck Driver (or was, he is now pulling guard duty for his final 3 months in Kuwait), into Iraq. He delivered "dirty deisel". Never saw a bit of trouble, just a few kids trying to steal from the side panals of the trailers now and again.

Again, my best to you and your Son!