While at the park on Memorial Day, I overheard these comments: “This war is unnecessary,” “Who do they think they are?” and people saying how ashamed they would be to have a son in the military. It bothered me to the point that I feel like I need to send this open letter.
My son is in the military. In a time of war, this bright, fine young man with everything going for him volunteered into the Army. When he enlisted in 2005, he knew that it was likely that he would go to war. He left his family, his beautiful fiancee and a big hole in our lives, served in Japan and is now on his way to Afghanistan.
You say it”s unnecessary. I cannot begin to tell you how afraid I am for my boy, the thought of him or his friends being in harm”s way terrifies me to the very core; I”m petrified as only a mother can be.
I long for a world where it would not be necessary for anybody”s son to go to war, where there would be peace. Sadly our world is one of murderous tyrants and terrorists who would kill any of us if left unopposed, and sadder still that it takes soldiers killing and dying to stop them.
My son said, “If not me, then whom?” Isn”t that why you and I can sleep at night without fear, and in freedom?
Ashamed you say? On the contrary, as worried as I am for him, at the same moment I am filled with an unbelievable pride. As my young soldier stands there in the face of all this, I would gladly stand up next to him with my head held high as would, I know, his father, his brother and his sisters! Ashamed? Never!
Who do they think they are, you ask? Why, they are heroes! I thank them all: Jacob, Cullen, Jeff, Kyle, Lance, Gabriel and so many others from our community, courageous every last one. Our country isn”t perfect but where would our world be without those willing to take a stand?
I pray for their safe keeping and for our mighty God to take care of them. And I pray, my friend, that you will recognize the heroes in our midst and instead of tearing them down, you can see to lift them up high.
Debbie Bridges
Mother of PFC Jacob E. Bridges
Kelseyville
