To Honor A Soldier, my other son Options

[Becky_KSTS]

As a mom and a free American citizen, I feel compelled to share this with those of you that honor our soldiers in the military. No matter what your stance on the war is, our support of the troops is very needed. I have a visitor here right now that is from special forces in Afghanistan, his name won't be mentioned here as much as would love to honor him by telling you. Although he does not fly military aircraft, he does jump out of them from time to time. He showed up unexpectedly this morning after a a night of drinking. He just arrived from his flight yesterday (he thinks).

I have known him for years because he lived with us for awhile and considers us family. He is a wonderful person who is VERY good at his job. He trains soldiers although he is only 23 years old. I asked him what is was like being an old soul in a young body...he just laughed and shrugged his shoulders. He is kind of a mess now because of losing a close friend back there (among other things that I cannot discuss). He is here probably three months, although he is hoping less time because he wants to get back to doing what he knows.

He feels lost here and my heart goes out to him. I told him that we support him and love him and no matter how much the media lies to us, the troops are in our hearts. He visits us because his divorced "real" family is not there for him. He took to us and we to him. He has spent his childhood in and out of jail and made a mess of his life as a civilian..but the military took him in and he is a hero now (no felonies). Standing in my living room he could not sit down but paces back and forth talking about some of his experiences and feelings about being here. He kept apologizing for "bothering" us...really? He said he hadn't talked like this in a long time. I listened and I did not judge. He shared some photos with us of what he does back there and he is TRULY in harms way on a daily basis. He is in the special forces in the army where he is a sniper. As I said, he is not comfortable here at home...he is scarred from rockets and other machine gun fire and deals with physical pain on a daily basis, night mares (when he CAN sleep) and cannot sleep in a real bed. He feels like an outsider in his own country because people don't know how to relate to him and visa verse. He showed us a photo of a baby's grave site in Afghanistan that he slept next to one night (sticks next to the graves dictate the size of the deceased by the height of the stick).

He won't talk about details but said that we don't know what is really going on over there. He is anxious to go back to be with his soldiers who are in harms way. Right now he is out back helping my husband throw wood in a chipper...I am glad he is busy to keep his mind off things for now. He would rather be getting drunk at the bar like he did last night, I want him to stay here until it wears off... keep him busy until my son gets home. Please keep him and others like him in your prayers. God bless our troops....I have seen this up close and personal and cannot express how helpless I feel that I can't help him feel better...I can only listen and support.

[Ranger]

As a mom and a free American citizen, I feel compelled to share this with those of you that honor our soldiers in the military. No matter what your stance on the war is, our support of the troops is very needed. I have a visitor here right now that is from special forces in Afghanistan, his name won't be mentioned here as much as would love to honor him by telling you. Although he does not fly military aircraft, he does jump out of them from time to time. He showed up unexpectedly this morning after a a night of drinking. He just arrived from his flight yesterday (he thinks).

I have known him for years because he lived with us for awhile and considers us family. He is a wonderful person who is VERY good at his job. He trains soldiers although he is only 23 years old. I asked him what is was like being an old soul in a young body...he just laughed and shrugged his shoulders. He is kind of a mess now because of losing a close friend back there (among other things that I cannot discuss). He is here probably three months, although he is hoping less time because he wants to get back to doing what he knows.

He feels lost here and my heart goes out to him. I told him that we support him and love him and no matter how much the media lies to us, the troops are in our hearts. He visits us because his divorced "real" family is not there for him. He took to us and we to him. He has spent his childhood in and out of jail and made a mess of his life as a civilian..but the military took him in and he is a hero now (no felonies). Standing in my living room he could not sit down but paces back and forth talking about some of his experiences and feelings about being here. He kept apologizing for "bothering" us...really? He said he hadn't talked like this in a long time. I listened and I did not judge. He shared some photos with us of what he does back there and he is TRULY in harms way on a daily basis. He is in the special forces in the army where he is a sniper. As I said, he is not comfortable here at home...he is scarred from rockets and other machine gun fire and deals with physical pain on a daily basis, night mares (when he CAN sleep) and cannot sleep in a real bed. He feels like an outsider in his own country because people don't know how to relate to him and visa verse. He showed us a photo of a baby's grave site in Afghanistan that he slept next to one night (sticks next to the graves dictate the size of the deceased by the height of the stick).

He won't talk about details but said that we don't know what is really going on over there. He is anxious to go back to be with his soldiers who are in harms way. Right now he is out back helping my husband throw wood in a chipper...I am glad he is busy to keep his mind off things for now. He would rather be getting drunk at the bar like he did last night, I want him to stay here until it wears off... keep him busy until my son gets home. Please keep him and others like him in your prayers. God bless our troops....I have seen this up close and personal and cannot express how helpless I feel that I can't help him feel better...I can only listen and support.

Becky,

I'm in Oakland a couple of times later this month. In fact, I'll be there all day on Wednesday, 11Aug. Tell the kid that if he needs someone who totally understands to talk to, I'm buying breakfast/lunch/dinner/beer. I've been there, suffered that. If he decides that he wants to sit down with me I need to know his shirt size. You'll understand if it happens.

Humping a rucksack and carrying a rifle sucks. But it can't be beat in many ways.

[dash8q300]

Wow that has definitely opened my eyes to what's really happening in the Middle East. I thought it was a lot more civilized than that. Sleeping next to a baby's grave would have been very upsetting. It reminds me of some of the work that we have done on World War I & II at school and it's hard to believe that things similar to that are still happening in our world. It's really great that you have taken him in and are giving him time to recuperate though I just hope that this war will end soon. It seems it has been going on for so long but nothing is changing.

Dash.

[Becky_KSTS]

Thank you Ranger. I know you know how it can be. Last night my guest slept on the floor because he will not sleep on the couch. I had a couple of army blankets that belonged to my husband's father (WW2) and covered him up. His Girlfriend and my son slept right along side of him. They are away for the evening now, but as they were leaving this morning he walks over to me and gives me a great big hugs and says..."I will be back later tonight". Of course, I don't count on it, but I am here.

The reason I did not give his name is because he probably would feel very embarrassed and maybe angry at me for posting all of this here. He had a breach of confidence with a family member that busted his trust, so I would never do that. As I said when I posted this...I felt COMPELLED for these soldiers because they really don't have any one here when they come home that can understand. He told me the same. I am sort of stuck wanting to find help and wanting to protect his privacy at the same time.

[Fast Jet]

As a mom and a free American citizen, I feel compelled to share this with those of you that honor our soldiers in the military. No matter what your stance on the war is, our support of the troops is very needed. I have a visitor here right now that is from special forces in Afghanistan, his name won't be mentioned here as much as would love to honor him by telling you. Although he does not fly military aircraft, he does jump out of them from time to time. He showed up unexpectedly this morning after a a night of drinking. He just arrived from his flight yesterday (he thinks).

I have known him for years because he lived with us for awhile and considers us family. He is a wonderful person who is VERY good at his job. He trains soldiers although he is only 23 years old. I asked him what is was like being an old soul in a young body...he just laughed and shrugged his shoulders. He is kind of a mess now because of losing a close friend back there (among other things that I cannot discuss). He is here probably three months, although he is hoping less time because he wants to get back to doing what he knows.

He feels lost here and my heart goes out to him. I told him that we support him and love him and no matter how much the media lies to us, the troops are in our hearts. He visits us because his divorced "real" family is not there for him. He took to us and we to him. He has spent his childhood in and out of jail and made a mess of his life as a civilian..but the military took him in and he is a hero now (no felonies). Standing in my living room he could not sit down but paces back and forth talking about some of his experiences and feelings about being here. He kept apologizing for "bothering" us...really? He said he hadn't talked like this in a long time. I listened and I did not judge. He shared some photos with us of what he does back there and he is TRULY in harms way on a daily basis. He is in the special forces in the army where he is a sniper. As I said, he is not comfortable here at home...he is scarred from rockets and other machine gun fire and deals with physical pain on a daily basis, night mares (when he CAN sleep) and cannot sleep in a real bed. He feels like an outsider in his own country because people don't know how to relate to him and visa verse. He showed us a photo of a baby's grave site in Afghanistan that he slept next to one night (sticks next to the graves dictate the size of the deceased by the height of the stick).

He won't talk about details but said that we don't know what is really going on over there. He is anxious to go back to be with his soldiers who are in harms way. Right now he is out back helping my husband throw wood in a chipper...I am glad he is busy to keep his mind off things for now. He would rather be getting drunk at the bar like he did last night, I want him to stay here until it wears off... keep him busy until my son gets home. Please keep him and others like him in your prayers. God bless our troops....I have seen this up close and personal and cannot express how helpless I feel that I can't help him feel better...I can only listen and support.

Hey Becky ! He is in MY prayers, honey! And about a million other people`s prayers too!! I aint kidding! I am also wearing a special bangle on my wrist, as I do all the time to Help Our Heroes, people like your friend. I and many more many, many people - are walking through our everyday lives thinking and wondering if they are alright and hoping that the hell over there does not get unbearable AND knowing that they are doing all this for us, because some nurd flew two planes full of innocent pax through an occupied building full of innocent office workers and tourists - that`s why he is there - keeping that front line over there. EVERY DAY - I and many, others, many, many, think of your friend and his colleaugus at the s--t end of a broken bottle and I pray, boy, do I ever! I pray that he and his comarades will be safe, and I cry, that he and all the team, will come back safe and sound and not too damaged. I`ve done stuff, I`ve helped out - but no way as near as got to the point of taking my ugly pretty a-s over there (I came godamn close though) to actually doin` it. Yes, we think about your friend and all of his mates, every, single day. No way, no way - has any of us forgotten them - and I/we all of us, hold an unbounded respect and admiration for your friend and all the young and beautiful people out there - men - girls - all in the same team.
It takes - b-lls and guts and determination to go out there and he and they are brave - really brave - and the army and ALL the MIL should give them their unlimited support, all the time. I salute your friend in absolute awe of his bravery and courage. I am sure - dead sure - I am not alone in my thoughts and prayers for him and the team.

[Fast Jet]

Becky,

Humping a rucksack and carrying a rifle sucks. But it can't be beat in many ways.

Damn Right !

[Becky_KSTS]

Well said Fast Jets with tears streaming down my face...I have never met someone up close and personal like this before. Boy, I will tell you what...I have always supported our troops but it sure feels different now. Watching his inner struggle was very painful indeed. Yet at the same time he is proud and wants to go back to support his guys. I can't believe that such a troubled kid could become such a hero. I just worry that when this is all over where he will go or what he will do...IF he makes it out of there alive.

[Fast Jet]

Well said Fast Jets with tears streaming down my face...I have never met someone up close and personal like this before. Boy, I will tell you what...I have always supported our troops but it sure feels different now. Watching his inner struggle was very painful indeed. Yet at the same time he is proud and wants to go back to support his guys. I can't believe that such a troubled kid could become such a hero. I just worry that when this is all over where he will go or what he will do...IF he makes it out of there alive.

He will, he will - Its cool, it can be cool. then there`s your mates. . . .

(friends like you Becky don`t come along often, mate. . . .)

[Sapper]

Hey Becky, I know this is an older post, but I am just finding it. I don't know if that Operator is still staying with you or not, but if he still wants to talk to someone who has been in country, please pm me and I will give you my cell number. I'd be more than happy to help out. Although I wasn't in SF, I still think I know what he is going through, everyone who has tasted combat does to a certain extent I guess.

Also, let me extend a huge thank you to you, Becky. What you have done is great. If only the world had more people willing to do what you have done...

[Becky_KSTS]

Hey Becky, I know this is an older post, but I am just finding it. I don't know if that Operator is still staying with you or not, but if he still wants to talk to someone who has been in country, please pm me and I will give you my cell number. I'd be more than happy to help out. Although I wasn't in SF, I still think I know what he is going through, everyone who has tasted combat does to a certain extent I guess.

Also, let me extend a huge thank you to you, Becky. What you have done is great. If only the world had more people willing to do what you have done...

Thank you...since that day, I have not heard from him. He just "appears" out of the blue. He is always welcome and he knows that. His friends and "family" (sparse) shower him with sympathy and talk a lot about how he must feel, when all he needs is for someone to just listen and keep their mouth shut...a huge hug does not hurt either :-)

Last of all, to all of the soldiers and retired soldiers that read this, you deserve much more from us on the safe ground than you receive. I for one have a brand new respect for all of you. I grew up with the modern media and their view of what was real. What is real? Only you guys and gals know. God Bless you and come home safe!