HELLO...I am a Gold Star Mother Too!!! (She needs help!)

Captain Derek Argel ^ | 8-29-05 | Debbie Argel Bastian

[debbieargel]

Is anybody out there? I am very frustrated. My son, Capt. Derek Argel went down in Iraq on Memorial Day of this year. I learned about the "Veteran's for Peace" memorials called Arlington West when I was at my son's memorial at the real Arlington on August 11. There are less than 400 men who do his job in Elite Forces in the Air Force. There are less than 70 officers. Now there are 68. I am sick that my son's name has been used against the family wishes at these anti-war memorials. I, like other families have had a very hard time having our loved one's names removed. This is sick!! My God, how is this different than grave robbing? To steal a good man's name is the bottom of the barrel. Please help. The media is only concerned with Ms. Sheehan. If I could find a good lawyer that would take this pro-bono for the families of fallen troops, I would sue the Veteran's for Peace. Visit their national web page. They are collecting money for Ms. Sheehan and post an online petition for the impeachment of the President. I am a mother in grief too. Does anyone care? Debbie Argel Bastian Mother of Capt. Derek Argel...an American Hero

[ladyinred]

God bless this woman. How dare these anti American's use the name of heroes in their solidarity with the enemy.

[SandRat]

A big success for you and your son's memory.

We Honor him for his service, offer your family comfort and solace here among friends.


Isa 51:11 Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy [shall be] upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; [and] sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Words can't express the heartache for you and your family. Your grandson is a beautiful reminder of Derek - Please know that my Marine Corps family appreciates all your son and his fellow soldiers have done and continue to do for us all.

God Bless

[ClaireSolt]

bump

[debbieargel]

Hello,
I am overwhelmed at all of your beautiful comments and I thank you. Many have tried to get a small spot on FOX news or something. They just can't. I am at a loss for why this coverage is so one sided. Derek really believed that these false memorials were not good for the troops to see. A body count he called them. Not good for anyone's morale. Thank you for your help. I am very new to computers. I don't know how to reply to all so I hope this will be posted to everyone. I am going to list my email address. I hope that is allowed, as I said I am new to this. It seems it might save time. My family and I are looking for answers. God Bless you all for caring. Debbie Argel Bastian argeldebra@hotmail.com

[Brytani]

Debbie,

I am sorry for the loss of your son. I can not imagine the pain a parent goes through losing their child. Through the pain, be proud of his service, know he did not lose his life for a meaningless cause. Do not let a few loud mouthed morons undermine the ultimate contribution your son made.

Welcome to FR and please know, here you will find as much support as you can handle.

[Neil E. Wright]

Dear Debbie,

This is one of the prayers we use to open meetings of the VetsCoR Board of Directors. I am posting it here now, for you and your family.

Let us pray -
Lord God of grace and glory, We remember before you today our sisters and brothers lost in battle.
We thank you for giving them to our nation; For their contributions and their courage in whatever walk life had given them.
In your boundless compassion, console those of us who mourn, especially families and friends.
Give us your aid, so that we may see in death the gate to eternal life, that we may continue our course on earth in confidence until, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before us.
We pray for the peace of the Messiah!
In the name of Jesus; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!

Thanks to our former Chaplain Steve, FReeper XZINS, for this prayer.

Debbie, words alone cannot express the depth of the feelings of thanks, and sadness, we have for your son's service and sacrifice in the NOBLE cause of FREEDOM. I'm sure I speak for most here when I invite you to join us, frequently, on this forum.

My best wishes to you and your family, as you move forward in life.

Neil E. Wright
Chairman of the Board/Executive Director
VetsCoR

±

"The Era of Osama lasted about an hour, from the time the first plane hit the tower to the moment the General Militia of Flight 93 reported for duty."
Toward FREEDOM

[BykrBayb]

Rest in peace Capt. Derek Argel.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!!

[Ranger]

I know of two names that were removed from that Crawford site simply by asking them. Have you tried contacting them and asking them to remove his name? I think its that easy.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Sue their pants off. How DARE they use the names of our brave fallen soldiers to support their hate America crap! May God bless you in your grief as you have blessed us all by raising your son to be a true hero.

[Alamo-Girl]

Amen! Thank you for the ping!

[hauerf]

I pray that your son and all the other fallen heroes of this war, including of course Ms. Sheehan's son, rest in peace in a place of high honor.

As an aside, I am shocked / disgusted / outraged that Ms. Sheehan and her associates callously use soldiers' names without explicit approval of each man's next of kin. OBVIOUSLY she does not even speak for her own son. How can she possibly claim to represent anybody else's child?

[Laurita]

It's easy to see where your son got his sense of honor. Your family is in my prayers.

I hope you find a good lawyer who will take those people to task. A fallen Veteran's name is not public domain and if there is some loophole that says it is, it should be closed!

Servicemembers have to sign all sorts of releases to have our accomplishments published in our hometown papers, we should have some say in how and when our sacrifices are made public as well.

[WV Mountain Mama]

Prayers for you and your son. May he rest in peace in the loving hands of our Lord.

[GreenHornet]

My condolences on the loss of your son. He truly is a heroic man. My prayers are with you in this very difficult time.

[an amused spectator]

Thank you for your son's service. And tell HIM thanks once again, from us Freepers.