Posted on 11/30/2004 2:54:06 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Mayor Richard Daley's son, whose name and MBA from one of the nation's most prestigious universities would have opened doors to a lucrative career, has instead joined the Army and could be sent off to the battlefields of Iraq or Afghanistan.
Patrick Daley, 29, who got his master's degree from the University of Chicago in June, said he "always wanted to find a way to serve ... just like my grandfather and father." He said the Sept. 11 attacks played a role in his decision to enlist in the airborne infantry.
"Think of it. It's amazing. I get to serve my country," he told the Chicago Sun-Times, which disclosed his August enlistment in a story Tuesday.
The mayor said he was very proud of his son's decision. He said that he was concerned about his son's safety but did not try to talk him out of it.
"He believes that is part of public service," the mayor said.
The younger Daley will report during the week between Christmas and New Year's Day to Fort Benning, Ga., where he will undergo basic training, advanced infantry training and airborne training for 20 weeks, said Bill Kelo, spokesman for the Army's recruiting battalion in Chicago. After that, Daley could be sent anywhere, including Iraq or Afghanistan, Kelo said.
Kelo said Daley asked that the Army not publicize his decision.
"He didn't want to make a big deal out of it," Kelo said. "He didn't want any special treatment, and he didn't want any special coverage."
Patrick Daley declined all interview requests Tuesday. He spoke only to the Sun-Times.
Patrick Daley, who briefly attended West Point, comes from a famous Democratic family. His father was first elected mayor in 1989. His grandfather Richard J. Daley was Chicago's iron-fisted mayor for more than two decades before his death in 1976.
Typically, people with Daley's background sign up for officer training school rather than enlist. But he might make the Army his career, so "it's better to start out at the bottom," the mayor said.
The mayor declined to discuss his opinion about the war in Iraq but insisted "you stand by the president, you stand by the men and women in the military."
Patrick Daley joins a small roster of prominent people in the military today. Fewer than a dozen members of Congress have sons who have been on active duty since the Sept. 11, according to published reports.
NFL player Pat Tillman gave up a multimillion-dollar football career to join the Army after Sept. 11. He was killed in April in Afghanistan.
Joseph Goodwin, a 2001 graduate of Harvard University and the son of Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, enlisted in the Army after Sept. 11.
Think that young man might be Mayor some day...or Senator...or President?
I am glad to see another "silver spoon" go do the right thing by serving his country in time of war. Even if his family ranks up there with the Gotti's.
Is this a carrer enhancing move or is he really being patriotic. Since he grew up as a Rat, I'm going to be cynical. He may have learned from Carter and Kerry's mistakes.
Godspeed, young Patrick.
I disagree, the younger generations are changing for the better. The liberal spin machine casts him, a college graduate with a masters in business possibly seeking a career in the military, as a failure?
Will He carry a video camera, to record all His magnificent moments? How far from the tree does the acorn fall? Sorry, old jaded and sceptical Redneck here, just can't help it!
Unless the apple has fallen far from the tree, we'll soon see army patrols getting paid for not showing up, military judges on the take, and large numbers of military absentee ballots from dead soldiers voting a straight "D" ticket. Sorry, I lived in Chicago too long to be anything but cynical when a Daley is involved.
When he was at WP, they held the plane for him to board to return after a break. As a result, the plane was late. Some cadets were late getting back to school. You get punished for being late on return from breaks. Maybe he has changed, but I thought he was an a**.
With a masters degree and he's going in as an EM? That's dumb and he will soon find out just how dumb it is.
Yeah! Or maybe down at WRAMC learning to walk on a plastic leg, the calculating dishonest bastard!
I'd be ashamed of that despicable comment. BTW, when did you serve?
Godspeed, Patrick.
I see no reason to believe that this is anything other than a man who hears a purpose higher than himself calling. He is now acting as a military representative of the constitution of the United States.
In fact, a whole bunch of people on this thread need to think about what they are saying.
You can bet that entered into part of his decision to join up.
I'm sure Gotti would envy Rich Daley (if he were still alive). At least Daley won't go to a Super-Max if he's ever caught.
Prone to knee jerking aren't you...my comment was a reaction to a poster who suggested that this enlistment was a politically opportunistic stunt. Next time I'll freep mail you special instructions for understanding.
Regardless of the reason for the decision, he is going in as ENLISTED! This means he will start out as a Spc4, and have to work his way up the ranks.
IMHO, this is NOT a move by someone furthering their political careers ala Kerry. He is going into the thick of the most demanding aspect of our field, Infantry. A true GRUNT works his way up the ladder, it doesn't get more noble than that.
He is doing exaclty what Pat Tillman did. Please respect the decision, and wish him the best.
We as a country NEED more of the 'ELITE' to partake in the fight. I salute his decision.
SFC Chromedome
I stand by my comment. Did you say when you served?
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