Posted on 02/25/2007 8:33:03 AM PST by ContraryMary
DEAR ABBY: Our 17-year-old twin son and daughter met with military recruiters who came to their school and made the military sound exciting and glamorous. They are now saying that after they graduate next year, they want to join the military instead of going to college. They have even put up military posters in their rooms that they received from the recruiters.
My husband and I are horrified. We cannot stand the thought of them going off to war, and do not believe that war is the answer to the world's problems. It will be a year, and hopefully the novelty of the idea will wear off by then. However, I don't want to take a chance. How can I counter the idea? -- CLEVELAND MOM
DEAR CLEVELAND MOM: Before your children commit themselves to the idea that the military is all foreign travel, shiny medals and glory, they should see firsthand that there is a more serious side. Contact your nearest veterans hospital and inquire about you and your children paying some visits and volunteering to help wounded vets. It may be a sobering experience, but it should open their eyes in no time flat.
It is good, till you get to the next sentence: "It may be a sobering experience, but it should open their eyes in no time flat." Given that the kids are enthusiastic about enlisting, that phrase "open their eyes" leaves no question about where Hag Van Buren is coming from. Still, as other posters have suggested, we can hope the kids will learn things at the hospital that they doubtless never did at home, and that their desire to serve their country will be fulfilled -- especially if they can talk to the vets alone, without Cleveland Mom at their elbow.
Your response to the mother who was horrified that her children might serve their country, and risk death to do so, shows a lack of respect for the hundreds of thousands who have died for us. Americans are special in two ways. We don't want war, but when compelled to be involved in one, we have answered our nation's call. Suggesting that visiting a VA hospital might clear their thinking assumes it is right-headed to fail to serve the nation in its hour of need. Thank God the men and women in that hospital, and buried in Arlington, and in countless cemetaries across the country, didn't feel the same. Thank God you and selfish mom are a minority. And most of all, thank God for this shining city on a hill, which allows you to freely make a fool of yourself.
It sounds like this mother would rather have her kids exposed to liberal instructors, drugs, alcohol abuse, partying, sexual promiscuity, rape, and other things that go on at some college campuses these days. It makes me think her twins would actually be safer joining the military.
"exposed to liberal instructors, drugs, alcohol abuse, partying, sexual promiscuity, rape,"
Four out six in the military....maybe five...
Yeah, I know. I have never defended Abby's intent.
Have him watch that recent Kevin Costner movie about the Coast Guard. I'm an Army guy myself, and never thought much of the CG. The movie opened my eyes to the service they provide, and their heroism. An absolutely amazing film.
Dear Abby Your response to “CLEVELAND MOM” about her children going into the military was the most disgusting thing you have ever written. What a pompous fool both you and the parents are. Serving ones country is on of the most HONORABLE things one can do. Freedom is not free. What do you want to happen, have some none relative fight for your freedoms? You should have pointed out that without war we would still a colony of England, still have slavery, and there would be no more Jews because Hitler would have killed them all.
You should have told Cleveland Mon that she is a leech because she is living off the sacrifices of millions of men who have FOUGHT and died for this country. Who is she to say that her children are more important the children of other parents who volunteered? No your answerer was that of a coward and traitor. You and Cleveland Mom should go to http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/moh1.htm and read about the Medal of Honor recipient sacrificed for freedom around the world.
You should have also stopped being a socialist Liberal and pointed out that Muslims have declared war of world and a loss in Iraq would embolden the terrorist and WE WILL have death and destruction in the USA. With the exception of Antarctica, there is not a continent in the world that Islamic terrorist have not struck.
I did not thing I would ever see the day the Dear Abby went over to the Dark Side and help a selfish parent turn her kids away from protecting the USA. VETERANS ARE NOT PROPS TO BE GAWKED AT OR PING-PONG BALLS TO BE USED IN THE DEBATE ON THE JUSTIFICATION OF WAR. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED TO GUARANTEE THE FREEDOMS THAT THIS CLEVELAND MOTHER AND HER KIDS HAVE.
--here's hoping she gets "Zumboed"--
It's not just in college these days. However, if you haven't taught values to your kids by the time they reach their teenage years, nothing you can say or do will make an iota of difference in high school or in college. If you'be brought them up well, the kids learn what they need to do in order to get past the liberal cacophany.
These parents are liberal loons, so of course they don't get it.
What was the movie's name? I'd like to see it myself.
We had half a dozen wounded and/or maimed soldiers in our family ~ never turned anyone off to service ~ did highlight the necessity of good cover, and never, ever, do not even think about climbing on top a rock alongside the Rapido River with the Germans on the banks above.
My youngest is going with his university group to Normandy next month ~ they'll see where his/my cousin was shot out of the sky as he came down to liberate Europe from the Nazis.
He's supposed to do a serious study of the American graveyard and render it into a major drawing.
I agree with tsmith. You should write that letter, and include traderrob's question about abortion as part of the letter!
"That's not what's on the writer behind "Dear Abbey"'s mind."
I know.
Agreed. The difference being that joining the military is more of a commitment than trying out most lines of work. If I don't like working at WalMart I can quit today.
Here's what happened. These kids were fed anti American/anti Military garbage from birth. They had little opposing information but some of the "facts" they were raised with rang false.
They met the recruiter who gave them a different point of view.
Now they want more of it.
"They have even put up military posters in their rooms that they received from the recruiters."
Oh, the horror!
Actually, it would have put him in power everywhere, as the Nazis thought that war was indeed the answer to the world's problems. If nobody had fought them, they would have been proven right.
"she is a leech because she is living off the sacrifices of millions of men who have FOUGHT and died for this country."
A lot of "leeches" in the US, 1.4MM in the military out of 300MM folks....I guess I know a lot of "leeches"
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