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.
Clever of Abbey to make a suggestion that would seal
her twin's decision to join the military beyond all
doubt. Seeing those wounded vets ... [hearing them
speak about the love they have for their country as
well as their willingness to do it all over again for
the sake of freedom] ... will not help CLEVELAND MOM.
God bless her twins and may God have mercy on
CLEVELAND MOM'S soul.
I know a few women whose sons joined the Marines after about a year of drifting aimlessly after high school. None of these mothers were happy about the sons' decisions. But by the time each kid graduated from boot camp, every one of the moms was gushing about how proud they were of their sons, how grown up they had become, were these even the same kids, etc. The military can be a positive experience and general society tends to lose sight of that.
I see nothing inherently wrong with Abby's recommendation.
Those considering such a serious decision should look at all sides of the issue.
Recruiters are essentially salesmen. Like all salesmen, they don't often stress the negatives of their "product." Before buying, one should consider other sources of information.
I would go Abby one better. Recommend the kids also volunteer to work with anti-war groups. The contrast between the wounded veterans and the anti-war groupies should result in both enlisting on their 18th birthday.
[... Don't hide these brave heroes because they're injured. Go visit. I like the advice...]
I like Abbey's advice as well. Brilliant advice, in fact.
I agree with what you're saying, but those certainly weren't Dear Abby's motives in writing her response.
We are at war with the most dangerous enemy that has ever
faced mankind, and if we lose that war, and in doing so
lose this way of freedom of ours, history will record with
the greatest astonishment that those who had the most to lose
did the least to prevent its happening.
- Ronald Reagan, 1964
The authors of the letter are the worst kind of liberal scum. They use and abuse the very freedoms they would refuse to defend .
I like the advice but not the reason given for the advice.
Why are you offended?
Military is not for everyone; so a "lady" in Cleveland disagrees...more power to her....
Sounds like an College student's send-up letter to "Abby"...
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If the kids wanna be firemen do ya send em to the burn ward?
It's brilliant only if Dear Abby recognized that the effects of volunteering with the vets could have the opposite effect on the kids. And I doubt from her response that what she intended.
Do yall think these are real people? Not something I would do but hey...it's still a free country. I like her advise though. Who better than, our military to talk with them.
Military is not for everyone; so a "lady" in Cleveland disagrees...more power to her....
Sounds like an College student's send-up letter to "Abby"...
I never said the military was or should be for everyone. However, our veterans should not be gawked at in an attempt by a mother to dissuade her kids from signing up.
write her a letter
I did.
I should have said ironic instead of brilliant.
But then I believe that God is sovereign and He
never says "oops". This advice no coincidence
and it is more proof that God is in control.
What a crock!
When my middle son graduated from college and enlisted in the Army Reserve 2 years ago I know it was disturbing for some in my family. But my impression is ; Why should I be selfish and only expect the sons and daughters of others to defend and protect our freedoms and the freedom of others who choose to live in peace, and spare my three sons from that sacrifice? My son set foot in Kuwait Saturday Morning for his year plus deployment. Please pray with us for his safe return!
Those parents are wrong to steer their children away from what the, the children, believe is a just cause.
No wonder some schools are banning Military Recruiters from the school campus. Their vision of utopia does not include sacrifice.
God bless you and your son. I will pray for his safety.
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