Worried Soldier's Mum Emails Colonel In Afghanistan

Ananova ^ | 01-09-2002

[blam]

Worried soldier's mum emails colonel in Afghanistan

The mother of a US marine in Afghanistan emailed his regiment because she was worried she had not seen him in the news.

Faith Tejera initially 'spammed' the whole Marine Corps headquarters by accident with the query about her son John Leger's wellbeing.

Eventually she contacted the Lieutenant Colonel in charge of her 19-year-old's battalion and her son was summoned from a foxhole to email her back.

Ms Tejera of Louisiana emailed: "I haven't heard from him since November 19. I saw 5,000 pictures of Marines in the last month and not one of my son." She had seen footage of other marines telephoning home, reports the New York Daily News.

"I would appreciate it if you could just find him and, understandably without disclosing his location, let me know if he's okay. This is the first Christmas my son and I have ever been apart. Please help me."

The lieutenant responded: "Your son is a member of my command and I see him often. He has always stood out as the youngest-looking Marine in the battalion. He's doing quite well, and his platoon commanders tell me he's one of the best Marines in his platoon. I will ensure he sends you an e-mail from my account so you can hear from him that all's well."

An embarrassed Lance Corporal John was summoned from his foxhole and emailed his mother: "Hey mom, I told you I wouldn't be able to talk to you for a while. I even said about how long, but that's okay. I'm fine and safe and out of harm's way, but very smelly. Well, I can't blame you for worrying. Jeez, what are you trying to do get me in trouble or something? Just kidding. It's okay mom."

He attached a digital picture taken moments before. Ms Tejera said: "Pretty cool picture, huh? He looks embarrassed though, doesn't he? Poor kid."

She e-mailed the lieutenant colonel back: "I feel much better now. I am sorry to have caused you trouble. You are a wonderful commander and God will bless you for not holding my son responsible for my hysteria."

He replied: "Ms Tejera, It was no trouble at all. Besides, my mother still worries about her oldest son and I've been active duty for nearly 20 years."

Story filed: 17:38 Wednesday 9th January 2002

[anniegetyourgun]

Thanks! What a story....

[d4now]

Thanks for the ping Billie...and thanks for the smile.

[deadhead]

This story put a smile on my face. Bumping for Mom's who have children in the military. This story hits home LOL

[g'nad]

I've had this happen to me several times...Mom's worried because her son's far away and hasn't written or called...it's an easy fix...I just tell his NCO that the Marine will write his momma every week, or the Marine and his NCO will be digging machinegun pits and burning sh!%%ers till I get tired...

[razorback-bert]

bump

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Please e-mail a service person today and let them know they are not forgotten.
We have military all around the world that are there to ensure our Freedom.
It's really easy to e-mail any service person and say Thanks!
USO Canteen Post Office

[stumpy]

Instead of contacting my C.O., my mother sent me a "dear John".

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

All I ever told my mother when my destroyer went to Viet Nam was that I was "somewhere" in the Pacific.
Back then, in a war zone, no postage was needed for letters, but I had the ship's post master stamp my letters to her.
She never knew until I got back.

[sneakypete]

He attached a digital picture taken moments before. Ms Tejera said: "Pretty cool picture, huh? He looks embarrassed though, doesn't he? Poor kid."

ROFLMAO! Mothers! Waddayagonnado? This guy is gonna catch HELL the next couple of weeks,though.

[sneakypete]

Yeah, it's only January 9th, but this one will be hard to top.

Yeah,but you know what? I'll bet this helps this young Marine with his superiors more than it hurts him. They now KNOW he was properly raised,and wasn't running around like a wild animal without supervision.

[jwalsh07]

LOL, not much difference between Irish Moms and Mexican Moms, eh?

[sneakypete]

I think I will call her and thank her.

This is ALWAYS something worth doing. Do it while you still can,and do it often.

[Norb2569]

He replied: "Ms Tejera, It was no trouble at all. Besides, my mother still worries about her oldest son and I've been active duty for nearly 20 years."

The colonel speaks much truth. The pinhead Marine has had many more opporunities to stay in touch with his Momma, than at any other time in military history. I am sure his platoon sergeant will be on his butt to ensure there is no repeat of this type incident again!

[BlueAngel]

Very Happy Bump!

I can empathize with her.

[The KG9 Kid]

Yeah, they CALL home now.

I remember the post card that we were handed, and given about one minute to fill out to say that 'all was well'. The Red Cross did that.

Since 1990, the Corps has changed everything: New 782 gear, no more M-60 machinegun, new M4 carbines, no more M1911-A1s, 'lost-and-found' nametags on the utility uniform just like the Army and Navy retards wear, the new casual 'fleece'-style pullover issued in boot camp, dress blues are *issued* now, new sneaker-like boots, etc. etc. etc.

You and I are now officially 'Old Corps', pal.

[firewalk]

Thanks for the ping Billie, Great post Blam!

That Lieutenant is something else! Bet his Mom's proud too! Kudos to that Mom who checked on her son, I believe I probably would've done the same thing.

[blam]

"Instead of contacting my C.O., my mother sent me a "dear John"."

LOL. When I came home from the Navy, my parents had moved.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks for the flag, Billie. What a heartwarming story.

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

What a great chuckle!!! I can assure you this was one "mission" that the Commander and First Sargeant enjoyed doing!!!

I'm sure this soldier will NEVER forget his Momma that way again!!! (he deserved the embarrassment!!) Good grief.. your away during a war and don't write MOM!!! He was probably enjoying his RR,.. but ya have to let Mom know your ok. Its inhumane to do otherwise. Poor Mom!!! She must have been worried sick.

I'm still laughing that she " 'spammed' the whole Marine Corps headquarters by accident with the query about her son John Leger's wellbeing."

ROFL!!! Thats one young man who won't EVER forget his Mom again!!

[HighWheeler]

Thanks for the ping. You canteen gals could have handled this for all involved. Next time.....