Posted on 05/30/2005 6:41:14 AM PDT by RKV
Frank Schaeffer is a writer and most recently the author of "Faith of Our Sons -- A Father's Wartime Diary" (Carroll & Graf/Avalon, 2004).
I never served in the military. Before my son unexpectedly volunteered for the Marines, I was busy writing my novels and raising my family, and giving little thought to the men and women who guard us. My attitude has changed. I did not choose to change. I was forced to.
...
They are our sons, daughters, brothers and sisters. Sometimes shedding tears for strangers is a sacred duty. Sometimes it's all we can do.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
"I was busy writing my novels and raising my family, and giving little thought to the men and women who guard us."
"When my son was at war in Iraq I felt anger toward my circle of oldest friends — mostly well-off, well-educated people. I didn't know one other parent with a son or daughter in harm's way or even in the military. And no leaders were asking Americans outside the military to make any sacrifices. Were we all in this together or not? "
"He taught me that our men and women in uniform are not the "other."
No kidding Frankie.
There is something of the parable of the prodigal son in this story. The author was completely clueless that others were doing the hard and dangerous work that kept him free until his own son proved a better man than him. He still doesn't quite get it - IMO, because he still wants to criticize others ("no leaders were asking Americans outside the military to make any sacrifices").
His autobiogs on this -- as his son joins the Marines (father and son both contributed), one when he is in Boot Camp -- are amazing, moving, touching. You have to let him have an Epiphany, FReepers, and not be so cynical. Great writing.
"You have to let him have an Epiphany, FReepers, and not be so cynical."
Well, I will give the author the benefit of the doubt but the jury is still out.
And hopefully the father will learn from the son that
"Freedom is not free!"
Semper Fi,
Kelly
The thing I liked about the book was -- the dad was first stunned that his son wanted to join the Marines. As he walked through the process with his son, he grew to LOVE the Marines, LOVED the families he met, and moved away from the high-fallutin' folks at his son's school/ in their community that had so looked down on them.
He is now a flag-waving, proud-to-be-an-American, conservative. Son just is back from a second tour in Iraq. I read the book because my son was considering the Air Force. It includes moving conversations between father and son as the father tries to comprehend his son's choice and then embraces it. Plus, the guy is a great writer.
Well you know a lot more about the author than I.
We in Southern California have grown to be very cynical of the L.A. Times over the years for good reasons. So that is why I said "the jury is still out" about this author.
BTW, if your son is considering flying for the AF, tell him the Marine Corps has an excellent air wing also. LOL
Semper Fi,
Kelly
Hi Kelly -- I am in LA too, NEVER read the slimes. I am surprised they ran a book review. And totally surprised that it was at all favorable. We'll see what road he chooses -- is off this fall to Notre Dame, which has a NROTC on campus, I think.
Hi Kelly -- I am in LA too, NEVER read the slimes. I am surprised they ran a book review. And totally surprised that it was at all favorable. We'll see what road he chooses -- is off this fall to Notre Dame, which has a NROTC on campus, I think.
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