My heart breaks and tears trickle down my cheek this morning as I gather my thoughts to share from the depths of a Gold Star Mother's heart. My fingers shake as I place them on the keyboard of my computer. How have we as a nation come to the place of tolerating the disrespect for our flag, our faith in God, and our fallen warriors and our Gold Star families?
As a Mother whose sons and son-in-law served as a Marine, Soldier, and Navy SEAL and a brother who retired after 33 years in the Air Force our family has carried the responsibility to defend and protect our freedoms. We are God fearing patriots who love our country, our flag, it's people and all that it represents.
We are not naive to think that this is a perfect country or that we are perfect people. We are not racists, my children are half Spanish, I have grandchildren who are half Japanese. I was a single Mom most of my kid's life, with a high school diploma. We didn't grow up with a silver spoon in our mouth. I remember one month when we had $20.00 to feed my 3 growing teens. We lived on oatmeal, Top Ramen, beans and were grateful for the fruit and vegetables that grew in our garden.
I was determined that we would not make welfare a way of life. I was not a perfect Mom, just ask my kids, but I was determined to not quit. It was a struggle, and the difficult times and trials were a preparation of strength that would be required the day we were notified that my son Navy SEAL, Marc Alan Lee had been killed in action. I became a Gold Star Mother that day, a title I never wanted. I never wanted to fly a Gold Star Flag over my home. I never wanted the folded flag from my son's casket presented to me "on behalf of a grateful nation." I never wanted to kiss my sons cold face as he lay in his casket and tell him goodbye. 
I had no choice the news that was given to me on Aug 2, 2006, but I did have a choice how I responded, My choice was to put on Marc's boots, pick up his weapon (figuratively speaking) and stay in the fight for our troops and families of our fallen. I do know who pays the price for our freedoms, the sacrifices made, and it is our responsibility to live lives worthy of their sacrifices.
It disgusts me and rips my heart in two when I see those who choose not stand for our National Anthem. My son stood in the line of fire and gave his life, so you could have your freedoms and you can't stand to honor his sacrifice and that of every Veteran who gave their life or fought for you? That red stripe in our flag represents their blood that was shed for this country and for you. Where is the respect, fortitude and courage from the NFL, Owners and fans to not tolerate this? I am an avid Denver Bronco fan for more years than I care to admit, and until the players can stand for our national Anthem and honor and respect our flag and what it represents, I'm done. I'm not watching games or buying any NFL gear, and I encourage you to take a stand and do the same. They are protesting for social injustice and the lack of unity and, yet their divisive actions are causing a deeper divide. I'm a fighter and have used my voice and my life to make a difference when I see an injustice, and I would encourage them to do the same, but this is not the right way to do it.
Then we see the egregious way that our Gold Star families are being used and manipulated for a political agenda. Rep Fredrica Wilson should be ashamed of herself. President Trump decides to reach out privately to the families of our fallen heroes. Probably one of the toughest phone calls he ever must make. He seeks advise from his Chief of Staff Gen Kelly, a Gold Star Father himself as what is the right thing to say.
People often ask me for advice as to what they should say in a time like this. There are no "right" words. There is nothing anyone could say that will take your deep pain and grief away. I always tell people to just, be there. That is what President Trump was doing, he was trying to let these families know that as a nation we are here.
His staff would have reached out to the next of kin to see if they were open to his call, and then a time would be scheduled for the call. Representative Fredrica Wilson didn't just happen to be in the car, they knew the call was coming in. She has been vocal in expressing her hatred for President Trump before and should be ashamed that she took this private moment with a grieving widow and our Commander-In-Chief, and politicized it to continue to spew her hatred towards the President who America chose.
