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I’ll chime in as a Gold Star family member.

I’ll assume good intentions on the part of the grieving dad but am a bit concerned as to his not wanting to meet with the President because it was a “stupid” mission. Perhaps that is the case, but as a former military man he should understand once the mission begins the dynamics change. Who knows, I wasn’t there for the planning or execution. I just hope he has no political motivations behind this. I will say that dealing with the media will lead him down the wrong path.

My stepson did not come back through Dover but made it to BAMC with 70 percent burns. My wife got to see him before he died but it has been a long and painful road. I know grief can case reactions that are not that the person would normally exhibit. But I would like to think that the memory of his cherished son would overcome his desire to lash out.

In our case, we carried on and later met with President Bush in what I will say was a healing moment for my wife and family. Several in our military family still feel pain and guilt as do many of my retired friends BUT never has his death been an alter to preach politics.

I pray for the soul of the brave warrior and his family and hope and pray that his father will not use it as springboard to disgrace his son’s memory, it will only lead to more pain and suffering for him and his family.