wounded warriors

[Trek420]

here's the rest of their route....

Denver, CO 6/12/2005
Kansas City, MO - Kansas City Royals Pregame show 6/19/2005
St. Louis, MO 6/24/2005
Chicago, IL 6/30/2005
Cleveland, OH - Crocker Park Celebration 7/4/2005
Pittsburgh, PA - Pittsburgh Pirates Pregame show 7/7/2005
Washington, DC 7/10/2005
Baltimore, MD 7/11/2005
Philadelphia, PA 7/14/2005
New York, NY - NY Mets Pregame show 7/17/2005
Montauk, NY - Ride Finish 7/19/2005

[doc]

I'm with you spazz. I wholeheartedly support the troops. But I am completely against the war. It drives me nuts that certain political groups take anti war to mean anti troops an anti american. I'm just against war. We wouldn't have so many wounded, not to mention dead, soldiers (sons, brothers, husbands, and fathers) if we hadn't started the Iraq war.

One idea for world peace. Um, don't start a war.

[wabisabi]

I agree; one step I took is to volunteer (with a cycling friend) on the GI Rights hotline; some of these kids have no idea what they have gotten themselves into when they agree to get into the grasp of the military; when I think that I first learned to do draft counseling back in--oh--1975, it can be discouraging, but then I am encouraged by the bravery of those who resist.

[spazzdog]

Don't get me wrong... I believe that the military is a necessity in any country. But I believe that all should serve in some capacity.

I believe the Isreali model is the best. Upon graduating secondary school, every one does a hitch in the military... male, female, rich or poor... it doesn't matter. The kids learn things (discipline, responsibility, get great educational starts), the military has the people power to function. Some kids decide to stay in, something they might not have done without the experience.

Yes, the war part is the ugly part. Unfortunately this is a planet of war... it always has been and it probably always will be. As long as one part of the world has something the other part wants or feels superior to some other people, there will be war or rebellion or name that violence.

That's not to say I think its right, just that it IS. What one hopes is that the powers that be in a country recognize the effects of war beyond their own desire for power or legacy... that they don't send our troops off on a pissin' contest such as the one we are in now and ill equipped to fight. I've heard Iraq referred to as this generations Viet Nam. The longer it goes on, and the more I read or hear, the more I'm inclined to agree.

I always will support our troops. But not necessarily their "commander in chief".

spazz, stepping off her soapbox

[wabisabi]

Well, Spazz, I wish I could believe it was that simple; personally, I think congress is getting ready for a draft, and that they are running the women in combat thing up the flagpole because they might include women inthe draft this time.

[KkAllez]

You guys have no idea how fearful I am that my son will be going over there. If we can get him graduated from high school, which is just a struggle, (he will be a junior next year, and he wants to get his GED and join the Army) I feel we will have accomplished something. We have him at New Mexico Military Institute in hopes that he will either get into WestPoint, Texas A&M, or two years at NMMI's junior college. Our goal is that if he is going to join the Army then go as an officer....but being a kid, and being awestruck by a couple of retired special forces guys who work at NMMI he is ready now. At least at NMMI he's learning to be a leader.

I swear that kid came out of my womb and popped a salute! Seriously though, I go through just absolute moments of depression, sinking fear, I feel like puking, and I guess it is to help keep my sanity, but I simply cannot watch TV right now, or at least the news, nor can I read about Iraq in the paper. It makes me sick at my stomach that I could lose my son, who, I think absolutely hung the moon. Yet, I cannot tell him he can't do something. I CAN do my best to keep him in school and hopefully college. Right now my biggest prayer is that all of this will be over before he graduates.....

....and you know writing this, I see how selfish I am. I am only thinking of myself and my son and our little family...but that is how it is for me at the moment.

I have somewhat of an idea what mothers must have felt when there was draft who had teenage boys. I don't even have to consider the draft, he's hell bent on going regardless.

[spazzdog]

I understand KKAllez... as much as a non-parent can at least.

My roomies best friend is abt to graduate from Mass Maritime... and is automatically a reservist. He also got his degree in nuclear engineering and scored a job in the private sector. I expect he'll be called up pretty quick.

His mom won't even talk about it.

The logical discussion of the kid going to military school, thus into the military (as is his choice) carries no import. Perhaps it's the "he'll always be my baby" maternal pull... understandable. But, when a young person attends military school they are well aware of what's to come, unlike a public/private school kid.

I wish your son the best in whatever path he takes... and I hope you will never regret his honorable service or yours for that matter.

spazz