tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4992966371608528830.post3222502589476261675..comments2022-09-19T05:32:43.761-07:00Comments on MARY ANN SORRENTINO'S ITALY & THE WORLD BEYOND: LET WOMEN SPEAK THE TRUTH!MAShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02564525285497224794noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4992966371608528830.post-76446775955799858602007-09-07T15:11:00.000-07:002007-09-07T15:11:00.000-07:00As the mother of an active duty military man, I w...As the mother of an active duty military man, I would like to add my voice to what I hope will be a cacophony of sound in opposition to your opinion piece published in the Keene (NH) Sentinel on September 6, 2007.<BR/><BR/> My son chose to apply to Officer's Candidate School following his<BR/>graduation from college. Compelled by his desire to serve his country and his understanding that a stint in the military would provide him with training, experience and opportunity, he eagerly traveled to Florida and, in due<BR/>time, graduated as an officer in the United States Navy. The boy I hugged goodby morphed into a man of purpose and confidence, whose experiences in the Navy <BR/>have been challenging, sometimes frustrating, and ultimately rewarding.<BR/> As his mother, I could ask for no more of his career choice. It has given him the opportunity to travel, to lead, to problem solve and to develop his skills. He has been highly commended for his achievements. His time<BR/>in the Navy also introduced him to my daughter-in-law - an equally dedicated and patriotic American who is also a skilled and highly trained career officer.<BR/><BR/>They willingly serve to protect the rights of you and others like you.<BR/> Your opinions, so widely disseminated and loudly voiced, put them in harm'sway and provide encouragement to our enemies. I respect your right to hold those opinions. I deplore your belief that you can voice them without <BR/>consequence. Such traitorous actions are akin to those of the Free Speech advocates who believe they have the right to cry "Fire" in a crowded public space. I hope if Peg Hubbard responds to your opinion piece that she tells <BR/>you how your comments desecrate the memory of her sons and the purpose for which they fought. Remember - all of our military volunteered to serve. No <BR/>one has been drafted into the military for years. Those who volunteer without understanding the consequences of that choice are the worst kind of <BR/>opportunists - seeking the benefits of the service without being willing to pay the full price.<BR/><BR/>I am proud of my son and his wife and of their honor, courage and<BR/>commitment to defend freedom and democracy around the world. I pray for their safety and the safety of their comrades in arms every day. I am grateful that<BR/>they are willing to pursue military careers and to support and defend the rights of those who cannot stand on their own against the forces of terrorism,wherever those forces are located. I believe our President - our<BR/>Commander in Chief - and his advisors when they counsel that we must stay the course in Iraq. They have more knowledge of the entire situation than the<BR/>American public is privileged to have. I have confidence in those who elected George Bush; and in his steadfast devotion to keeping the evil that invaded our <BR/>country six years ago from ever doing so again. While I mourn with<BR/>those mothers who have lost their sons and daughters in this war, I would rather that my child lose his life fighting for something he believes in than be killed by murderous terrorists as so many sons and daughters were on 9/11.<BR/><BR/>Losing a child is devastating enough. To have a privileged columnist denigrate that loss by politicizing it is unspeakable. As for outrage and <BR/>despair - I have no words to express the depths of outrage, despair,and utter helplessness I feel when I am confronted by the traitorous words of those who believe they speak for us all. My sleepless nights and hopeless <BR/>days are filled with the images of those who oppose our country and our dreams of freedom for all people - those whose murderous purposes are supported by the lack of a unified United States citizenry imbued with the <BR/>resolve, determination and purpose which used to be the cornerstone of<BR/>our country's foundation. My deepest fear is that your voices will prevail and many more of our sons and daughters will lose their lives because your voices will embolden our enemies. My greatest hope is that mothers like Peg <BR/>Hubbard, NH's own Natalie Healey, me and others whose children have<BR/>served and are serving their country will raise their voices and drown you out. <BR/>Our children and our country deserve no less.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com