The other evening I started to read Those Who Dare by Phil Ward. The back of the book jacket says "The first in a series of heavily researched World War II novels about hit-and-run raids against Hitler's war machine by British forces--under the command of an unconventional U.S. Army officer." This is my first fiction book in close to a year so I'm really looking forward to finishing it.
Mr. Ward is a decorated Viet Nam veteran and a former instructor at the Army Ranger School and lives in Austin. He is currently President of USA Training Company, a national driving safety organization which is where I slightly know him since I teach defensive driving and USA is our training organization and processes our certificates of completion. Mr. Ward graciously offered those associated with USA a free copy of his book. I jumped at the chance.
I've only gotten through the first 27 pages so far but I'm greatly enjoying the story. I feel right at home with the subject matter because a guy I knew back in New York State was very very interested in World War II. His father came ashore on one of the beaches at Normandy on D-Day. For those who don't have a clue what I'm talking about here, see Normandy Landings. My friend had the entire Walter Cronkite-narrated video collection on World War II and I watched them all with him numerous times. He also had a bunch of VHS movies (The Bridge on the River Kwai, The Longest Day (which is an amazing movie), Battle of the Bulge, A Bridge Too Far (another excellent movie), In Harm's Way, Patton, Tora! Tora! Tora!, The Battle of Midway, and a few I don't remember) which I watched with him. The war formally ended on September 2, 1945 and I was born 2 months later. I sometimes jokingly say the war ended when it did because they knew I was going to be born soon and they knew they needed all their resources to keep an eye on me. :-)
All this to say I've been immersed in World War II. So, I am really looking forward to reading the remainder of Mr. Ward's book and perhaps future ones as well. I may decide to talk about it in a future blog (or not).
OK, let's get to the real reason for this blog post. This morning I can across an article in "Woman's Day" magazine (hardcopy) and found it online also (Being a Military Mother). As I read it, tears began to crawl down my cheeks. The article talks about a lovely young man who decided he wanted to go to West Point which he did. He then ended up in Iraq. He and his mother did not agree on him joining the military and did not agree on the need for the Iraq war. These disagreements tore them apart. So, he went off to war knowing his mother and he were not on good terms. She, on the other hand, had a heart full of pain because the two of them were separated not only by miles but by heart distance and she was constantly fearful for his life. Through her journaling, she came to understand the need for them to reconnect and they did.
What struck me so is the pain both must have felt. How hard would it be for a young man to head off to war in a country that is totally foreign to him knowing he is in great danger and may never see his family and friends again. How much more painful must it be if he goes knowing his mother does not agree and does not have faith in his decision and perhaps his decision-making process. What doubts must that raise in him for his ability to do the things he needs to do without second guessing himself. How sad.
On the other hand, how hard must it be for the parent knowing their child has pulled away from them and knowing they have distanced themselves from their child as well. What might the guilt feelings be not only while that child is at war doing his job, but what might the guilt feelings be for the rest of their life if that child does not return from that war.
How many parents and children in this situation are currently serving in Afghanistan or elsewhere in the world? I don't have a clue. Perhaps very few, but perhaps a bunch. That made me wonder if our U. S. Military provides any type of counseling or guidance to both the young men and the parents who are in this situation. If not, perhaps they should. A better soldier and a happier parent might result.
I have used 'son' in the above, but it could just as well have been a 'daughter.'
Please pray for our soldiers and their families who serve us so faithfully.
Blessings,
Mary
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