"There is no glory in war" Soldier Returning from Iraq from Sun-Sentinel

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-psoldier30apr30,0,2298796,print.story

April 30, 2004

DELRAY BEACH · Army Sgt. Seth Cole was no ordinary show-and-tell guest at Banyan Creek Elementary School. At 6-foot-3, in a pressed, beribboned uniform and just back from Iraq, the infantryman was the son of teacher Allyne Cole and the school's yearlong pen pal, home at last.

But what began as a school-wide homecoming celebration became an emotionally charged catharsis Thursday when during visits to several classrooms Cole spoke candidly of the disillusionment he felt after 12 months in the combat zone, and urged the pupils not to be fooled by notions that warfare is glorious.

"You'll never see me in this uniform again,'' Cole, 30, told a roomful of fifth-graders as his mother fought to hold back her tears. "There is no glory in war. Seven hundred people are not coming back. A lot more don't have eyes, arms or legs.''

Allyne Cole said that she knew little about the horror and danger of her only child's service with the 115 Military Police Company in Baghdad, Fallujah and Balad until he spoke to the students at the school where she has taught for 20 years. "This was not easy to hear," she said. "He tried to protect me. He knew I was worried."

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[lovedems]

1. That takes alot of courage and it gives me a greater insight on Kerry's

actions when he returned from Vietnam. It sounds like a difficult time for him and his family yet he is courageously bringing home the reality of an ugly situation.

[Ironpost]

2. thanks

I think there are a lot of folks here who needed this, at least I did. Thank You for sharing

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. That is why the Presnit is not fit to be... he has NO CLUE

what war is about

Sergeant, WELCOME HOME, stay safe, and may sleep coem to you at night, may this be the hardest battle you ever have to fight AGAIN. For now you will have the night to contend with. As to protectng mom, yep, we all know how that is, and we always try.

I hope you got to at least one of those kids...