My brother had to inform a mother of her son's death in Iraq

[flygal]

He is ANG and was never prepared for this. The man was 20 and killed over the weekend. My brother was pretty shook up about it - his unit is supposed to be in Afghanistan next year. He called my mom last night to talk - it was pretty traumatic for him.

My mom said it was just like Vietnam all over again for her. Her neighbor lost a son over there. Even though you don't know these people, when you hear about someone experiencing it, it just gets to you.

[mhr]

1. Thanks For Sharing - More People Need To Feel Tangible Pain

Give our best to your brother - He has a very tough, thankless job.

[BOSSHOG]

2. I had to knock on the door four times

during my 24 year career and there is no getting used to it. You get to see the results of a military death up close and personal.

[kskiska]

3. During WWII my uncle knocked on the door of a woman

with two small children to inform her that husband was washed off the deck of an aircraft carrier due to a kamikaze attack and never found. My uncle's brother married the woman. They went on to have five more kids and have been married 55 years now.

My mother also had one of those knocks on the door when my dad was missing in action after his B-17 was shot down over Germany. Fortunately, he survived, but spent over a year in Stalag Luft I.

I hope they give these guys some training preparing them for the duty of informing next of kin, not sending them out there cold.

[Ironpost]

4. I was selected to bring one of my navy friends body back.

After I listened to what I was supposed to tell his family, (no truth to any of it). I respectfully declined. Sometimes I wish I would have and told his family exactly how it happened. I'd probably be in the brig still.

[indigobusiness]

6. Ironpost, your story sheds so much light on the real story.

We have this raging public dialog about the war, WITHOUT ALL THE FACTS.

If the entire truth were known, and the actual story told, I'm convinced Americans wouldn't sit still for the bloodshed they have sanctioned. Heads would roll on this side of the pond - much as I dislike that expression, it says it best.

[indigobusiness]

5. The suffering of our foolish warmongering reaches its tentacles

into areas far beyond the statics. So many more casualties than are accounted for.