I just found out my Son was injured when he was in Iraq!!!

[dogday]

He did not want to tell me, and I can't say as if I blame him, I have been a nervous wreck.. He was in a building that was next to a building that was bombed, and he was not seriously injured, but received a shoulder trauma involving the tearing of some ligaments... Unfortunately the ligaments have grown back together and have enlarged because of scarring... He is at this minute sitting in front of a VA board applying for permanent disability because he will only have limited use of his shoulder for the rest of his life according to his Dr.'s... He will need surgery to help the situation, but nothing will ever totally fix it.

So I asked him, does this mean if they find you permanently disabled, you will not be going back to Iraq, and he answered yes it does. I could not believe what I was hearing... I never thought I would say this, but I hope for his sake, they find him permanently disabled.

Then he said something which stunned me, because my Son has not had an opinion one way or the other about the politics of this war, and I have not pressed him about it either... I figure he was having enough problems just having to go to Iraq. He said Mom, this war is just another Viet Nam. I asked so you believe this is a war we cannot win, and he said yes.

So there you have it, he has finally said it, and with no political pressure from me whatsoever.. This is his own voice, his own mind, and his own conclusions about the war in Iraq.... I will never stop fighting for the end to this war until every Mother's child has returned to them...

A big thanks to everyone here for being so supportive, I could never of gotten through this episode of my life without you.... :hug:

[villager]

1. My God. Well, I'm glad he's back with you...

... and seems to be basically okay...

take care...

[IChing]

2. You did well and so did he

Hope this fucking war will end now.

[niyad]

3. know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your son, and all who are in harm's way. I just

pray there is a circle of hell deep enough for each and every person responsible for getting us into this nightmare, and keeping us there--including all the enablers and cheerleaders for this horror.

we are here for you, always. those of us who endured the horrors and aftermath of vietnam have some small idea what you are going through. please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.

[Joe Chi Minh]

14. Amen. This and Vietnam make WWII seem so linear and straighforward,

don't they. In these wars, everyone could be the enemy and there no front line ... because it's everywhere.

[Mythsaje]

4. No one could know it better than a soldier who was there...

It's the unvarnished truth.

[thatsrightimirish]

5. God bless you both

I hope everything turns out well

[wicket]

6. I'm so sorry

:hug:

[Madspirit]

7. k&r...n/t

[file83]

8. He has returned safely. THAT'S AWESOME!!!

:party::bounce::woohoo::party:

[Bucky]

21. Relatively safely. Permanent disability.

In a sense he's one of the lucky ones, of course. But enflamed ligaments is not exactly the "million dollar injury" WW2 vets talked about. He could be in Physical therapy for years.

[Jim__]

9. I hope he doesn't have to go back.

Permanent disability or not.

[MagickMuffin]

10. Sheesh, how many more will it take???

If only someone, anyone could make this ALL go away....

Tell your son thank you for his service...:hug:

[dogday]

22. If only someone, anyone could make this all go away.......

Why I think that won't be happening anytime soon...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=1070534&mesg_id=1070552

[MagickMuffin]

33. Well I do realize that we will be there for the long haul

Hell, we were warned when they started selling the war with Iraq. "This will be a generational war, i.e. it will last for at least 30 years." IIRC: Mad king Boy George, Slick Dick, Rummsfailed, and I think Powell ALL used that "talker"....

I guess I'm just wishing for a time machine to take us back to saner days.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

11. I'm sorry he was injured

but I, like you, hope this injury keeps him out of Iraq. Have you thought of having him read some of the anti-war veteran's websites?

[formercia]

12. best wishes for a speedy recovery

I hope your son gets the a fair disability classification.

I was lucky. I happened to go to the VA to do some paperwork for a State Vietnam Era Vet bonus but the regular rep wasn't there and the man who was standing in for him was a person who reviewed claims for disability. He mentioned that my records showed I had a gunshot wound and asked if I had applied for a disability. I told him that I didn't think it was serious enough to matter but he insisted in putting me in for it.

You never know, you might just meet the Fairy Godmother too.

[truedelphi]

13. Very sorry to hear of the injury.

A shoulder injury will affect him for a long time in many ways - hope he can get the maximum help for this.

Also am glad that if permanent, he will not be sent back.

Prayers for you, your son and your family.

[datadiva]

15. OMG! So glad he's home.

I hope his recovery goes well. Our best wishes to you and your family. And thank him for all of us here at DU. Our soldiers deserve only the best.

[Mz Pip]

16. How scary for you

and for him, too.

Hope his injury isn't as bad as originally thought, but they don't find that out until he's discharged.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[zabet]

17. Glad he is home. Hope he gets to stay! k&r n/t

[roguevalley]

18. Oh God, honey. I send to you all the love I can. You are both in my prayers.

[annabanana]

19. Let us know if he's home for good, dogday. . .

And we shall all throw a party.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

20. I'm sorry that he was injured

Let's hope that in time it does heal back to 100% but not until the war is long over.

[Feral Libertarian]

23. Now he only has to fight a very.....

....tough adversary, our own governments bureaucracy and stonewalling.

[snappyturtle]

24. K&R So glad your son is home.....everyone heals better at home!

(I think it's time that we all pledge that war is not an option....ever again.) Bless you both...all our best wishes.

[FloridaJudy]

25. Talk about mixed feelings

Okay. I'll pray he recovers completely, but s--l--o--w--l--y enough that this horrible, horrible war is over by the time he heals. Shoulder injuries are no joke, but considering what could have happened...

Hugs.
:pals:

[Maat]

26. I'm praying that he will be home mostly healthy (like he is now) ...

forever. And, I'm praying he now begins to heal.

Thank him for his service, for I am grateful, even if those who sent him deserve to rot in Hell forever.

:hug:

[KoKo]

27. A big hug to you......and your son...

:grouphug:

[Breeze54]

28. Oh man!! That had to be scary to hear!

I'm glad to hear that he's 'on the mend' so far and I hope he gets
that permanent disability decision and can move on with his life.
I hope he feels better soon too! Hats off to you Mom!!! :hug:
You raised a brave and intelligent young man! :patriot:

[PA Democrat]

29. So sorry to hear about your son's injuries, dogday.

I hope he is able to get out of the military permanently. It's so sad when a permanent disability seems like good news. :hug:

I wish him all the best.

[Morgana LaFey]

30. I'm so sorry about your son's injury, but I'm ecstatic you have him

home and that there's a good chance he'll stay home.

Poor kid.

[Hapameli]

31. Please consider joining Military Families Speak Out (MFSO)!!

I am a member and we get a lot of attention, from the press and our congresspeople, because it is our families who are making the sacrifice.

Check out www.mfso.org or message me to help find your local chapter.

Much love to your brave son!

[flyarm]

32. OHHH DOGDAY..I AM SO GLAD YOUR BABY IS HOME WITH YOU NOW!!

and i will pray that he gets permanent disability and does not have to go back to the hell hole!!

Hold him to you and never let him go!!

well as much as he lets you!! ( mom of a guy here )...

I am so happy for you he is home now..i just pray he stays home!!

fly

[Stephanie]

34. permanently disabled, and he is one of the lucky ones.

wow.

[Solly Mack]

35. ((((lots of hugs)))) to you both!!!

[many a good man]

36. Just like Viet Nam: Win every engagement; lose the war

I thank him for his bravery. I only hope that we can give him a government worthy of his sacrifice.

[midnight]

37. O dogday I'm so sad to hear about your son's injury. I have

a bring them home sign in the front of my house. I hope everyone who drives by is reminded during their trip home that our troops need to come home too. I'm hoping a end to this war soon. Maybe the V.A. will step up and do the right thing for your son.

[Marrah_G]

38. I am so glad he is safe and home

Thankfully he was not more seriously hurt. I hope he gets to stay home for good and you never have to worry about him in that hell again.

[babylonsister]

39. So what happened? Is the damage permanent? For both

your sakes, I hope so! (I cannot even believe I just typed that!:wow:)

I think your son echoes the thoughts of many; hopefully him admitting it will wipe out some of the demons he might have. :hug:

[dogday]

41. I know if I had the choice, I would choose permanent

damage just so he does not have to go back and have extreme damage or even death.... It does sound bad saying it, but even worse hearing the words " The United States Military regrets to inform you...."

[Olney Blue]

40. I'm glad he's home, dogday.

:hug:

We will keep protesting this war until all the troops come home.

[malaise]

42. You're both lucky

Fight on.

[Catherine Vincent]

43. Best wishes to you and your son, Dogday.

:hi:

[DarkTirade]

44. Here's to hoping he, and many others like him, come home safely.

And hopefully they don't end up at Walter Reed afterwards. :\

[symbolman]

45. I'm sorry to hear that

It brings up strange wants, this kind of stuff, like men who shoot toes off to get home, etc. You wishing that he'll be found disabled is perfectly normal so don't feel bad, I worked in a VA after Nam, and I've seen lots of this, I know it makes for more guilt, that's for sure..

This is the part of war they never bring up to the public, I took care of over 300 men who'd been literally scared into insanity, and could no longer communicate, my job was to observe them as they moved about the place, and suggest a diagnosis and get them to a doctor to help them.

Tell him that if he has ANY TROUBLE to not take any shit - he can go to the HEAD OFFICE IN that Hospital and ask for the person in charge, they have Liasons who specifically help people getting crap from the lower echelons, and they HAVE to help.

You both have my sympathies, tell him to keep hammering on them as far as reducing the scar tissue, inflammation, etc as it needs to be dealt with as early as possible to stave off Arthritis, etc.

Take it easy on yourself, you've both been through enough :)

Goddam that monster in our White House.

[Stinky The Clown]

46. How awful when we sit and wish for a disability ........

..... how awful that's the way out.

Thanks from me to your son. He joined not from some ideology but a sense of personal responsibility.

People like that are to be commended.

[orleans]

47. here's my guess: he will not be given permanently disability

no one is--as far as i know.

there were stories about this a few months ago and people who were majorly fucked up were being sent back to iraq. there was a woman who had a spinal injury and couldn't wear a helmet for more than x amount of time, or an hour at a time--and she couldn't turn her body (if she needed to dodge a bullet) and she was sent back.

sorry.

and people are getting screwed out of their disability, so i wish your kid good luck with that.

as for returning to any war zone: don't let him go. don't let him go. don't let him go. imo.

[Redneck Socialist]

48. I'm so sorry

I know two people (so far) that have been wounded in bushCo.'s war. I hope for both your sakes he comes home soon. :hug:

[maggiegault]

49. I will pray for his safe return to your arms.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

50. God Bless Him And May He Be Back In Your Arms Soon.

[stanwyck]

51. Know that your DU community is thinking of you

and your son and sending you all of our positive energy.
Please keep us updated.

[Toasterlad]

52. Congratulations on Getting Your Son Back!

I wouldn't give a second thought to the shoulder...at least, not for awhile. Just be glad he got out of there in relatively one piece. I hope that my nephews are as fortunate. :scared:

[Tellurian]

53. Your son is very lucky they will release him..

Say a prayer tonight at yours and your son's good fortune.

His shoulder injury, just saved his life! He must be destined for something great...

best wishes! :grouphug:

[Maryland Liberal]

54. We have got to get rid of the draft...

So this won't happen again.

[emilyg]

55. God Bless.

[shadowknows69]

56. A lot of the troops I've met have come to that realization

Glad to hear he's back in reasonably good shape. He can live with a bad shoulder but I too hope for your sake that it keeps him out of combat. They're getting pretty lenient about who they deem combat ready these days.

[Liberty Belle]

57. Scarring can be helped by massage therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic.

It's helped me immensely; I have permanent nerve damage in my shoulder but am not functional and have minimal pain 7 years after a car accident. I see the massage therapist faithfully twice a month.

Get the permanent disability designation if he can, then he should quietly go outside the VA and get some massage work (and maybe the other services) done. I'll bet it will help.

[shaniqua6392]

58. God bless him.

I hope he is home with you soon.

[Mad_Dem_X]

59. Bless you both! Glad he's home

Sorry to hear of his injury, but I hope he is home to stay. :hug:

[Totally Committed]

60. Oh, please hug your sone once for me.

I will keep all good thoughts and energy going his way. Please keep us up on his progress!

Bless his heart.

TC

[King Coal]

61. May God bless you both.

[lonestarnot]

62. Can he get out with that injury?

[L0oniX]

63. "Military men are just dumb stupid animals to be used as pawns in foreign policy."

quote -- Henry Kissinger ...the guy who is influencing our elected leaders.

[jollyreaper2112]

64. yuck

Sounds sick to say it but it's true, "hurray for disability!" Was this scarring preventable? Would future surgery be able to restore full mobility?

[Raejeanowl]

65. Best Wishes

Well, to the extent your son's comments echo my own sentiments of many months now, I think he's absolutely right. We'll be another five years getting out, 2008 abracadabra or not. I hope we're going to try and exercise some good order and regards for safety in the removal.

Then we can sit back dazed and ruminate some more about how the hell we let a President sucker us into it, and how we're not going to let it happen again.

I'm happy for you both and pray the VA treats him well.

[Mabus]

66. I'm just glad he's back home with you

I didn't know your son was over there until this posting but I am glad to hear he is back home. I'm truly sorry to hear about his shoulder and hope that he does get some help for it.

[aquart]

67. He's home, he's alive...Congratulations!

And may Bush's shoulder take the pain.