Saw my nephew for the last time today before he flies off to Iraq...

[Obamarama]

My sister-in-law's family are all red-white-and-blue-proud-to-be-an-American-magnetic-car-ribbon-sporting conservative Republicans, so it was a litte difficult keeping my big yap shut when they started yammering about freedom not being free, killing ragheads and what not, but somehow I did.

Our side of the family, the liberal Jews, tried to pretend we weren't hearing this bullshit and basically stayed to one side of my brother's back deck/patio/lawn like we were the Hatfields and they were the McCoys, but we were more or less polite to one another.

Matthew and I had a long talk. He knows my feelings about the war, knows that I have protested, and that I will continue to protest this insane situation and actively work to help bring an end to this madness. He beleives I have every right to protest the war and he said he certainly doesn't feel that by doing so I am not supporting him or "the troops."

The hardest part was talking about if he doesn't come back. He brought it up, and I told him I doubted I could spout all of the hollow platitudes family members spout to the media when a soldier is killed: "he was fighting them there so we don't have to fight them here," "he was fighting to protect our freedoms," et.al., ad nauseum. In fact, I told him, it would just embolden me more and make me more vocal against the war, against Bush. "Please do," he said.

So help me, if he comes home in a body bag...

[MadMaddie]

1. Damn....may he come home safe......this has got to end.

And it sounds like he loves and respects you for what you are doing.

Sounds like a great kid.

[Obamarama]

8. Thanks, he is a great kid.

West Point grad, smarter than hell. When he entered the Academy four years ago, we were all sort of thinking this would have all been done and over with. I'm wishing now that he had chosen Yale or Brown.

[Solly Mack]

2. ((( KzooDem)))

To a safe return!!

[Whoa_Nelly]

3. Here's to your nephew and you

:hug:

[w8liftinglady]

4. I'll keep him in my thoughts.I remember each of the times my son deployed

It became harder and harder to stay positive.

[Obamarama]

5. EACH of the times? Wow...how did you do it?

My brother and sister-in-law are doing okay, although he hasn't actually deployed yet. I think it will be a different story when he actually leaves. It's hard enough just being his uncle. I can't imagine having to see my own child ship out.

[TheUniverse]

6. I hope the Democratic Congress does their job and he comes back as soon as possible.

[TomInTib]

7. Send him something. Anything, any totem or token.

You would not believe how important those kind of hard objects from home can be. Something small that he can slip into a pocket or pack.

I carried a rattlesnake rattle bundled in cloth.

I lost it when I moved to California and cried like a child when I realized it was gone.

[Obamarama]

11. Good idea, Tom.

I plan on sending him a package each month, so I'll find something meaningful and small to send along.

[TomInTib]

12. Check your Inbox nt

[lligrd]

9. Guess We Will All Have To Fight Even Harder

to make sure he gets home soon and well. I can't even imagine watching anyone in my family heading to Iraq.

[Rick Myers]

10. All good karma to you and your nephew!

May he come back safe and SOON!!! :hug:

[XOKCowboy]

13. Don't do this to yourself. Keep a good thought

He sounds like a good kid. I'd be just as upset as you if my only nephew (who just turned 20) was going to Iraq.

Keep thinking good thoughts and he'll be home soon.

[Obamarama]

14. We're keeping it positive, but it was difficult to say goodbye.

15 months is a long time, but hopefully it will go quickly.