My little boy grew up. He called me today, and has joined the Army.

[The Straight Story]

He was 4 when I split up with his mom. He was nearly 8 the last time I ever saw him. A year from this June he will be shipping out to God knows where.

The last I heard from him was in October, 2005. He called to tell my X-wife had died that previous July, and he blamed me. We talked it all out and he told me finally he loved me. We talked a few more times and then never again.

Until today.

He wanted to meet me if I was gonna be back that way (Ohio). Told him I probably wouldn't this year as I just started a job and wouldn't have vacation until next year - but that I would save up some money and get him a plane ticket this summer if I could to come out and see me.

He has issues, and rightly so.

I hope to God that this war is over soon, I hope that we get a dem president in November and they bring our kids home. I have felt that way for so long, and I feel it more now than ever.

My little Zach is all grown up, lost, and within a year he will be a tool of a fucking RW war machine. I told him I was proud of him and that he was a good man. That he could learn a lot in the army and get a good education.

I told myself I am scared for my little boy and that I wish he would not go. I did not tell him that.

Hopefully, here in a bit, he will call me when he gets off work and we can talk.

Hopefully we can end this war, one that should never have been.

I miss you buddy, and I will keep working to end this hell we have been in for 8 years.

[bluestateguy]

1. Then we need to work to get him a commander in-chief who will not send him off to a bullshit war

nt

[roguevalley]

21. my nephew was SITTING in the recruiter's office and I saw him and

went in and railed at the recruiter. this was during bosnia, not any gulf wars. the recruiter was all WTF? and I told him I would get him if my boy EVER got hurt by the army. I also told my nephew to come with me and if he didn't, two years was all they would get. :)

He signed up for four! Went to Bosnia too.

Probably was the best thing he ever did, even with all the fighting which SUCKED. He came back a grown up man and knows what is important: family, family, family.

I hug you and your son, honey. Been there, done that.

[grantcart]

2. I'm glad he called you

[MichiganVote]

3. Sounds like you're in a lonely place..

[BOHICA06]

4. Looks like both of you have issues to work out....

praying that he and you are able to develop a decent relationship as adults.

[Irishonly]

5. I am glad he called you

I hope he never sees Iraq or Afghanistan and we'll have a democrat in office in January.

[rosesaylavee]

6. What a tough conversation...

I admire your fortitude in commending his decision. Friends of our son were contemplating joining up and all we could do were forced smiles and 'oh, you will be a good soldier, etc.'. One of the kids came back and told us he knew we were not so thrilled and he had decided to go on to college for aviation instead of the air force.

I take it he has signed the dotted line and made the firm commitment? Any chance he could get a good desk job stateside or in Germany?

[countmyvote4real]

7. I am sorry that he has to make such a desperate career move, but I am glad you are in touch.

I hope that you both can stay in touch. He needs you now more than ever.

[HardWorkingDem]

17. To a lot of us, it might not be a "desperate" move...

I'm a liberal, joined the military and learned a great deal. It's not all about mindless killing and becoming a tool...

[michreject]

18. I agree with you

The Army probably saved my life.

[countmyvote4real]

25. I know that, but that was then. This is now.

Now it is a desperate choice because our troops don't get the support they are due or need anymore. It's going to private third party contractors.

There is much to be gained from military career or experience. I'm just saying that now is not the time pursue it.

[aquart]

8. What a mess.

Get his email. Who does he have now that his mother is gone?

[The Straight Story]

10. His abusive drug addicted step dad

Sucks all the way around.

[Fridays Child]

9. I hope you see him this summer and I hope he stays safe.

Take care.

[MilesColtrane]

11. Your son sounds like a brave man.

I think you both have what it takes to heal old wounds, and to once again be family.

I'll keep good thoughts for him, and all service members thrust into a criminal situation not of their making.

[struggle4progress]

12. Hoping someday you both get to the point where you can say what you really think

[FightingIrish]

13. My hope for the best

Your nightmare is the one I started fearing eight years ago. I have two sons and my first thought when Bush stole the presidency in 2000 was that they were in jeopardy. One was draft age and the younger one was approaching. They were the reason I got involved and became an activist for the first time in my life.

My oldest son is now probably beyond draft age and my youngest son was paralyzed in a brutal assault a few days before the 2004 election. He was the one with the “right stuff” the military would have loved. I still can’t help feeling for other parents whose kids are at risk because we have a psychopath in charge their destiny.

Your Zach should do just fine because this madness will have to end before he is ready to deploy. I wish I had something comforting to say to all the families whose kids have been sacrificed. I’m still fighting for a return to sanity because two years ago my oldest son gave us our beautiful grandson, Zack.

[Diane R]

14. He'll be much safer with President Obama. Best wishes to both of you.

[Mari3333]

15. been there, done that

after my stepson went to iraq and came back his dad, my husband, crossed over. then a couple years later my youngest son crossed over. i have learned one lesson in all of this. i can love people in my life, but i cannot control the outcome of their lives. when my oldest son reupped with the guard last year, i went insane, because of losing my youngest son. but when it came time for my oldest son to be sent to iraq, the surgeons found a blood clot and kept him home from active duty. i credit my youngest son, who is our guardian angel now, for keeping his brother home and safe.
so, yes, we can watch them go and learn, but we cannot control the outcomes of their lives. this lesson has been pounded into me now, and i must have had to learn it.
love to you and yours.

[HardWorkingDem]

16. SS....listen....

God, man, do I feel for you. I really do.

But here's the thing - love your boy no matter what. All of us find our solace and answers in many different places.

I have been a liberal all my life and joined the military as a liberal. It was one of the best things I have ever done in my life. Yes, I hated many parts of it, but would not give back ANY lesson I learned from while in there. So do not lay that "tool of the RW" line on him. He joined for some reason. Learn to accept it and grow your relationship with it.

Whether people here will believe it or not, there are some great lessons to be learned from the military. Young people will get to meet many different people while there.

Heck, when I was in there I actually met a kid from Idaho who had never seen a black person in person until he met the military (to this day, I remember when we were in our eight man bay and he had this wild, doe eyed look in his eyes. I asked him what was wrong and in a Gomer Pyle sort of way he told me that he had never seen a black person in his life before. And he wasn't racist, just a boy from small town Idaho - yes, his nickname became "Spuds").

Please keep us posted.....

[njlib]

19. Best of luck to both of you

My son just turned 18 and I'm scared to death of what will happen if we don't win in November.

I hope the two of you work things out and hope your son stays safe.

[old mark]

20. I will probably get hell for this, but

being in the military may do him good.
It gets him away from what you describe as a very bad environment, and he will at least learn to be responsible and dependable and grow up a bit.
Please do your best to stay in touch with him-you both will benefit from that.

mark

[The Straight Story]

24. I think it will as well

He needs to see the world outside of that small bubble he has been in all these years.

It will still worry me a great deal, but I think overall he will grow from it and it could help him a ton - but as a dad I still worry about the wars we are in and what may happen to him.

[blondeatlast]

22. Oh, God, SS, my heart is with you and your son.

My son is 11 and I fear we'll be knee-deep in this when he's eligible. Send him all my love and support when you can.

Take care, friend. :hug:

[formercia]

23. I'm sorry for you.

I wish him safe and healthy return home.

[Horse with no Name]

26. I'll keep him in my special thoughts

Having considerable experience with kids that age (my own), something in me tells me he did this to try to shock you.
I'm glad you didn't oblige him.:hug: Your reaction probably saved a relationship that you haven't had the opportunity to have yet.
Your boy will come home a man.
I'll keep him in my thoughts.