I am a mother of five wonderful kids, but today my heart is very heavy with the economy in such bad shape, and the war in Iraq, elections and such. You would think we had enough to worry about.
This morning at 3 a.m. my son boarded a plane for Iraq. No big deal you say. Well, my son is mentally challenged. Why would our government take a child who is challenged and put him in a war zone? Who knows what will happen now.
I woke up in tears and I fear I will cry until his return. He is my youngest and my most special child. I am very proud that he wants to ensure our freedom, but I can't understand with the prison system crowded, why not take the non-violent offenders? Our special needs kids do need confidence and to know that they can do anything, but don't put weapons in their hands! Maybe, they say “it might help him,” but what if he comes home worse off? Will our government take care of him? I know several Iraq soldiers and the PTSD is overwhelming. The stories I've heard, that's not for anyone to hear. Let alone the fact that they can't get the help they so badly need from those who asked you to fight for your freedom and the freedom of others. You fight, you get ridiculed, and then the PTSD sets in, now what? I would rather lose a convicted criminal, than a child who knows not what to do in a time of war.
Elaine Ciocci
Auburn
I woke up in tears and I fear I will cry until his return. He is my youngest and my most special child. I am very proud that he wants to ensure our freedom, but I can't understand with the prison system crowded, why not take the non-violent offenders? Our special needs kids do need confidence and to know that they can do anything, but don't put weapons in their hands! Maybe, they say “it might help him,” but what if he comes home worse off? Will our government take care of him? I know several Iraq soldiers and the PTSD is overwhelming. The stories I've heard, that's not for anyone to hear. Let alone the fact that they can't get the help they so badly need from those who asked you to fight for your freedom and the freedom of others. You fight, you get ridiculed, and then the PTSD sets in, now what? I would rather lose a convicted criminal, than a child who knows not what to do in a time of war.
Elaine Ciocci
Auburn
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cm wrote on Jun 30, 2008 9:29 AM:
http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=11982
where are the latest numbers LOW??
The facts are: for every military branch they are over 100%..!!!! "
AJ wrote on Jun 29, 2008 4:17 PM:
" PLEASE, I dont know any military unit that would have a mentally challenged person even in the service!
I wouldn't put anything past this military, especially since recruiting is at an all time low, and our "volunteer" army is stop lossed all over the place. Some volunteer armed services eh? "
cm wrote on Jun 29, 2008 11:13 AM:
Then stating a 'child not knowing what to do in a war'--I am sure he would be well trained if he is in the service.
Granted No one knows exactly to the minute of "what might be" but the service people are trained to handle most anything.
I am positive no UNIT would want an untrained person aiding them on a tour! Or a person that could put them in MORE danger along side of them!!
PLUS your son JOINED--he did that for a reason, if you can prove his disability then call his commander, if not then stand proud! "
Farmer's Gal wrote on Jun 29, 2008 9:31 AM:
Sending convicts, however, is not a good idea. A convict would have very little motivation beyond survival for fighting to win, would have no special reason for loyalty, would be more likely to frag their senior officers, more likely to desert, more likely to rape civilians and commit other war crimes -- after all, they committed crimes in normal non-war conditions.
It's a bad situation. Good luck with your son and I hope he comes home again OK. "
AJ wrote on Jun 29, 2008 9:19 AM:
AJ wrote on Jun 29, 2008 9:18 AM:
brew1234 wrote on Jun 29, 2008 2:33 AM: