My heart is broken

[GoldenOldie]

I just received a call from my first-born grandchild/son. He called to say goodby as he is being deployed to Iraq tomorrow morning. We pleaded with him not to enlist, yet in much naivetae (sp), he chose another path than those who loved him wanted. As his grandparent, who has just been diagnosed with a medical problem and not likely to ever see him again, it broke my heart to say "see you later," knowing full well that I may never see him again in this life. As his grandparent, I pray you all be kind and gentle to those who enlist based on youth and inexperience. "They know not what they do," but they are our hearts and our loves and they need all the support they can get.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

1. I'm so sorry.

May he stay safe and you stay well enough to see his return. :grouphug:

[Solly Mack]

2. (((GoldenOldie and grandson)))

Warm vibes and well wishes to you both!!

[Steven_S]

3. I hope your granson makes it back whole and healthy...

and your health holds out long enough for his deployment to be a distant memory.

[BeatleBoot]

4. Love The Warrior. Hate The War.

Thoughts and prayers from my household to yours.

:hug:

[sandnsea]

5. I just got back from babysitting my first born

grandchild. To think of that little guy in the shoes of your grandson in 15 years, my heart breaks right along side yours.

:cry:

[shireen]

6. i'm so sorry to hear that

I don't have kids, but feel a deep affection and sense of duty to the future generations. My heart goes out to you. I'll be thinking of your firstborn grandson, wishing him a safe and uneventful tour of duty, so he can come home to you.


:hug:

[truedelphi]

7. I am so sorry.

This sort of thing can never be made right.

You have to wonder what nonsense the recruiter told him to get him to go. I keep trying to believe that the young people in this country are not misled, but every day there are more stories of how they sign on thinking one thing only to find out the reality when they get off the plane.

Still many positions are safer than others, and I hope there is a good deal of fortune in his next year and that he wil be back soon.

[Booster]

8. Your post broke my heart also. My Marine nephew has been over

there twice and, thank God, he just has 18 months to retirement. Stay strong - we will be here for you, and we will be praying for his safe return. Take care of yourself before anything else.:grouphug:

[arthritisR_US]

9. My heart goes out to you GoldenOldie. May the powers that be

return him safely to you.:hug:

[WilliamPitt]

10. God damn it.

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[ClayZ]

11. (((GoldenOldie)))

I will keep you and yours and all those in Iraq close to my heart.

If we get a Democrat in the White House your grandson may be home before you think!

I am a grandmother, too.

I know how you must feel. My oldes grandchild/son is 16.

The whole world needs a little MERCY now.

[ChazII]

12. Joining the posters

above is sending hugs to you and prayers for the safe return of your grandson.

[MADem]

13. You hang in there. You never know what might happen.

Stay in touch by email, and don't give up.

You just never know.

[williesgirl]

14. I'm so sorry to hear this. Let us know how he's doing and if we can help in any way. rec'd

[donheld]

15. I'm sorry to hear

Hopefully all will go well. :hug:

[Rex]

16. I went off to Korea and missed my grandmothers death.

I was very close to her and still miss her. That was over a decade ago. :( I hope the best for your family. I've got friends over there and some DU have kids and parents over there.

[Kadie]

17. GoldenOldie

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your grandson.

:hug:

[lastliberalintexas]

18. This agnostic will be praying for his

and others safe and speedy return home. They know not what they do, indeed. :(

[Berry Cool]

19. I ache for you.

I'll keep you and that boy in my thoughts and prayers and hope you do see each other again.

[aquart]

20. Okay, but...

As bad and terrifying as this must be for you, this is not World War II where the men disappeared into a black hole for years. Our soldiers have email and YouTube and they can see and talk to you. And they NEED to keep hearing from you, so if you have the skills, get ready. If not, pay a proficient ten year old. Send videos with your voice and your memories (this is SO important since you think you may never have a chance to tell him all these things in person). Anecdotes of your own childhood and youth.

He needs you more right now than he ever has or maybe ever will. And it will distract you from your own troubles just when YOU need it most.

[catnhatnh]

21. Peace to both you and him...

...which sounds silly to both a grandparent and a warrior...but neither a soldier headed towards war nor those with a medical diagnoses receive a guarantee anymore than the man down the street with perfect health knows his appointment or hour...your enemy is uncertainty and yet we each face that whether we recognize it or not.Neither am I promised tomorrow.So rise in hope each day, because each is a gift and if enough are given, you may hold him again.And my prayer for you goes to all the lovers and families and friends of all those who serve and for most they will be answered....Best of luck, Cat

[EFerrari]

22. Strength and peace you way, GoldenOldie.

:hug:

[lpbk2713]

23. My disdain for the corrupt and inept BushCo Regime just went up a few more notches.

I wish you strength.

[karmaqueen]

24. May you all find peace

My Nephew is leaving for Afghanistan soon. He was supposed to be on a ship this time, but they lied and he re enlisted believing them. These kids need money since there are not many options in our Country anymore. He wanted to go to school and be able to pay for a car, he saw serving his Country as a good way to do this. He was in Iraq, a Navy medic with the Marines, very rough tour. I am alway sad when I think of our Military being run into the ground by this group in power. May God bless you and your family & keep your grandson safe.

[Maat]

25. Wow.

Both you and the OP (GoldenOldie) are in our family's thoughts and prayers, Carolinabeachbum!

:grouphug:

It is SO hard not to control one's anger at this travesty ("The War On Terror").

[Lydia Leftcoast]

26. That's so sad

I hope you do get to see him again--and in this life, no less.

[earth mom]

27. I'm sorry to hear that.

Hope he is ok. Sending good vibes. :grouphug:

[Jeffersons Ghost]

28. K&R

[SaveAmerica]

29. They should be able to enlist even if they know what they do, it's

how they're being abused that is so wrong. He is noble, this cause is not.

Stay positive so you can fight your medical issues the best you can and be there for him when he comes home.

We just have to fill all these offices with candidates who will do right by our soldiers. Give them the noble treatment they deserve.

STAY STRONG!! :hug:

Editing to add: please please, come back often and give us updates so we can stand by you and give you as much support as we can!!

[barbtries]

30. i'm so sorry to hear this

best wishes for his healthy, speedy return. peace.