On Father's Day: For All the Dads Whose Kids Never Returned From Iraq

[babylonsister]

On Father's Day: For All the Dads Whose Kids Never Returned From Iraq
Greg Mitchell
June 19, 2010


Bill Mitchell of Atascadero, California, never expected his boy to make Nightline, let alone Doonesbury. He was happy enough that his son Mike had made a man of himself in the US Army, while not losing his compassion and fun-loving nature.

But now, there was the face of Michael W. Mitchell, staff sergeant in the US Army, in the Washington Post, on Nightline and on the front page of USA Today, his name plastered all over other newspapers and even etched in a panel of Garry Trudeau's comic strip. It was all part of Memorial Day remembrances in 2004, back when the names and faces of the fallen were still limited enough to read or show all of them, in print or on the air.

Mike Mitchell had been shot by a sniper on April 4, 2004, dead at the age of 25, after volunteering to take control of a tank's machine gun during an ambush in Sadr City.

What did his father, a wiry 53-year-old Army veteran, think of the Doonesbury mention and similar honors, which some pro-warriors in the media denounced as "antiwar" gestures? "I like seeing the names out there," Bill Mitchell (no relation) told me, six days before Trudeau's tribute appeared, with every deceased soldier's name in tiny lettering. "Otherwise, they are just unknown soldiers."

Surprisingly, he took it further: "I would welcome printing the name of anyone who has died due to this war. Is an American death worth more than the death of an Iraqi, an Australian, or a Spaniard? I would bet you the grieving parents of those who were killed could straighten out some people in America who only think our loved ones are important! These deaths are the real cost of war, and every single one should be given the honorable mention it deserves."

more...

http://www.thenation.com/blog/36449/fathers-day-all-dads-whose-kids-never-returned-iraq

[iamtechus]

1. The son died for nothing

And now the father shares the guilt for his death. It will haunt him till he dies.

[Frustratedlady]

2. This has to be a difficult day for all the fathers of lost warriors.

Losing a child before the parent is not the order of things. War bring lots of tears on the pillows at night.

Happy Father's Day to all.

[JohnnyLib2]

3. Painful, important piece for today...

Thanks for posting. K & R

[sabrina 1]

4. I really like the fact that this father realizes the value

of the lives of the lost Iraqis and Afghans also:

Surprisingly, he took it further: "I would welcome printing the name of anyone who has died due to this war. Is an American death worth more than the death of an Iraqi, an Australian, or a Spaniard? I would bet you the grieving parents of those who were killed could straighten out some people in America who only think our loved ones are important! These deaths are the real cost of war, and every single one should be given the honorable mention it deserves."

I believe his son was as compassionate as he says, with a father like this.

I think he is celebrating Father's Day, even though it is without the son he loved. But he has probably done more good by that simple statement than all the bombs and bullets we have dropped over the past ten years.

I think his compassion for those he could have chosen to hate, will bring him peace. Fathers like him are a treasure.

[EFerrari]

5. Keep an eye on Greg Mitchell. He is a treasure.

He used to run Editor & Publisher.

[sabrina 1]

6. I didn't know that, but I'm not surprised to hear it.

Thanks for the information, I will remember him ~