tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post116127717673049002..comments2024-02-15T23:41:36.425-08:00Comments on SIMPLY WAIT: END OF THE SEASONPatry Francishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10961915797919017179noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161644647248680312006-10-23T16:04:00.000-07:002006-10-23T16:04:00.000-07:00Oh, wow! That really puts things in perspective. I...Oh, wow! That really puts things in perspective. It just breaks my heart how these kids have to grow up so fast and face such terrible anxieties. Thanks for sharing the story of the party and your friends and co-workers.paris parfaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05457437124988976587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161541687931162352006-10-22T11:28:00.000-07:002006-10-22T11:28:00.000-07:00That's so true--and we have to keep making it pers...That's so true--and we have to keep making it personal. Otherwise we numb ourselves to the staggering numbers of losses we hear recited on the news. Over the 4th of July, we took a quick road trip to Oregon and on impulse decided to drive back through the central part of the state. A young man from one of those small Central Oregon towns had been the victim of not just the war, but had been one of the ones who'd been tortured first. We stopped along the chain-link fence on the main drag where many had left flowers and stuffed animals and candles. And it really, really hit home what a devastating loss EACH of those deaths is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161460453395079302006-10-21T12:54:00.000-07:002006-10-21T12:54:00.000-07:00Whew! Patry, send this somewhere. Maybe a commenta...Whew! Patry, send this somewhere. Maybe a commentary for the Globe? It so needs to be heard ... distilled down into this human truth.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161449446532740882006-10-21T09:50:00.000-07:002006-10-21T09:50:00.000-07:00chiefbiscuit: "Sad and powerless"--that speaks for...chiefbiscuit: "Sad and powerless"--that speaks for so many of us.<BR/><BR/>lorna: It's been said elsewhere and better, but if those in power had to send their own children to the war, I wonder if the sound bites would roll of their tongues so easily.<BR/><BR/>dave: The comments here have been enlightening to me as well. They've given a glimpse of how many people--in various parts of the world--are enduring the same anxiety Micheal's family is experiencing.<BR/><BR/>robin andrea: The anonymity is deadly--and heartbreaking. Thanks for being there.Patry Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10961915797919017179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161446423420993522006-10-21T09:00:00.000-07:002006-10-21T09:00:00.000-07:00It's the anonymity of war that keeps it safe and o...It's the anonymity of war that keeps it safe and off our radar screen. We don't see the flag-draped caskets. We may hear a name on the news, if the soldier, sailor, reservist happened to live in the community. Our lives are so untouched. Then I read about someone named Michael, and I remember that while I'm enjoying the fall colors, watching the sun rise through a light fog, there is a war our country tries to hide. I wish all the Michaels could come home safely. Now.robin andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06386655587963143782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161441463683088962006-10-21T07:37:00.000-07:002006-10-21T07:37:00.000-07:00Thanks Patry - and everybody - for an eye-opening ...Thanks Patry - and everybody - for an eye-opening post and message string.<BR/><BR/><I>But the truth is I'm the kind of person who has to be dragged to a party--and then, once I start talking and laughing and drinking my beer, I'm the last to leave.</I><BR/>I, too, chuckled with recognition at that.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02596390440496594901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161434983314859252006-10-21T05:49:00.000-07:002006-10-21T05:49:00.000-07:00I wish George W could read this post and its comme...I wish George W could read this post and its comments. Hell, I wish George W could read.Lornahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08976144449873569523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161418310668626272006-10-21T01:11:00.000-07:002006-10-21T01:11:00.000-07:00What can I say? I feel for the parents ... It just...What can I say? I feel for the parents ... It just makes me feel sad and powerless.Kay Cookehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01791873464409271216noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161397783195208952006-10-20T19:29:00.000-07:002006-10-20T19:29:00.000-07:00sereeb: Thank you for reminding us of the incalcul...sereeb: Thank you for reminding us of the incalculable losses the Iraqi people have suffered in this war. Please convey my sorrow to your friend for her family's terrible<BR/>loss. And yes. We must all pray and work for peace. <BR/><BR/>--patry<BR/><BR/>(for some reason blogger isn't accepting my password today)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161387378810307512006-10-20T16:36:00.000-07:002006-10-20T16:36:00.000-07:00I sincerely hope the young guy will get back to hi...I sincerely hope the young guy will get back to his family safe and sound.<BR/><BR/><BR/>My Iraqi friend just told me that one of her cousins died few days ago. He left behind six little kids. <BR/><BR/>That is the ugly face of war. <BR/><BR/>Let's pary it will stop soon.Writertobehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04064722881316124140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161374469831782762006-10-20T13:01:00.000-07:002006-10-20T13:01:00.000-07:00tinker: What a heartbreaking story, and what a los...tinker: What a heartbreaking story, and what a loss for everyone who will never have the opportunity to know this young woman or be blessed by her talents.<BR/><BR/>jeb: I find it hard to believe that friends, co-workers, and neighbors wouldn't offer whatever support they could to the soldiers caught up in a war they didn't begin and have no power to end. Wishing peace and safety to your family and friends. And to all of us.<BR/><BR/>tarakuanyin: One of my son's friends was successfully recruited in just such a way last year. Though he joined the army, he was told it was very unlikely that a person with his skills would be sent to Iraq. Guess where he is now?<BR/><BR/>gerry: It seems obvious now that the invasion has created more danger than it quelled.Patry Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10961915797919017179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161351002023860252006-10-20T06:30:00.000-07:002006-10-20T06:30:00.000-07:00It is incredible to me that my country initiates w...It is incredible to me that my country initiates war against those who, if we but took reasonably easy steps, would not have the ability to harm us, and who probably don't have the intent to do so anyway.gerry rosserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06095232815291651669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161350050887177502006-10-20T06:14:00.000-07:002006-10-20T06:14:00.000-07:00My daughter's friend is being pursued by a recruit...My daughter's friend is being pursued by a recruiter who senses her ambivalence about her prospects. He's making her all sorts of promises: "Don't worry. The war will be over before your training is done. You won't get sent to Iraq. If you join the x/y/z, you won't get sent..." He calls her, takes her to lunch, tells her she's so smart she'll be an officer and never be near the action. I tell her, "It's lies. If you join, you'll end up in Iraq or Afghanistan or somewhere violent and dangerous, and you'll come back someone else. There are other ways to go to college. Please don't fall for it." I think it's a disgrace that recruiters are allowed in the schools. They march the hallways in their shiny uniforms and bright medals, and kids without money or support for college feel it's their only option. I pray for all the troops abroad, and for all the kids who join the military thinking one thing, and then find out another.Shannon Hopkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12724093833220026696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161321505012222242006-10-19T22:18:00.000-07:002006-10-19T22:18:00.000-07:00Thanks for this post. Being ex-Canadian military,...Thanks for this post. <BR/><BR/>Being ex-Canadian military, I have friends in Af and I hold my breath whenever there's a NATO fatality announced, until I know if it's someone I know.<BR/><BR/>Having also a pile of kin in the USA, of whom three are presently in Iraq in various services, I never seem to get a full breath before I am holding it again.<BR/><BR/>I really, really hope that my friends and family have people like you giving emotional support to them and their family members during these anxious days.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161317656846247992006-10-19T21:14:00.000-07:002006-10-19T21:14:00.000-07:00The 'peacekeeping mission' or whatever they're cal...The 'peacekeeping mission' or whatever they're calling it right now, became a lot more than the nightly news last month when my younger daughter's close friend from middle school was killed in Iraq. It becomes so much more personal when you know one person's story. She was a reader, a dreamer, an artist - that just wanted to make enough money through her tour to go to fashion design school. These recruiter's promises and incentives, for young people...Why don't we have some other type of government service for kid's to earn education dollars, other than putting themselves in a war zone?<BR/><BR/> As much as that shook me - all of our family - up, I can only imagine how these parents must be feeling.<BR/> <BR/>I'm praying all's well with your young friend's brother.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161314383155240512006-10-19T20:19:00.000-07:002006-10-19T20:19:00.000-07:00Tish: How well I know that feeling. The late schoo...Tish: How well I know that feeling. The late school bus. The child who momentarily disappears in the mall. Listening for the car the first time they stay out past midnight in high school. What could ever prepare you for this kind of waiting?Patry Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10961915797919017179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161313293862198812006-10-19T20:01:00.000-07:002006-10-19T20:01:00.000-07:00God, I hope they get good news. You know that feel...God, I hope they get good news. You know that feeling when your child is even a half hour late coming home from school? <BR/><BR/>I can't imagine this.<BR/><BR/>TishAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161311603235739752006-10-19T19:33:00.000-07:002006-10-19T19:33:00.000-07:00r: Sons are so precious. How well we know...matt: ...r: Sons are so precious. How well we know...<BR/><BR/>matt: Glad to know there's someone else out there who shares my schizo attitude toward parties. And thanks for your well wishes for Michael!<BR/><BR/>donna: I'm actually surprised the percentages aren't higher. <BR/><BR/>m.g.: I'm echoing your chant for your nephew...and for all the men and women in his situation. Peace to you.Patry Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10961915797919017179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161308415098747442006-10-19T18:40:00.000-07:002006-10-19T18:40:00.000-07:00My nephew's a second lieutenant. He'll be deployed...My nephew's a second lieutenant. He'll be deployed next summer.<BR/><BR/>It'll be okay. It'll be okay. It'll be okay be okay be okay be okay beokay...Mindy Tarquinihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02970872751327021013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161307662267738662006-10-19T18:27:00.000-07:002006-10-19T18:27:00.000-07:00Sigh. Just interviewed today for a consulting gig ...Sigh. Just interviewed today for a consulting gig with a company doing VR headsets for simulations as a part of PTSD therapy. Their paper said 16-17% of Iraq vets are coming home with PTSD symptoms.<BR/><BR/>Even for the survivors, there's a great toll from this war.donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00762690167864156774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161305865868239532006-10-19T17:57:00.000-07:002006-10-19T17:57:00.000-07:00I hope that they hear soon!! and that he is well.I hope that they hear soon!! and that he is well.rdlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04062856086277201874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161305170027612302006-10-19T17:46:00.000-07:002006-10-19T17:46:00.000-07:00mb: I don't know if it's possible, but if you put...mb: I don't know if it's possible, but if you put up a link to that song, I'm sure a lot of people would love to hear it.Patry Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10961915797919017179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161305089817292562006-10-19T17:44:00.000-07:002006-10-19T17:44:00.000-07:00Thank you for sharing that -- I can only echo Coll...Thank you for sharing that -- I can only echo Coll and say that this has been given a more personal face through this story.<BR/><BR/>On a happier note, it sounds as if you and I would do very well at a party together: I dread going through the process of getting ready and going, but once I'm there you can't drag me away!!NoVA Dadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16661990626635939447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161302746943886562006-10-19T17:05:00.000-07:002006-10-19T17:05:00.000-07:00Patry, there is a song we dedicate to those overse...Patry, there is a song we dedicate to those overseas when we perform it. Those we know, relatives, friends, and those we don't know, and those who are waiting to know, are held in my heart every time. Thank you for writing this.MBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14515233228776181123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11695927.post-1161298992610181472006-10-19T16:03:00.000-07:002006-10-19T16:03:00.000-07:00zhoen: It's healing to cry together, though the fr...zhoen: It's healing to cry together, though the frustration remains. I knew you would understand.<BR/><BR/>curmudgeon: You make a number of good points--especially when you say that it is a war without a frontline, thus you never know where the danger may occur. I'm with you--praying and hoping for those young and not so young service people to return safely.<BR/><BR/>becca: One of the things I hate most about this war is the invisibility of those who are making the greatest sacrifices. I'm hoping that at least, within their own communities and workplaces, all the soldiers are feeling the kind of support Michael has. Many good thoughts and prayers go out to your family, and especially your son.<BR/><BR/>coll: I think that's what we often don't see--the personal face of the war. <BR/><BR/>sky: Thanks for the obviously heartfelt words. "A homecoming fit for a king." Yes, I hope for that, too.<BR/><BR/>karen: I will definitely post whatever I hear about Michael, who I <BR/>plan to write to tonight. Thanks for noting the Website for those who feel inclined to offer some support to a soldier. It's definitely a worthy thing to do.<BR/><BR/>marja-leena: Thanks for the reminder that it's not only Americans who are <BR/>caught up in this war without a frontline--or a clear end.Patry Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10961915797919017179noreply@blogger.com