Comment by Stacie Ann on 11 Nov 2010 at 10:31 am

OMG Karen! After ALL that you survived you have gone through the experience of your son fighting in war. I am so inspired by you. I want to hear more of how you live! Thank your son for serving our country! I pray he is well! Did he suffer any injuries? Did he come home suffering PTSD? Is he happy? What did you think about his being a Marine? When did he join the military? Were you supportive or distressed when you heard? Did Dr. Richard’s children serve, too! If so there is no greater honor. Anyone who can survive their child fighting for the U.S.A. needs a medal of honor. Thank you, thank your son, thank Dr. Richard for supporting you through another hell. Love you!

Happy Veteran’s Day!

Stacie Ann

Dear Stacie Ann,

Thank you for your support! I will thank my son for you! I’m very proud of him for serving our country! I’m happy that he is home and doing well.  My son did receive minor shrapnel injuries, but nothing life threatening. I believe all those who serve and come home do so with a few emotional issues. Fighting in wartime is not an easy job. My son needed time to heal, physically and emotionally.

My son came home from high school on his seventeenth birthday with a Marine recruiting officer by his side. This was one year before September 11th. He’d made the decision to join the Marines and needed his father’s and my signature because he was seventeen. He told us he’d been waiting for this day for years and didn’t need until his 18th birthday to decide. We talked at length and signed. He had been talking about becoming a Marine since he was ten years old, and I knew at some point he would join. September 11, 2001, happened while my son was in boot camp. My son’s first duty was to prepare for Iraq. He’s now married to a wonderful schoolteacher. He’s happy and content with his life. I’m proud to be his Mom.

As parents, we all hope our children will live their lives as responsible and confidant adults. My son chose be a United States Marine because he felt serving our country was in his best interest.

Thank you for honoring Veteran’s Day!

Karen