Perspective from a Military Mom


As a mother of a U.S. Marine, I am asked many questions. But the one that gets
asked the most, brings me to this article.

A woman asked me, “If you love your son so much, why would you intentionally
throw him into harm’s way, knowing he may never come back? How could you
let him join the Marines?” Well, my answer to this can go on for pages,
but I will condense it for you.

First off, I did not go into this decision, blindly, nor was I naïve. Anyone
that has seen the various War movies, over the years, and has talked to
those who have been in combat, know the risks, full well, that their loved
ones are getting into.

Secondly, how do I stop a young man who has wanted to serve in the Armed
Services since he was six years old? This was my son’s dream. For me to
stop him, or dismiss his feelings, would to me, have been worse than anything.

I am so darn proud of my son and all of his accomplishments. I thanked his
Recruiter, over and over, and his Drill Instructors, too! The Marine
Corps, took my son, and polished him off, and made him a Man. A man with
respect, goals, and an immense love of Brotherhood for his fellow Devil
Dogs. My son could not have received this if he had stayed home.
This I know for a fact.

But what this woman, and other’s, do not realize, is that not only do our
son’s and daughter’s make sacrifices for their country, but the families
they leave behind, also live with many sacrifices.

Those families know, and live with the fact that they may never see or talk to
their loved ones, ever again. These families suffer in silence. They are
immensely proud of their children, but due to comments like this woman,
and others, we do not openly express our pain, fear, and sadness. What we
will tell you, though, is how great they are doing, how we miss them and
wish they were home, and that we are just bursting inside, with pride for them.

But, unless you have experienced having a loved one, in the Military, you will
never understand the emotional Roller Coaster that we families, go through,
DAILY.

So the next time you feel the need to express your opinion, remember the
sacrifices these families have made, and instead, give them a hug, and
tell them that you are there to listen.

This has nothing to do with your Political views or beliefs. It has to do with
a family, desperately missing their child or spouse, but are filled with
pride. It is a decision, that I will never regret, and will do again, if
my daughter wishes to join the Marines, like her big brother.

Julie Smithwick
Very Proud Marine Mother of
Lcpl. Kyle Kerr (deployed)







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