Introductions V

[ProudGSMom]

Hello –
Thank you for allowing me to be here. I have been reading everything and I very much appreciate both your service and the opportunity to learn from your perspectives.

I did not serve but my son did, as did my father and his father before him. Actually, I’ve had a family member in every generation in every war including the one which created this nation.

On November 1st, 2010, my son was KIA in Khandahar Afghanistan by a VIED. This is not normally something I state by way of introduction, but for this forum I think it is appropriate to be upfront, as this fact does colour many of my opinions. Hence, the ‘handle’ I’ve chosen.

I spend most of my time behind a keyboard, plying my trade as a writer. When I am out in public, most of my time is spent working on, for or with issues of concern to our military and veterans. Even then, amongst those who are most likely to know or understand the title I carry I rarely if ever identify myself as a Gold Star.

The reason for this is simply, it is not about me. I'll talk about my son’s service, what he believed, what he stood for but rarely mention that he died while living those beliefs. To do so changes the focus from him, or the issue or situation, to me, a grieving mother. My grief is private, and I’ve discussed it publicly as much as I ever intend to on my blog. That said, if anyone has any questions, or would like to talk to a GS mom, you can PM me. Here, if I join any discussion, it will be on the larger issues facing our country, military and veterans, seeking your unique perspectives and perhaps offering some of mine.