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Judy's avatar

I'm sorry your dad was forced to be a soldier. For those who feel called, like my son, I think it is a very honorable choice. I was, and am, very proud of him for understanding there are things worth fighting for, worth protecting, and there is no greater love than to be willing to lay down one's life for those things. As a mom, I was terrified, but I was also very proud to have raised a young man that wanted to protect the many blessings we enjoy in this country.

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Dan Szczesny's avatar

Thanks for sharing Judy and knowing who raised him, I bet your son is a decent, honorable guy!

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james r. viar's avatar

To my son one day I said: sadly in this world someone will always want to lord over someone else...a country will want to dominate another country. Might be a pessimistic view but that's what I believe.

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Dan Szczesny's avatar

I think you’re right :(

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Evelyn Dunphy's avatar

Thank you; this was so good to read. I agree with you. My father in law who served in the Canadian army in WW1 when he was still in his teens, once said to me, "I don't know how anyone who has ever been in a war could send someone else to war". If only that was the sentiment among those responsible.

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Dan Szczesny's avatar

If only :(

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Liz Gauffreau's avatar

The following statement from your dad reminds me so much of what my dad would say about his military service in WWII, "We don't need better bombs; we need better people."

“Daniel,” he said, using my full name which meant business, “the only way to honor them is to not make any more dead ones.”

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Dan Szczesny's avatar

Good quote from your dad, he’s right.

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Liz Gauffreau's avatar

Thanks, Dan.

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Susan E. Kennedy's avatar

I think there will always be veterans, because I can't imagine not having a group ready to help, like the National Guard or Coast Guard, but I hope the world can reach a place where we can take your father's advice and not make any more dead ones through combat.

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Dan Szczesny's avatar

I fear we’ll never learn…

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Susan E. Kennedy's avatar

Probably not, but that doesn't mean we should give up hope or stop trying.

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