"Kevin called from Kuwait two days before the war started and said once they moved into Iraq, he wouldn't be able to contact us at all, maybe for months at a time. We haven't heard from him since. As parents, not knowing what he is doing or where he is, we can only fear he is experiencing the worst of what we have been seeing on TV," says Rusty Griffiths, former NRCA president and president of Binghamton Slag Roofing Co., Binghamton, N.Y.
Unlike those of us who have been scanning newspapers for news about the war with Iraq, Griffiths has been scouring newspapers for information about his son Kevin, a Marine stationed in Iraq, and Kevin's comrades.
As any father would be, Griffiths is fraught with emotions ranging from pride to fear to anxiety. He recently wrote to his local newspaper about what he and his wife are experiencing. Excerpts from his letter follow:
"Having our own flesh and blood involved has brought our emotions to a much higher level than my wife and I would ever be experiencing otherwise. Those emotions have run from extreme lump-in-the-throat, tears-in-eyes highs to stomach-churning, sleep-challenging, fear-filled lows.
"A high: Kevin told us well before graduating high school in 2000 he wanted to join the military before going to college. Not having served in the military, this was not on the list of hopes my wife and I had for our son's future. But I realize the military teaches invaluable lessons. It is not important Kevin can strip, clean and reassemble an M-16 faster than I can check the oil in my car. He has been taught the importance of teamwork, appreciation for discipline, and willingness and ability to sacrifice physically and mentally for a greater good. I am proud of his very mature choice.
"A low: A large photo on the front page of our paper showing a seriously wounded Marine being carried away from a battle by his buddies. It looked just like Kevin. Although I realized it couldn't be him, the resemblance was shocking. It hurt me almost as much as if it were him because I knew parents somewhere were having their hearts torn out.
"A high: An interview with a Marine recovering from wounds in Germany. He said he felt bad to be away from his unit because he couldn't protect his fellow Marines the way they had protected him. Where do we get young Americans like this?
"A low: The media telling me there are some U.S. citizens who believe the only heroes in this conflict are those who are killing U.S. soldiers.
"Numerous highs: Close friends and people I barely know telling me my son and his comrades are in their prayers. I can't hear that enough.
"War is ugly, and my son's life is at risk. My son has not had the time to develop strong political convictions. He will have the time as he grows older, and I hope he will—grow older. I guess he is in the military because he has a love for our country and felt the need to give something back to it. I guess he has faith in our country, its system and leadership to make the horrible decision of when to use the power of our military. I am proud of my son and all the other sons and daughters serving with him. And I am more proud than ever to be an American."
Ambika Puniani is editor of Professional Roofing magazine and NRCA's director of communications.
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