Regarding Mr.l Trump and the idiot Sarah Palin. Mr. Trump never sacrificiced anyting in his life. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and turned it into gold without sacrificing anything. He is a hiprocrite first class and to think he children and others who are sons and daughters of millionaires and billilonaires will never sacrifice anything. Sarah Palins wants to blame the U.S for her sons PTSD. To all those who are like the above mentioned. He or she who talks the loudest has the least to say. I have 2 older brothers who served in the Army my oldest brother was in from 65-68, the next was in the Army from 68-70,and I was in the Air Force from 70-74. Trump is like the Nazi leader. He uses terror and fear to encourage all the millenial brats to believe in what he has to say Hitler did the same and it was called the Hitler Youth. Look what happened. God bless America. Wake up America
Mr. Mark,
It is extremely encouraging to me to read your extremely on point and lucid letter to Ms. Palin. In an age that seems to be marked by who can yell the loudest and hurl the most insults, your letter was thoughtful and well considered. I think that there are still many of us, both Democrats and Republicans, who believe in dialog, civil discourse and being informed before we speak. Sadly, it appears that some those who are most visible in public life, speak with a callous indifference, staggering ignorance and lack of sensitivity to the many issues being faced by both the less fortunate in our society and those who have sacrificed so much to preserve our way of life. I applaud your effort to inject some sanity into what, at times, seems like madness.
What an incredible letter. I appreciate you bringing this to the forefront and allowing people to see first-hand that people such as Mrs. Palin should never make light of this. Her son has violent tendencies and should have had an intervention long ago when the previous incident occurred. It is ashamed and embarrassing that she is blaming her son’s violent tendencies on PTSD which completely undermines the struggle that our men and women in uniform go through when they come home from being on the battle field and try to get help for that very issue.
Very well written, very proud of your service, and keep fighting the good fight. No matter what your party affiliation, this letter his a nerve across party lines.
so……you use your blog to whine and complain about damage you received from joining a voluntary military. It makes you feel better to attack another family & their issues.. Thank you for your service. your post service whine bagging is less than honorable.
Is that what you read? Please go back to school…get a basic education then re-read my post. Their issues? Track Palin punched a woman in the face and they blame PTSD? I notice you have little interest in the woman punched in the face. (mic drop…go home)…like that? Try again kid.
My father (special forces in the Air Force) and stepfather (amphibious recon, USMC) served and discharged honorably from the service. They didn’t abuse their families. They are good men.
Soldiers and vets who brutalize and terrorize others should be treated as criminals. Serving in the armed forces is not a golden ticket out of abiding by the law and respecting the rights and safety of others. If they were to behave in that manner while serving overseas, they’d probably be charged with war crimes and it would be an international incident, if the military didn’t try to cover it up.
I married a man who was quite charming at first, an army vet who later CHOSE to terrorize me and make me fear for my son’s life and mine. He has blamed it on PTSD and the entire legal system has bought it-hook, line and sinker, despite proof that that his anger issues were present prior to his service.
I escaped the relationship, but that’s only the first part of the struggle, it gets more violent and dangerous when one chooses to leave.This man has since threatened to kidnap my son and he’s vowed to “destroy” me. This man held my six week old son upside down and caused him to vomit, all the while taunting me that he was going to do it as I begged him not to. He has waved a loaded gun in my face as he was screaming he was going to kill himself, he’s slammed my head and neck in the front door of my house when I tried to run away from him, he’s restrained me (slammed me up against walls, he has sat on my chest and pinned me to the floor, crushing the air out of my lungs), he’s backhanded me, shoved me down, pulled me out of bed by my ankles and run me off the road in our vehicles. He’s ambushed me at my work. He’s threatened to burn my house down. He has threatened to cause police shoot outs and he has hidden guns from police twice as they tried to take him into custody.
I have his admissions to the kidnapping threats and the admissions to the violence and threats recorded in phone calls – all recordings were given to the authorities. I’ve been granted a restraining order, but only some officers enforce it and many judges throw out the charges – because he’s a veteran.
I believe this man won’t stop until he kills me. I am well on my way to becoming an addition to the ranks of a painfully ignored statistic. My son has been abused and is in danger of harm, he can’t defend himself. This permissive attitude has got to stop. Please continue to defend victims of domestic violence at the hands of military members. No more excuses.
Chris, we knew you when you were in high school because you dated our daughter. She called us and told about the CNN interview. We are so glad to hear of your successful career!! God bless,
The Terrells
So unprofessional of Chris Mark, and an insult to 50% of US service Verterans. You comments are right from Mr. Trumps divisiveness, self aggrandizing play book. Get a grip on yourself centeredness! Ashamed to have you among the ranks, if true, of Marine veterans. Lead don’t follow.
Mike Francis
U.S.M.C.
Your open letter is missing the point. Maybe on purpose. Khan was rebuking a psychopath. The DNC have him a stage to do so. Yes to their benefit. The rest of us will also happen to enjoy the rewards for that unscrupulous move by DNC strategists when Trump is defeated in November. Check the RNC. Nobody except for a section of blind/angry voters want him in office. But way to go pointing out the father’s nativity in being used as a puppet.
You won’t allow negative comments but you’ll bash the father of a Muslim who died for this country. You missed the entire point of his speech. I suppose you think Chris Kyle was a hero despite all evidence to the contrary, and your stupid republicans who were bent out of shape because the actor who portrayed him in the movie (gasp) is a democrat. Oh the horror. Stop the hypocrisy. Trump lies. He won’t even debate Clinton based on lies. What is wrong with you? Oh, and your capcha? There are only numbers, no words, much less two. Shows how much attention you pay to details.
I do allow negative comments. I do not allow (any longer) vulgar, personal threats. I have about 3000 comments to read. I read them as I can. thanks for your comments.
I’m wondering Chris, did you feel the same way about Patricia Smith, that you did about Mr Khan? Did you write about that? What I see too often is the era of hypocrisy where if the message suits the party like it’s ok, but same song, different singer, it’s not. Respectfully,
Let me begin by saying thank you for your service. All members of the United States Military should be appreciated for their dedication and selfless service. Although I respect your service, I have to disagree with your opinion. I have witnessed both (major) parties and their supporters in action for years, and this year the Republican supporters/protestors have been far more violent and disrespectful. The crowd near the top of the seating at the DNC that booed and interrupted during the entire convention was downright embarassing, yes. Unfortunately, they saw an opportunity to express their disappointment in Bernie’s loss and took it too far. However, those people did not shout out racial slurs and sexist remarks or calls to violence. They booed. They placed tape over their mouths. They were obnoxious, but not hateful. They were not throwing fists. We have all witnessed the fighting and despicable things said at the Trump rallies. I have read countless comment boards with Trump supporters writing the most horrid statements I have seen written by Americans about Americans. The Democratic party has more than contempt for Veterans and currently enlisted military service members. The party generally does not condone unneccessary war, but the people serving are considered heroes, and are highly commended. I think the point these people were trying to make is that fearing an entire culture, and threatening not to let them into America based on their religion is wrong. It just is. I do not know your story, or your experiences, but I am fairly certain you have seen things that most Americans have not, especially abroad. Our experiences shape our views and beliefs. You have every right to yours, as all Americans do. If these parents wanted to make a point about not placing all Muslims under the same umbrella by using the story of their Muslim-American son who died for his country, why is that so hard for you to accept? The point is that people from all walks of life can be honorable American citizens, not just the ones that look and speak like the majority of the Republican party. The Democratic party is not perfect, and I’m not trying to say it is, but the only people I hear them condemning are those that try to take away the human and civil rights of others, those that do not care about the environment we are creating for future generations, and those who would sacrifice the livelihood of the working and middle classes out of greed. Donald Trump isn’t even remotely qualified to be Commander in Chief, and his lack of Constitutional knowledge is proof of that, along with his easy-to-bait temperment. I do not condone some of the replies to your letter, specifically the ones that use profanity and threats; I feel those responses are just as bad as the violent, rascist, sexist, divisive statements that Trump and some of his supporters have made. The downside to writing an open letter stating your opinion is that you need to have thick enough skin to handle those who openly disagree with you. I shall do so, respectfully.
U.S. Army Veteran, NCO, MP Corps
Democrat
Mother
Concerned Citizen
First, thank you for your selfless service in defense of our country. I read your open letter to Khizer Kahn . . . and while I imagine you must have suffered through a deluge of hate mail, I would like to take the time to write to you . . . perhaps, something a little more thoughtful and . . . what is the word? Calm? LOL! I have a close friend who posted your open letter on Facebook; this was my response:
I agree with everything Chris Mark said about the Democratic Party . . . everything. Although I don’t KNOW for a fact that they “used” Mr. Khan for political gain, I think it would be naiive to believe otherwise. I agree that all members of the military are volunteers. I agree that neither Obama, nor Hillary, nor has sacrificed the way Mr. Khan’s son or Mr. Mark has sacrificed. I agree that protesters who support Hillary Clinton have demonstrated egregiously disgraceful behavior towards first responders and members of our military. I agree that the United States could vastly improve its immigration policy and its vetting of incoming foreigners from states designated as terrorist states by our own U.S. government.
But none of the issues Mr. Mark illustrates and with which I agree are the relevant issues. At issue is Donald Trump denigrating the mother of a dead veteran because she was to aggrieved to speak, at the DNC, on behalf of her dead son. At issue is that creating “tens of thousands of jobs” does not qualify as a “sacrifice” that rises to the level of two parents who lost a child in defense of this country. At issue is that Donald Trump used rumor and innuendo when he posited that Mrs. Khan did not speak because she was not permitted to speak, implying that her religion or husband forbade her to speak.
And finally, I must take issue with Mr. Mark’s language. Does he really believe that Mr. Khan is “basking in the glow of affection” as he “makes[s] the media circuit” like a campaigning politician currying the favor of the masses? After watching Mr. Khan’s interview on CNN, I concluded that while the Democratic Party may, in a heightened opportunity of cynical opportunism, be taking advantage of his grief, I have NO doubt that, he is suffering the ultimate grief of a parent pre-deceased by his child.
And I would ask Mr. Mark to re-consider his comments
I was surprised to see your comments are closed for the Khan response. Although, I understand. I am sure it can be hard to put yourself out there with your opinion, especially on the Internet. I would like to post a reply to your post. So here goes…
As a father, you *should* understand that while the son is the one who sacrificed his life, and volunteered, his family also felt that sacrifice and sacrificed themselves as well.
A wife who see her husband deployed feels the sacrifice because he is gone from her life, not totally as in the days before Skype, but still it is felt, and she goes through sacrifice herself because some military wives have to go on food stamps and get other assistance. That is sacrifice.
And the parent, while not usually impacted financially, still feels their son’s sacrifice and sacrifices themselves. They feel it because they have to watch their own flesh and blood deployed into a dangerous area, with the possibility of not returning. They sacrifice their health in the fear and worry they experience while their son or daughter is deployed. Every letter or email, every minute of any phone call is a joy, but the next minutes after they hang up, are heart-wrenching. That is sacrifice.
The children of those who serve, sacrifice constantly, even the little ones. The little ones only know that the one they love is gone and can’t understand why he/she isn’t there for their birthday party or Christmas morning. They don’t understand why, when they see that parent on Skype, their pleas to come home don’t work. The older ones have to deal with the fact that their parent won’t be there for a baseball game, piano recital or school play. They may understand better why their parent is gone but in that understanding, they also know the fear and worry of the older family members. That is certainly sacrifice.
As for Secretary Clinton or President Obama sacrificing… I believe that anyone in a position of power that has to make the decision to send military forces into harm’s way sacrifices. Maybe not anywhere near as those I mentioned above, but still feel the bitter feeling of sending another human being into danger. That is my opinion.
I didn’t serve in the military, I didn’t meet the requirements, but I don’t know if I would have had the guys that those who served have to do so, even if I could. However, while I honor someone who served, Iike yourself, I can disagree and with you and make my own statement. I am not a trump supporter, and only reluctantly support Secretary Clinton (as I was a Senator Sanders supporter) but I agree with the Khans in that trump has not known any of the sacrifices I listed here. He dodged serving and, as far as I know, has no one who served in his family. That is why I take the opinion of someone as articulate and well-spoken as Mr. Khan over someone like trump.
I wish you luck and thank you for your service.
Charlie O.
I am sorry you had some harsh comments directed at you and wish it were otherwise. I will say, though, the comments from trump supporters can be just as harsh, if not more so. Again, I wish you luck.
Hi,
Sorry about the vitriol that was sent your way. The anonymity of the comments sections of the internet allows for people to say things they would not say to someone’s face. I find it really discouraging. I have even had to drop people I though I knew from my Facebook page because of hate posts. I know there are a lot of Trump and Clinton supporters who describe the other side with words that would have caused me to get pepper on my tongue in my younger days. I jump between being mad at and feeling sorry for such people with closed minds. I find diversity of thought interesting, not horrible. (don’t read the comment section in MSNBC, they get really bad)
I disagree with your support of Trump, but respect that you came to that position based on your viewpoint of the world. I want to live in a world where people accept differences in actions and opinions without judgement (although i reserve the right to judge people who break the law or cut me off in traffic). However, realistically, all I can do is call out people who are intolerant and nasty when I hear it and not succumb to the hate myself. (I have stopped using Twitter because of that, I found an inner demon in a tweet). Why do people always see the worst in a person and project that trait on all others that look or think the same way? Rhetorical question, of course, but something we should all strive against. The media will find the one really bigoted right-wing or anti-police/military left-wing person and generalizations start from there. Anecdotal evidence is convincing to some people.
Thank you for your service. l am the daughter of a Korean-era marine, but was born after his service, so I have no understanding of the sacrifices that are made by service people and their families.
Also, thanks for sharing your opinions in a constructive and illustrative way. I see blogs like yours as a peek into a mind with really different experiences.
I think there is a quote about the only way for evil to flourish in this world is for good people to allow it. Keep up the fight!
Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management 
Semper Fi brother…
Regarding Mr.l Trump and the idiot Sarah Palin. Mr. Trump never sacrificiced anyting in his life. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and turned it into gold without sacrificing anything. He is a hiprocrite first class and to think he children and others who are sons and daughters of millionaires and billilonaires will never sacrifice anything. Sarah Palins wants to blame the U.S for her sons PTSD. To all those who are like the above mentioned. He or she who talks the loudest has the least to say. I have 2 older brothers who served in the Army my oldest brother was in from 65-68, the next was in the Army from 68-70,and I was in the Air Force from 70-74. Trump is like the Nazi leader. He uses terror and fear to encourage all the millenial brats to believe in what he has to say Hitler did the same and it was called the Hitler Youth. Look what happened. God bless America. Wake up America
Do you really believe that? Wow..read your comments closely. We can disagree but…’Hitler’? Wow.
Mr. Mark,
It is extremely encouraging to me to read your extremely on point and lucid letter to Ms. Palin. In an age that seems to be marked by who can yell the loudest and hurl the most insults, your letter was thoughtful and well considered. I think that there are still many of us, both Democrats and Republicans, who believe in dialog, civil discourse and being informed before we speak. Sadly, it appears that some those who are most visible in public life, speak with a callous indifference, staggering ignorance and lack of sensitivity to the many issues being faced by both the less fortunate in our society and those who have sacrificed so much to preserve our way of life. I applaud your effort to inject some sanity into what, at times, seems like madness.
Thank you for the kind words! I cannot agree enough. The divisiveness in our nation is troubling. We should be able to respectfully disagree.
Well written letter my friend. Allen Vaught.
Allen! Great to hear from you old friend! Thanks for the kind words! I hope you are well!
What an incredible letter. I appreciate you bringing this to the forefront and allowing people to see first-hand that people such as Mrs. Palin should never make light of this. Her son has violent tendencies and should have had an intervention long ago when the previous incident occurred. It is ashamed and embarrassing that she is blaming her son’s violent tendencies on PTSD which completely undermines the struggle that our men and women in uniform go through when they come home from being on the battle field and try to get help for that very issue.
Very well written, very proud of your service, and keep fighting the good fight. No matter what your party affiliation, this letter his a nerve across party lines.
You da man!!!
so……you use your blog to whine and complain about damage you received from joining a voluntary military. It makes you feel better to attack another family & their issues.. Thank you for your service. your post service whine bagging is less than honorable.
Is that what you read? Please go back to school…get a basic education then re-read my post. Their issues? Track Palin punched a woman in the face and they blame PTSD? I notice you have little interest in the woman punched in the face. (mic drop…go home)…like that? Try again kid.
My father (special forces in the Air Force) and stepfather (amphibious recon, USMC) served and discharged honorably from the service. They didn’t abuse their families. They are good men.
Soldiers and vets who brutalize and terrorize others should be treated as criminals. Serving in the armed forces is not a golden ticket out of abiding by the law and respecting the rights and safety of others. If they were to behave in that manner while serving overseas, they’d probably be charged with war crimes and it would be an international incident, if the military didn’t try to cover it up.
I married a man who was quite charming at first, an army vet who later CHOSE to terrorize me and make me fear for my son’s life and mine. He has blamed it on PTSD and the entire legal system has bought it-hook, line and sinker, despite proof that that his anger issues were present prior to his service.
I escaped the relationship, but that’s only the first part of the struggle, it gets more violent and dangerous when one chooses to leave.This man has since threatened to kidnap my son and he’s vowed to “destroy” me. This man held my six week old son upside down and caused him to vomit, all the while taunting me that he was going to do it as I begged him not to. He has waved a loaded gun in my face as he was screaming he was going to kill himself, he’s slammed my head and neck in the front door of my house when I tried to run away from him, he’s restrained me (slammed me up against walls, he has sat on my chest and pinned me to the floor, crushing the air out of my lungs), he’s backhanded me, shoved me down, pulled me out of bed by my ankles and run me off the road in our vehicles. He’s ambushed me at my work. He’s threatened to burn my house down. He has threatened to cause police shoot outs and he has hidden guns from police twice as they tried to take him into custody.
I have his admissions to the kidnapping threats and the admissions to the violence and threats recorded in phone calls – all recordings were given to the authorities. I’ve been granted a restraining order, but only some officers enforce it and many judges throw out the charges – because he’s a veteran.
I believe this man won’t stop until he kills me. I am well on my way to becoming an addition to the ranks of a painfully ignored statistic. My son has been abused and is in danger of harm, he can’t defend himself. This permissive attitude has got to stop. Please continue to defend victims of domestic violence at the hands of military members. No more excuses.
Chris, we knew you when you were in high school because you dated our daughter. She called us and told about the CNN interview. We are so glad to hear of your successful career!! God bless,
The Terrells
So unprofessional of Chris Mark, and an insult to 50% of US service Verterans. You comments are right from Mr. Trumps divisiveness, self aggrandizing play book. Get a grip on yourself centeredness! Ashamed to have you among the ranks, if true, of Marine veterans. Lead don’t follow.
Mike Francis
U.S.M.C.
Why do people who disagree feel that the best insult is to claim that I was not a Marine? Yes, I was…please view my bio. What did you do in the USMC?
Why was my comment not published?
Carolyn A. Conkle
I have about 3000 comments to read. My sincere apologies. I will try to publish. I am trying to keep up. I have a job and family.
Your open letter is missing the point. Maybe on purpose. Khan was rebuking a psychopath. The DNC have him a stage to do so. Yes to their benefit. The rest of us will also happen to enjoy the rewards for that unscrupulous move by DNC strategists when Trump is defeated in November. Check the RNC. Nobody except for a section of blind/angry voters want him in office. But way to go pointing out the father’s nativity in being used as a puppet.
You won’t allow negative comments but you’ll bash the father of a Muslim who died for this country. You missed the entire point of his speech. I suppose you think Chris Kyle was a hero despite all evidence to the contrary, and your stupid republicans who were bent out of shape because the actor who portrayed him in the movie (gasp) is a democrat. Oh the horror. Stop the hypocrisy. Trump lies. He won’t even debate Clinton based on lies. What is wrong with you? Oh, and your capcha? There are only numbers, no words, much less two. Shows how much attention you pay to details.
I do allow negative comments. I do not allow (any longer) vulgar, personal threats. I have about 3000 comments to read. I read them as I can. thanks for your comments.
I’m wondering Chris, did you feel the same way about Patricia Smith, that you did about Mr Khan? Did you write about that? What I see too often is the era of hypocrisy where if the message suits the party like it’s ok, but same song, different singer, it’s not. Respectfully,
Andy Garza
Yes. I think politicizing any death is inappropriate.
Chris, how can I help spread your words to the multitude. I agree with everything you said and all of America should hear your response
Let me begin by saying thank you for your service. All members of the United States Military should be appreciated for their dedication and selfless service. Although I respect your service, I have to disagree with your opinion. I have witnessed both (major) parties and their supporters in action for years, and this year the Republican supporters/protestors have been far more violent and disrespectful. The crowd near the top of the seating at the DNC that booed and interrupted during the entire convention was downright embarassing, yes. Unfortunately, they saw an opportunity to express their disappointment in Bernie’s loss and took it too far. However, those people did not shout out racial slurs and sexist remarks or calls to violence. They booed. They placed tape over their mouths. They were obnoxious, but not hateful. They were not throwing fists. We have all witnessed the fighting and despicable things said at the Trump rallies. I have read countless comment boards with Trump supporters writing the most horrid statements I have seen written by Americans about Americans. The Democratic party has more than contempt for Veterans and currently enlisted military service members. The party generally does not condone unneccessary war, but the people serving are considered heroes, and are highly commended. I think the point these people were trying to make is that fearing an entire culture, and threatening not to let them into America based on their religion is wrong. It just is. I do not know your story, or your experiences, but I am fairly certain you have seen things that most Americans have not, especially abroad. Our experiences shape our views and beliefs. You have every right to yours, as all Americans do. If these parents wanted to make a point about not placing all Muslims under the same umbrella by using the story of their Muslim-American son who died for his country, why is that so hard for you to accept? The point is that people from all walks of life can be honorable American citizens, not just the ones that look and speak like the majority of the Republican party. The Democratic party is not perfect, and I’m not trying to say it is, but the only people I hear them condemning are those that try to take away the human and civil rights of others, those that do not care about the environment we are creating for future generations, and those who would sacrifice the livelihood of the working and middle classes out of greed. Donald Trump isn’t even remotely qualified to be Commander in Chief, and his lack of Constitutional knowledge is proof of that, along with his easy-to-bait temperment. I do not condone some of the replies to your letter, specifically the ones that use profanity and threats; I feel those responses are just as bad as the violent, rascist, sexist, divisive statements that Trump and some of his supporters have made. The downside to writing an open letter stating your opinion is that you need to have thick enough skin to handle those who openly disagree with you. I shall do so, respectfully.
U.S. Army Veteran, NCO, MP Corps
Democrat
Mother
Concerned Citizen
Mr. Mark,
First, thank you for your selfless service in defense of our country. I read your open letter to Khizer Kahn . . . and while I imagine you must have suffered through a deluge of hate mail, I would like to take the time to write to you . . . perhaps, something a little more thoughtful and . . . what is the word? Calm? LOL! I have a close friend who posted your open letter on Facebook; this was my response:
I agree with everything Chris Mark said about the Democratic Party . . . everything. Although I don’t KNOW for a fact that they “used” Mr. Khan for political gain, I think it would be naiive to believe otherwise. I agree that all members of the military are volunteers. I agree that neither Obama, nor Hillary, nor has sacrificed the way Mr. Khan’s son or Mr. Mark has sacrificed. I agree that protesters who support Hillary Clinton have demonstrated egregiously disgraceful behavior towards first responders and members of our military. I agree that the United States could vastly improve its immigration policy and its vetting of incoming foreigners from states designated as terrorist states by our own U.S. government.
But none of the issues Mr. Mark illustrates and with which I agree are the relevant issues. At issue is Donald Trump denigrating the mother of a dead veteran because she was to aggrieved to speak, at the DNC, on behalf of her dead son. At issue is that creating “tens of thousands of jobs” does not qualify as a “sacrifice” that rises to the level of two parents who lost a child in defense of this country. At issue is that Donald Trump used rumor and innuendo when he posited that Mrs. Khan did not speak because she was not permitted to speak, implying that her religion or husband forbade her to speak.
And finally, I must take issue with Mr. Mark’s language. Does he really believe that Mr. Khan is “basking in the glow of affection” as he “makes[s] the media circuit” like a campaigning politician currying the favor of the masses? After watching Mr. Khan’s interview on CNN, I concluded that while the Democratic Party may, in a heightened opportunity of cynical opportunism, be taking advantage of his grief, I have NO doubt that, he is suffering the ultimate grief of a parent pre-deceased by his child.
And I would ask Mr. Mark to re-consider his comments
Mr. Mark,
I was surprised to see your comments are closed for the Khan response. Although, I understand. I am sure it can be hard to put yourself out there with your opinion, especially on the Internet. I would like to post a reply to your post. So here goes…
As a father, you *should* understand that while the son is the one who sacrificed his life, and volunteered, his family also felt that sacrifice and sacrificed themselves as well.
A wife who see her husband deployed feels the sacrifice because he is gone from her life, not totally as in the days before Skype, but still it is felt, and she goes through sacrifice herself because some military wives have to go on food stamps and get other assistance. That is sacrifice.
And the parent, while not usually impacted financially, still feels their son’s sacrifice and sacrifices themselves. They feel it because they have to watch their own flesh and blood deployed into a dangerous area, with the possibility of not returning. They sacrifice their health in the fear and worry they experience while their son or daughter is deployed. Every letter or email, every minute of any phone call is a joy, but the next minutes after they hang up, are heart-wrenching. That is sacrifice.
The children of those who serve, sacrifice constantly, even the little ones. The little ones only know that the one they love is gone and can’t understand why he/she isn’t there for their birthday party or Christmas morning. They don’t understand why, when they see that parent on Skype, their pleas to come home don’t work. The older ones have to deal with the fact that their parent won’t be there for a baseball game, piano recital or school play. They may understand better why their parent is gone but in that understanding, they also know the fear and worry of the older family members. That is certainly sacrifice.
As for Secretary Clinton or President Obama sacrificing… I believe that anyone in a position of power that has to make the decision to send military forces into harm’s way sacrifices. Maybe not anywhere near as those I mentioned above, but still feel the bitter feeling of sending another human being into danger. That is my opinion.
I didn’t serve in the military, I didn’t meet the requirements, but I don’t know if I would have had the guys that those who served have to do so, even if I could. However, while I honor someone who served, Iike yourself, I can disagree and with you and make my own statement. I am not a trump supporter, and only reluctantly support Secretary Clinton (as I was a Senator Sanders supporter) but I agree with the Khans in that trump has not known any of the sacrifices I listed here. He dodged serving and, as far as I know, has no one who served in his family. That is why I take the opinion of someone as articulate and well-spoken as Mr. Khan over someone like trump.
I wish you luck and thank you for your service.
Charlie O.
I am sorry you had some harsh comments directed at you and wish it were otherwise. I will say, though, the comments from trump supporters can be just as harsh, if not more so. Again, I wish you luck.
Read you Open Letter . Thank you sir for your service and Bravery. We Are fighting a uphill battle.
Hi,
Sorry about the vitriol that was sent your way. The anonymity of the comments sections of the internet allows for people to say things they would not say to someone’s face. I find it really discouraging. I have even had to drop people I though I knew from my Facebook page because of hate posts. I know there are a lot of Trump and Clinton supporters who describe the other side with words that would have caused me to get pepper on my tongue in my younger days. I jump between being mad at and feeling sorry for such people with closed minds. I find diversity of thought interesting, not horrible. (don’t read the comment section in MSNBC, they get really bad)
I disagree with your support of Trump, but respect that you came to that position based on your viewpoint of the world. I want to live in a world where people accept differences in actions and opinions without judgement (although i reserve the right to judge people who break the law or cut me off in traffic). However, realistically, all I can do is call out people who are intolerant and nasty when I hear it and not succumb to the hate myself. (I have stopped using Twitter because of that, I found an inner demon in a tweet). Why do people always see the worst in a person and project that trait on all others that look or think the same way? Rhetorical question, of course, but something we should all strive against. The media will find the one really bigoted right-wing or anti-police/military left-wing person and generalizations start from there. Anecdotal evidence is convincing to some people.
Thank you for your service. l am the daughter of a Korean-era marine, but was born after his service, so I have no understanding of the sacrifices that are made by service people and their families.
Also, thanks for sharing your opinions in a constructive and illustrative way. I see blogs like yours as a peek into a mind with really different experiences.
I think there is a quote about the only way for evil to flourish in this world is for good people to allow it. Keep up the fight!
Janet