[ohioWfan]

This is my own personal story, being shared by many others throughout the United States right now. For me, it was cathartic to express some of the pride I feel in my son, that is now mixed with the fresh pain of his absence.

I have been accused on this forum of not caring about freedom. This picture is my proof that this great country, and the freedoms it stands for, are worth more than gold to me.

[2Jedismom]

As the mother of two jedis, my heart just broke when I read this, but I also understand your pride.

I imagine they won't allow you to contact him during basic training, but do they allow you to send letters and care packages? Could I send him one?

[Pippin]

Tell Eric, Thank You! I know you and your husband are very proud of him.

[WaterDragon]

May God bless and keep your son, Ohiofan. And we thank him for his service to our freedoms.

[txrangerette]

Wow, oWf! Came indoors just now, really tired from mowing the yard. Complain, complain, yada yada yada... . THEN I FOUND THIS! Thank you for rearing your patriot son, and thanks for your fine piece of writing work, too. Now I have a question--does Eric resemble the dual nature of our very soft-hearted but one-tough-dude President W? If you've told us before, I apologize in advance.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

Please tell Eric I said
"Thank You for your service to our country."

[WIladyconservative]

Bravo to you mom - great kid there! We have a child in our Little League whose dad is in Special Forces. We pray for him, and all our Armed Forces regularly.

Bless you all!

[SuziQ]

I have been accused on this forum of not caring about freedom. This picture is my proof that this great country, and the freedoms it stands for, are worth more than gold to me.

Oh, Ohio, you got me so fahklempt!!And as for your detractors, how many of them have made the sacrifice you and your family has made? How many of them have willingly given their sons and daughters to the defense of this great nation? Maybe they ought to think of THAT before they start questioning YOUR desire for freedom and liberty.

You know all us 'Bush-bots' on the Dose and the Ladies and Gents of the Guild are praying for your family and for Eric!!

[reformed_dem]

How the tears are flowing..... Your Eric sounds like my Alex. He's only 7, but he is so sensitive too. He cries when we (rarely) raise our voices to him. He's my cuddle boy, still loves hugs and kisses and always tells me he loves me. It must be hard to let them go when they need to, and I hope I have that strength you do if and when the time comes for my son to do the same. I pray every night that there is still a world left for my children when they grow up. Thank you for sharing your story.

[olliemb]

My heart goes out to you. It was a beautiful piece you wrote and Eric will be included in my prayers. Thank you for sharing your son with us.

[jtill]

Thank you for sharing the beauty of your sons inner light and your agony of separation. As he has been for the last few weeks, Eric will continue in my prayers - as will you and your family.

Thank God for Eric, and other young men like him, who believe in God, duty, family, country.

[kayak]

Thank you for sharing your story and Eric's ...... and for your witness and his. That even in the midst of your own pain you can think of all the others in the military who are someone's son or daughter, brother or sister, father or mother speaks volumes about your own compassion and love.

When you can communicate with Eric, let him know how proud we are of him, how much we appreciate what he is doing, and how much we are praying for him.

2 Thessalonians 3:16
Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

He is quiet, yet bold; so bold in his faith that he told his classmates Sunday in his Valedictory speech that the only way they could have a truly successful future was through faith in his Savior, Jesus Christ.

This is an awesome testimony...so loving and open. The war became more personal for me for having met your courageous son through your heartfelt words. Eric will be added to our prayers...along with his Mom. May we share your story with others, ohioWfan?

[jokemoke]

Well, he is quite a handsome fellow. I can see why you are so proud of him. Glad you hear you are doing OK. He'll be just fine Mom :-)

[jokemoke]

Well, he is quite a handsome fellow. I can see why you are so proud of him. OOPS!!! Glad to hear you are doing OK. He'll be just fine Mom :-)

[Luis Gonzalez]

"And many young men and women who last summer as teenagers, worked at blueberry farms or grocery stores, factories or fast food restaurants, are now beginning training to serve their country in this very dangerous new world…… as adults, preparing to fight the first war of the new millennium, in a very different kind of summer."

Oh my!

What a wonderful post, what a wonderful son.

What fear may be bubbling beneath the surface must be kept in check by the pride that you and your husband must feel when you look at the man your little boy has become.

It makes one stop and think about how meaningless all the posturing and chest-beating of the thousands of ideologues and "I'm more of a conservative than you" keyboard pounders that cheapen the risk one son takes, and the anguish mixed with pride that parents feel in the dead of the night, when those thoughts kept in check during the day surface to haunt your nights.

Know that I feel pride in him because of my pride in knowing you. Know that I will maintain him in my prayers, as will so many more in here. Know that with him goes a little piece of each and every one of us. Know that political ideology takes a backseat to what your son is...an American and a patriot.

Most of all, know without a doubt, that your son serves his country under a good man, a man who I believe will never put him in harm's way for any reason other than the good (and in the service) of God, flag, and country.

Like you put a face on our troops, I want to send you and your son a couple of faces myself. I have never done this, never thought I would, but this is important. These are a couple of the faces that he's defending, the faces that, as you said so well, are worth more than gold to me.

These are my little boys, and I hope that they grow into the man that your little boy has become.

Thank you, and God bless you.

Luis

[mafree]

This is such a moving essay about one fine young man. If you want to cry, go ahead- that's what mothers do when they miss their little boys, no matter how big they get. You're more entitled to tears than anyone else is. (I'm not a mother but I can begin to understand because I have four nephews ages 20-31 who are my precious "little boys.")

I will send good thoughts Eric's way and trust that God will protect him as he so bravely serves our country.

[CARepubGal]

Congrats Mom & Dad! What a wonderful young soldier! Prayers for his safety. And Thanks for raising a responsible youngster!

[GretchenEE]

bump

[hoosierpearl]

Beautifully written Ohio. It tugs at the heartstrings. He looks, sounds like a fine young man. You have many reasons to be proud of him. It takes so much to raise a child, but it is all worth it, worth every minute of every heartache and every joy. May God watch over Eric.

[ladyinred]

This is one of the most moving, touching, and wonderful posts I have seen in all of my time on FreeRepublic.
The reason your son is such a great person is easy for those of us who "know" you to understand. He was raised by such a wonderful mother.
You have been such a dear friend to so many here, going the extra mile for each of us. It is no surprise you have such an exceptional son.
Our hearts and prayers will be with Eric as he serves us all in the Army Reserves, and with his Parents who have sacrificed so much to make him the fine example of Christian faith that he obviously is.
Thank you for sharing this with us all. We are so proud to have the opportunity to salute Eric for doing his duty for his country and his God!
I thank God for Mother's like you who raise children who respect this country enough to give up several years of their lives to keep us free.
May God be with him every step of the way, and bring him back to you and his father with wonderful memories of the time he spent serving his country.