Fallen soldier's family stands behind Bush

wndu.com ^ | 02/09/2004 | Janelle Hall

[11th_VA]

Nearly two months have passed since Saddam Hussein's capture, yet American soldiers still are dying at a rate of more than one a day. As of Monday, the total number of soldiers killed in the conflict in Iraq is 530 men and women and well over 3,000 have been injured.

Sunday on NBC's Meet The Press with Tim Russert, President Bush was asked if Hussien's capture and the lack of finding weapons of mass destruction justified the loss of American lives.

His response was, "It's essential that I explain this properly to the parents of those who lost their lives. Saddam Hussein was dangerous and I'm not going to leave him in power and trust a madman. He's a dangerous man. He had the ability to make weapons at the very minimum. For the parents of the soldiers who have fallen who are listening, David Kay, the weapons inspector, came back and said, "In many ways Iraq was more dangerous than we thought." It's we are in a war against these terrorists who will bring great harm to America, and I've asked these young ones to sacrifice for that."

Message hits home for South Bend family

Loren and Deb Meyer of South Bend know all too well about the sacrifices hundreds of American servicemen have made. Loren's son and Deb's step-son, 23-year-old Army Private Jason Meyer, died April 8 in Baghdad. His death came just about one month into the war and only eight days after his first wedding anniversary.

The Meyer family believes President Bush went to war for all the right reasons. The military parents say they're upset with the United Nations for not backing our troops and they're also upset with people who express a lot of anger over the war.

"If anyone should be angry it should be us. We've lost someone. But we're not angry. I stand behind the president," says Deb.

Her husband Loren echoed her sentiment. "We support him 100%. I know he cares about us."

During Bush's interview with Russert, he very pointedly said, "Every life is precious…..Every person that is willing to sacrifice for this country deserves our praise."

Deb says, "I'm really tired of all of the people complaining about the uselessness of this war. To be making the comments they're making is minimizing their deaths."

Critics bash President Bush for relying on intelligence that he now calls inaccurate. "I feel like anyone that's doing this is saying that Jason died needlessly. Maybe he did, but again, he believed in what he was doing," says his stepmother.

The Meyers say the war won't change their vote in November. They're sticking with and standing behind President Bush in honor of their fallen soldier

[11th_VA]

The military parents say they're upset with the United Nations for not backing our troops and they're also upset with people who express a lot of anger over the war.

The RATs have no respect ...

[SandRat]

Sniffles

Ping

[over3Owithabrain]

I feel like anyone that's doing this is saying that Jason died needlessly. Maybe he did, but again, he believed in what he was doing," says his stepmother.

No, dear woman, your son died a hero. Calm your heart with the knowledge that millions of Iraqis live because of your son, and millions of Americans KNOW his cause was just.

[Bombard]

God bless this family. They and people like them are the backbone of this country. I doubt if people like Kerry really understand what this family is all about.

[areafiftyone]

You forgot the tissue alert! Sniff. These soldiers need building up not tearing down. Stupid Rotten Democreeps - They have no sense of love for our country or soldiers! They drool every time a soldier is killed so they can throw it in Bush's face All for their hatred and revenge for a stupid political election that happened 4 years ago! That's what it all boils down to. Their hatred has turned into a disease and it is festering and festering. They make me sooo sick!

[Jorge]

Exactly. What the Dems are doing in condemning Bush and the worthiness of this war is really diminishing the sacrifice of those who lost their lives.
This is reprehensible and I hope it backfires on them.

[fly_so_free]

"I'm really tired of all the people complaining about the uselessness of this war. To be making the comments they're making minimizes their deaths"

BUMP

[Free_at_last_-2001]

No, dear woman, your son died a hero. Calm your heart with the knowledge that millions of Iraqis live because of your son, and millions of Americans KNOW his cause was just. - Agreed!

[KQQL]

That's why..MTP was so-so for the pundits, but good
for W in connecting with Everyday Americans.

P.S I thought he could have done better.....

[KQQL]

@

[KQQL]

what did u think of the MTP?

[Torie]

Russert does a good job. He was rather gentle on Bush, although repetitive in his questions, which resulted in many topics not being covered. Bush could have handled it better, but then you already knew that. The thing is, is that Russert does let one have their say, particularly if you are president. Bush had his chances, and did not in many instances make the most of them. JMO.

[KQQL]

You are right.....that W could have easily done better.....

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

The Meyer family believes President Bush went to war for all the right reasons. The military parents say they're upset with the United Nations for not backing our troops and they're also upset with people who express a lot of anger over the war.

"If anyone should be angry it should be us. We've lost someone. But we're not angry. I stand behind the president," says Deb.

Her husband Loren echoed her sentiment. "We support him 100%..."

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Howell soldier latest from Michigan to die in Iraq war

Army Pfc. Jason Meyer, of Howell, Mich., had just celebrated his first year of marriage and had plans to start a family.

Meyer, 23, was killed April 8 when his personnel carrier took fire, his mother-in-law said the next day. He was based in Fort Stewart, Ga., where he lived with his wife Melissa, 20.

“He died doing what he wanted to do. He felt very strongly about the service,” said Meyer’s mother-in-law Connie Arnould of Swartz Creek.

Arnould’s brother, Steven Cousino, described Meyer as an “always happy-go-lucky, smiley kind of guy.”

“He was a great kid,” Cousino said.

Meyer worked in construction and built decks for family members, Arnould said. He loved the outdoors, including hunting, and the family often went on motorcycle trips, she said.

He also dedicated himself to military service.

Arnould said Meyer had an injured knee but tried to hide it from his superiors. He didn’t want that to prevent him from fighting, she said.

“He was going to do what he was meant to do,” Arnould said.

Tom Wickham, Melissa Meyer’s uncle, said Jason Meyer was proud to be in the military.

“He couldn’t wait to return to his wife, return to his family. But he also knew he had an obligation as a soldier,” Wickham said.

Killed: April 08, 2003

 Thank you, Pfc. Jason M. Meyer

 

 Thank you, 11th_VA, SandRat. {

[McGavin999]

God bless these people. This is what America is all about, the kind of people who would raise a fine son like that and understand that his sacrifice is valued and treasured by a grateful nation. I know it doesn't help their hurt, but their son was an important part of changing the world.

[potlatch]

[armymarinemom]

Deb says, "I'm really tired of all of the people complaining about the uselessness of this war. To be making the comments they're making is minimizing their deaths."

Amen and Bless her and her family. Most of the families are sick and tired of the media sniffing out families who are unhappy with the war.

[MJY1288]

The Democrats have no shame, My heart goes out to these people and they seem to know that President Bush's heart goes out to them as well.

There is Honor in dying for a cause and your Country, Something the Democrats will never understand

God Bless our Troops

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank God for this family!!!

[SAMWolf]

What a differenece from the family earlier this week!