Posted on 08/17/2005 1:56:34 PM PDT by Kaslin
Natalie Healy made a decision this summer after losing her son in war-torn Afghanistan.
"I can't go to those mountains and climb them and I can't shoot a gun," she said. "But I can do everything I can to make sure we stay the course, and if that means speaking out, then that's what I want to do."
Less than two months after the death of her son, Navy SEAL Senior Chief Petty Officer Daniel Healy, the Exeter mother and small business owner is following through on her word.
Healy is making her feelings known in response to the nation's interest in a California mother who has camped outside President Bush's Texas ranch to protest the war in Iraq. Cindy Sheehan's 24-year-old son was killed in Iraq last year.
Healy said she initially sympathized with the grief-stricken mom. Now, however, as Sheehan's message continues to fill the airwaves, Healy said she fears a backlash against the war on terrorism.
"It's sort of like a tidal wave," Healy said. "And it's gaining and gaining and gaining. And I'm not sure what will stop it, to tell you the truth.
"My big concern is that the enemy will use Cindy Sheehan to their benefit. They will point to her and say, 'See? See how this American is calling the President a murderer? See how they're going to start weakening from within?'"
Healy said she was booked to speak on MSNBC's "Hardball" with Chris Matthews last night. The interview got bumped just a few hours before the show, she said.
But Healy said spreading her voice to support the war effort is her "new mission in life."
"I'm hoping, by having another mother who's lost a son speaking out loudly and strongly, that the troops will hear it and be heartened by it," she said. "Because we all know how they're always shocked when they get home and they find out what has been reported."
Several national polls show that a majority of Americans now consider the decision to invade Iraq a mistake. Healy herself said she initially had doubts about the war. She is now convinced the United States cannot leave Iraq just yet.
"The fact of the matter is, at this stage in the game, we're over there," she said. "We have to complete the mission."
Healy said she doubted Sheehan's son, Casey, would support his mother's mission.
Rather, she said, "I think my son would be happy that I was trying to remind people that we have to stay the course. We have to, without a doubt. And I know he'd be saying, 'OK, mom. Good. Good, mom.'"
Healy recognized the public's opinion of the Iraqi conflict is not the same as its opinion of the war in Afghanistan, where her son died June 28. Daniel Healy, a 36-year-old father of four, was one of 16 soldiers killed when insurgents shot down their helicopter.
But Healy said the two conflicts are part of the same war on terrorism, and it's a war the U.S. must continue to fight.
"I think fighting for freedom in Iraq and fighting for freedom in Afghanistan is one and the same," she said.
Healy is hopeful that the public will hear both sides in the debate over pulling U.S. troops from Iraq. It would be harmful, she said, if Sheehan's voice carried the day.
"I just don't want it to be the only story," Healy said. "I want the other voices to be heard so that the young men that fought with my son — that were broken-hearted from all their buddies getting killed — will know somebody else is speaking out for them. And maybe they won't be heard as much as Cindy Sheehan, but there's somebody trying, anyway."
here is another one -
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1465485/posts?page=14#14
WEST CHESTER, Ohio - The mother of a Marine killed in Iraq urged mourners Wednesday not to let their anger and sadness turn them against the U.S. fight in Iraq.
"Honor me in this way," Kathy Dyer said during a memorial service for Lance Cpl. Christopher J. Dyer, 19, of the Cincinnati suburb of Evendale.
At the funeral at Tri-County Baptist Church, Kathy Dyer delivered what she believed would have been her son's own message: "It has been with the greatest pride I have served ... fighting to preserve freedom."
She said he would want mourners to continue supporting the troops in the war against terrorism.
...
At Dyer's funeral, about 1,000 mourners were told about the kindness and drive of the college-bound honor student who had a lifelong interest in the military. Relatives said he chose the Marines as a way to serve his country and challenge himself.
"He saw this as just another way to measure himself, another test," said his father, John Dyer. "Chris didn't want to be less than the best at anything."
Janet Hertlein, whose son Michael grew up with Dyer, said Dyer loved the Marines.
"Chris and all those over there are fighting for all of us," Hertlein said.
...This woman is the voice of America. Too bad it's so difficult for her to be heard. Prayers to her family....
Yes on all counts. Very nicely put.
God Bless both these women and those speaking out.
There will not be another Vietnam. These parents will not allow it. The Vets dishonored in Vietnam will not allow it to happen to their children. Our troops will not sit still and allow. Our President will not retreat. And, we will not allow the anti-war voices to speak unchallenged.
Unfortunate these parents must speak up to defend their sons' and daughter's service, but such is the depravity of the Left that they are left with little choice.
God bless her for all given.
I wonder what would happen if she tried to camp out in front of a Kennedy house demanding to speak to Ted?
Thanks for the post. What a wonderful contrast to Sheehan.
Bump!
Natalie Healy. Now that's a name worth repeating. Over and over. Natalie Healy. Natalie Healy. I forget the name of the womyn who keeps spitting on her son's grave. Natalie Healy honors her son, and America's sons and daughters. I hope we hear the name Natalie Healy many more times.
A true patriot. May her son RIP.
I heard it...she was very emotional, and ANGRY that whatzerface is defaming HER son!!!
I'm sorry to hear this.
But I'm also proud of you, too.
The contrast between these two mothers is stark.
Mrs. Healy is reluctant but still willing to speak through her pain to tell about her brave and noble son and his service. Her conviction that he would want her to speak out tells much about how close they were. God bless her and give her strength.
Ms. Sheehan, on the other hand, is disembling at a rapid rate. She never thinks or says that her son would be proud of what she is doing. She knows in her heart that he chose to serve. She blames his death on the President, claims the WOT is about oil, no, it's about Israel, wait, today it's about chickenhawks.....it is clear that she does not have any conviction in her own thoughts & words.
>>The interview got bumped just a few hours before the show<<
they found out what she was going to say.
Absolutely...but with no 'man bites dog' headline to attach to it, I doubt the media will touch this or any of the many others.
And to all the leftists/socialists/democRATs out there who are reading this post. Two thoughts...
One, if we aren't killing the terrorists in Iraq (and many other places) we would be killing them here...in Ithica, Berkley, Palo Alto, Boulder, etc...catch my drift yet?
And if you don't catch my drift, f%^k you. We are not going to die because of you. Understand, a$$holes?
5.56mm
I pray the blessings of God and liberty rain down on this woman. It's a shame when a mother loses a child; it's a much greater shame when that mother dishonors the death of her child. Take note, Cindy, that's exactly what you have been doing.
is MSM flocking to this mother?
Healy said she was booked to speak on MSNBC's "Hardball" with Chris Matthews last night. The interview got bumped just a few hours before the show
May Dan rest in peace. Please give Mrs. Healy our condolences, and invite her here to Free Republic.
Maureen Dowd says that the moral authority of those who lose children in Iraq is "absolute", so I guess this lady's word pretty much settles it. Nobody is allowed to disagree with her.
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