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Guard families cope in two dimensions
The Boston Globe ^
| August 30, 2006
| Brian MacQuarrie
Posted on 08/31/2006 3:22:14 PM PDT by HitmanLV
Maine National Guard members in Iraq and Afghanistan are never far from the thoughts of their loved ones.
But now, thanks to a popular family-support program, they're even closer.
Welcome to the ``Flat Daddy" and ``Flat Mommy" phenomenon, in which life-size cutouts of deployed service members are given by the Maine National Guard to spouses, children, and relatives back home.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
TOPICS: Government; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: comicallybad; embarrassing; insane
OK, now this is the dumbest thing I have seen all month! Maybe all year! This is the kind of stuff that just invites mockery. Thanks, GI Joe, for thinking this one up!!
1
posted on
08/31/2006 3:22:14 PM PDT
by
HitmanLV
To: HitmanLV
Kids love their cardboard cutout replacement dad!
2
posted on
08/31/2006 3:23:22 PM PDT
by
HitmanLV
("If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking until you do succeed." - Jerry 'Curly' Howard)
To: Victoria Delsoul
3
posted on
08/31/2006 3:23:48 PM PDT
by
HitmanLV
("If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking until you do succeed." - Jerry 'Curly' Howard)
To: HitmanLV
If I were a 10 year old kid, and my dad was in Iraq, I would love one of those.
4
posted on
08/31/2006 3:30:05 PM PDT
by
bnelson44
(Proud parent of a tanker! (Charlie Mike, son))
To: bnelson44
5
posted on
08/31/2006 3:39:05 PM PDT
by
HitmanLV
("If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking until you do succeed." - Jerry 'Curly' Howard)
To: HitmanLV
You need to put yourself in their shoes.
You do what you can to keep the connection.
A one year tour of duty is an eternity to a 10 year old boy.
6
posted on
08/31/2006 3:41:36 PM PDT
by
bnelson44
(Proud parent of a tanker! (Charlie Mike, son))
To: bnelson44
How haunting, and indeed disturbing, is that cardboard cut out if dad gets killed or a few limbs blown off?
7
posted on
08/31/2006 3:42:59 PM PDT
by
HitmanLV
("If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking until you do succeed." - Jerry 'Curly' Howard)
To: HitmanLV
hahahaha...thought it was The Onion....
8
posted on
08/31/2006 3:43:38 PM PDT
by
dakine
To: dakine
No kidding - the US Armed Forces has crossed well into self parody.
9
posted on
08/31/2006 3:44:37 PM PDT
by
HitmanLV
("If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking until you do succeed." - Jerry 'Curly' Howard)
To: HitmanLV
How haunting, and indeed disturbing, is that cardboard cut out if dad gets killed or a few limbs blown off? Welcome to the life of a military family member. That is what we live with every day. A cardboard cut out or a photo next to a computer (which is what I have) keeps us connected in a wierd way. Ever since the invention of the camera, photos of soldiers have stayed home with friend and family to help keep the ties that bind.
10
posted on
08/31/2006 3:47:20 PM PDT
by
bnelson44
(Proud parent of a tanker! (Charlie Mike, son))
To: bnelson44
I'm not against the more traditional photos and stuff. I just find this strange and morbid, especially if the worse happens. But you're right to point out that this is the situation of a family member, and the truth is I just can't relate to it.
Wishing you and your family the best.
11
posted on
08/31/2006 3:48:46 PM PDT
by
HitmanLV
("If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking until you do succeed." - Jerry 'Curly' Howard)
To: HitmanLV
Thanks for the well wishes.
I am not saying I would have a cut out... but if I were 10 years old, and my dad was in Iraq, I would jump at the chance. But that is just me. Others deal with the separation in different ways.
12
posted on
08/31/2006 3:51:03 PM PDT
by
bnelson44
(Proud parent of a tanker! (Charlie Mike, son))
To: bnelson44
13
posted on
08/31/2006 3:53:47 PM PDT
by
HitmanLV
("If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking until you do succeed." - Jerry 'Curly' Howard)
To: HitmanLV
OK, now this is the dumbest thing I have seen all month! Maybe all year! This is the kind of stuff that just invites mockery. You know, I thought it was something from the Onion when I read it.
To: Victoria Delsoul
It's almost like a parody. It's so odd.
15
posted on
08/31/2006 9:18:25 PM PDT
by
HitmanLV
("If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking until you do succeed." - Jerry 'Curly' Howard)
To: HitmanLV
Yep. Hey, I thought you were sleeping already, lol!
To: Victoria Delsoul
No I have been doing rigorous calesthenics to build up my energy! I stay up now past 9:30pm sometimes. :-)
17
posted on
08/31/2006 9:21:13 PM PDT
by
HitmanLV
("If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking until you do succeed." - Jerry 'Curly' Howard)
To: HitmanLV
To: Victoria Delsoul
19
posted on
08/31/2006 9:26:31 PM PDT
by
HitmanLV
("If at first you don't succeed, keep on sucking until you do succeed." - Jerry 'Curly' Howard)
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