Posted on 11/13/2004 1:22:27 PM PST by wagglebee
PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- The mother of a Marine from eastern Kentucky now fighting in Iraq said she was thrilled to see her son's photograph on the front pages of newspapers this week.
Maxie Webber of Robinson Creek in Pike County said the close-up of Lance Cpl. Blake Miller, his face covered with dirt and a cigarette hanging from his lips, let her know that her son was OK.
Miller, 20, a graduate of Shelby Valley High School, is serving with Charlie Company of the U.S. Marines First Division in Fallujah, an insurgent stronghold.
Fallujah has been the site of some of the most severe battles with the Iraqi insurgency, and this week U.S. troops began a fierce battle for control of the city.
The photo, taken by Los Angeles Times photographer Luis Sinco, has appeared in newspapers across the nation. Webber said she first saw it when CBS News anchor Dan Rather showed it to viewers on Wednesday. Photo editor Alan Hagman confirmed Friday that the photo was of Miller.
"I just sat here and I thought, that's my son," Webber said. "I couldn't believe it. To me, it's just God's way because Blake is a Christian. It's just like God saying, 'I'm letting you know he's OK.'"
Webber said she stays home as much as possible in case her son calls.
"I don't want to miss his call because you never know if that call will be the last one," she said.
Webber said she also bought an answering machine for her phone just in case Miller, the oldest of her three sons, calls while she's out. She has one message on the answering machine from Aug. 1.
"And when I get lonely, and it's been a few days, I play that tape," Webber said.
Webber said her son's decision to join the Marines has changed the way she thinks about America.
"Until my son went into the Marines, I never really realized what that flag stood for - but now I do," she said.
Years go by, but some things never change. For a young Marine in combat, your ability to find enjoyment is very limited and is usually restricted to the pleasure you can get from killing the enemies of your country, smoking a cigarette, or scratching your crotch rot.
...I thought he looked great in the other picture, not a lot of difference.
Here is a AP Video of his unit fighting in Fallujah atleast thats what im told not 100% sure...
LINK: http://s15.yousendit.com/d.aspx?id=3E1AF61558920756A3CA5C909F43CD3F
Far from it!
Just that most stories like this include that high school yearbook photo.
The Marlboro Man...can you just see HIM sitting in a hair salon with the little cap on, getting highlights? Na.
It's illegal to use a cellphone while driving over here.
Too dangerous to dial and drive?
The last thing I would do to distract myself in combat would be to light up or possibly give away my position to the enemy..
Ah, okay.
Well, I read this one, and enjoyed it.
Hope you find the one you were looking for!
Well, I think if she sold T-shirts with the picture on the front it wouldn't take long to get that satellite dish. My idea, I wan't the first one. Just waiting to go to town and walk through all the non-smoking establishments with my chest puffed out and watch 'em faint in the aisles.
I'd love to walk into the Capitol of Delaware wearing it!!!!
Or NYC City Hall - or Albany or Augusta or ......you get my drift, I'm sure!!!!
wan't = want. Sheesh. I need a smoke.
Great way to look at it!!!!!!!!!!
Stupid me - I forgot to put "sarcasm" in my post again.
Exactly. Those Marines in Fallujah are living minute-by-minute, second-by-second. They're not thinking of the long-term consequences of anything right now. And if a few smokes helps them calm down and get through the day, then I'll be the last one to say anything about it. They can worry about quitting later.
We could throw some money in a pot and get her a year of Dish or Direct. About 600-800 would do it.
Betcha' that's make the Corporal real happy.
:O)
P
Photo of the year. Pulitzer prize.
Tell ya what, kids. If they make the shirts, I'll buy each of ya one. My pleasure. Y'all worked hard enough for them.
The ad execs for Marlboro are in 7th heaven over the publicity.
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