Worried Soldier's Mum Emails Colonel In Afghanistan

Ananova ^ | 01-09-2002

[blam]

Worried soldier's mum emails colonel in Afghanistan

The mother of a US marine in Afghanistan emailed his regiment because she was worried she had not seen him in the news.

Faith Tejera initially 'spammed' the whole Marine Corps headquarters by accident with the query about her son John Leger's wellbeing.

Eventually she contacted the Lieutenant Colonel in charge of her 19-year-old's battalion and her son was summoned from a foxhole to email her back.

Ms Tejera of Louisiana emailed: "I haven't heard from him since November 19. I saw 5,000 pictures of Marines in the last month and not one of my son." She had seen footage of other marines telephoning home, reports the New York Daily News.

"I would appreciate it if you could just find him and, understandably without disclosing his location, let me know if he's okay. This is the first Christmas my son and I have ever been apart. Please help me."

The lieutenant responded: "Your son is a member of my command and I see him often. He has always stood out as the youngest-looking Marine in the battalion. He's doing quite well, and his platoon commanders tell me he's one of the best Marines in his platoon. I will ensure he sends you an e-mail from my account so you can hear from him that all's well."

An embarrassed Lance Corporal John was summoned from his foxhole and emailed his mother: "Hey mom, I told you I wouldn't be able to talk to you for a while. I even said about how long, but that's okay. I'm fine and safe and out of harm's way, but very smelly. Well, I can't blame you for worrying. Jeez, what are you trying to do get me in trouble or something? Just kidding. It's okay mom."

He attached a digital picture taken moments before. Ms Tejera said: "Pretty cool picture, huh? He looks embarrassed though, doesn't he? Poor kid."

She e-mailed the lieutenant colonel back: "I feel much better now. I am sorry to have caused you trouble. You are a wonderful commander and God will bless you for not holding my son responsible for my hysteria."

He replied: "Ms Tejera, It was no trouble at all. Besides, my mother still worries about her oldest son and I've been active duty for nearly 20 years."

Story filed: 17:38 Wednesday 9th January 2002

[blam]

"Ah Mom." This put a smile on my face. Don't get in the way of a mother and her babies!

[bandleader]

This kid can't put pen to paper so that his mother would know that he's alright??

[maximus@Nashville]

There is a Sgt in Afganistan now thats main concern is to see that this kid writes to his mom, because he was told by ther company commander , who was told by the battalion commander, who was told by the etc. etc.

[Tennessee_Bob]

My civilian pastor (when I was stationed in Las Vegas) was so upset that I never wrote to my parents (despite the fact that I told him I talked to them on the phone at least twice a week), that he contacted my first shirt and commander regarding it. They called me on the carpet and had me write a letter to my parents, despite my explaining to them that I called my folks twice a week. I wrote a letter to them saying "Mom and Dad, despite the fact that we talk on the phone twice a week, I'm being ordered to write you a letter. Your son, Bob."

They didn't like it, but they sent it anyways. A couple days later, I get a call from dad asking what the hell was going on. I explained it, and he asked how to get in touch with my commander. I told him, and shortly after that, I get summoned to the major's office. His question..."Why didn't you tell me your dad was a colonel?" Heck, I didn't think it was important at the time. He also asked why I didn't bother to explain that I talked to my folks at least twice a week. Go figure...

[SolitaryMan]

If the kid needed a "mum" then the Marines would have issued him one. Anyways, a "GOOD" NCO would have made sure the kid wrote his parents.

[ken5050]

Right you are.....in the Corps, it starts with reception at Parris Island or SD, where each new recruit calls home to report his safe arrival. Of course, since you arrive there at like 2-3am, you usually wake up the whole house back home....and woe betide the recruit who doesn't write several letters or postcards each week back home.....

[Jarhead_22]

"in the Corps, it starts with reception at Parris Island or SD, where each new recruit calls home to report his safe arrival."

They call home now? When I got there (March, 1990), we were given a postcard and a pen and wrote out a dictated statment with our return address and that we had arrived safely and would write again soon, but not to worry if we weren't heard from right away, as we would be very busy for a while...

[Johnny_Apollo]

I got a laugh out of that one. A good laugh, not a bad one. If there's one thing a company commander doesn't want to hear is that one of his soldiers hasn't written home. It usually starts with their Congressman, then a General, then a Colonel... It's one of those things that each guy in succession gets yelled at about all the way down the line. (It's actually quite a funny part of being in the service)I can still remember in basic training (30 years ago) there were one or two guys that didn't write home, their moms called, and man did that cause trouble! LOL LOL LOL.

[McGavin999]

This is tooo funny! That poor guy is never going to live that down.

[MudPuppy]

semper fi --- ping for your Momma :)

[WhiskeyPapa]

They call home now? When I got there (March, 1990), we were given a postcard and a pen and wrote out a dictated statment with our return address and that we had arrived safely and would write again soon, but not to worry if we weren't heard from right away, as we would be very busy for a while...

Same in '73.

In my experience, your squad leader/platoon commander, etc. would ask you if you were -getting- your mail. Whether you were writing yourself was not an issue; of course if your mom spams the whole Marine Corps... ;-)

Good for her!

Walt

[WhiskeyPapa]

If there's one thing a company commander doesn't want to hear is that one of his soldiers hasn't written home. It usually starts with their Congressman, then a General, then a Colonel

OUCH!

not a CONGRINT! (Congressional interest). That would keep some poor lieutenant hopping, oh yes. :)

Walt

[N00dleN0gg1n]

"Initially "spammed" Marine Corps Headqurters...."

Meet the likely winner of the Embarassing Mother of the Year Award for 2002 . Yeah, it's only January 9th, but this one will be hard to top.

[LTCJ]

There is a Sgt in Afganistan now thats main concern is to see that this kid writes to his mom, because he was told by their company commander , who was told by the battalion commander, who was told by the etc. etc.

And the S1 is writting the revision to Battalion Personnel SOP as we speak.

ROTFL. I'm red-in-the-face reading this. Reminds me of being called into the Day Room many years ago for a call from the White House switchboard under similar circumstances. Lord Almighty, did I have a hard time living that down. Learned that lesson well.

The Chain-of-Command starts with Mom and Dad, soldier.

[Billie]

"I would appreciate it if you could just find him and, understandably without disclosing his location, let me know if he's okay. This is the first Christmas my son and I have ever been apart. Please help me."

That is such a sweet story; thanks for posting it. And thank you, Mr.Smith, for giving us this link at the Canteen.

[XJarhead]

"The lieutenant responded..."

Wow! I didn't know we'd suffered so many casualties that our battalions are now commanded by Lts.

This is a nice story, but I just wish that I could read one story reporting on the war that doesn't screw something up. Sheesh.

[fourdeuce82d]

During a room inspection back in '82 top was not happy with me at all, and letting me know about it. Finds a picture of a gal dressed as a belly dancer in my desk. "Well at least you got good taste in women. She's a hottie." "that's my mother first sergeant, it was a haloween party."

".......Ummmmm....Fine looking lady."

And he walked out without saying another word.

[Calico]

Thanks for the ping.

It reminds me how important our families are when we are serving far from home. I am home now, but I remember in boot camp, my brother-in-law [a former Navy Viet Nam era vet] wrote such inspiring letters to me that other members of my platoon would ask me to read them aloud.

My mom was one of the most understanding parents one could ask for about such things, though, with two children in the Armed Forces and one in Law Enforcement. She accepted sacrifices like Christmases with us away on duty with excellent grace, and she whipped up some mean care packages. Thanks for making me think of her dedication. I think I will call her and thank her.

[mrsmith]

I almost wish I had a "military ping list" for this thread.

My "lifer" Navy dad used to complain about getting his boots to write home, then I was in the Army (and wrote home regularly!), then my son wrote home "once in a while" from the Air force.

I think every military family can identify with the story.

Like many here, I look in on, and enjoy, the "canteen" threads

[Billie]

Let me ping for you. I've done it on another thread today for FreedomsWorthIt. Some may have already seen the thread because of your link at the Canteen.