I’m a mother of a solider. He is my second born of three sons. I was upset and crazy with confusion when he joined the army. I understood he felt like this would be a good career. I hoped and prayed he wouldn’t have to be sent overseas to fight a war, I didn’t really understand. But he felt it was his duty. With that, I was proud of him and scarred at the same time. Tring to stay in touch was a night mare. After he married, I could always call his wife and bug her on things like “have you heard from him”. Is he ok? There was a time I didn’t watch the news or read the newspapers. I was afraid to watch. I didn’t want to hear about the deaths or injure soldiers. I felt alone. The women I knew had sons and daughters in the war zones. We each carried that burden that someone might loose their children to war. It changed us. We saw men and women return home. We were not ready for the change in them. We as mothers were being blind to the fact that they might return with problems that we couldn’t help them with. They have seen and done things for our country that we will never understand or see.  With time I hope they get the help they need. The blond hair blue eye son with the dimples, will never be the same. Some have committed suicide or took their anger out on their love ones or strangers. Some are missing limbs, mental problems, or injuries such as blindness or paralyzed. Its our duty to take a stand to get each one the care they need. These are our sons and daughters. These are our husbands, wife’s, sisters, brothers. They fought to protect us, so lets protect them. Don’t stop until their needs are met. Keep talking even go on tv or to the newspaper until you get the help that you need. Don’t give up on our love ones.  There is a bond between love ones that is so strong. The bond I have with my son who went to war was one. I thought of him everyday and kept him in my prayers. I knew the day he was injured and the time. He didn’t tell me until he visited me after returning. I was working and I heard him screaming out mom. He was still overseas. I felt his pain and it drove me crazy with worry. I rushed home and after several attempts I found out he was in a hospital in Afghanistan. He was injured and knew had a head injury and his eyes were  injured. Those weeks following were a nightmare. When he returned home and came for a visit, I asked him about it. He was blown out of a two story building. He knew the time and date. It was when I heard him call me. I never want that feeling of helpless again. Its hard to talk about to this day. I get so emotional and tear up. I’m just a mother who wish the war would end. I wish no other parent or spouse would have to go Thu this pain. I have a friend who has a son who just returned. He has a lot of mental issues and she is trying to get him the help he needs. He suddenly lashed out at his mother and he lost total control. He went to the VA for help. They all say the same thing after returning home. They want to go back and be with their brothers who are still there. They all have a bond,  strong as a family.  I feel for them because the war goes on in their heads. For the parents and love ones who have family there, I feel your pain. Some will return and others will pass on. Stay strong and one day this will be all be behind us as past wars. The pain will get easier as time passes by, they will never be forgotten. One day, mothers wont cry anymore. One day there will be peace again. Until then have a strong support system set up for the family and your love one returning.  Our soldiers make us proud and they serve our country.  They all have the respect of the American people.  They did their duty and now we have to do our duty to them and this country.