This page is in tribute to one of our own...
~Cpl. Kyle Kerr~
PERSPECTIVE FROM A MILITARY MOM
As a mother of a U.S. Marine,
I am asked many questions.
But the one that gets asked the most,
brings me to this article.
A woman asked me, “If you love your son so much,
why would you intentionally throw him into harm’s way,
knowing he may never come back?
How could you let him join the Marines?”
Well, my answer to this can go on for pages,
but I will condense it for you.
First off,
I did not go into this decision, blindly,
nor was I naïve.
Anyone that has seen the various War movies,
over the years,
and has talked to those who have been in combat,
know the risks, full well,
that their loved ones are getting into.
Secondly,
how do I stop a young man who has wanted to serve
in the Armed Services since he was six years old?
This was my son’s dream.
For me to stop him, or dismiss his feelings,
would to me, have been worse than anything.
I am so darn proud of my son and all of his accomplishments.
I thanked his Recruiter, over and over,
and his Drill Instructors, too!
The Marine Corps, took my son,
and polished him off, and made him a Man.
A man with respect, goals,
and an immense love of Brotherhood for his fellow Devil Dogs.
My son could not have received this if he had stayed home.
This I know for a fact.
But what this woman, and other’s, do not realize,
is that not only do our son’s and daughter’s
make sacrifices for their country,
but the families they leave behind,
also live with many sacrifices.
Those families know,
and live with the fact that they may never
see or talk to their loved ones, ever again.
These families suffer in silence.
They are immensely proud of their children,
but due to comments like this woman, and others,
we do not openly express our pain, fear, and sadness.
What we will tell you, though,
is how great they are doing,
how we miss them and wish they were home,
and that we are just bursting inside,
with pride for them.
But, unless you have experienced having a loved one,
in the Military,
you will never understand the emotional Roller Coaster
that we families go through, DAILY.
So the next time you feel the need to express your opinion,
remember the sacrifices these families have made,
and instead, give them a hug,
and tell them that you are there to listen.
This has nothing to do with your Political views or beliefs.
It has to do with a family,
desperately missing their child or spouse,
but are filled with pride.
It is a decision, that I will never regret
and will do again,
if my daughter wishes to join the Marines,
like her big brother.
Julie Smithwick
Very Proud Marine Mother of
Lcpl. Kyle Kerr (deployed)
A Simple Touch
It was just a simple gesture.
A little touch.
But the meaning behind it,
will last forever.
Holding you in my arms,
You were so small and scared.
I instantly knew what to do,
to put your heart and mind, at ease.
I softly traced your sweet face with my finger.
Then from your forehead, I traced my
finger down your little nose.
That touch, that movement, spoke volumes,
without voicing a single word.
That little gesture, was my way of saying,
“It’s all right. You’re safe now.
Momma is here.”
Your face, as you grew, felt comfort in that touch.
But you never knew, why.
You just knew that everything was fine.
As a teen, we fought and argued.
Sometimes, not speaking at all.
But at night, as you slept, I once again,
softly traced that finger from your forehead,
down your nose, letting you know in a touch,
that everything would be ok.
Every now and then, I would touch your face,
but you never knew the meaning.
At your High School graduation,
the day you left for Boot Camp,
and on your wedding day.
This hidden message of love will be repeated
at certain moments in your life,
when you need to hear, if only by touch,
“It’s all right. You’re safe now.
Momma is here.”
And one day, when your little one is placed in your arms,
this hidden message of love, will come flooding
back to you, and you will find yourself,
softly tracing your finger down that little nose,
and thinking to yourself,
“It’s all right. You’re safe now.
Daddy is here.”
Jules – 5/2006
(Touching you again, Kyle)
Poems for Kyle
Welcome Home Kyle Quilt
Square size is 200 x 200
Graphic Gifts for Kyle
 
"Star Spangled Banner"
Midi Provided By
Laura's Midi Heaven
Sequencer: Ed Vieira, Evier2cbart@aol.com
"On this day and age, and as the holidays approach, even though
I was not born here in the USA
I feel so proud of being an american by choice.
Our country is so wonderful and yet misunderstood by so many.
I knew God was going to show the world He is blessing the US.
The prayers of many have beem answered because they asked for
this country with so much faith.
The war is not over but signs of deliverance are all around.
The enemy is on the run, and one can see a difference
on the faces of those poor afghanistanis.
May our troops be home one day soon."
All poetry & writings, photos, graphics & midis are copyrighted.
Please respect my wishes that they not be used...
Nor be removed from the pages of abitosunshine...
Without the written permission of myself or the artist.
Your cooperation is appreciated.
© 2000-Present Ruth Cox
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