Michael Weatherly – 1/31/09

                I was never as proud of my son as when I attended my sons Marine Corps boot camp graduation in California on May 25th , 2001.  My world came crashing down on 9-11. I knew that my son was going to war. I am ashamed to say that I never looked at war or what the soldiers were doing for us in the same way before my own son was involved. My wife and I dealt with it in two totally different ways. My wife read no news papers and watched no news on TV. She did not want to talk about what was going on. On the other hand, I religiously watched the news and checked frequently on the internet for any Marines that had been hurt or killed in combat. I cannot tell you why. The not being able to talk to my wife about our son was killing me inside. I tried to talk to friends at work but it was not the same. When I was by myself I frequently cried because I could do nothing to protect my own child. I wished a thousand times that I could switch places with him. You cannot put into words what it is like to have a child go away to war. I can think of no words to explain the stress that you try to hide. My son is home now. On March 1st he will no longer be in the Marine Corps. Not a day goes by that I do not ask god why he allowed me to have my son back and yet so many other parents have given up the ultimate sacrifice. I still cannot talk about it without my voice cracking. I have only seen my son for a few days these past 9 years. Part of the way that I am trying to look to the future was taken care of today by the Brazoria County Cavalry. To see the respect that my son was given by these men and women was soul lifting. Part of me was able to release some of my feelings to these folks. I cannot thank them enough for that. Tracy asked me to come to the one year anniversary but I don’t think that I am ready for that. I don’t know how the parents of those soldiers who have given their lives are able to cope with it. My next step is to send this letter to my friends and have that long awaited talk with my wife. I cannot thank the Cavalry enough for what you have done for my son and my family.

God bless.

Mike E Weatherly