It all goes back to WWII and good old Private Ryan. You all remember the story, I'm sure. All of his brothers were killed fighting the same battle. It was discovered that this mother only had one child left. The Brass decided they couldn't live with themselves if they had to tell her that her entire family was wiped off the face of the earth.
From that point forward, brothers were not allowed to sail on the same vessels or fight in the same battalion. To this day the Air Force will not allow husbands and wives to fly on the same planes as crew members.
However!
When I first read this message I was amazed that Dad could think that he was in control of his daughters decisions. "No daughter of mine is going to do....whatever". This family is from middle class white society. It will really creep my skin if dear old Dad pulls some string somewhere and is able to pull his daughters home.
Meanwhile there is a mother in Colorado faced with two choices...abandon her children to an ex who LOST full custody and go back to Iraq or stay and fight the civilian Judge who obviously refuses to accept her military responsibility and risk court marshalling.
Such inconsistency churns my stomach.
If these parents really supported their daughters, they would not make them face such an ultimatum and accept that they are adults and capable of making their OWN decisions.
My prayers are for both of these families, that the right situation is found for each.
DL
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DL
?Whatever else history may say about me when I?m gone, I hope it will record that I appealed to your best hopes, not your worst fears; to your confidence rather than your doubts. My dream is that you will travel the road ahead with liberty?s lamp guiding your steps and opportunity?s arm steadying your way.?
President Ronald Reagan
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