Parents of Deployed Service Members

This is my son, a Marine deployed to Afghanistan. He's a young man at 20 years old, but the average age of service personnel is a young man of 19 (I'm not negating the women who serve - just stating statistics). I've always empathized and been supportive of our military; but it became a whole other ball game when my son enlisted. I have a new and vivid respect for the wives, families, friends and parents of our military personnel. Marine, Navy, Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, National Guard ... I get tears in my eyes just thinking about what their "job" really means. Someone once said that enlisted people write a blank check to the U.S. Government which could possibly mean they pay the ultimate sacrifice. How can you not be proud?! How can anyone actually protest who they are and what they do?
I have a nephew in the army, another enlisted in the Airforce, more friends in both branches and some in the Navy...new ones in the Marines and a long family heritage of service. Do the people who protest not have any one to "enlighten" them?
While I know God watches out for each and every one, I also know where they go if the check is presented for payment. Fallen angels they are called. Still, as a mother this possibility is VERY difficult to bear. Not that fathers, brothers, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends and brothers in arms don't share the burden - but I have to say, I'd rather stand on the front line in harms way then to think of even one person's son or daughter falling.
I praise the Heavenly Father for His mighty protection, His omnipotence, His omniscience and His omnipresence. I know that He is with my son every second of every day; just as He is with me giving me strength and faith to endure while my son is away. I look forward to welcoming my hero home and may God bring ALL of our heroes home safe and soon!