Sgt. Grit,
Concerning the Mom that was upset because her son couldn't be home for Christmas made me think about my own Mom. She had three boys and from 1965 to 1974 she left her Mothers Flag hanging in the window. All those years at Christmas that one of us were not at home. My oldest brother spent 2 tours in Nam with the Corps and my middle brother was with the Army. I was also in the Corps. Never once did I hear her complain about one of us not being home. All she would ever say is it would be nice to have us all home for Christmas again. I guess what it boils down to is the generation. She was brought up during the depression, worked in the steel mills when all the men were gone fighting in WWII and knew what sacrifice was. I never heard her complain about the Vietnam War or that we were enlisting. All I remember her ever saying is be safe and return home.
Butch Wahley
Cpl 1971-1974