2/3/2008
My son and the recruiter, Debbie Lee, Gold Star Mom & Berkeley
My son is in the Army, not the Marines. But my dad is a former marine, my Uncle is a former marine, and my younger son went to the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas, slept in a barracks, trained and had PT with former marines and was an officer in the Marine Corps Junior ROTC there.
I love my men in uniform, and I have to say - with all my friendships with current and former military personnel, I love the culture, the people, the sense of family, the sense of duty, honor, country. I love the pomp and circumstance, the ceremonies, the recognition. And they know how to turn a kid around. They should; they’ve been doing it for over 100 years.
My experience with the Army Recruiter was - they wanted to make sure my son was making the right choice and got us all involved in helping him make his decision to serve. We met, we talked on the phone, and we helped him make his choice. My son was not alone. And when he went to Iraq, we weren’t alone - the families had each other. And other surprising bonds began to form, because when you find someone has a son or daughter over there, it just kind of happens that way.
They know how to throw a formal event like a birthday ball, and informal events. They know how to make you feel like you’re a member of a community of people who care; who have similar values; who love their country. This is just a portion of the heart and breadth of passion behind those who serve and the families behind them.
And so here comes Debbie Lee, Gold Star Mom. Her tremendous courage pales in comparison to my experience. Her son, Marc Alan Lee, was the first Navy Seal to lose his life in the Iraq War in 2006. This is the email she sent to the Mayor of Berkeley who, along with the City Council, is trying to drive the Marine Recruiting Office out of Berkeley:
I was appalled at the decisions that your City Council made at your last meeting, telling the Marines they were not welcome in your city and then granting Code Pink a parking place in front of the Recruiting office free for six months along with a free noise permit. I called and left a message last week for you to call me, a Gold Star Mother whose son gave the ultimate sacrifice. It doesn’t surprise me that you didn’t return that phone call. Trust me I won’t just go away!
My son Marc Alan Lee laid down his life 8-2-06 for American’s to have all of the freedoms that we enjoy. He voluntarily went to his recruiter to find out what opportunities would be provided to him and what would be required for him to be a Navy SEAL. He was treated professionally and never once regretted his decision to become a Navy SEAL. He was honored to serve his country. He was stationed in California along with half of the SEAL community. I’m sure you’ve heard of the elite of the elite, as President Bush calls them. My oldest son Kristofer went to a Marine recruiters office in July 2000 and signed to be one of “The few, the Proud, The Marines.” He also never regreted his choice and was also treated professionally and was proud to serve his country for 5 years. My son-in-law Christopher also visited an Army recruiter and proudly served his country for 3 years. I wish that you served as a Mayor with the same pride and love for this country and those men and women who would defend you unconditionally! Our military defends your freedoms and has written a blank check to you and your city and every American and they have told you to fill in the cost of that freedom up to and including the cost of their lives and you are telling these people they are not welcome in your city? How dare you!
I’m sure you continue to enjoy those freedoms that every man or woman who has served in our military has fought for you. Who do you think would defend you if the terrorists attacked your city? Who do you think would come if an earthquake devastated your city? Who do you think would come if their were riots in your city? How dare you try to legislate and change the laws of the land. I am demanding that you publicly apologize to the Marines and to our troops, and to their families and that you resend the legislation that you passed last week giving special rights to Code Pink.
Demanding Respect for our Troops,
Debbie Lee
Proud Mother of Marc Alan Lee
First Navy SEAL killed in Iraq 8-2-06
We all enjoy freedom, freedoms that people like Code Pink would be happy to have stolen from us by a Castro-like government that they all seem to yearn for. Berkeley is following their orders - as if the Berkeley city government isn’t run by officials, but by Code Pink. It even has a special commission called the “Peace and Justice Commission”.
Sign the petition at Move America Forward, and/or email Tom Bates respectfully about this terrible situation. Read up if you don’t know about it, the blogosphere is exploding with objections to what Code Pink is doing.
I am disappointed and appalled that an elected official would join the Marxists of Code Pink in any initiative whatsoever…let alone name a “Commission” after United for Peace and Justice.
Support the troops and not the KOOKS!
Trackposted to Rosemary’s Thoughts, A Blog For All, guerrilla radio, 123beta, Right Truth, Big Dog’s Weblog, Leaning Straight Up, The Pet Haven, Conservative Cat, Adeline and Hazel, third world county, Faultline USA, Nuke Gingrich, Woman Honor Thyself, The Crazy Rants of Samantha Burns, The World According to Carl, Pirate’s Cove, Blue Star Chronicles, Celebrity Smack, The Pink Flamingo, Wolf Pangloss, CORSARI D’ITALIA, A Newt One, Dumb Ox Daily News, Right Voices, and The Yankee Sailor, thanks to Linkfest Haven Deluxe.
Blue Star Chronicles linked with The Battle of Berkeley Versus the Marines Continue...
February 4th, 2008 at 12:40 am
The Battle of Berkeley Versus the Marines Continue…
I hate it when groups like Code Pink take it upon themselves to try to speak for all women. They certainly DONT speak for me. They dont seem to understand that (see photo above), but then introspection and insight are not their strong suites….
February 4th, 2008 at 5:39 am
Let there be light,perhaps not McCain,not beyond Hillary
February 4th, 2008 at 6:19 am
How that’s relevant is anybody’s guess, LOL
Fuzzi, maybe you forgot your medication.
February 4th, 2008 at 8:39 am
I think Fuzzi has a descriptive moniker… I would say waaaaay too much medication!
February 6th, 2008 at 6:48 am
Our military does not fight in order to protect the rights of treasonous individuals and groups who detest our country and American patriotism and freedoms. Our military fight so that the philosophy espoused by those such as Code Pink (and even some Presidential candidates) does not become entrenched. They depend on other Americans to provide our military people support at home, and to denounce treachery by agents for the enemies of America.
Thanks to Debbie Lee, her son Marc Allen Lee and all who honor Marc and other veterans. Thanks for a good post. Semper Fi.
February 13th, 2008 at 12:57 am
I was fortunate enough to meet the mother of the first Navy Seal killed in the line of duty in Iraq, Petty Officer Marc Allan Lee, that mother being Debbie Lee. She was a strong and proud mother, a real tribute to the families of our troops serving overseas. It was such a stark contrast to see such a wonderfull example such as her at the Berkely deomontstration, when compared to the rude and obnoxious anti-Marine crowd. It made me proud to be an American when I saw what a caring, compassionate person Debbie was, and it made me ashamed and angry to see such lack of decency and morality that the code pink crowd portrayed. Why does the liberal crowd feel that they have to act like spoiled brats?
Also, since when is it acceptable for High School teachers to compell their students to attend such a function? If I was the parent of these children I would be outraged! Aren’t these Hitler youth in liberal Garb? And to these youth; don’t be so concerned about being accepted by your peers that you pervert your real beliefs just ot fit in! Do you really want to be like many of the lowlife liberal demonstrators that were in attendance? And remember, if you really need help, ask one of the people there supporting the troops; chances are you will get it.
Kudos to my Harley riding friends I met today!! And Debbie Lee, it was my pleasure(I talked to you up above when you were on the phone)Support 81! Mark
February 13th, 2008 at 11:24 am
I know Debbie Lee personnaly and so blessed because I do. She is such an inspiration to all who know her. She is so determined to share her son’s story with people, especially those who are opposed to this war. If you are opposed to the war, you need to thank everyone of the soldiers who have died for YOU!!!, they are the ones who give you the ability to stand out in the street or block an Marine recruiting office door and then have the gall to call it your “right to free speech”. It’s just disgusting to me. The obnoxious people demonstrating and saying the military or Marines are killing our young people—what do they not understand about this being voluntary? No one is forcing these brave people to sign up. They are doing it for the love of their country. It’s the people like Marc Lee that make this country great, not the lazy, hateful groups that talk so badly about our country and our military. If they want to do something for this country, why don’t they put their lives on the line and go to a war zone? It would never happen.
Debbie, I am so proud of you and your son.
Keep on going!!!!
Lorie
February 13th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Please tell Debbie that she is loved and respected all across America and her brave son will never be forgotton!
Way to give those moonbats something to think about Mark! Thank you both for sharing.
February 26th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Dear Ms. Lee:
I cannot begin to imagine the grief you must feel at the loss of your son. I found your words to the Berkeley City Council so incredibly compelling and poignant that I forwarded the relevant e-mail to as many people as I could think of.
You, ma’am, were right to refer to the young women and men in uniform as your heroes, but you know something else? You, Debbie, are one of mine. Your pride and willingness to stand and be counted ranks you right up there on the pantheon of people to admire.
Isn’t it really ironic that the very people Code Pink would exclude from their community are the ones prepared to give up their most previous possession of all to allow them to do just that?
May God richly bless you now and forever!
John Ickes
LT, USN (Ret.)