We're the Military and Airpower Guys of Jonah Goldberg of National Review Online + a stray we found wandering around looking lost. All original material JHD, BHD, JR, WT, and KA 2003-2010 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/09/volunteering_at.html Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:27:28 Z Movable Type 4.12 en Copyright 2012 http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/09/volunteering_at.html http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/09/volunteering_at.html Sat, 06 Sep 2008 12:35:34 -0600
Tim-  we owe you DOUBLE thanks for your own service and that of your son! 

FbL-  Thank you as well for your volunteer efforts, as well.  You are surrogate family for our troops when they are far away.  At a time when some of our population has been misled by partisan idiots and may not show sufficient appreciation for our troops, they know that they will always get a warm welcome from the USO.  Good on y'all there!]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/09/volunteering_at.html#comment-77929 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/09/volunteering_at.html#comment-77929 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:59:09 -0600 ]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/09/volunteering_at.html#comment-77928 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/09/volunteering_at.html#comment-77928 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:07:59 -0600
   I can tell you exactly how it feels, although mine was graduating from Navy Boot Camp in San Diego.  Heck, I had to find my own way back to my house in northern Utah at that time, bacause my folks just couldn't swing both money and time to be there. It was alright, though and I figured things out pretty well.

  Now, I can sympathize with those parents, because my own son is graduating from Army basic on the 26th, and it's going to take virtually every penny I have to be there for him. In fact, I have to leave 2 days early just to make connections with the Greyhound from Maine to Fort Benning, and it's almost a day and a half ride.  That means more meals on the road and two nights hotel instead of one.

   Don't get me wrong, I am NOT asking for help or anything like that. I am beyond proud that my son chose to be an infantryman, and I am not worried about spending the money, because all it is is money, and it is important to do the right thing if you can.

   I understand, though, why many can't do it. It is expensive and sometimes hard to make connections.

   Respects
]]> http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/09/volunteering_at.html#comment-77900 http://www.thedonovan.com/archives/2008/09/volunteering_at.html#comment-77900 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 13:23:47 -0600