historical

Yesterday, May 29th, I watched the World War II Memorial dedication on TV. I was very moved by the program and had a overwhelming feeling this memorial on the Washington Mall is long overdue. I'm glad it's now open and look forward to taking my mother to see it in October (she's a WWII vet). I then watched Frank Schaeffer's C-Span Book TV presentation, then bought a copy of the book. I'm ordering additional copies through Amazon.com. His talk was straight forward and truthful. Our servicemen and women are treated poorly, and deserve so much more. These are the people that watch our backs, allow us to sleep at night and uphold our freedom, yet their pay and benefits are pitifully low. I applaud Frank Schaeffer for speaking up. This truly is a scandel. Our politicians should be ashamed their children are not serving, but they don't have any problem sending other young adults into harm's way. They certainly have no problem lipping "be of service to your country". This goes for Democrats and Republicans alike. Now it's time they walk the walk, and quit grandstanding for the media. Imagine what our country would be like without the wonderful and dedicated military. One additional note, my 4.0 GPA college bound daughter has deferred college in order to serve. It's her decision, of course we are nervous but very proud. By the way, she does have a college fund. Thank you Frank Schaeffer for being the voice of many. MH

As the brother of a Marine who has recently come home from Combat, I can vouch for the realistic portrayal that this well written volume offers of the inner life of those who stay behind. Frank and John Schaeffer's two books really tell it like it is. Like Frank and his family, I was (and am) so proud of my brother, and yet like them, I really suffered knowing what might happen to him. Reading this book confirmed for me just how devastating it would be to my own parents if anything where to happen to my brother. Frank is willing to go where so few men are willing to go in his open discussion of the feelings of love, pride and fear he has concerning his son and the affect these feelings have on his relationship with the other members of his family. I have watched fights in my family that I know were not about a burnt dinner but really about no email from my brother for a week. Frank reveals what so many of us know; we can watch ourselves do things and know that we are not in control; we can even know why we are not in control and yet still be powerless to help ourselves. Despite this somewhat dark insight I felt uplifted by this book. This is a slice of my life. I suspect it is a slice of the American experience.

Unlike the first volue Frank Schaeffer's FAITH OF OUR SONS is about the people who wait with baited breath for news of their loved ones who are doing the dirty, but necessary work in this war.

It is an excellent volume and a statement on our times. The anxiety felt by the Schaeffer family is the same as millions of Americans have felt over the 228 years of our history (and before).

What differs is the curse and blessing of the modern world. Instant news leads to instant worry, E-mail and cell phones lead to instant relief and support via the e-mails shared between the families of those who wait.

What also differs is the disconnect of most of us have from this situation. Mr. Schaeffer in unable to hide his contempt for those who are indifferent to the freedom that his son helps provide and their distruct of the military. This contempt seems to be driven at himself for sharing that view at one time and it amplifies his anger.

This adds passion to the book although if like me you never served you might get the feeling you've let someone else do work that was yours. It's not a good feeling but it is healthy.

Required reading.