Fifty Plus (50+) - It is hard being a dad sometimes

My son who is 19 and doing his mandatory military service, called today and told us that he has applied for, and is chosen to be part of the Norwegian contingent that serves in Afganistan. He is leaving for Canada for two months of training on tuesday. They will not leave for Afganistan before next summer. He has spoken of this before, and I have made my views clear, that we have no business there and that we do not think it is wise of him to go. However, I am proud of him and will of course support him 100 %. This is his life and he makes his own choises.

I feel the same way. And I'd say teh same to my son.
Here in the US we send young to war an don't take nearly good enough care of them when they return. Here's hoping your son does well, and returns safely.

Lets hope he has a very boring tour, and that he returns safe.

Here in the US we send young to war an don't take nearly good enough care of them when they return. Here's hoping your son does well, and returns safely.

Actually, we don't take very good care of them while they're there, either. As a Vietnam-era vet, I'm appalled at the lack of care given our people in uniform while they're in-country. It was bad in the 60s, but much, much worse now. The DOD and current administration ought to be ashamed of themselves, but I guess that's too much to expect. /rant

I wholeheartedly add my well-wishes for the OP's son and all others who are mired in this impossible "war" (last I checked, Congress hasn't declared it...).

Reported to moderaters, to be moved to the political forum.

I certainly wish him well. I believe there is some purpose for nations to be assisting in Afghanistan. I feel so very sorry for all of the people who have suffered death and injury in Iraq, including the Iraqis, for it is hard to find much purpose there.

Being a father can indeed be very tough at times. I had hoped it would be more carefree once I got into my 50s.

I hope your son has a quiet tour of duty and returns safely.

It is tough being a parent at times. Our middle son is planning to enlist in the U.S. Navy later this spring. I think it will be good for him. I also don't think it's the best time for a military career. But we will support him, as you are supporting your son.

Al

Sooner or later, this reaches us all. My sister's oldest was in the
first tank into Iraq. He's home and raising his family and all is well.
Best wishes and prayers to your son and your family and all those
caught up in this war.

I certainly wish him well. I believe there is some purpose for nations to be assisting in Afghanistan. I feel so very sorry for all of the people who have suffered death and injury in Iraq, including the Iraqis, for it is hard to find much purpose there.

Being a father can indeed be very tough at times. I had hoped it would be more carefree once I got into my 50s.

I agree with Tom. May God bless and protect your son as he does his duty.

I empathize with you. A few months ago, my nephew came back from Iraq where he was a medic with a bomb disposal unit. It was a constant worry. Happily, he is currently up in Alaska. I hope it all goes well for you and your son.

Your Son sounds like some people I know.

Like everyone else, I wish him Godspeed and a safe return. But he hasn't volunteered for a safe trip to a vacation spot.

His decision and commitment demonstrates the highest ideal that any Soldier, past, present, or future can demonstrate; that is, to go with his Brothers into harms' way for the purpose of honorable service.

So be proud and take comfort in the Man you have raised up; that he can take this step proves that he can conceive concepts greater than himself.

In our future we will need such Men.

.

Thank you all for kind words. My purpose of posting this was certainly not political. I was quite upset by the news and posted here because so many of you seem like such decent and good people. Sharing about other stuff than cycling should sometimes be OK.

Reported to moderaters, to be moved to the political forum.

Why do you find it necessary to interfere? This thread is about young adults in the military, and their parents tend to be precisely of our 50+ age group. (I wife and I have two sons, aged 23 and two days shy of 19.)

my best to your son and family,i wish him well and a safe return.

hang in there "dad"... and best of luck to your son.

Why do you find it necessary to interfere? This thread is about young adults in the military, and their parents tend to be precisely of our 50+ age group. (I wife and I have two sons, aged 23 and two days shy of 19.)It's OK - - after the report some of us mods read through it and we all agreed it was more 'parenting' than 'political' and left it be.

My son who is 19 and doing his mandatory military service, called today and told us that he has applied for, and is chosen to be part of the Norwegian contingent that serves in Afganistan. This is his life and he makes his own choises.

Be proud of the fact that you raise a young man who is no longer a boy. It takes alot of nerve and alot of guts to volunteer for military service and I wish him, and all the young men who do so, well. God keep him safe and bring him back home to you as soon as possible. Show him how proud you are and hide all your fear, showing it only to your spouse. Take care.

It's OK - - after the report some of us mods read through it and we all agreed it was more 'parenting' than 'political' and left it be.

That was a well moderated response.:D

Best of luck your son and you. I hope he gets a chance to ride a bike over there.

If we had mandatory military service here in the USA, our troops would be out of the mid-east in about 30 minutes.

joel

If we had mandatory military service here in the USA, our troops would be out of the mid-east in about 30 minutes.

joel

Yathink? Like Vietnam?

It's OK - - after the report some of us mods read through it and we all agreed it was more 'parenting' than 'political' and left it be.

Thank you for flushing that whiney complaint.

Let's not be too hard on TWL. This is a sensitive subject and I can understand someone trying to keep the 50+ forum from getting into a discussion about the Iraq War.

I would be beside myself if one of my children were going over there. I would be proud of their commitment to country. And the odds are much better than in Vietnam, where my brother served. But I lost my father to injuries suffered in the Korean War and day-to-day worrying about a child over there is more than I'd want to deal with right now.

Best of luck to your son. I guess like any parent I go through my week-to-week issues with my two (teenaged) kids -- and this has been a particularly "exciting" week in my house. Posts like this add perspective. I'll give my kids a hug tonight (...well, they don't let me hug them anymore, but you get the idea...).

Let's not be too hard on TWL. This is a sensitive subject and I can understand someone trying to keep the 50+ forum from getting into a discussion about the Iraq War.

True enough, but it does seem odd considering the source. I guess he can dish it but can't take it.

To the OP, I wish your son a safe tour of duty and that he, along with all the other sons and daughters over there, returns safely home.

No complaint with the OP. I just hated to see some turn his expression of parental concern into a tedious Bush-bashing forum. I think all would with the OP's son the best.

But in line with my whiney complaint, it really is irksome to come to the BikeForums for some escapism and have to read unmitigated crap like:

"Actually, we don't take very good care of them while they're there, either. As a Vietnam-era vet, I'm appalled at the lack of care given our people in uniform while they're in-country. It was bad in the 60s, but much, much worse now. The DOD and current administration ought to be ashamed of themselves, but I guess that's too much to expect. /rant

I wholeheartedly add my well-wishes for the OP's son and all others who are mired in this impossible "war" (last I checked, Congress hasn't declared it...). "

I consider that kind of post on a bike forum tasteless and offensive.

They say never make a comment to someone on the internet that you wouldn't say to their face.

If I ever meet Bluesdawg, I will cordially invite him to kiss my ass.

Likewise, I'm sure.

No complaint with the OP. I just hated to see some turn his expression of parental concern into a tedious Bush-bashing forum. I think all would with the OP's son the best.

But in line with my whiney complaint, it really is irksome to come to the BikeForums for some escapism and have to read unmitigated crap like:

"Actually, we don't take very good care of them while they're there, either. As a Vietnam-era vet, I'm appalled at the lack of care given our people in uniform while they're in-country. It was bad in the 60s, but much, much worse now. The DOD and current administration ought to be ashamed of themselves, but I guess that's too much to expect. /rant

I wholeheartedly add my well-wishes for the OP's son and all others who are mired in this impossible "war" (last I checked, Congress hasn't declared it...). "

I consider that kind of post on a bike forum tasteless and offensive.

They say never make a comment to someone on the internet that you wouldn't say to their face.

If I ever meet Bluesdawg, I will cordially invite him to kiss my ass.


outstanding reply and agree with your sentiments.

the Op expressed pride,yet much concern and love as a father, and others have too pipe in thier malcontent innuendos of their political beliefs.

A shame they cannot leave that part aside.

outstanding reply and agree with your sentiments.

the Op expressed pride,yet much concern and love as a father, and others have too pipe in thier malcontent innuendos of their political beliefs.

A shame they cannot leave that part aside.

+ Me.

Perhaps it should have been moved after all.

But it does set the stage for a future ass-kissing smackdown between TWL and BD.

Heh, heh, he said ass.

plodderslusk,
We are all proud for your brave son.

No complaint with the OP. I just hated to see some turn his expression of parental concern into a tedious Bush-bashing forum. I think all would with the OP's son the best.

But in line with my whiney complaint, it really is irksome to come to the BikeForums for some escapism and have to read unmitigated crap like:

"Actually, we don't take very good care of them while they're there, either. As a Vietnam-era vet, I'm appalled at the lack of care given our people in uniform while they're in-country. It was bad in the 60s, but much, much worse now. The DOD and current administration ought to be ashamed of themselves, but I guess that's too much to expect. /rant

I wholeheartedly add my well-wishes for the OP's son and all others who are mired in this impossible "war" (last I checked, Congress hasn't declared it...). "

I consider that kind of post on a bike forum tasteless and offensive.

They say never make a comment to someone on the internet that you wouldn't say to their face.

If I ever meet Bluesdawg, I will cordially invite him to kiss my ass.

Perhaps I'm missing something here (Lovey does not call me Mr. Oblivious for nothing) but it seems to me you are inviting the wrong person to kiss your ass when you make your acquaintance.

Heh, heh, he said ass.

:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:When I consider your signature, I kinda get the feeling you're going commando.

:roflmao::roflmao::roflmao:When I consider your signature, I kinda get the feeling you're going commando.
Well, things have been going right lately.

We should have a Naked Day on 50+. No one is allowed to post if they are wearing clothes.

We should have a Naked Day on 50+. No one is allowed to post if they are wearing clothes.

For some of us every day is Naked Day.
:eek:

Suddenly Houseboy is starting to look pretty good.

Be proud of the fact that you raise a young man who is no longer a boy. It takes alot of nerve and alot of guts to volunteer for military service and I wish him, and all the young men who do so, well. God keep him safe and bring him back home to you as soon as possible. Show him how proud you are and hide all your fear, showing it only to your spouse. Take care.

This expresses better what I wanted to say. Love him, and as I'm sure you will, show your pride

And I'm very disappointed at some of the comments here. It used to be kind. Bye

Be proud of the fact that you raise a young man who is no longer a boy. It takes alot of nerve and alot of guts to volunteer for military service and I wish him, and all the young men who do so, well. God keep him safe and bring him back home to you as soon as possible. Show him how proud you are and hide all your fear, showing it only to your spouse. Take care.

Could not have possibly said it better.
Good luck to all of your family.

As a retired U.S. Air Force MSgt, I wish him God speed and safe return. My eldest did a stint in the USMC, against my better wishes I might add, but I fully supported his decision...hey, you raise them up and then it's time to let them go!

Let him know that some of us old retired farts would go in his and other's places if "they" would let us. I'm not a war monger, and NOT really pleased with what's going on in Iraq and Afghanistan, but I'll support the young'uns on the pointy end of the stick to my last breath.