When I was 7 years old on a snowy, icy morning I held my mom's hand

[gopiscrap]

as we walked to my fathers new gravesite 3 days before Christmas. I sat there staring at my 38 year old father's flag draped coffin. I cried as I heard taps being played, trembled when the rifles sent out their volleys, and gasped in anguished grief as they lowered my father into the cold earth never to be seen again. It is a searing memory and one that is indelible in a child's mind even as he grows to adulthood.

Why did this happen, my father was shot in Vietnam and and died when he came stateside. He was one of those 58,000 US military victims.

But the one good thing was that his country and president honored him. They accorded him the respect he deserved and affirmed and grieved with his survivors.

I find it completely morally reprehensible and an affront to those families that must go through what I went through, but with the callousness of our leader (and mourner in chief) and his sycophant followers. Never had we had a president who is so unfeeling, so callous and so ignorant of what is required to be a leader. This soulless son of a bitch has no clue what it means to sacrifice, to empathise with another's grief. He will never apologize, he will never recognize their pain. A good start would be to lower the flag at a minimum.

I apologize (on behalf of trump) to those families who are feeling the beginning of this life long grief. This president will never apologize My heart is with you. I can identify with the road you are taking.

And to this administration: Shame on you, not only are you uncaring in a time of this immoral war, but you make the pain of the families who paid the ultimate price harder and with deeper scars!

[SheltieLover]

1. Deepest condolences on your loss

And for all who have lost loved ones in military service.

[3catwoman3]

2. What an agonizingly vivid picture you paint with your words.

The callous insouciance of TSF is beyond infuriating.

I'm so sorry your dad was taken from you so early.

[redwitch]

3. Heartbreaking to read this.

I’m crying for the small child you were when you lost your dad, I can’t imagine the grief. Bless you.

[PatSeg]

4. And there are those who will never comprehend

your grief or the grief of your mother, certainly no one in this administration. On the other hand, Biden frequently got visibly moved whenever he spoke of our fallen soldiers. His empathy was sincere and heartfelt.

Such a painful memory for one so young.

[sheshe2]

5. This is a powerful message, gopiscrap.

Thank you for your post and condolences many years after the fact to you and your family.

[PufPuf23]

6. So sorry for lives lost and other war destruction.

Warmongers are a blight on our species.

Thank you gopiscrap.

Sad you lost your father so young.

[democrank]

7. I'm so sorry for your loss and pain, gopiscrap.

We’re here for you.

[MustLoveBeagles]

8. I'm so sorry you went through that

I want to give the little boy you were a hug but I'll give you a virtual one now 🤗. It doesn't matter that we don't support the current war. These fallen soldiers still deserve dignity and respect. Unfortunately we have a so called leader that is incapable of living up to the moment. His reelection is going to be viewed by history as the single biggest mistake American voters have ever made.

[greatauntoftriplets]

9. I'm so sorry for your loss, and at such a young age.

[fujiyamasan]

10. They don't care

They just don’t give a shit.

To them and especially the pedo at the top, those dying are “suckers and losers”.

[eppur_se_muova]

11. Well, some around Trmp will acknowledge it's "bad optics" -- Trmp himself will never, ever care.

Remember -- this is the "suckers and losers" President.

[Grim Chieftain]

12. Our service members who lost their lives for this country were once honored and revered

as well they should be. As the saying goes, "they gave the last full measure..." I honor them and will do so all my life.

Now, under this evil despot, they are merely chattel.

My heart breaks for you, gopiscrap. I hope someday soon we can again be a nation of which your dad would be proud.

o

[Vinca]

13. What a moving post. My mother died of cancer when I was 8 and it's something that never, ever leaves you.

I'm 77 and I still remember what she looked like in the coffin at the funeral home. What the survivors of the Iran casualties will endure because of the cruelty and incompetence of this administration is immeasurable.

[gopiscrap]

20. my heart is with you

my mom died of cancer when I was 14, so I have an inkling of what you went through!!! Peace Mike

[Vinca]

32. OMG - you poor thing. I'm so sorry you had so much tragedy so young.

[Hope22]

14. My heart is with you.

Be easy with yourself. 💗🙏🏼

[KT2000]

15. This is a reminder

for ALL politicians including our own senators about the cost of war to the families. Please send this to Murray and Cantwell and your rep. They need to read this into the record. What you said was more than words on a page, it was the stab in the heart they need to feel as they go forward in dealing with this monster.
I am sorry for your loss. I can't imagine the work it took for you and your mother to go on.

[gopiscrap]

24. Do you really think I should this to them

what I write about happened many years ago

[KT2000]

33. Yes!

This war is being played as an abstraction for the American people. They need to wake up and your message would help. I would hope our Democratic politicians would respond. They need to be reminded of the cost of war and make that a big part of the discussion.

[ananda]

16. This reminds me of my dad's funeral.

The Navy came out in their dress whites
and did a gun salute ceremony.

I cried buckets. I had just learned that
he had gotten the Distinguished Flying
Cross for his role in the Battle of Leyte
Gulf.

He never really liked talking about the
war, and none of us kids knew about
the cross.

I did manage to get him to talk about
it more late in his life, and the stories
were just amazing.

I hate to think of the pass we've come
to now with krazy Republikans leading
us to "Armageddon" in the craziest,
stupidest way possible.

[gopiscrap]

17. my heart is with you

[ananda]

18. And mine with you.

[Alice Kramden]

19. Thank you for this important post, so well expressed

Condolences for your loss

[BattleRow]

21. Taps is the most heart wrenching composition imaginable,IMHO.

The inherent sorrow and sense of loss reverberates in every note.

[wendyb-NC]

22. I'm so sorry for the loss of your father

For a 7-year-old that is so sad and heavy. It is a shock to any aged person to have this happen, there is a hole in your heart forever.
The very idea that the leader of this country is starting a war for no clear reason is revolting.

The current administration has a collective trait of being hollow, like big empty barrels: its unabashed soulless nature, devoid of a heart, with no sense of kindness, compassion, and empathy, it's loud like those empty barrels rolling, clattering and bounding down a steep grade to pile up at the bottom, a silent pile of degradation. They are shameful.

[malaise]

23. Too sad

[GiqueCee]

25. Amen.

[TBF]

26. I am so sorry -

for your loss, especially trying to make sense of it all at that age. My dad was 17 when he enlisted (1963) - he was injured but he came home to us. I was a baby at that time; my mom had to send a telegram to a naval destroyer to let him know when I was born. I had uncles who served as well. One that comes to mind was an MP over there, and upon return to the states he buried those memories in alcoholism. He died living under a bridge, many years ago.

Trump, the draft dodger, will never understand what military families go through.

[hamsterjill]

27. This is a very special post. Thank you.

For those of us who remember the Viet Nam War, this brings back sad memories. I lived in a small town and I can remember the sheer dread when someone was "called up", and I remember those who made it home and those who did not.

I am sorry for the loss of your father.

You are absolutely right in that the sacrifices were honored. At least. At a minimum. And were deserving of so much more.

Trump is sheer evil in my opinion. Not only do I think he is immune to the pain that he sees others suffering; I think he enjoys it.

The sonofabitch is going to get his due one of these days. I have to believe that.

[HeartsCanHope]

28. I am so sorry for your loss.

I thank your father for his service, and your family for the sacrifices you have made for this country.

Trump is evil incarnate. I hate this man with every fiber of my being!

[Clouds Passing]

29. Your father

[mountain grammy]

30. Beautiful post.

I was there too at 10. You described it perfectly

[calimary]

31. Many of us will gladly give you the sincerity you still deserve, gopiscrap.

And the care and compassion and respect you ALSO still deserve. And hugs.

(((((((( * ))))))))

[Mme. Defarge]

34. Here's the reaction to your post

from a very good friend whose judgment I respect - “it should be (should have been) sent to the NYT with a name and city so no one can say that it's "fake". . .

It's the sort of thing that can galvanize widespread outrage by clearly articulating what everyone is feeling now.

Trump, Hegseth et al. are despicable fools and scoundrels. They should feel our anger.”

[gopiscrap]

35. will do that

thank for the affirmation

[Mme. Defarge]

37. I hope you'll let us know

how it goes.

[yellow dahlia]

36. Thank you for sharing your story.

This regime knows nothing of honor.

I cry for the seven year old you, and for the families of those who were needlessly lost this week, and through many other wars.

[EuterpeThelo]

38. And now I'm ugly crying

I'm so, so sorry for what you were forced to go through, gopiscrap. And then to see later on in the thread that your mom wasn't far behind...just heartbreaking.

Thank you for baring your soul with this post. Your words carry so much power, imagery and pain.

I wish you never had to endure all this and I wish nobody else did either.

[spanone]

39. K&R

[Mme. Defarge]

40. I hope you're watching/watched Lawrence.

[blue-wave]

41. Wow! I too was 7 years old when

my uncle was killed in Vietnam. Your description of the volleys made me momentarily shiver through my memory of the same. I remember my grandmother being held up under her arms by my father and his surviving brother as she collapsed when presented with the flag, the symbol of my uncle's service and sacrifice. Even now, when I visit their graves, I still remember those volleys.

And yes, shame to those who know not even a sliver of decency and empathy.

[AverageOldGuy]

42. Thank you. God bless and comfort you.

No one should ever go through what you went through.

[AllaN01Bear]

43. ""