Powerful story of a Marine casualty officer, moved to tears by his job.

[madfloridian]

This guy is running for the Florida legislature. He is getting a campaign manager from the state, being endorsed by the UAW, a Dean Dozen. He is in Volusia County, where so many voting problems were. This is a moving post by him to the blog. You do not have to even like Dean to be moved by this young man. He was able to qualify by getting enough signatures, and his opponent was not. Please read this moving post by him.

http://www.blogforamerica.com/archives/004703.html#more

SNIP...."I'll never forget March 25th, 2003. A fellow Marine and I were pulling up to the house of the parents of a young Marine who was missing in Iraq. As the area casualty officers, we had the duty of informing his parents that he was involved in a fierce fire fight and he was nowhere to be found after the dust had settled. I'll never forget the myriad of emotions that ran through my head as I rang the doorbell. The time that elapsed between the ring of the doorbell and the opening of the door seemed to last forever. I was scared. I was nervous. I was sad. But I was focused on the task at hand. No matter how much I wanted to let my emotions show, I knew I had to complete my mission with the utmost professionalism. But Marines aren't trained for this. No one is trained for this. How would I tell this man and woman that I had never met that they're son was missing in action? The father of the Marine answered the door. I'll never forget the expression that immediately appeared on his worn face, his heart sinking to the bottom of his stomach. At this point, I don't even remember anything else. I can only remember sitting on the couch listening to the faint sounds of him crying on the kitchen table. I had the unfortunate pleasure of repeating this task several times during the War on Iraq.

SNIP..."What made my duties as a casualty officer even more unbearable was the fact that I was very skeptical of the reasoning surrounding the War. I didn't feel the evidence was there for an "imminent threat." I didn't feel there was evidence of a serious link between the villains of 9-11 and Hussein. Unfortunately, I had no ability to voice my opinion in the Marines. With the threat of a court martial and/or bad conduct discharge, I could say nothing publicly. Perhaps even more disheartening was watching Washington Democrats lay down for all of this propaganda pushed by the current leadership in Washington However, there was one man, Governor Howard Dean who wasn't afraid to speak out. Gov. Dean stood toe to toe with the Bush administration and never backed down."

He looks so young to be so wise.

[NMDemDist2]

1. where was his counter part when Lila Lipscomb got a PHONE call

about her son?

[madfloridian]

2. Isn't that sad?

This guy seems so nice. We sent him a donation, and got the nicest letter back. He seems so sincere.......I believe a new generation of politicians is now appearing.

At least, I hope so.

[KittyWampus]

15. This Will Be A Fine Crop!

I have complete faith in the younger generation.

Sounds corny, but I am sincere.

[madfloridian]

20. I think our country will learn from this period in history.

I certainly hope so.

[hedda_foil]

3. Wow! What an impressive guy.

The candidates chosen for the Dean Dozen are consistently amazing.

[classof56]

4. Incredibly sad...

I hadn't thought of it from the standpoint of those delivering the awful news that someone's loved one has been lost in this ugly, pointless war. Hope this young man wins a seat in your legislature. Florida needs him!

I'd like to mention that the Governor of my state has shown up at every funeral for our soldiers lost in action, and personally delivers a eulogy for each one. There have of course been far too many, but our Governor, a veteran, is one class act, IMHO.

[Eloriel]

7. And who is your governer? Inquiring minds want to know. n/t

[classof56]

12. Ted Kulongoski

Governor of Oregon, in his first term, a thoughtful, empathetic man with heart and courage. Do I think he does this for political gain? Nope. He gets the coverage because the local media always reports on the funerals. He'd attend and speak even if they didn't. He's a Democrat and I like to call him a Compassionate Liberal. Far rarer than Compassionate Conservatives, I've noticed!

[madfloridian]

13. He sounds like one of the good guys...as opposed our gov in Florida.

The destruction Jeb has done here will only be known long after he is out of office.....hopefully NOT to the office of president.

[mzmolly]

5. Wow, I'd love to see him win! What an awful task to do when you see

this senseless war for what it is.

[madfloridian]

6. It takes courage to stand up like that where he lives.

That area of Florida is not really Democrat friendly.....hopefully it is changing.

[Eloriel]

9. Thanks for another great post, Madfloridian

Brought tears to my eyes, of course.

"Howard Dean spoke for me when I had no voice."

Howard Dean spoke for a LOT of us when our voices were simply NOT being heard -- at all. God, I miss him -- makes it doubly hard reading a wonderful blog entry like that (two reasons for the tears to roll). I'm so glad someone of this young man's calibre was so inspired by Dean he decided to run for office. I'm going to try to skinny up a few bucks for his campaign.

[madfloridian]

10. That is great, Eloriel.

You are right..Dean did speak for so many then. It was a time so many of us felt helpless.

Now I am trying not to feel that way again.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

8. OMFG

Worst. Job. EVER. :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[madfloridian]

11. Forgot to post a link to his website.

http://www.danarasch2004.com/

[newsguyatl]

14. let's help get this guy elected!

[madfloridian]

16. Thanks, Newsguy. We do need more like him.

A new breed of politician is coming along.

[wellstone_democrat]

17. I just donated

(last guy I donated to was Andy Stephenson...hope I'm not unlucky for these guys! Since Andy dropped out of the race I'm wondering...)

[madfloridian]

18. Thanks for donating.

I doubt you bring bad luck. I agree with Dean on this, to let no Republican run unopposed. The goal is not that we have to win, but that we must start running people to get our voices heard.

We try to donate to people in areas we know are conservative, people we feel are standing up for what they believe. I always pick a judge from the Dean Dozen and send a small check. That is a must for us.

This guy just impressed us so much.

[GreenPartyVoter]

19. Thanks for posting this.

[madfloridian]

21. You are welcome. He is so impressive.

Last bump for the night.