Mother's Day was started by Julia Ward Howe as a time for mothers to band together protesting their sons being sent off to war. That need is as great today as it was in 1870.
With the unpopularity of the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US Military is going to incredible extremes to engage mothers to encourage their sons and even daughters to enlist. A couple of month's ago, I was going through Boston's South Station -- the main transportation hub of the city. I was totally aghast, disgusted, saddened, that every single billboard in the station, and there were many, was from the US Navy, advertising NavyforMoms.com. The tagline on them all is "You gave them the values. We give them the opportunity."
It makes me angry that mothers are targeted by the Navy, telling them that encouraging their child to join the Navy is a way to give their child an opportunity to live out the values she taught him or her. And it saddens me, I have trouble understanding that that advertising gets the results the Navy is looking for. Why is that? I don’t understand it.
I went to the website and there are over 1,500 registered users on the site. From what I could tell, it is mostly mothers giving each other support, although it is clearly run by the Navy and there is an administrator who plain out tells you your posts can be removed. I tried to find a forum for mothers of children who have died in service to the Navy, and couldn't find such a section.
I'm glad to know that there are other mothers and family members who support each other too. The
Gold Star Families for Peace group has been very instrumental in much of the work to bring these wars to an end. Hearing the stories of these people who are so deeply affected by war, along with the testimonies of military personnel speaking out against the war are a big part of what gives me hope that change can be made.
Their website tells us:
We as families of soldiers who have died as a result of war (primarily, but not limited to the invasion/occupation of Iraq) are organizing to be a positive force in our world to bring our country's sons and daughters home from Iraq, to minimize the "human cost" of this war, and to prevent other families from the pain we are feeling as the result of our losses. We are also hoping to be lifetime support for each other through our losses.
PURPOSE
- To bring an end to the occupation of Iraq.
- To be a support group for Gold Star Families.
WAYS TO ACHIEVE OUR PURPOSE: - Provide support and to empower those who have been victimized by the invasion/occupation of Iraq.
- Raise awareness in the United States about the true human costs of the invasion/occupation of Iraq.
- Reach out to families who have lost a loved one as a result of war.
For Mother's Day, on May 11th this year, I'm going to ask my 2 children to join me in the Common for the weekly vigil that happens there. I don't usually go on Sundays, but this year, that will feel right to me. And I know that my mother, who has been dead for many years, would be pleased that this is what I will do, this is what her grandchildren will do. (She wouldn't be pleased that protesting is still so necessary, but when it is, that's what you do.)
And I will take some comfort in the words of Julia Ward Howe who ended her Mother's Day Proclamation:
In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality,
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.
You can find the entire piece on the
Women's History website, run by the Leader of the Northern Virginia Ethical Society, Jone Johnson Lewis.
You can also take a look at
www.NavyforMoms.com.
What will you be doing for Mother's Day? Are you a mother? Are you visiting your mother, or remembering your mother? We invite you to
share your thoughts with us.
Herbert Herman on May 06 2008 -- In the business I operate, I find many young men between the ages of 17 and 20,applying for work. They are school drop outs with little or no training. Their home-family life is dysfunctional rejects them and offers no support. Drugs, alcohol, what they call, "hanging out" occupies much of their time. They are easy prey for military recruiters particularly since few understand the events in the world. The US is failing the youth. They are easily influenced
