There's an interesting blog on GOP Insight this morning, taking to task the Gold Star Mothers organization for refusing to honor the application of a mother whose son died in Afghanistan, but who is not an American citizen. The mother isn't a citizen, that is. It seems she has lived here for 20 or so years and has not chosen citizenship.
The author of the blog is highly critical of the Gold Star Mothers group for rejecting her application. I'm not sure that I agree with the blog writer.
I'm a blue star mother who is thankful every day that the star in my window is blue rather than gold. I'm doubly thankful that I'll be able to take the star down soon when my son retires after long service in the Air Force.
I agree that the soldier who died, Army Staff Sgt. Anthony Lagman, deserves the highest honor, love and respect of his countrymen. I agree with the writer of the blog who wrote, "It does not matter where these men and women come from, their background, their age, their nationality, race, religion, etc. They sacrifice life for their countrymen to ensure that the freedoms we enjoy are preserved, even if they will not get to enjoy the fruits of their labor any longer."
I also agree with Ann Herd, president of Gold Star Mothers, who "said that the organization cannot go changing its rules "every time we turn around." The organization would have accepted Mrs. Lagman if she had accepted the United States and was a citizen.
Who knows what Mrs. lagman's relationship with her son was. We don't know. But we can assume that she didn't value the country much because she never took the time to become a citizen. That's something that isn't that hard to do: you take a few classes to learn something of the history of the country, its values and its society. You learn how the government works and how you can participate. You don't even have to learn the English language -- but you have to take the time and make the effort and then you have to pledge your allegiance to America.
Ms. Lagman didn't think that was important. Possibly she was angry with her son when he went to war; possibly she didn't support him at all. Maybe she did -- but since she has shown no personal allegiance to the country and since her son may very well have served against her wishes, I support the decision of Gold Star Mothers not to accept her application. I'm sure they would reconsider if she decided to become a citizen.
Gold Star Mothers doesn't honor the son; it honors the mother.
2 comments:
With regard to the NewsMax article concerning our organization,
the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., deeply regret the misunderstanding
about Senator Hillary Clinton. The two mothers who visited Washington
did not have an appointment with the Senator and she was not in her office
on that day. We would appreciate it if the e-mails and negative comments
about Senator Clinton would cease
That's why I didn't publish that report about the mothers and Sen. Clinton. It wasn't true. You just can't trust the mainstream media.
Post a Comment