Hi, i am the Mother of a fallen Marine LcPl John J. Mattek Jr. 6-13-05. The unfortunate part of war is there are many more opionion’s then there are solution’s. I have alway’s felt, if we, as a Country are at war, we can not begin to accomplish anything if we are at war with ourselves. Which is exactly what is going on with our Country. This time there is more time spent on who is going to be next to run this Country then there is on what is going on in this world. We can’t have a war abroad and have one here as well. Easy to say.But if only our parties could work together to achive a solution perhap’s then we could find some peace.

Your title “Take Pride” is just what we need to do. Take Pride in our Country and all that we have lost and stand to still loss. We are not at war because there is nothing better to do, and to believe so and fight against all of this is only allowing our loved ones to have died invain.

Our son believed in what he did. He spent 4 year’s in college and was a member of his college football team. After 9/11, and then the war, he felt he needed to do something to keep his country safe and free. So he joined the Marines. He did what he believed in. Something we all should do regardless whether it be a war or just a dream. Do what you believe in. We have lost 4000 to date in five year’s. We want to judge this war by saying we shouldn’t be there. Very sad as I hope to never see or live another 9/11. Thanks to my son and 3999 other’s hopfully that will never happen.

Thank You,
Marsha Mattek (Proud Mother of LcPl John Mattek Jr. USMC 6-13-05 “Our Johnny”) God Bless America