By Linda Ferrara
Re “A Time to be Strong” and “For My Son, Thank You”
Hi Ari,
You and your wife have been in my thoughts, and I wanted you to know that.
I sometimes found that hearing from a stranger brought an extra level of comfort because it wasn't as expected as love and concern from family and friends. I think that is why your posting about (my son) Matt impacted me so much. Anyway, miracles aside, I am sure you and Diane have your hands full each day.
All I can do is send my best wishes.
Our trip to the White House was amazing on many different levels — to share such an occasion with other families, and the soldiers who were on that long, dangerous deployment together, brought discovery of a new level of empathy.
We appreciated the time and
honor bestowed upon us by a private meeting with both the President, and Gen. Dempsey.
My only disappointment came later when the President was shown meeting with the parents of our “missing soldier.” Hundreds of badly wounded soldiers are much more deserving of attention than the parents of a soldier whose motives are highly suspect. That is just my opinion.
Maybe you can google “Mike's Hiking for Heroes” or check it out on Facebook. This young man is walking from Washington state to Philadelphia (arriving in time for the Army-Navy football game on Dec. 13), dedicating each kilometer to a fallen soldier. He has been walking 46 days so far. He will be in Torrance around June 26, and he will spend a night here with us.
Each day they write the names of those he is walking for onto a flag carried by Mike. They have filled four flags with names so far.
Mike is a West Point graduate, was captain of the football team there, and also one of four regimental commanders in his senior year — in charge of 1,000 cadets — a big job.
I know because my son, Andy, also did that job his senior year, and was captain of the track team at the same time. So he has a lot of good training for such a mission.
Maybe you would like to mention his walk in your newspaper
That's it. Back to more mundane duties. Again best wishes.
Ms. Ferrara, who lost her son Matt seven years ago in Afghanistan, may be contacted at lindaferrara@aol.com
