I will be honoring Military Families, the fallen and the injured, active duty and veterans, during May. Many of you know of someone who has served, is serving or has suffered a loss.
This is a subject near to my heart, as our 20-year-old grandson, Army PFC Gregory Tilton, was a casualty of war on Thanksgiving Day 2009. He was a boy soldier. This month-long focus is my way of honoring and remembering Greg’s loving and gentle spirit. The soldiers are heroes, but so are those who send their loved ones to war — the parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends. They are the heroes left behind to explain to children why a parent has been deployed, who cringe when they watch the evening news, or pray they will never receive a dreaded knock-on-the-door. They wait for phone calls, write letters and e-mails, lovingly pack care packages, support veterans in their area, advocate for groups that support our troops, and find comfort in military support groups as they wait for their loved ones to return safely from war.
Join me on May 7, as I launch the month with an interview with NYT bestselling author, Kristin Hannah. She has written a new book, Home Front, a compelling and realistic portrayal of a wife and mother who is deployed to a dangerous war zone. The book is being made into a movie. There will be a book giveaway of Home Front next week.
Throughout May, I will share books to help children cope with long deployments and grief. There will be inspiring stories about homecomings with families, and helpful books for families who have suffered a great loss and are dealing with grief, disbelief and anger. Each post will be very different as I want to include resources and information for returning soldiers, veterans and their families about wonderful support organizations, special grief camps, and deployment camps for military kids. The material I present will not be political, but will focus on the humanitarian issues of war.
Children's Books Heal 
What a lovely theme, Pat. Very timely as well. These stories need to be told and people need to hear them. My heart broke a little when I read about your grandson, he looked so handsome. What a beautiful way to honor his memory.
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Thank you Myra. I hope you visit. I’m especially excited to share Kristin Hannah’s interview and what she learned while researchig her new novel. I look forward to the month!
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What a lovely introduction, Pat, to all you are going to bring us this month. I know that Greg will be honored with the healing books and resources you will introduce us to.
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Thank you Joanna. I have a lot to share through Memorial Day. I mentioned our grandson Greg, to show that I understand what families have to deal with. It’s important that we take care of those who serve and their families, and provide help when needed.
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I agree with Myra. The humanity in war must always be kept in perspective. I welcome reading these stories, as this is the stuff that makes the world go round…not the politics.
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Niamh, I couldn’t agree. I’m focusing on the humanitarian issues of war. I reviewed a book “Purple Heart” by Patricia McCormick last fall. And, she focused on the humanity of loss and suffering for both soldiers and the civilians who live in the midst of a war zone.
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I think I expressed myself badly. What I meant was it is so important to stay a Humanitarian even in the midst of war. Must have been too early when I replied. I have worked in war zones in Africa as a Humanitarian Practitioner (doing trauma debriefing). It is the greatest thing to keep Humanity present in the midst of loss and despair. Sorry for the miscommunication.
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Really like your comment. You have done important humanitarian work and know first hand. Thank you so much for sharing.
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So sorry to hear about your grandson, Pat. What a great theme for May and a wonderful way to honor him. We were lucky. My step-son was in the Marines from 2001-2005, but although we got the call that he might be deployed a couple times, he never actually was. He did his part from the home front. I’m really looking forward to your interview with Kristin, and I’m thrilled that you’re going to be posting books that help kids with these topics. I haven’t read Home Front yet (maybe I’ll win it :)) but fully intend to – as you know, I love Kristin’s books.
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Susanna, I’m glad that your step-son remained home front. You will like the interview with Kristin is very good, especially as an author. You’ll appreciate all the research she did and how it impacted her. The book is an excellent read.
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Thank you Patricia, we will post on our facebook page a link to your site for the parents to be aware of the books you will be sharing. My heart feels grief for your loss of a beautiful young man, I’m sure he would be honored by your theme this month. As the mother of a soldier now on the battlefield, thank you again.
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Kathleen, thank you for posting my link on your FB link. My goal is to reach families who could benefit from the information. There may be a couple of Friday interviews that won’t be related to the subject. Nice communicating with you.
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What a beautiful idea! We need te know the sacrifices being made by our soldiers so that we can appreciate the freedom that we have.
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Jennie, I’m glad you like the theme. I am excited to share books that might touch the lives of others.
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My heart breaks for you. I’m so sorry for your loss. He was incredibly handsome too. I hate the war mongers in our society.
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Michael, I love you honesty. It’s refreshing.
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So sorry for your loss; we lost a soldier, too, Ray Joseph Hutchinson of the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagles. We promised his family we would NEVER forget! We’re collecting items this week and writing letters – if you have a special someone who’s overseas and want to send me his/her address today or tomorrow, we’d be happy to adopt him or her!! It’s a Pamper Our Troops for Mother’s Day/Father’s Day campaign and we’ll have plenty to go around! I’m eager to read all about your resources!
Barbara
gruenergang (at) sbcglobal.net
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Barbara, I’m sorry for your loss. I love what your doing to support and adopt soldiers serving. Thank you for leaving your contact information. I hope the information reaches the right people. Thank you for visiting.
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Thank you for sharing your journey, for helping us all remember the millions of people who have been touched by the last decade of wars, and empowering us to support those who need our help. And, I’ll share a fervent prayer that echoes Julia Ward Howe’s 1870 ‘Mother’s Day’ proclamation, that we build a world where peace and love triumph.
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Craig, I always appreciate your thoughtful comments. I just read Julia Ward Howe’s 1870 “Mother Day” proclamation the other day. I never realized the origins of Mother’s Day.
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What a moving tribute to Greg — and it sounds as though the entire month will be moving, and helpful for so many people.
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Beth, thank you. I hope the books and programs I share, will give those searching a direction to find support and hope.
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I’m sorry for your personal connection to this topic and look forward to your posts.
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Thank you Stacy. As you know, it is a life experience that challenges you and hopefully helps you grow and become more compassionate of others. Thank you for posting on FB. I appreciate your support.
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I am sorry about your grandson. This is a great way to honor him and other soldiers who died in a war. I will see every post about this topic.
Erik
P.S. I heard that today is your birthday! Happy Birthday! 🙂
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Erik, glad you want to follow. It is a nice way to keep his memory alive by helping others through difficult times. Thank you for the birthday wishes!
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Oh this is a lovely tribute to honor your grandson’s memory. I can see that loving and gentle spirit in his photo. I look forward to reading your posts in this tribute.
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Coleen, thank you. You will enjoy the interview with Kristin Hannah next week, when I launch the month. My goal is to make information available to those who are searching. By the way, when you clicked on “like” today, you were my 200th like. Thanks.
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Oh my! Just read this Pat. I teared up reading about Greg, he looks so handsome. What a beautiful tribute you are making. Will keep watch over your May posts.
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Thank you Diane. Wanted to do something brief to let people know what I’m doing for Military Families in May. Make sure you check out the intervew with Kristin on Monday. You’ll love it for many reasons.
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Will do!
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Great!
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Pat, I was just going through your blog so I could link for Memorial Day. I am SO sorry about your grandson. My grandfather, father and husband all served, and we’ve lost friends and family. It’s never easy. But I am so thankful you were able to take that tragic event and produce posts that are so helpful for other families who are struggling. I’m thinking of you this Memorial Day.
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Kirsten , I appreciate your kind words. I just wanted to make people aware of services available, because so many people do know military families. You have an understanding since you come from a military family. You understand loss, separation and the difficulties. I worked for the USAF as a civilian. One big family.
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