Mom and Son to serve in Iraq together
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I have a new hero.
Nothing is going to discourage National Guard Private Timothy Strand, 18, from going to Iraq. While he is a hero, he’s not the one I is was just talking about. He enlisted so could keep an eye on his mother, Jane Strand, 48, a sergeant in the Guard. Mother and son, both part of the 449th Theater Aviation Brigade, will leave North Carolina together in a few weeks to deploy to the Gulf.
Contrary to popular belief, there is no “Sullivan Act” forbidding family members from serving in the same unit in the military. And, there has never been a Presidential executive order on the subject, either. Of course, the practice is discouraged by the various branches of the service to prevent more tragedies like the that of Sullivan Brothers (all five were killed when their ship sank in WWII).
Timothy is the youngest of Jane Strand’s six children. Mom joined the Marines when she was just 17 and stayed for 11 years, leaving to raise her children. Her husband also served in the Marines, and when he retired, she re-enlisted as a Guardsman.
As a mom, I would be proud to have a boy that respected my decisions so much he would follow them. I would be proud to have such a relationship with him that he wants to continue to please me when he is a man. And I would be proud to have raised a son that fights for his mother—and his country.
It must be nerve-racking for Dad and the five siblings waiting at home. But I have to believe they all support the decision of these two soldiers. My own son thinks he might like to join the Marines as an officer some day. He’s a long way off from making any such decisions for real yet—tomorrow he may want to be an astronaut—but it’s still a scary thought. So my hat’s off to you, Strand family, for your selfless service.
When questioned by her local newspaper about both her decision and her son’s, Jane Strand said, “Nothing is guaranteed in this life or the next, and you have to be ready for whatever is in your path.”
My thoughts, exactly.
strand says...
I am VERY proud of my son and honored that he is willing to stand beside me as we defend the liberty and freedom of this great nation. I believe that parenting is a LIFElong job, and does not end when our children move out of the house. PARENTS are the most important people in their children’s lives and MUST continue to set the example, mentor, guide, lead and motivate OUR children. Thank you for highlighting Tim’s commitment to family on this site!