[KathyM]

I just watched a grieving mother speak of her son, who was killed in action two years ago in Iraq. She said "To the world, he's #95 of 4000 - to me, he's my beloved son." His name is Caleb, and he's from Knoxville, Illinois - a young man who just wanted to be a fireman.

She talked of his first day of kindergarten and watching him walk out the door with his little backpack on - how she didn't want to let go of his hand.

She talked of watching him go off to war with his backpack on. He turned to her and said "I'll be okay Mom." Television coverage showed him fighting for his life and begging the docs to keep him alive - doctors promising him they would do so.

When asked how she's doing now, her eyes welled up with tears and said "It has taken away my dreams."

She asked for us to remember Caleb, #95 - along with the other "numbers." They all have names and dreams too.

We're all in this together - too many are forgetting. Seems the least we can do is remember them - and pray for them.

I would appreciate it if you would all say a prayer for Caleb and his family, along with the rest of the "dreams" who have been lost to this war.

This is NOT a political post. As a teenager, I grieved horribly alone in my room for all those 58,000 soldiers in Viet Nam. I wore a POW bracelet for a couple of years and prayed hard every day for that man to stay alive. I named my son after that man. My son will be going on deployment in May. Fortunately, his orders have been changed - he'll be going to the South Pacific instead of the Middle East. Still, I realize this carries no guarantees my son will return to me. He's my dream too - don't want him to become a number.

The last five years have been overwhelming for me. It helps to know I have others helping me pray for these men and women overseas.

Thank you.