18 replies to this topic

[tdtexas]

This is a great story that just happen today concerning my daughter's husband. The news just came today.


Background on the story before the outstanding news just announced:


Kaeli’s (my daughter) in-laws meet President George Bush about a month ago at Fort Hood. He met with the families who lost children in the Iraq issue from Fort Hood (another son Joshia was killed in Oct 2004). Upon his greeting, Robert Vandertulip (Kaeli’s father-in-law) said something about his other son, Craig (Kaeli’s husband), going to Iraq this upcoming August. George Bush turned to his aid and said “Can we do this?� Mr. Vandertulip replied “Well, your are the boss, you tell me!�. They then took down Craig’s information.



Now the good news --- Because of this Craig will not be going to Iraq and will be moving back to Dallas for the next year working as an Army recruiter until his gig is up in July 2006! George Bush did something really good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The downside is that Kaeli was driving down to Austin to start her new job on Monday when the news broke. She took this job so she can get his career going while he was supposed to be in Iraq. So they will still be separated for another year, but at least Craig’s deployment is only three hours away! When completed, they will be able to get thier life started in Austin as planned at least. Much better option than what they were looking at.

[Walter]

That is great news for you family! I'm happy for you.

[WreckWench]

Wonderful news! Thanks for sharing it!

[steelemagnolia6]

A three hour drive is a lot better than the sleepless nights with a loved one serving overseas....

good Luck to the kids!!!!

[Cold_H2O]

Great news. Thanks for sharing. Its nice to see Mr. Bush use his power for good.

[RICHinNC]

Ive been waiting for the 'sole surviving son" clause to come out. It all started back in WWII when 5 or 6 brothers were all on the same ship and it got sunk. They all perished. Now family members in the service are not SUPPOSED to be in the same unit with the possibility of both being killed at the same time.

There was a while during Nam that if you were the only son in the family and the only means of the family line continuing.....you were exempt.

This is the first I have heard this occuring.

rich

[WillDiveForBeer]

There was a while during Nam that if you were the only son in the family and the only means of the family line continuing.....you were exempt.

That is not entirely true, some of it is an Urban Legand and you can read about it on the Fortunate Son Snopes Page. You were exempt if a family member had perished in the military service.

Glad to hear the good news.

-Mike-

[RICHinNC]

Ergo the term....sole surviving son......

gotta love any time you can use ...ergo.....
rich

[Geek]

Pre-WWII it used to be very common for brothers to request the same assignments and be deployed together, e.g. sailors on the same ship. If you visit the Arizona Memorial you will see several examples of this by reading the names of those who died on the Arizona.

For any who have not visited the Arizona, I highly recommend it. The Memorial is very moving.

Again best wishes to all who are serving in our armed forces, where ever they are deployed.

[BradfordNC]

Ive been waiting for the 'sole surviving son" clause to come out. It all started back in WWII when 5 or 6 brothers were all on the same ship and it got sunk. They all perished. Now family members in the service are not SUPPOSED to be in the same unit with the possibility of both being killed at the same time.

There was a while during Nam that if you were the only son in the family and the only means of the family line continuing.....you were exempt.

This is the first I have heard this occuring.

rich

it was the Sullivan brothers, all 5 perished when their ship was sunk in the pacific.

the military will not intentionaly assign family members to the same unit. however, they can request it.

we actually had 2 sets of twin brothers in my unit, just in different platoons. but they stayed in the company for combat and invaded Panama and Iraq.



the "sole surviving son" clause is used more than you think

when the alert for Iraq came down, we had a person use it to get out.

[steelemagnolia6]

The sole surviving son clause has been around for longer than most people think. I'd have to consult my Dad to be sure but I think it pre-dates WWII.

It's great that George did something, but it wasn't something that the family or the soldier in question couldn't have done theirselves, all you have to do is contact the correct channels.

But for what it's worth the guy is home and is doing recruiting duty and is still serving proudly!!!! I'm an Army brat so I think that anyone so I support any man or woman that serves this country 100% no questions asked....

[drbill]

...There was a while during Nam that if you were the only son in the family and the only means of the family line continuing.....you were exempt.

NOW you tell me!

Glad that this family will not have to suffer any more anxiety than they already have. Hope the rest of the men and women serving in Iraq and other hot spots return home safely.

Dr. Bill

[dustbowl diver]

Hey TD,

You know where I stand and where I am coming from on this!!

Glad to hear things are looking up!!

DBD

[rkohler1]

Mike,

Thanks for the link to Snopes, that was an interesting article. Being a career guy myself I just never thought about it, but it makes sense. I knew 'Saving Private Ryan' was based on something actual story, but never took the time to find out more about it.

[intotheblue]

Its nice to see Mr. Bush use his power for good.

Er... with all due respect... it's President Bush. We will too soon lose respect for the leader of the greatest country in the world if we don't give the proper respect/title to the holder of that office, even though many disagree with any president or his policies. Just as it was President Clinton, it is now President Bush... in spite of the network news anchors' statements.

Certainly, it is admirable that the brother was not seeking such a deferment from duty in Iraq, and that officials in Government were sensitive to the situation for the family and did not deploy him there.

Kudos, President Bush!

Oh, and for all the other countries represented on SD... you have your own "the greatest country in the world"... and you should respect your respective "office" as well, even if you don't always agree with the office holder. Ok?

ITB...