RIP PFC Thomas L. Tucker...

"Our son, as far as we're concerned, he has died for the freedom of everybody in the United States," Tucker's father, Wes Tucker, said in an interview on Wednesday. He talked with pride about his son's enthusiasm and devotion to his work, but while he was grieving, he said he also understood that his son was a soldier in a war.
"Our son was there doing a job. The people over there that did this, they are sons and they're doing their job," he said. "I'm not trying to be cold, I love my son dearly, but they're doing their job."
His mother, Margarett Tucker, said the work was important to her son. "That was very important to him, that people look up to him and know that he had done something worthwhile," she said. (1)

Private Tucker said in a voice mail message from Iraq, that his mother saved and released to the public, "Just going on a little vacation and I will be back before you know it." (2)

MIDDLE EASTERN HOLIDAY
As sung by Hard-Fi

I've got to go, but what a prize to give
Package deal to the sun, everything is inclusive
where bullet holes scar the minarets
smoke on the horizon a beautiful sunset

Going on my Middle Eastern holiday
Give me a gun, I hope I see my mum again
Going on my middle eastern holiday
Been gone so long, I hope I'm coming home some day
We can fight, we can fight

I'm 21, meanwhile back at home
My friends are out tonight all drinking and dancing
I've got a girl, is she missing me?
Watching out for me on the news on TV

[CHORUS]

Back at home, politicians sit
Over lunch discussing this
In the desert the fuse is lit, I'm the one who has to deal with it

He's got a gun, bullets meant for me
Time seems to stand still I'm so scared I can't speak
I'm flying home, above everything
I don't understand why is it my mothers crying?

Going on my Middle Eastern holiday
Give me a gun, I hope I see my mum again
Going on my Middle Eastern holiday
Top up the tan, fight for the man going far away
Far away...

SOURCES:
1. http://www.katu.com/news/story.asp?ID=87005

2. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/21/us/21relatives.html?_r=5&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=login

3. http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Middle-Eastern-Holiday-lyrics-Hard-Fi/02EF36730D2B3423482570E00012A9B7

 

A parent must feel that way... must, to block the trauma of such a waste of life.