a question for those who have been through basic training

[powellrj]

I have a question that I really need an answer for. My ds has 3 weeks of basic left, and from the letters we are getting from him he seems to be doing well. He is looking at the bright side and always seems to be in a good mood. I write him every day and send him a copy of the front page of a local paper. Here is the question. Yesterday a friend of his from high school was killed in a car accident. I have always tried to keep his letters very up beat and I have always sent him the headlines, so now what do I do? Do I send the paper and let him know his friend has died, do I tell him and then send the headlines or do I not mention it and send a different newspaper headlines. I want to keep thing up beat for him because thats what we were told to do, I would hate for his friends death to be the thing that upsets him at basic, ahhh I have given this a lot of thought and just can't find the answer. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[SplshMtn99]

Wow --- that's tough one.

One thing I know from DH's 21 yrs + in the military.....is that he is never around when things happen. (weddings, birthdays, illnesses, deaths, parties........)

Military people know that life goes on with them home or not. (OK - bad choice of words, but you know what I mean.) He will need to learn that. I guess I wouldn't keep it from him. I would tell him by phone if you can, then send him the newspaper. My DH missed his brothers wedding....yes....he wishes he could have been there....but there is nothing he can do about it.

Remind your son that he is training so we can all live our lifes freely...and we will all die at some time. His being away won't change any of that.

Thank him for us.
Good luck in your decision.