John Byrne

Marsha Walker’s son survived a suicide bomb in Iraq.

Her daughter spent a year in Kuwait last year, and her father is a former Marine reservist. She’s part of a military family; she and her sister went into criminal justice because their father dissuaded them from a military career. Marsha is a Blue Star mother, meaning a mother whose son is serving overseas.

So it came as a bit of a surprise when an email exchange with her local Blue Star chapter concluded with an expletive: “fuckoff.”

The Ohio mom had contacted her local chapter after coming across their website earlier this month. It’s a plain, bright page, one that doesn’t stand out at first glance.

But there was something that caught her eye: an animated montage of planes hitting the World Trade Center and the resulting aftermath. In one image, a man in a bloodstained shirt teeters on the verge of collapse, in another, a panicked crowd looks on in horror. None of the photographs reference current U.S. military operations in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Beneath the graphic is a live clock: “War was declared on the United States of America, 1,414 days, 15 hours, 49 minutes and 12 seconds ago,” referring to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

“They’re trying to make a connection between Iraq and 9/11,” she asserts. “I guess that’s supposed to make parents feel better in some way but only the uninformed ones–because if you’re informed, it infuriates you.”

After seeing the site, which was taken down after an inquiry by RAW STORY, she dispatched an email.

Hello. I am a blue star mom of two reservist soldiers. My 20-year-old-son is “Soldier of the Month” and has been awarded the Purple Heart. He is a reservist with the Ohio National Guard.

“I am not a “Spartan mother” and I feel no need to sacrifice my children’s lives for this war. People willing to give their children’s lives for the war in Iraq are grossly misinformed, and I question their love for their children and their country...

“I do not see any reference to groups that many blue and gold star families may not be aware of. I realize you are not a political organization, but I am not going to stand by idle, wearing a pin, while my son’s life and other soldier’s lives continue to be misused for a cause that is not reality based. 911 had NOTHING to do with Iraq or Saddam-your website, much like this President’s talking points do not balance with the truth of this situation. Please give your members something besides more hand wringing and a pin to wear.”

“...Military personnel have sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution, not an allegiance to this President-whose own mother, of course, did not have to endure being a “blue star” mom for a similar senseless war. This war is illegal, goes against the Constitution….a person of my background does NOT make these accusations lightly.”

Marsha says she felt an obligation to correct misinformation on the site. Just four months before, her son Chris was part of a convoy outside Baghdad ambushed by a suicide bomber.

“I had just come home from protesting the war, in March,” she recalls. “When I heard that my son had been injured, I called to get the details.”

An officer fielded the call.

“I said, ‘It seems awfully ironic that I’m just coming home from a protest,’” she says. “And he said, ‘Yes ma’am.’ I said, ‘I think it’s pretty ironic, don’t you,’ and he said, ‘Yes ma’am, I’m sorry I do.’”

“It was mostly cuts and abrasions,” she adds. “The others were more injured than my son.”

Two hours after her email came this anonymous reply.

“Facts? Where are yours?

“Im sorry to hear you dont support the career choices your sons have made, it must make them feel good about themselves that momma doesnt [sic] give a rats ass about them . Maybe you should go join up Code Pinko at Walter Reed Medical Center they are there every Friday jeering our wounded troops.

“Bush's Mother did indeed have to endure being a Blue Star Mother, or have you forgotten all of John Kerry's accusations of him ditching his service during Vietnam, which was proven false he did serve his full time. You do not have to wring your hands and wear a pin to be recognized as a Blue Star Mother, we honor all members of the US Military.

“Illegal war? Congress voted overwhelming to go to war in Iraq.

“We are not obligated to link to any other website other than those we feel fit to link to, don't like it start your own website...

“The Democrats in Congress speak out of both sides of there [sic] mouths Bush lied about WMD yet when their man was in charge these were there responses.”

The email listed roughly a dozen quotes from leading progressive politicians who believed Iraq had or was pursuing weapons of mass destruction. They indicate Democrats believed Iraq’s weapons program posed a grave threat and were serious about eliminating it, but the context suggested Democrats had sought to start a war with equal fervor as President Bush.

Page Two: Marsha responds, and is cursed at

Originally published on Thursday July 28, 2005.