Mother Supports Bush

Pfc. Jesse Mizener, 24, of Auburn, Calif., was killed in Iraq on Jan. 7, 2004, when a mortar round hit his living quarters in Baghdad. He had been assigned to the 542nd Maintenance Company, 44th Corps Support Battalion, 593rd Corps Support Group from Fort Lewis, Washington.

"We supported our son and his decision to join the military. Being in the military is an honorable job. I'm not about politics; I'm about the soldiers," said Becky Mizener , mother of Jesse, in an interview with washingtonpost.com.

Mizener was online Friday, Aug. 19, at 3 p.m. ET to discuss her reasons for supporting President Bush and the war in Iraq.

A transcript follows.

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Pricenton, N.J.: Dear Ms Mizener, our hearts and prayers are with you and all the other families who have suffered from this war. We honor your sacrifice. Knowing what we all now know about the incorrect information that led to this war and its execution do you think it is appropriate to continue without a well defined and measureable goal for an exit strategy that will minimize further loses?

Becky Mizener: That's not my call to make. I'm not those in authority in the military.

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Becky Mizener: Thank you for your kind words.

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Washington, D.C.: Dear Becky,

I understand your respect for the military. The disaster in Iraq is not the fault of the soldiers. I, like many people who oppose this war, think President Bush is at fault for lying to us and for sending our brave soldiers off to fight for no good reason.

Do you ask yourself whether your son died for a good reason, and what reason do you think that is?

Becky Mizener: My son died fighting terrorism. That was his job. He joined the military knowing the risks involved. My son died an honorable man doing an honorable job. He was serving in the U.S. military.

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Fairfax, Va.: Becky, I just wanted thank you and your family for you sacrifice for freedom. Your had a beautiful son of whom you should be very, very proud.

As a daughter of a career Army officer who served 3 years in war zones while I was growing up, I reject giving as much credence as the mainstream media does to people like Ms. Sheehan. I completely sympathize with her loss, but I continue to reserve the right to disagree with her opinions about the war and foreign policy. I won't be the first to ask this today, but what are your thoughts about when the media gives so much attention to people like Cindy Sheehan, and virtually no attention to others who have also suffered a devastating loss but who support the work their son was doing and the war effort?

Thanks for your time.

Becky Mizener: I think the media is doing their job. They're trying to sell books, newspapers, magazines, air time and sensationalism sells. It's not as interesting to listen to a mom in a small town sending packages to deployed soldiers. It's upsetting to me that so much media is about the negative. This woman, Cindy Sheehan, is hurting quite a bit. Apparently this is how she's dealing with her grief. I support her right to stand on the corner and say whatever she wants to but those of us who are watching the media can always turn the channel or shut it off.

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Alexandria, Va.: My sincere condolences over the death of your son.

As someone who lost a loved one in this war, are you at all concerned that by supporting the continued war effort, there will be others placed in the same position as you?

And if you wouldn't mind, could you share some of your thought process on your support of the war?

I have a very hard time understanding those who say we have to continue with this effort because "our president says so." No one is infalliable. Leaders can and do make mistakes, whether their names are Bush, Clinton, whatever. Why do so many military families not see that, and seemly follow blindly?

Becky Mizener: I'm not for war per se. War is an ugly thing but sometimes it's necessary. I grieve that the loss of the families that will lose their family members in times ahead. But again, it's not my call to say whether we should be there or not. I have trust in the people who make these decisions.

I can only speak for myself. I trust the leaders that I voted for.

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Woodbridge, Va.: Why do you think so many people in this country who claim to support America and the troops are acting so unpatriotic by criticizing the military and President Bush at every opportunity?

Becky Mizener: I support our soldiers and our military. I supported our son when he was in the military. I for one am glad we have a strong military.

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Bethesda, Md.: As a mother who have lost a child while they were serving our country and working to insure our freedom and security. How do you react to people who minimize the threats which your child lost his life confronting?

I'm sorry for you loss. I can't imagine how it feels. I appreciate the sacrifice your family has made for our country.

Becky Mizener: Again, my son was doing a job. He was doing what he was told. He was proud to be a soldier. When he came home on leave he told us of the children with such sadness and fright in their eyes and he said, that's why I'm there ... to free these people.

People have a right to say whatever they want.

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Floyd, Va.: My thanks to your son for making the ultimate sacrifice for this country. While we all may have questions about the war, I believe we owe this country our support for maintaining our freedom; I am impressed with the military and their strong dedication to getting the job done. I fully support the troops and have a son in the Corps. I would love to hear more about your organization.

Becky Mizener: Packed With Pride sends boxes of food goodies and toiletries to our deployed military. We get names by word of mouth. We work out of our living room. We are sending 200 boxes a month and rely on the donations and contributions of others for our purchasing and shipping. We send to Army, Navy, Marines, National Guard and Air Force.

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Becky Mizener: We're working on getting our 501c status.

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Freeland, Pa.: Becky,

I would like to extend my condolences on the death of your son. I supported this war from the very beginning and still do. I admire your son for his courage.

What advice could you give to those of us who are continually attacked for supporting the war effort?

Becky Mizener: I support the troops and I support the soldiers and I'm doing something to make their deployment a little easier. I would recommend that you tell people to do something positive for the troops, like send a letter, send a card, support any number of organizations that support our troops.

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Dale City, Va.: I am very sorry for your loss.

Isn't one of the major freedoms that we enjoy the RIGHT to express our opinion. You have the RIGHT to support the war and Mrs. Sheehan has the RIGHT to question our leaders. Why do so many who support the war attacks those who do not as unpatriotic? To me, squashing dissent and discussion of divisive issues is very dangerous for a free country.

Becky Mizener: Again, I can only speak for myself. I agree 100 percent that Cindy Sheehan has a right to speak her mind whenever and wherever. All I know is my son would be very disappointed with me if I were in her shoes because I supported what he did. I supported his decision to go into the Army and he would be very upset with me if I were not still supporting him even after his death.

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Packed With Pride: I've read from various soldier blogs that some goodies are donated to the families of Iraqi soldiers. Do you send items to both US and Iraqi forces?

Becky Mizener: No, I send boxes to the soldiers in the name of the individual soldier. When I send a box to a particular soldier, what he does with the contents of the box is not my business. Sometimes I'll send licorice to a particular soldier. He doesn't like locorice, he gives it away. Let me add that when it comes to children, children are children all over the world. Some are hungry; some are in need and whatever I send, if it goes to a hungry child, I'm happy with that.

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Maryland : Do you still hear from other soldiers in your son's unit?

Becky Mizener: Yes. It's wonderful. I enjoy talking with them. We share stories about Jesse. I love being in contact with them.

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Fairfax, Va.: Ms. Mizener: I would also like to add to the codolences for the loss of your loved one. While I do not support the motives of the current administration, nevertheless, I support our military. How can I or others make a contribution to your organization?

Becky Mizener: The Web site is www.packedwithpride.com. There's a donation station you can click on.

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Rockville, Md.: You're doing a great job in this discussion of staying out of the political fray. And rightly so. So many people are polarized about this war that they feel you must be on one side or another. I admire you for focusing on the troops and doing something positive for them. Whether you have political leanings is not important in your work. Thanks for focusing on the troops and not getting dragged into the political battles.

Becky Mizener: Thank you. I agree to keep the politics out of it and let's just support our troops. These are young men and women, mothers and fathers, and husbands and wives who are thousands of miles from home doing their job. And my job is to simply make their lives a little easier. That's my goal.

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Freeland, Pa.: It seems to me that ever since the wheels came off the Dean campaign, the anti-war movement had lost a voice. That movement now has a visible face in Cindy Sheehan.

I'm currently a college student at Fordham University. I suppose we might see demonstrations against the war on campus this year. What do we do to put a face on the pro-war movement?

Becky Mizener: If they need a support our troops movement they can use my face and Packed With Pride all they want.

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Becky Mizener: We got the name "Packed With Pride" because I pack each box with the pride of a soldier's mom.

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Bethesda, Md.: You have my deepest sypathies for your loss. At the time of your son's death , did you receive a call form the President or any other high ranking official? Perhaps if the President spent more time speaking with people like, you, Mrs. Sheehan and other parents who have lost a son or daughter than with Rumsfeld, Cheney and Rove, an end to the loss of lives would become a reality much sooner than by following his flawed and failed efforts to this point.his

Becky Mizener: The day after Jesse was killed (Jan. 7, 2004) we got a call from Baghdad from the commanding officer and he gave us his condolences and I believe he was absolutely sincere. Later in April that year we were part of a number of families that were invited to meet with the president at Ft. Lewis, Washington. Cindy Sheehan was one of those families. At the time, I thought, what a wonderful gesture for the president to make time for these families. I know he didn't have to do it and it was a very special time for my husband and I.

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Washington, D.C.: Hi Becky, Do you see any value to the efforts of those of us who are trying to bring the troops home by ending the war? We feel that bringing them home before they're killed or wounded is as important as making them feel cared for while they're in risk of dying in Iraq.

Becky Mizener: I can't control the length of time that servicemen and women are deployed for. What I can control is making their lives a little more comfortable. That's what I do.

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Anonymous: I am deeply grateful for your son's bravery and sense of duty, I grieve for his loss. I am also deeply opposed to our policy in Iraq, primarily to avoid even one more mother experiencing what you have. Do you think those two feelings are in any way contradictory?

Becky Mizener: I knew Jesse's situation was dangerous just like a firefighter's mom knows that that job is dangerous. But I supported him and still feared for his safety. But I left Jesse's life in God's hands.

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College Park, Md.: This was asked previously: "Why do you think so many people in this country who claim to support America and the troops are acting so unpatriotic by criticizing the military and President Bush at every opportunity." Do you think criticizing the president is unpatriotic?

Becky Mizener: No, I don't think criticizing the president is unpatriotic because in this country we have a right to do so. But as a military family I think it's wrong to criticize the president because he's the commander in chief.

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Becky Mizener: Thank you to everyone who sent their condolences. I appreciate it. Continue to support our troops. Write a letter, send a card. There's a lot you can do as an individual or through an organization. Go to www.packedwithpride.com also.

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Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.