Gold Star Mother: Debbie Lee
by Gold Star MothersHollywood Use Your Influence, Show Your Gratitude
Hollywood wake up! In case you hadn’t noticed or forgot, we have noble, courageous, brave, and selfless men and women serving heroically in Iraq and Afghanistan. My son Marc Alan Lee was one of those heroes. He was the first Navy SEAL to give his life fighting the war on terror in Iraq. His SEAL task-unit is the most highly decorated special-ops unit since Vietnam.
On Aug 2, 2006, he made the choice in an intense firefight to stand out in the direct line of fire three times to defend his buddies and the freedoms that he so loved and believed in. He did that for you and for every American so that you could continue to live in the “land of the free.” He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his selfless and courageous actions that day. He was also posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with valor for his similar courageous actions on July 17-18, 2006. They’ve also named the base where he was in Ramadi ”Camp Marc Lee” in his honor.
I visited Camp Marc Lee in Iraq in December of 2008 when I spent Christmas thanking and honoring our heroes. I was embedded with the 1-4 Cav and went out on patrol several times in the Doura Neighborhood in Baghdad. I saw first hand the professionalism with which our heroes carry out their jobs. I saw their respect for the local Iraqis. I saw pictures of that neighborhood just the year before that resembled a ghost town. No children or people in the streets, no shops open, no cooperation from the locals with the US troops because Al Qaeda would kill them if they saw them talking to the troops.
When I walked on those same streets I couldn’t believe the difference. Children were playing in the streets and on the new playgrounds, 150 shops were open, the locals would come up and thank the troops for the changes they had made and the freedoms they had given them. I saw first hand the successes of our troops.
I am appalled that the mainstream media and Hollywood continue to portray my son and our troops as murderers, liars, and rapists with despicable character. Harry Reid calls them “losers,” John Murtha accuses them of cold blooded murders, Janet Napolitano releases a report calling them “potential terrorists.” Why the hatred towards our brave men and women who have given so much for them and their freedoms? Why do you focus on the bad decisions and action of a very small percentage and make it sound like that is the character of all of our faithful and selfless heroes who willingly serve and give? Why do you dishonor our troops this way?
As a single parent I worked 3 jobs at times and persevered to raise my three little children. I taught them morals, respect, determination and a love for their country and for God. Marc was a hero who valued the lives of others as more important than his own and willingly gave his life fighting for this country. Now Homeland Security has released a report labeling me a “right wing extremist” and my son a “potential terrorist”? We are true-blooded Americans who believe in our Constitution, in God and what this country was founded on and now we are being portrayed as the enemy? What has happened to America?
Where are the films — the success stories of the majority of our troops who heroically sacrifice so that you may live. I am disgusted and deeply hurt that you continue to desecrate and humiliate our men and women who have served and the sacrifices of our heroes like my son, Marc Alan Lee. His last letter home and the stories of how he lived and the sacrifice he made has impacted thousands of lives all over the world. You can read his letter at www.americasmightywarriors.org and get a glimpse of this amazing, mighty warrior.
Hollywood has the ability to influence millions of people and they have our troops to thank for that freedom of speech. The time is NOW to use that influence and show your gratitude. You owe it to those who sacrificed so that you could live. You owe it to the families who have been deeply hurt by your deception, distortion and lies. Honor our troops and stand behind them and their families by telling the truth and the success stories of our heroes. Get some courage and fortitude and do the right thing.
My son Marc didn’t have to stand up 3 times that day in the direct line of fire. He could have stayed out of sight, protected by the barrier of the wall, but he valued others lives more important than his own. He displayed courage and defended you and I and our freedoms. It’s time you do the same thing and stand up to honor our troops and tell their courageous stories without your spin on it.
He gave his all for this nation, what will you give?
To that very small minority in Hollywood who have stood by our troops, their families and the families of the fallen, THANK YOU! I love and appreciate each one of you. May God continue to bless you!
Debbie Lee
Proud Mother of a Hero!
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30 Comments
If Hollywood won't support our Troops, then let's not support Hollywood.
StIDan – AMEN! I think for every celebrity that gets on their bull-horn and starts in on the troops, there should be five more bull-horns from America shouting back at them. Am sick to death of watching those jerks get away with saying whatever the hell they want and no one slapping them down for it.
gold stars in the window…
we recall a neighbor who had three- that's right three- gold stars in their window, reflecting that all three of her sons were serving in a war. The war doesn't matter anymore, it was long ago. We were friends with the youngest, he had a very cool '64 Fairlane with a 289 and four speed transmission. His two older brothers had neat cars as well, and would run at Union Grove dragstrip in Wisconsin.
Looked up to all of them, we did… influenced our young impressionable mind.
Oh, two of them never returned…
To many in Hollywood "stars" are stuck in a sixties mindset, and to many power brokers in Hollywood are products of the sixties and early seventies, when it was cool to be counter-culture, anti-U.S. and anti-military. The cesspool of liberals that sprung from that era still pollute our courts, college faculties, and halls of government, as well as produce box office bomb after bomb after failure criticizing our country and our military. They are like Bubba Clinton, they "loathe the military". I can't wait untill they all retire and/or die. The world will immediately improve.
I can't imagine how anti-war film producters will feel when (if) they read this plea from a mother who sacrificed her son so all Americans can live free. I'm afraid they will feel nothing, which is why they will continue to do what they do.
Isnt it funny that now that they see a counterculture against *them*kinds of capacity), they rave and froth at the mouth about how STUPID we are?! I remember growing up how the 60s/70s set would complain how my generation, the "GenXers" werent interested in "being active and doing something with our lives" – little realizing that their accusation of apathy translated into "we're PO'd because you dont want to be like us." The ones who yelled the loudest about being 'individual' and 'rebellious' and 'different' were the first and the most denigrating.
Mrs. Lee,
Thank you for raising a son such as this. Your service to this country is as invaluable as his.
May we always remember those who fought and died to preserve and protect the "shining city on a hill"
God Bless
Thank you Mrs. Lee, I'm sure your brave son is watching over his comrades in arms from above with pride.
Hollywood liberals will never acknowledge the service and sacrifice made daily by our troops. I imagine it takes a lot of self-loathing to say those things about our soldiers, how else to explain the complete lack of class from Reid and Murtha.
Murtha may have served in the military, but he has long since thrown away any honor that he may have ever had.
Hollywood has no CLUE…. each and everyone one out in Hollywood have there own causes, and they have no clue or care for our PEOPLE standing up for OUR FREEDOMS..
Thank you Marc for giving your ultimate sacrifice so that we can still have our freedoms
Mrs. Lee, thank you for raising a son like this and would give his life for his beliefs
I think it is about time for the "conservative movie stars" to stop cowering in their splender, and if in fact thay are conservative minded, that they start to stand up like conservatives always have. Otherwise they are only conservative in word and not action. God bless you Mrs. Lee, Marc I pray is with his father now, and watching over you always.
Hollywood has no cajones at all. I bet, and if I had millions I would bet them that a POSITIVE movie about the U.S. liberation of Iraq would make $$$$$ at the box office. Plenty of Americans "get it"; we know the world is better off with Saddam Hussien gone from it. Israel is better off, Kuwait is better off, the Saudis are better off, hell even Iran can breath a little easier. It seems the only losers in this deal were Saddam's business partners in France and Russia. The world is a better place because of men like Marc Lee, we salute you.
Murtha should be publicly stripped of his decorations and rank for falsely accusing his fellow Marines of murder, being proved a liar and for the damage he is doing, as a DEMOCRAT, to our great country. He has no class and no honor and packs off federal tax money to his district like a filthy pig.
Ma'am, I presume to speak for our nation when I thank you for your son's service and your "solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the alter of Freedom."
That's the least we can do!
And he keeps getting RE-ELECTED!!!!!! WTF!?!?!?!
It's said that once a Marine, always a Marine. I think Murtha should be an exception. He's betrayed everything the Marines stand for and doesn't deserve to share the title U.S. Marine.
There has been aLOT of great points made here…. I am stunned at how easy the Liberals are to bash anyone standing up for our freedoms, but they utilize it every chance they get Freedom of this or that…. the troops do defend our freedom or defend our constitution, if they did not the liberals would allow us to become a rank society of socialism…….
Debbie – I think all of us can ever ever hope – is to leave the world a better place because of our presence. Your son Marc certainly did that. Rest assured that Hollywood's values are not the values of this nation. I would have considered it a privilege to know your son.
Debbie – I think all of us can ever ever hope – is to leave the world a better place because of our presence. Your son Marc certainly did that. Rest assured that Hollywood's values are not the values of this nation. I would have considered it a privilege to know your son.
Thank you Ms. Lee, for your sacrifice real America loves, and respects you and your son. Thanks for your service.
Ms. Lee,
As I have been reading through all of today's Troopathon posts, I had been able to keep the tears from breaking. As I read yours and of your heroic son and your sacrifice, said tears are now flowing feely and proudly.
Like my wife, her father, and my father, I have also served and remember many friends who did not come home as I have. I honor them now by doing all I can to instill honor, courage and love of others in my son as you have done so well in yours.
Marc will never be forgotten.
I extand my heart felt condolences and thank you as well Mrs. Lee for the person you created and the man he eventually became. Nothing we say or do here can ever repay the sacrifice he made for his country and his family both in and out of the military. Just know that we all will honor him and what he did in life and only hope to have the courage to do as he did if the situation ever calls for it.
My own limited service in the early 80's was nothing compared to what the men and women today do on a daily basis. To all of them and their families we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Mrs. Lee, God bless you and all the mothers who have seen their children die to protect the rest of us. Please know they hold a place in our hearts.
Mrs. Lee,
What a fine son you raised. I thank you on behalf of my entire family on the sacrifice that you have made. I have a young nephew who talks constantly of joining the marines (just like my dad). The "girl" inside of me sometimes tries to dissuade him. I will try to remember to be a woman and follow your example. For surely, your son got strength and encouragement from you. God bless you and your family.
R.I.P. Petty Officer Marc Lee.
Ms. Lee, I am so glad you were given the opportunity to see the work your son and all his comrades have done in Iraq. Keep spreading the good news!
Ms. Lee,
My condolescenes on the loss of your son. And God Bless him for his service to our great country.
Many of the Hollywood elite simply do not understand or care about the sacrifices our men and women in uniform make (including my husband, finishing up his second tour in Iraq).
And yes, more and more Conservative Hollywood people need to stand up and SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS and be proud about it.
For those that have already, I thank you as well.
God Bless.
I am a huge movie buff. I have watching thousands of movies. Yet these days, I find it difficult to go to anything but most children's movies. There's always an agenda. These are pampered, narcissistic, solipsistic, unrealistic useful idiots who proclaim to the world that America has more flaws than virtues. It infuriates me that these useful idiots lead lives that surpass anyone else's, yet they refuse to acknowledge the sacrifices poorly paid, heroic soldiers make every day. What fools the "stars" are.
Your example of selflessness, working three jobs to keep your family together, is the stuff that made your son give his life for his "brothers."
My condolences on the loss of your dear son.
It is so hard to read these stories of people who feel slighted, rightly so, by others in this country who should be thanking God everyday that there are people in this world like Marc. Ms. Lee, you have tremendous support, although you don't readily see it because it comes from real people who are busy living their lives and raising strong children like yours.
I have two family members in the military and one of them just returned from Iraq in January. I love these men and women and I am always profoundly grateful to them and humbled by them.
To you Ms. Lee, Marc, and also many of the WWII vets who have been watching the denigration of this country for years, keep the faith. It isn't over yet and good always prevails, in the best movies anyway. God bless you all.
Sincerely,
Rain
Agreed. The other posts were tough, but this one just flattened me.
It feels so inadequate, but all I can say to Ms. Lee is "thank you for everything".
While there are some in Hollywood who do understand (Kelsey Grammer, Gary Graham, Jon Voight, etc, etc.), there are still too many who don't and never will. The only movie I've gone to in the last 10 years was "An American Carol". Mrs. Lee – thank you. To all who serve, who have served and to those who will not return – God love you and keep you and THANK YOU for what you do and have done.
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