Never thought I'd see this on the AP...

Yeah, I know I said I was going to the lake, and I still am, but I thought this story was too important to pass up... Kudos for the AP for finally reporting about one who speaks for the majority of parents in the military:

From the AP:

FAIRFIELD, Ohio (AP) -- A soft-spoken suburban real-estate broker, John Prazynski didn't consider himself political and never expected to become a public figure, much less a pro-war activist. But in the year since his son Taylor, a Marine, died in Iraq, Prazynski has devoted much of his time to supporting the troops through fundraisers, two trips to Camp Lejeune, N.C., and interviews backing the war effort.

"I could easily have gone the other way," Prazynski said. He says his activism is a tribute to his son, trying to "make something positive happen out of something so negative. That's what Taylor would want us to do."

Marine Lance Cpl. Taylor Prazynski, 20, died May 9, 2005, of shrapnel wounds from a mortar shell that exploded near him during combat in Anbar Province. In his last phone calls, the fun-loving, popular man who had spent much of his senior year of high school helping special-needs students told his father he wanted to become a special education teacher.

Prazynski is channeling his efforts toward the betterment of those in the military and their families:

The father searched the Internet and found several groups he felt he could support, but chose Impact Player Partners because it was based in nearby Cincinnati. The nonprofit group, an advocate for wounded and disabled veterans, invited Prazynski to take part in the opening day presentation with Bush.

Prazynski also works with the Washington-based Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors and hopes to raise donations for its activities by running in the Marine Corps Marathon in October.

"We're so grateful for his participation," said TAPS founder Bonnie Carroll. "It's an incredible opportunity to honor and help all those who are grieving the loss of a loved one."

Prazynski's last trip to Camp Lejeune - some 700 miles on a motorcycle - was another step.

"That's part of the healing process, to meet parents of other Marines and soldiers who died and just be able to talk to them," he said.

On his way home, Prazynski made a spur-of-the-moment 300-mile side trip.

"I went up to Arlington (National Cemetery) and visited Taylor's grave, and the other Cincinnati fallen heroes and the other men he served with. That's part, I guess, of how I deal with things," he said.

"I spent most of Saturday afternoon in Arlington. It's just peaceful; I could probably sit there for days, seriously."

Aside from meeting President Bush, the only thing that this guy has in common with Cindy "moonbat" Sheehan is the loss of their sons. The main difference is that Prazynski actually respects his son's memory and sacrifice:

The former Air Force tech school instructor shares the pain - but not the viewpoint - of Cindy Sheehan, who became a high-profile war protester after her son Casey was killed in Iraq in April 2004.

"She's grieving, as we are," Prazynski said. "She's chosen to direct her energies in a different direction. I say God bless her.

"My son died for the Constitution that allows her to do what she's doing. Her son died, and God bless him, too, to support and defend the Constitution that gives her the right to speak freely, and I'm all for that right.

"I just don't think that I clearly understand what her agenda is."

With all due respect, let me help you out there, Mr. Prazynski: Her agenda is herself.

(Filed under Heroes)